DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

PUNGAREHUc (From Our Own Correspondent.) New Year’s Day, 1921, came in perfect weather, calling * many forth into the open air on pleasure bent. It was an ideal day for a jaunt to the seaside, with family and hamper, filled with some of the good things left over from the previous day’s feast. New Year’s Day will go down in holiday records as a standard of all that a summer holiday should be.

The Old Year, with all its trials and troubles is gone. The New Year is with us. What it will bring to New Zealand no man can predict. It Is quite certain, however, that we shall still have difficulties as in previous years, and they have been surmounted; so it will be again. Determination and tenacity which saw the British people right through the long years of war, will see us through any trouble which we may be called upon to face during the next twelve months. What it is hoped will make for a bright and happy New Year for all is to forget minor differences, make good use of the many advantages we possess, and take as guiding principles loyalty, industry and progress, principles which if properly acted up to will, within a comparatively short period, place this country In a sounder and more satisfactory position than it has ever yet occupied. The dance held by the Hall Committee in the Warea Hall on New Year’s Eve was fairly attended, and, like its predecessors, passed off most satisfactory.

The dance held in the Rahotu Hall on the same evening attracted a fair attendance. The dance was concluded in the early hours of the morning and everyone went home having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Messrs. Parker and Norris provided the music. A first-rate supper was handed round. The Methodist Church of Rahotu held its annual Sunday School p*.cnic in the Rahotu Domain on Boixng Day. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Hughson and divers. The childfen were given a most enjoyable time and entered spiritedly into the games and sports. A liberal supply of refreshments was provided, and the lollie scrambles were a" feature the children particularly appreciated. A large number of the parents congregated at the domain, and to ail appearances enjoyed themselves heartily.

The local Methodist Sunday School picnic takes place on Wednesday, the 12th inst. The local stores have opened up again, and artf bracing themselves up in. readiness to start the New Year in earnest. Though four days is a long time for business places to remain closed continuously, the people have not apparently suffered Ln any way, the volume of business done for the festive season being greater than ever. The coastal districts were much quieter than in normal times, many of those who were free from the ties of business having left on ’holiday. On Sunday many took advantage of the fine day to visit the mountain. The coastal residents ha-re had to go for their amusement to New Plymouth and surrounding towns. The Ngartiotu beach picnic, Ngaere Gardens and Stratford races were well patronised by the coastal people, but I have not heaird of anyone coming home with a large amount of foreign capital. The holidays also seemed to be good f«r fishing, according to the number of sharks .and schnappers that were caught by the local Maoris, large hauls being reported by each boat’s crew.

If the holiday weather did not suit the keenest motorist, well he must be a born pessimist. Everyone, from the pedestrian to the motorist, has been glad to see such splendid weather. Cars galore have passed through here for both southern and northern towns during the past week. The spectre of famine in benzine which obtained last year is absent this year and the motorist, local of otherwise, can get as much fuel now as he cares to pay for. If the fine weather continues the motorists will have spent a memorable holiday season. Several minor accidents ar© repotted, but nothing above the holiday average. Everything that could be induced to go has had benzine put into it, and trotted out for a joy ride There was again a- good crowd of visitors to the Cape Egmont lighthouse during the holidays, including the following: R. Smith (New Plymouth), K. Fleming (New Plymouth). H. Simmons (Wadestown), M. Scott (Wellington), ,T. Scott (Wellington), F. Wolstenhclme

(Warea), E. Stott (Warea), A. Stott (Warea), J. A. Wolstenholme (Warea), E. Barrett (Oaonui), W. Buckley (New Plymouth), S. Steward (Ireland), E. M. Barnitt (New Plymouth), M. H. Barnitt (New ELvmouth), S. G. Joll (Havelock, Hawke’s B»fr), I. Harrison (Rahotu), J. M. Collier (Manaia). R. J. Harrison (Rahotu), ,W. G. Hughson (Rahotu), N. Maher (Wellington), K. Aylward (Warea), B. Doyle (Warea), N. Bain (Wellington), C. Crosse (Rahotu) G. Bain (Wellington), M. E. RowQands (Rahotu), W. L. Newman (Opunake), W. M. Bain (Wellington), M. E. A. Martin (Pungarehu), R. Martin (Pungaretu), G. Smith (Wellington), F. Ramsbottom (Patea), E. Smith (Patea), C. Ramsbottom (Patea), C. J. Smith (Patea), E. Smith (Wellington), C. Bell (Rahotu), V. Bell (Kahahl), L. Twiton (Kahahi), P. Corbett (Okato), C. Corbett (Okato), A. Strand (Christchurch), C. Strand (Opunake), E. Kibblewhite (Christchurch), A. Putt (Warea).