DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual school concert was held in the Matau School on the 19th uft., and was a very successful gathering, every household in the district being represented. Every item was well received, ! and the rendering was very good, re- ! fleeting great credit on the headmaster, J Mr. 'Short, and the children, who spared !no effort in preparing their items. Dancing for the children was interspersed with the items, and a dainty supper at 10 o’clock concluded the children’s evening. After supper the send-off committee availed themselves of the opportunity to make a presentation to Mr. and Mrs. T. Pearse, who have sold out and are leaving the district. Mr. Kennington, in making the presentation on behalf of the settlers, spoke of the es--1 teem in which Mr. and Mrs. Pearse were held, and while regretting their removal wished them every prosperity in their new venture. The presentation took the form of a handsome travelling bag and a hand-bag for Mrs. Pearse. Dancing was then indulged in until the early hours, and all joined in “voting it” a very enjoyable function. The arrangements were in the capable hands of Messrs. Short (headmaster), L. Ayres (chairman of school committee), and A. Smith (M.C.) A deputation from the Settlers’ and Ratepayers’ Association, consisting of Messrs. H. R. Harrison, N. B. Fletcher, . and F A. Nelson, met a committee fcom ‘ the Stratford Council, to further discuss the question of the Stratford County absorbing the Matau district. No finality was reached on the question, and the matter was adjourned to enable the council committee to inspect the roads • and bridges in the district. Mr. G. Jones, late of Pohokura, a returned soldier, has purchased the farm lately occupied by Mr. T. Pearse, and has taken up his residence in the valley. 1 There was a fair yarding at the Loan and Mercantile’s monthly sale last week. Prices did not reach expectations, but nevertheless all stock yarded was sold. According to reports there will be a very large yarding of sheep and cattle at the annual fair which is to be held at the Matau yards on February 11th. The dry spell we have been experiencing broke on Saturday. The weather is now cool and moist.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Climatic conditions were favorable for the local Methodist Church Sunday school picnic, which was held at Mr. T. P. Hughson’s paddock on Wednesday, the 12th. As soon as lunch was over, sports for young and old were indulged in, and by the noise the children made they at any rate were evidently enjoying themselves. Subsequently all joined in rounders and various other games, which gave them a good appetite and enabled them to enjoy the afternoon tea which the ladies had provided. Their enjoyment throughout was unbounded, and we may confidently believe that they are already looking forward to next year’s picnic. For the success of the outing much credit must be given to those in charge, consisting of Mesdames Raynor and Kirk, Misses Corbett (2), and Messrs Hughson, Raynor, Strand and Aker. The services in the Methodist Church on Sunday last were conducted by the Rev. C. Strand in the afternoon, and by the Rev. C. Addenbrooke for the Anglican Church in the evening. An accident happened recently to Mr. H. Tynan, of the local factory staff, by which he sustained a broken arm. He was removing the belting from the driving shaft pulley. Smokers will view with mild alarm the further increase in the price of tobacco. Here is an opportunity for the people of New Zealand to establish the tobacco industry. It is said that the climate in the north is most suitable for tobacco growing. A suggestion has been made that an anti-smokers’ league be started, to embrace the whole of the Dominion. If an association of this kind was started, and the thousands of smokers denied themselves their pipes for a few weeks, the shrinkage in revenue would perhaps be the means of compelling the Government to take steps to establish the tobacco industry in this country. The heavy rain which was experienced on .Saturday last was welcomed by most farmers and gardeners. Weeks of intermittent sunshine and hot and dusty winds had the efl’ect of making the ground remarkably dry. Though crops and gardens generally were standing the drought fairly well, rain was badly needed and the downpour will do a' lot of good. The later crops will be filled out, whilst pastures will quickly rejuvenate after the dry spell. The water supply so far as residents dependent on tanks were concerned, was getting very low, but the downpour relieved the anxiety.