DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGABEHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The question of improving the local public hall has been a burning one for many years. A forward move has at length been made. On Wednesday night, the 2nd Inst., a meeting of those interested was called to discuss matters, tfut owing probably to lack of publicity there was a very sparse attendance. Mrs. Matthews, of the Ladles’ Improvement Committee, presided. During the course of a few remarks the chairwoman stated that though the committee would not be\ able to proceed with the whole improvements contemplated it has been found necessary to effect certain alterations to the present building in Order to meet the demands of progress. Various forms of improvement within the scope of the funds in hand were considered. I understand an early start is to be made with certain alterations, which should prove of great service to those arranging social functions for the district. Various functions will be organised to raise the necessary funds to complete the improvements. Those who attended the Taranaki Jockey Club’s meeting on Wednesday and Thursday last speak in high terms of the manner 1 in which the arrangements were carried out and of the excellent quality 6f the sport provided. Higher stakes are year by year attracting the best horses in the Dominion to New Plymouth, whilst the public are recognising the efforts of the club, th® owners, and jockeys alike, to provide clean sport, \nd consequently the attendance and totalisator revenue are getting larger every year. The soldier farmers here are all making good progress. Two of them are making arrangements for installing an up-to-date cow milking plant to start off next season. Several fine droves of fats, both in cattle and sheep, have passed through lately, which speaks well for the pastoral capabilities of the coastal districts. A good many private buyers have been seen around. Ragwort is now coming into full bloom, and though it has not got a very strong hold in this vicinity, it behoves all to keep It in check as much as possible, for once it gets established it takes some eradicating. We were promised legislation regarding the checking of weeds; but so far I am unable to get any information as to what such legislation consists of.

( WAI-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent ) One of the oldest business men in Urenul, in the person of Mr. George Bertrand, sent., is retiring next month. For many years Mr. Bertrand was connected with the late Mr. C. N. Rowe’s general store, and when that gentleman sold out some fifteen years ago, Mr. Bertrand opened a newspaper and other agencies business on his own account. Owing to failing health he has now decided to retire, • and it is needless to say he will be greatly missed by his patrons, his genial and obliging manner having made him universally liked and respected. The Mimi school re-opened last week after the usual summer vacation. The school has now tv/o teachers, Miss Cassie having been appointed temporary assistant teacher to help Miss Nolan. Quite a large number of fat sheep and cattle passed through last week on their way to the freezing works. One line of nearly 300 cattle came from as far aorth as Hamilton, the drive occupying some fourteen days, whilst a line of 1100 sheep were brought from Te Kuiti. Both lines, though a little footsore, looked well after their long drive, owing no doubt to there being a fair amount of feed on the roadsides. In view of the forthcoming beach races, owners are now getting their horses into training, and there should be some fair quality animals running this year. It has been suggested that the committee might increase their revenue materially by making an optional gate charge to those who have not bought a member’s ticket. This should in no way affect the permit granted by the authorities to hold the meeting, as no one who objected to pay would be compelled to do so, and it is fairly safe to assume that there are very few who would begrudge a shilling or so towards paying for the day’s amusement.

A most successful dance was held *in the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening last, the proceeds being devoted to the’ Athlettf Sports Club. The duties .of M.C. were well carried out by Mr. Geo. Fuller, whilst Mr. Reg. Spurr was pianist. During the evening a tasty supper was. handed round, and was greatly appreciated. On Friday evening Mr. Charles Selden, who is. on the staff of the Wai-toi-toi cheese factory, met with a rather painful accident. Mr. Selden was mounting a young horse, and before getting properly seated the animal became restive, and Mr. Selden was thrown heavily to the ground, sustaining injuries to his shoulder. The sufferer was conveyed to the New Plymouth Hospital by Mr. Jas. Ross (the manager), where he is progressing as favorably as can be expected.

Gn Saturday afternoon another accident happened at Kaipiknri to Mr. Gerald Pigr.tt, son of Mr. R. H. Pigott, of Urenui. The mishap ‘ was caused through the horse which Mr. Pigott was riding coming down and crushing the rider, who sustained a broken leg. Fortunately Mr. Wim. Pigott was with his brother, and secured a spring cart and some bedding and brought him to Urfenui, from where he was' taken into town by motor car. Mr. Pigott, senr., who was officiating as judge at the Taranaki Trotting Club’s meeting, was communicated with, and met his son at the hospital, where the sufferer received every attention, and is now doing well.

At a meeting of theTJrenui 'Sports Committee on Saturday evening last, it was decided that the admission to the ball be reduced to 4s for gentlemen and 2s for ladies, and that a handround supper be provided, together with free soft drinks.

A couple of local residents had a remarkably good evening’s sport on Friday last on the Mimi river, and succeeded in spearing 147 flounders.

Four of the pupils of the Miuni school, who obtained their proficiency certificates last year, are leaving for New Plymouth this week. Lily Phillips and Rene Taylor (now of Bell Block) are entering the Girls’ High School, Grace Glassford will attend, the Technical School, and Stanley Phillips the Boys’ High School.

Welcome rain set in on Monday, and will prove of inestimable value to the pastures and crops. As there has been very little rain since Christmas, the country was beglnnihg to assume a parched appearance, and the shortage of feed caused a very marked drop In the milk supply. Should the rain continue, as it has every appearance of doing, the grass should come away rapidly, and a fair supply of winter feed be provided.

On Thursday last, several members of the Urenui Tennis Club, consisting of Mesdames C. Wilson, E. Elliot, A. Thompson, and Miss Smith, and Messrs. Wm. Fuller, D. Des Forges and Fitzgerald, journeyed to Uruti and played a friendly match with unembers of that club. The visitors proved too strong for the home team, and secured the majority of games played. Afternoon tea was provided by the Uruti ladles, and proved most welcome. On Saturday a return match was played on the Urenui court, and the latter team again proved victorious after a most enjoyable afternoon’s sport. Following are details of the various doubles, Urenui being mentioned first in each case:—McKinney and Bertrand (4) v. Addenbrooke and Richardson (G) ; Stephen* son and W. Fuller (6) v. McAlluni and Klrkby (2) ; Fitzgerald and Bertrand (ft) v. Addenbrooke and Richardson (3) ; W. Fuller and McKinney (6) v. McAUum and Klrkby (5) ; Fitzgerald and W. Fuller (6) v. Richardson and Kirkby (4). Ladies’ Doubles: Mrs. Wilson and Miss Musker (G) v. Miss McAlluni and Mrs. Fenn (5). Combined Doubles: Fitzgerald and Mrs. Wilson (6) v. Addenbrooke and Miss MeAllum (3) ; Stephenson and Miss Musker (1) v. Richardson and Mrs. C. Butt (6) ; Bertrand and Mrs. Wilson (6). v. Addenbrooke and Mrs. D. Butt (4) ; Fitzgerald , and Mrs. Bertrand (G) v. McAUum and Mrs. D. Butt (3) ; Stephenson and Mrs. Bertrand (6) v. Addenbrooke and Mrs. Fenn (2) ; Fuller and Mrs. Wilson (6) v. McAUum and Miss McAUum (0) ; Fitzgerald and Mrs. Bertrand (5) v. Addenbrooke and Mrs. C. Butt (6). The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the Urenui J