DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

OPUNAKE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Some time in June the Seaside Society are holding a Queen Carnival in aid of Improvements to the beach. The organisation has been set in (motion, and the candidates out for “declaration and decoration" are Mrs. C. Lyttle (Opunahe), Misses M. Warner (Te Kiri), L. Callaghan (Hibernian), and M. Pease (County). Beach farms in this county are very dry. Rain clouds can be seen inland, but the sea winds kee<p the “watering-can” froim our midst. The grounds committee of the Opunake Racing Club have commenced getting the grounds and buildings in order for a record attendance on March 17th. The Town Board are faced with the problem of finding an extra £5,000, the increase on the £7,000 loan raised for hydro-electric works. Many local bodies have been "put out” of their calculations on account of unexpected increases on materials and laborers. This increase is not surprising, seeing the original estimate was made about three years ago.

The Town Board has been dilatory In finding out the actual increase over the original estiiqate. The oement and Idan mqneiy (£7,000), has been in hand for some time, and the preparatory work is now being put in hand. The difficulty of getting loan money is apparent everywhere, so it is quite possible that a special rate will be struck to make up the balance of interest. A Powers Board is proposed to be formed, taking iri* an area outside the township. The sum of £12,000 should not deter us in carrying out a progressive work of this nature. My advice is not to be dismal over the proposal, but for the Town Board to put ginger into their methods. £12,000 is not an insurmountable hurdle for a prosperous area like ours. Why look down the nose over it? We will, spend more than that sum in the races at Opunake on the 17th March. Get moving and move quickly. The firm step is to show our own faith in our own district by getting on with the work as far as we can.

In reading the report of the Egmont CountyCouncil's meeting, one member is reported to have said anent the Old People’s Home, “there are no inmates from Egmont County." Tills remark led many old Opunakeites to ask where are the old Opunake Identities, who went from here a few years to the Old People’s Home. Royalty from 9s to 15s per cord is charged for rata firewood, and in many Instances, permission is not given to take rata firewood from farms, royalty or no royalty. The Egmont Council, according to the reports, require a new machinery plant. Will not the increased valuation give the council sufficient money if the valuations are brought up-to-date? The last valuation of the council is four years old, about the oldest valuation of any local body in Taranaki. , There is very little use of the Egmont Council coming to the ratepayers for improved machinery, unless the council is going in for improved methods. Tar-sealing or no tar-sealing, the council require crushed stone and plenty of

it, and Cr. Ferguson is on the right track when he stated what was required were substantial metal depots. The present method of dodging about in trout-holes for metal is expensive, as is the delay caused in setting up the crusher for every small contract. If the council institute progressive methods they must be supported, for it will be in the interests of ratepayers to do so. Ratepayers, however, are not in sympathy with the little ideas about procuring metal. The engineer submitted a proposal some time ago that was more in keeping with progress. The fruit season in this country has been a good average one. On the other hand, the dry weather means that small birds, small boys, and insects take a considerable amount from the producer;

A strange anomoly in the cost of living. Go into a shop and buy butter. If the butter is wrapped in a co-operative dairy company’s butter wrapper, you have to pay 2s 3d. If it is wrapped Ln a dairy maid’s "home separator" butter wrap, you pay from Is 6d to Is 9d. The butter tastes as good as the 2s 3d made! The little farmed is distinguished from the big farmer. The Government subsidies the big butter-plant, whilst the man that “turns a handle" in the butter trade, gets the market price, and that only.

Dairy stock of all classes is at a low price, that is, comparing the values that have obtained during the previous two seasons. Retail prices are not sliding downwards in sympathy with the fall in produce and stock. A specially good line of fat bullocks were taken last week from Pihama by Mr. Allan to New Plymouth. They were a capital advertisement for the quality of the land in that district. Probably the Opunake Town Board's application for an increased and more important status under the local governing bodies Act, will be delayed by the "Governor-in-Councll" until after the census, to be taken some time in April. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual gala day sports, held under the auspjees of the Warea Hall Committee, is to take place on Wednesday, 2nd March. Enthusiastic committees are at work, and this year's gala promises to easily eclipse any of its predecessors. Watch the Dally News columns for further particulars. Flounders hav/; been fairly plentiful in the local rr. ers lately, and t.n one or two evenings last week spearing jarties have been kept busiiy employed Needless to say, the fish made n most welcome addition to th’ breakfast tables of those fortunate enough to secure ahem. Sharks are also in great abundance, and the Natives are taking full advantage ot the intermittent calm weather to lay in a good stock of this delicacy for the winter. Dried shark has a flavor peculiarly its own, and, though not much in favor amongst Europeans, is greatly appreciated by the Maoris. Though not advertised as it might be, it is surprising the number of people who visit Pungarehu during the summer months to spend a short holiday, and those who come to enjoy themselves generally have their wishes gratified, as in addition to costal residents’ hospitality, the proximity of Pungarehu to Cape Egimont lighthouse and Parlhaka offers an inducement to the town people to make the trip. Preparations are being made by the ladies’ Improvement committee to bold a grand ball in the local hall shortly, the day and date of which will be duly advertised in the Daily News.

The grounds surrounding the residence of Wi Kupi presented a busy appearance on: Thursday and Friday last week, when a tangi l was in progress in connection with the death of a Maori woman, 85 years of age, named Rahwia. She was buried on Friday. Our school-teacher (Miss A. I. Mackay) is ( leaving us shortly, having been transferred to the charge of the school at Urenui. She will be greatly missed, as she. took a great interest in the children of the district.

Some roads in the district are in splendid order, but there are a few by-roads in a very bad state. What with loose stones, etc., they are getting somewhat dangerous for travelling.

Gorse and blackberry crops in this locality, not to mention ragwort, are all looking prolific at present. Lupins are proving a perfect curse to many in the Pungarehu district, the pest being especially troubleosme to those with land adjacent to Maori property, where people are experiencing some difficulty in eradicating it. The decided fall in the price of pigs will mean a considerable loss to many dairy farmers on the coast. In many cases pigs were purchased last spring at decidedly iiigii rates by farmers, who were of the opinion then that prices for baconers would continue to be highly remunerative.

The local school committee met on Saturday afternon, the 12th inst. II was decided to hold the annual school picnic on Wednesday, the 23rd, al the Domain. In connection with the school picnic final arrangements Pave now been completed. The young people report good success in canvassing for subscriptions, and given a fine day this year’s gathering should be a great success.

The annual picnic in connection with the Warea School is to be held in the Warea Domain on Tuesday, the 22nd, This n> an Meal picnic spot, and as the nsople of the district

are noted for their hospitality all who attend can be assured of an enjoyable time. A cordial invitation is extended to all. In tte evening a fitting wind-up to the day’s pleasure will be provided in the form of a dance in the Warea Hall, the music being in the hands of Mr. Pearson, and the supper arrangements In the hands of the Warea ladies, both guarantees that they will be of the very best. The concert to be given by the children of the Pungarehu School, which takes place in the hall here on Wdnesday, March 9, the proceds of which are being devoted to the school funds, promises to be a big success. The school teachers have been working very hard these past few weeks with the children, and patrons may look forward to a musical treat. The concert is to be followed by a dance for the adults, for which a dainty supper will be provided. This function is expected to be something out of the ordinary.

The local hall is at present undergoing minor improvements, the cost of these having been met by a number of socials, etc. Mr. Ken Mathews has the work in hand, which will be completed shortly. The arranging of social functions here during the past year were mostly in charge of the ladies’ improvement committee, who were undoubtedly a great success In catering for the social amenities of the local people. This year, I understand, the ladies mean to again take the matter in hand, and it is hoped that a great response will be made to augment their exchequer so that the scheme of improvements ccntemplated at the hall will be further advanced. The ladies’ committee are making a move in the right direction, and they will without a doubt receive the support of the whole community. The weather in this locality has been gloriously fine for weeks past, but farmers desire rain. In consequence of the fine spell there are numerous visitors here. There again appears to be a demand for land setting in, in spite of the high prices, and moving about the district, one learns of many instances of offers which make one wonder if the limit I:as as yet been reached. The story is told of a farmer who sold his farm a few months ago at a very good figure, returning a good profit, but he finds that he cannot secure another place at anything like the price he gave for his previous dne, and he is making strenuous efforts to Induce the purchaser to sell the farm back to him. It is needless to add that up to the present the purchaser is sitting tight. Good crops of swedes are to be seen in and around this district this season. It would seem to a casual observer as if in most cases that every seed sown had germinated, and a number of those who drilled the usual quantity have found that their crops are, if anything, on the thick side. The fly ami blight, which were so prevalent till the last season or so, seem to have disappeared, and there appears at present to be every prospect of abundant fodder for tht. <fnter. Judging by the way the cereal crops turned out it is quite evident that farmers are paying closer attention to their cultivations, and better and cleaner crops are the result. A There has been a steady decline in the milk yield in the coastal districts since the beginning of the year. RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the Anglican Church on the 16th inst., a wedding of interest took place, the contracting parties being Mr. H. Hopkins, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, of Rahotu, to Miss Mary Chapman, eldest daughter of Mr. A. F. Chapman. The bride entered the cpurch attired in white charmeuse silk, with veil and orange blossoms, on the arm of her father. Miss Elsie Hopkins, youngest sister of the bridegroom, presided at the Miss Grace, another sister, was chief bridesmaid, wearing a fugi silk costume, with hat to correspond, and Miss Myrtle Chapman, only sister of the bride, wore embroidered white voile with pink hat. The bride’s mother wore a cream costume with black hat, and the bridegroom’s mother a violet silk costtune with black hat. Mr. Fred Chapman supported the bridegroom. After the ceremony the wedding breakfast was partaken of in the hall, where the usual toasts were honored. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins left later by car for the Waikato, where their future home is to be. The bride travelled in a brown costume and pink hat. Mr. Magnus Hughson and his bride are expected back any time now. Mr. and Mrs. Hughson, senr., intend taking a holiday up at Dawson’s Falls. Mr. W. Hodson has gone south l for a change. Mr. Green is in the Auckland district.

Several ladles, wives of bowlers, met at Mr. G. Bell’s to discuss matters in connection with the opening of the green, which takes place on the 23rd with an auction basket social in the evening. Other ladles very kindly sent word that they were willing to help and assist in any way. A very pleasant time was spent, Mrs. Bell kindly providing afternoon tea for the ladies, which was very mueb appreciated.