DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. | (From Our Own Correspondent.) Although the dairying season in Taranaki had an exceptionally good start, it promises to end much earlier than it did last year. The milk supply to the coastal factories is now going down rapidly. Two local farmers say that their yields fell from 2800 to just over 1400 in one instance, and from 1800 to 1300 in the other case, and this appears to be general throughout. An authority draws attention to the fact that top-dressing carried out in the late summer and early autumn is more beneficial and profitable than top-dressing at a later period, when the ground becomes cold. He states that cows and other stock are helped considerably if this method Is adopted. This is specially noticeable when the feed goes off in quantity and quality. In the late summer and early autumn, grass and cjover usually shed a lot of seed which if stimulated by early-top-dressing, assists to thicken up the pasture. Provided top-dressing is done at the time specified, the old gras can be given a big start, and stock helped through the winter when they need good nourishment. Another most important .advantage to the farmers Is, that the grass can be made to grow at least a fortnight earlier in the sprftig. Several changes hi farm ownership are pending. There have some remarkiably fine crops of oats harvested in some of the districts this season. In view of the prices likely to be obtained for oats and chaff, it is a pity larger areas were not sown. On Saturday, February 26, at about 3 p m., a slight shock of earthquake was felt by residents on the coast which lasted some minutes. Tire local school concert, set down for the 11th Inst, has again been altered in order not to clash with the social and dance to be held the same evening at Rahotu. Mushrooms have been fairly plentiful this past week. The family man finds it a cheap table viand. The boys and girls are out in the early morning collecting for the breakfast table. >An interesting Maori wedding took place locally the otter week, being accompanied by the usual Maori festivities. The most interesting feature was the fact that it was the Maori’s fifth wife. The by-roads, which have%een getting very rough, are now receiving the attention of the crusher, so that we hope to tave decent roads soon. The Gala Day sports In connection with the Warea Hall Committee were held on the Warea Recreation Grounds on Wednesday, March 2, and proved a most enjoyable gathering. The weather turned out lovely, and there was a good attendance of the public from all parts of the coast, as well as from New Plymouth. The sport provided was of a very interesting nature, there being good entries in all events. The committee kept matters moving well, and got the events off well to time. Everything was up-to-date, and the sports passed off very smoothly . The concert and dance which followed in the evening eclipsed all former gatherings in brightness and patronage. Visitors from near and far were In attendance and had a most enjoyable time, nothing that could contribute towards this end having been overlooked, i The intention of the hall committee to malce the day an auspicious one was crowned with success. The Pungarehu Ladies’ Improvement Committee commenced their series of functions on Friday evening last, with a social and dance, being attended by a fair number of dancers, a most enjoyable evening resulting, and a sumptuous supper was provided by the ladies of the committee and others, and the music, \ which was supplied by Mr. Henderson, was first rate, Mr. F. Barrett was in charge of the dancing floor, and executed his duties as M.C. in a creditable manner. Good music and floor promise to make these socials a success, and build up tl:e committee’s working fund, as a lot remains to be done inside and outside the hall building. TO raise funds to further the candidature of one of the candidates at the forthcoming Opunake Seaside Queen Carnival, a social and dance will be held in the Rahotu Hall on Friday evening next, 11th.

URENUI AND WAI-TOl-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Miss Frost, who has been appointed assistant mistress at the Mimi School, has entered upon her duties. Mr. C. Barnitt, the secretary of the Uruti Beach races, notifies that the Taranaki Jockey Club have approved of the programme for the forthcoming (meeting. Members tickets at 5s each ire now being issued. A fair number of horses are in active work, in the district, and the beach will, front this on, be largely used for exercising them. Quite a nuirtber of residents visited Pukearuhe on Wednesday evening last to attend a dance held in the schoolroom. An enjoyable evening was spent, Mr. J. Robinson being an efficient M.C., whilst, a number of ladies and gentlemen present contributed the necessary music. During the evening, supper was handed round, provided by the ladies of the district. A wedding of local interest took place at the English Church, Urenui, on Wednesday last, the .Rev. Gavin, of Waitara, officiating, the principals being, Miss Mary Waite, daughter of Mrs T. Waite, of Urenui, and Mr. R. Soffe, of Waitara. The bride was handsomely dressed in crepe de chine, andher sister. Miss Emily' Waite, who acted as bridesmaid, was also tastefully dressed. After the ceremony, a large number of friends of the bride and bridegroom assembled at Ngatiawa House, where afternoon tea was provided in Mrs. Rowe’s usual capable manner, after which Mr. and Mrs. Soffe departed for their home in Waitara. The bride was the recipient of a large number of handsome presents, and in the evening a bus load of friends, went from Urenui to Waitara to give the newly-wedded couple the customary tincanning.

The motor-bus (as well as a large number of private cars), was well patronised on Saturday last, the Cycle Sports in New Plymouth being tlie main objective of most of the passengers. Visitors speak highly of the manner in which the programme was carried out, and a thoroughly enjoyable day was spent. The success of the Pukearuhe wheelman (H. Moeller) was well received.

The attraction of the Taranaki Agricultural Society’s Annual Show at Waiwakaiho will cause a large number of farmers and others to make the journey to town on Wednesday and Thursday next. The arduous work of hay-making and harvesting is now over, and most people look forward ‘ to spending a day on the Society’s up-to-date grounds and witnessing the first-class show which is provided. The district is so well catered for in the matter of bus services, that anyone wishing to attend can make the journey and arrive back home again before dark—a big consideration, when one remembers the days of driving or riding to catch the train at Waitara. or the alternative of driving through to New Plymouth.

A visitor from Banks Peninsular, states that in addition to a splendid cocksfoot harvest, feed in that district is most plentiful, and forms a striking contrast to the dry pastures which are to be seen in tins portion of Taranaki. Farmers have had a fair run of dry seasons down south, and tlie welcome change will no doubt be appreciated. Tlie local factory is now only turning out fifteen cheeses daily, and the drop in milk is becoming more apparent every week. Not only is the present shortage of feed most serious, but the outlook for winter is still more so, and without rain in considerable quantity experienced sooif, stock and sheep will have a hard time. Mr. Gould, of Waitara, gave a very interesting address in the schoolroom on Friday evening last, choosing for his subject, “The Parable of the Ten Talents,” There was a good attendance, and during the evening several hymns were sung, Miss Phillips presiding at the organ. Mr. Draper’s threshing mill is now ?n the district, and will have a busy time, as there are fair amounts of oats, wheat, and barley stacks awaiting attention, and the yields are expected to be quite equal to previous seasons. From latest accounts. Master Ralph Darke, and Miss Ona Colson, b'th of Okoke?> who uro In Ne;.?, Plymouth auffetiug pleurisy

and menlngi.tis respectively, are progressing favorably. Master Kenneth Musker, who had an attack of gastric influenza, was brought luxme to Wai-tol-toi yesterday, and is about again. Ploughing—xfor autumn sowing is now becoming general, and a good many paddocks will soon he ready, although till there are more signs of moisture, It is hardly likely that there will be much seed sown. Early spring feed, and plentyfcof it, is becoming more and more one of the most essential factors in ensuring a plentiful supply of milk, Without which most dairy farmers are only working for the mortgagee and storekeeper.