DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAITARA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) By winning their match against New Ply*' mouth B team on Saturday last, the local bowling team became winners of the Gilmour Cup. They are to be congratulated on bringing the cup to Waitara for the first time. The Clifton Rowing Club will be represented at the forthcoming regatta by the follow-ing:—-W. Spurdle stroke, D. Tate 3, Matenga 2, and H. A. Ross bow. Their tuition is in the capable bands of T. Campbell, late of the Auckland Club. A new addition to the mosquito fleet on the Waitara River is a 25 h.p. launch, the Waltemata, which was brought down from the Waikato by Mr. Rangi Taura. When In commission on the Waikato River she was licensed to carry 35 passengers. I understand she Is to be used for fishing purposes here. The Waitara Seaside and Improvement Society was inaugurated a few years ago with the idea of making the beach approachable and providing bathing sheds, etc. The society is finding difficulty in keeping going owing to want of support—in • other words, workers. The ranks of the original committee have been depleted by their removal from the district, and others have not seen fit to join up. A public meeting is being called for the purpose of reorganising the society, and it is hoped that the good wort-started will.not be allowed to remain stagnant for the want of a good committee. The local cadets are to be represented at the rifle meeting at Wanganui on the 17th inst. by Cadets R. Jenkin, G. Knuckey, D. Telfar, Petersen, and Julian. Mr. J. G. Russell, formerly with Mr. Gray Fraser, Waitara, has been appointed a J.P. at Pukekohe, where Mr. Russell is manager of a branch of the Farmers’ Union Trading ComPUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A combined harvest festival and Sunday School anniversary services were held in the local Mett odist Church on Sunday, the afternoon. service being conducted by the Rev. Aker, Mr. M. Hughson taking the service in the evening. Appropriate sermons were delivered on both occasions. There, were liberal gifts of fruit, etc., the church being nicely decorated, and the offerings at each service were generous. Appropriate hymns were sung by the children In the afternoon, the service concluding with tte presentation of prizes by Rev. Aker. A special prize was awarded for the best attendance and highest marks to Master H. Hamill. The first prize (senior class) was also awarded to Master H. Hamill, second prize to Master L. Matthews, and third prize to Miss P. Matthews. The first, second and third prizes (junior class) were awarded to P. Smith, E. Grenfell and a. Grenfell respectively. The sale of the offerings of fruit and vegetables took place at the public hall on Tuesday evening, March 8, and realised satisfactory prices.

Father Menard, who has been stationed in Wanganui for some time, has been transferred to Okato, commencing his duties immediately. St. Patrick’s Day this year falls on a Thursday (March 17), the principal attraction for coastal people being the race meeting at Opunake, which usually draws a large crowd from this end. The officials have arrangements well In hand, and patrons may rely on a thoroughly good day’s enjoyment, A. good number of coastal people went to New Plymouth on the 10th (Thursday last) in order to visit the show. The sugar shortage on the coast -is again pronounced. The arrival of the next supply is also very uncertain. The local school concert, which had to be unavoidably postponed in the first place, and then again to avoid clashing with the social and dance at Rahotu, has been finally arranged to take place on Tuesday evening, the 15lh inst., at the hall. The children will be assisted by a few well known adult performers, and patrons may look forward to a rare treat. 4n opportunity will be taken of this function to bld farewell to Miss A. I. Mackay (head teacher), who leaves Pungarehu shortly on transfer to take up a sinnllar position at the Urenui School. Subsequent to the concert a dance will take place for the grown-ups, for which a dainty supper will be provided. The ladles’ committee are preparing very hard towards making the ball, which takes place on Tuesday, March 29, in the rail, one of the best of ivs kind ever held here, and as a result of their efforts it is anticipated that a fairly large sum will be handed bver to augment their exchequer. In connection with the effort being made by Mrs. E. A. Matthews to raise funds in this district for a certain object, two donations of £1 each have been received from one-time residents of Pungarehu in sympathy with this effort. Other donations will be welcome. The Awakino dog trials, on March 22 and 23, Is sure to attract a large number of coastal people, as the club always spares no pains to provide good sport, and those attending can be sure of a hearty welcome. There has been a good lot of sickness in several coastal districts during the past few weeks, particularly amongst the younger generation. The Rahotu School has been closed down in «consequence. Tte young patients are beginning to get about again now. It is noticeable that some crops of swedes on the have developed club root more or less severely, and in some cases will require to be fed off much earlier than usuitl. Wild turnips are also noticeable in places, and these should be pulled out before going to seed, as once they get established in the land it takes some little time to eradicate them.

In these days of high priced benzine and kerosene farmers who are dependent upon either of these commodities for running their .milking machines might do worse than add to their plant an auxiliary in the shape of an ordinary horse-power used for chaff-cutting, etc. One quiet old horse is capable of keeping it 'going for two hours or more, and is easily educated to a pace that will keep up the necessary amount of vacuum. The adjustment, I understand, is very simple, the vacuum pump being directly connected with the intermediate of tte horse-power, and the water pumf> being worked by a pulley attached to the shaft of the vacuum pump. In this way there is no trouble with a faulty lamp and other matters that are so very often connected with oil engines. KAPONGA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Tuesday night the local Cricket Club held a very successful social in aid of the.'r funds. Being a cool evening a large crowd turned out, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Excellent music was supplied by Miss Bennie and Mr. C. Humphrey. The Kaponga Athletic Club’s meeting last week was well attended, and a strong committee was formed. It was decided to hold sports on Saturday, April 23, and all hope they will bo even more successful than last year. Particulars of the officers have been published. The whole meeting was one of the most enthusiastic ever held in Kaponga, and judging from its tone the sports should be as interesting as any held in a country town. Liberal prize money is to be offered, and should draw the best competitors. Our local schoolmaster (Mr. Lyall) has finished his term of isolation, and resumed duties on Monday last. During his absence Miss E. D. Leech, of Inglewood, took charge, and quite won the hearts of the scholars.

I am glad to report that Martin Lyall is making good progress, and we all hope he will be back among us shortly. The little fellow has had an attack of infantile paralysis, and is at present in the Hawera Hospital. We have had three cases of this disease here during the last month.