DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

URENUI AND WOI-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Amongst the appointments Aotifled at the Education Board's meeting last wee£ was that of Miss L. M. Parrott as temporary tead mistress of the Urenui School. A rather painful accident happened to Mr. Gordon Salway, of the Mimi, at Urenui last week. It appears that Mr. Salway had a pair of sheep shears attached to his saddle, and the protecting covering over the points had somehow been lost. In dismounting his leg came in contact with the shears, and an ugly gash resulted, necessitating his removal, to the New Plymouth Hospital, several stitches were necessary to close the wound. The success of the Pukearuhe wheelman, H. H. Moller, at the Hawera cycle sports last Wednesday, was well received by his many friends in this district. His winnings (amounting to £52) would probably have been augmented in the last race but for tte unfortunate accident which necessitated his removal to the hospital. It is stated that the opinion has been expressed by men of experience that Moller is likely to become one of the most accomplished riders in the Dominion. The necessary repairs to and painting of the residence, at the Urenui School, has been left in the hahda of the board's architect, Mr. Moore. Master Reg. Topless, of Urenui, was most successful at the New Plymouth Show last week. His pony, Rasu, was awarded the first prize for mare with foal at foot must suitable for breeding ponies; whilst he secured second honors for pony 11 hands or under, to be ridden by boy or girl under 11. He was also successful in t!e class, for best boy rider under 11. Mr. J. W. H. Martin, of Pukearuhe, secured second and third in the class for mare with foal at foot with his ponies Toddles and Judy, and Miss Beatrice Martin a first and a second with her pony, Creamy. In the class for lady’s hack 14 hands or under, to be ridden by a lady, Mrs. W. D. Fulton, of Onaero, secured first honors on All Rain.

Quite a pleasant dance was held in the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening last, the proceeds being devoted to hall funds. As M.C., Mr. G. Fuller was most successful, whilst Miss A. Terrill as usual gave every satisfaction as pianist. During the evening the customary supper was handed round. All those who visited the show last week speak in high terms of the manner in which it was carried out, and its popularity is becoming more apparent every year. And deservedly so, as the promoters have worked hard in the past to bring the grounds and fixture up to their present state of efficiency. Quite a large number of sports in this locality intend to make the trip to' O’punake on Thursday next to attend the races at Plhama. It is a fairly long journey, but the good sport provided by the club makes it. worth while, and this year promises to be exceptionally good. The continued dry weather is making itself felt, in the Okoke and Urutl. valleys, as well as on the coast. Many of the small streams in these localities are drying up, and the cattle In some esses have to go to the river for water, which is not altogether appreciated. The feed, also, which generally lasts much longer in the back country than in the open, is also becoming short, and the cows are falling off In their milk supply to a greater extent than is usually the case at this time of the year. Present .indications point to a much shorter dairying season than usual, and in some cases farmers are starting to milk the cows once a day. TUNA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday afternoon. in the presence of a representative gathering of settlers, the Tuna roll of honor was unvealed in the local schoolroom. Mr. W. Hathaway, chairman of the Tuna Patriotic Committee, briefily outlined the history of the movement which culminated in the handsome memorial to the men of the district, who had nobly responded to the Empire’s call. The Rev. Howard, of Stratford, also made feeling reference to the boys who had laid down their young lives in the great cause. He reminded l is hearers of the necessity for seeking Divine guidance and help In our trials and perplexities, and felt assured that Britain’s triumph in the Great War was due to the fact that she was a Godfearing nation. After a short service, conducted by the reverend gentleman, the chairman called upon Mr. J. B. Hine to perform the unveiling ceremony. Addressing himself more particularly to the pupils of the school, Mr. Hine said be hoped’ whenever they looked at the roll of honor they would remember that it was intended to perpetuate the memory of the gallant men who had stepped into the breach to stem the tide of might which was not right. His sympathy went out to the relatives of the men who had made the supreme sacrifice, and he paid a feeling tribute to the comrades he had left behind in Egypt and Palestine. It rested with us all to see that their sacrifice was not in vain. H»vaiUng was tl'a auuud for LUa Na-

tiqnal Anthem, after which the ladies of ..the district kindly dispensed light refreshments. The honor board, which is of effective design, carried out in heart rimu, reflects great credit on Mr. E. D. Evans, of Stratford. It contains the names of 45 men, the majority of whom were former pupils of the Tuna Sci'ool. DURHAM ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The continued spell of fine weather Is responsible for a huge amount of clearing work being done; The turnip crops are looking splendid all over the district. Cattle are putting on condition, but the milk supply is .dwindling-, though efforts, per soft turnips, are .made in some cases to endeavour to keep theyield up. I believe one or two farmers in- 1 tend' to try a crop of sugar beet next season, as it is understood this plant, while tending to increase the milk yield enormously, does not in z the slightest degree taint the milk. Tho forthcoming poll on tie proposal to adopt the unimproved value system for the Inglewood County is causing much interest in this district. It is evident that there will be a considerable increase in the voters at the poll on Wednesday next, many who neglected to roll up on the occasion of the poll taken by the Taranaki Council last yehr having' expressed their intentton to "give it a go” this time. Tie New Plymouth Show attracted a large number of Durham residents on Thursday. ‘They engaged a motor •'bus,:■ which took them from their gates and brought them back. Fine' weather made the trip most enjoyable. The show gained enedniums on all sides,, and complimentary remarks were rife as to the manner everything was carried out. The younger generation, in many instances, are evidencing a desire to participate in the juvenile events, as it appears ttat the riding and jumping in that class caused much A resident in the Ratapiko district ’tlia Iks me for drawing attention to the practice of throwing fud-bloomed ragwort plants on to the roadway for the carts to pulverise. He says the practice is general in his part, and claims that many frontages, through this being done, are getting an increasing amount cf the weed yearly. It does seem a pity that people will be so careless. Gangs of firewood splitters are at work on many sections on the upper part of tte road, and judging by reports good money is being made. A couple of young fellows got the use of an empty house as a camp, and amongpt their "gear” taken to the place was a billiard table. 1/ think this must be reckoned as the limit. I understand steps are to be taken shortly to revive interest in the Maketawa branch of the Farmers’ Union. The branch started in a live manner, but so many shifts were unade through farmers selling out, ttat the attendance did not warrant constant meetings, and very valuable Information obtainable through the union headquarters has been lost to the individuals who should have paid closer attention to the work of this branch. Mr. Buckerldge, the ofiicial organiser, will, I believe, attend the meeting, the date for which has not as j’et been arranged. A reckoning day will surely arrive for some "friends” at the main factory who help themselves to a paper or two from the Durham bundle. People on the top of the road utter some .hair-raising threats at the meanness displayed, and argue that the other fellow can have a shirt or two, but they might leave them their paper. I quite expect to hear that the practice is in vogue in other parts qs well as in this, but at the saune time, being further away and relying on our News for information, it does seem tough that those closer to all sorts of conveniences cannot leave us that as an uninterrupted connection with the outside. TARIKI. A SCHOOL MASTER FAREWELLED. There was a very large gathering in the Tariki Hall on Monday evening when residents assembled to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Eason, who are leaving to reside in New Plymouth, after having spent twenty-four years in Tariki, where Mr. Eason was headmaster of the local school. Mr. J.. Hucker presided over the gathering, which took the nature of a social. Messrs. D. Kendrick and S. Walker, as M.’sC. kept matters moving to excellent music provided by Mr. C. Holland, extras being played by Mrs. Hoskin. During the evening a song was rendered by Mr. Loveridge, the accompaniment being played by Mias Hogan. During an interval Mr. Roy Coutts, an old pupil, on behalf of the pupils and ex-pupils, presented Mr. Eason with an illuminated address. Mr. A. E. Lawrence, on behalf of the parents and the Patriotic Committee, made a presentation of a purse of sovereigns, remarking that during Mr. Eason’s 24 years in Tariki there had never been the slightest friction with the School Committee. On behalf of tho parents te thanked Mr. Eason for the splendd work he had done, and stated that he could ptrsoually express his thanks to Mr. Eason, who had taught the speaker's twelve children right through their school career, and was npw teaching some of his grandchildren. He also wished Mr. Eason good health and happiness in his new home. Mr. Eason suitably responded.