DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1921, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAKETAWA. THE ANNUAL SPORTS. The Maketawa annual picnic and sports were held in Mr. A. Marshall’s grounds on Thursday in overcast weather. There was) a good attendance and everything passed off well. An apology for absence was received from Mr. R. Masters, MJP. The officiate had everything in good order, and among those prominent in carrying out the day’s programme were Messrs. J. Brown, A. Marshall, Wagstaff, and W. Marshall. Results:— Girls under 12, 100 yds—Phyllis Wisnewski and Rose Jones, dead heat, 1; E. Chapman and L. Brown, dead heat, 2. Boys under 12, 100 yds.—Harry Hayman, J; Douglas Hart, 2; Geo. O’Maliy, 3. Boys over 12 to 16, 100 yds.—J. O’Mally, 1; Douglas Jones, 2; Nell Brown, 3. Girls under 16, 100 yds.—Alice Hoate, 1; Winnie Burgess, 2. Small boys’ race.—A. Chapman, 11; T. O’Malley, 2; Hector Goble, 3. Small girls' race.—Connie Marshall, 1; Cathie Dodunski, 2; Mary Reeve, 3. Boys’ wheel-barrow race.—Dave Kenrick and Robert Haste, 1; Willie Kenrick and Edgar Haste, Boys’ monkey race.—G. O’Malley, 1; Joseph Cook, 2; Harry Hayman, 3. Girls’ monkey race.—Phoebe Goble, 1; Corol O'Malley, 2; Beta Lawrence, 3. Throwing the cricket ball.—Graham Haste, 1. Girls’ skipping.—F. Neustrowski, 1; E. Dodunski, 2; C. O'Malley, 3. Hop, step, and jump.—-N. Wrightul; A. Rumball, 2. High Jump.—W. •Goble, 4ft 9in, 1; N. Wright, 2. Boys’ potato rtft"—R. Burgess, 1; F. Wisnewski, 2. Girls’ potato race.—E. Chapman, 1; N. Davis, 2. Three-legged race. —G, Rolinson and Edgar Dombroski, 1; D. Jones and N. Brown, 2. Girls’ three-legged race.—Amy Lawre’fice and Elsie Chapman, 1; Marjorie Hollins and Nellie Davis, 2. Throwing the cricket ball. —W. Meyer, 1; J. J. Hintz, 2. Shareholders’ race.—Burgess, 1; F. Mlschewski. 2. 220 yards.—B. Dombroski, 1; S. Julian, 2. Ladles* stepping the chain. —-Miss Johnson, 1. Tug o’ war, (Norfolk Rd. v. Durham Rd.).— Norfolk Road won. Men’s stepping the chain.—W. Robinson, 1. 100 yds—O. Dean, 1; J. O’Byrne, 2. Pets race.—Amy Lawrence, 1. Boys’ sack race. —Robert Hasite, 1. Boys’. Hop, Step' and Jump,—-N. Brown,l; F. Wisnewski, 2. A sheep quessing competition was won by J. Reeve, with the exact weight, 151%1b5. Tug o' war, (Married v. Single men). — Won by the married men. 440 yds. handicap.—P. Jones, 1; Elgar, 2. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) It looks as if there won’t be much butter tr spare for export after this month, no imattcr how tempting the price. It Is reported chat several butter factory directors contemplate changing back again to cheese making when the Government purchase of butter cedses at the end of the month, but such a course would be highly speculative owing to the uncertainty of the market.

The price of meat has been reduced by our local butchers, in sympathy tfith the decline .4n the whclesale price. With the milking season again on the wane, several changes in farm ownership are expected around this locality shortly. St. Patrick's Day passed very quietly here, the stores observing the day as a closed holiday. There was an exodus to Opunake in the eaVly mornihg, all sorts of petrol propelled vehicles being pressed into the service. The annual Irish National entertainment and Ball, whifh is always a feature of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Opunake, was equally as successful as the big race gathering, attracted by a large number of dancers a rJ others. The Rev. C. Strand, Methodist (minister fur tills and other districts included in the Egmont Circuit, will be leaving here at the end of the month, having been appointed to take charge of the Gonvllle Circuit, a suburb of Wanganui. .Mr. Strand will be much missed around these parts, 'being very popular With the several congregations. He will be succeeded by Rev. Harkness, who hails from Tonga. With the object of raising funds for anil improvements, the Warea Hall Committee held a public social and dance on Friday evening, 18th Inst. The weather was fine, and there was a good attendance. The floor was in tip-top order, the music being supplied by Messrs. Parker (piano), and Norris (violin). Dancing continued till the early hours when all wended their way homeward. After a long spell of dry gather heavy rain fell throughout the coastal districts during the week-end. The downpour will do a great amount of good, and more rain will be welcomed by fanners. The lorttl rivers were also exceptionally low owing to the continued dry spell, but have now been replenished. Rough weather, which very much inclined to remind one of unild winter, has been experienced recently. A good amount of rain fell last week and though it spoiled outdoor fixtures to a large extent it was very badly needed, and will undoubtedly do a wonderful amount of good to all sorts of crops. The value of green feed for uniting herds was exemplified during the ruceat dry spell. Partners who relied on grass only for their herds showed a big drop in the supply of milk. The crop mostly used in the coastal districts is soft turnip, and these who had a good supply were well repaid on the 20th of the month. On the returned soldier settlement at Parihaka, there are a number of industrious young farmers, and various improvement works are being carried on, including house building, although the difficulty in securing supplies of building material is greatly hampering this part of the work. A fair amount of stock has already left this and surrounding districts for the works. At present buying Is limited. The epidemic of measles, which has been virulent amongst the children in several districts 'during the past month or so, is now on the wane. Mr. W. Thomson, of the Co-op. store staff, is, I am pleased to report, recovering from bis late illness, hut is not yet able to resume duty. Miss A. I. Mackay, who was recently appointed to the charge of the Urenui School, leaves the district at the end of the month. She has proved herself both an efficient and popular teacher, and her promotion Is this district’s loss and Urenui’s gain. The shooting season in the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society’s district opens on April 1. Several localities report a fair number <f pheasants, while quail are fcirly numerous. Quite a number of coastal residents travelled to New lymouth on Monday evening, the 21st., to hear the entertainment by the "Diggers” at the Empire. This year football should be on a good footing. Most clubs report having had good annual meetings, there being a good many flayers available. Our local school oroke up on Thursday last for the usual Easter vacation, and re-opens on Wednesday. Owing to the threatening state of the weather on Tuesday evening, 22nd inst,, the so*

dal and dance held in the. Hempton Hall, Okato, was not as well attended as* it might have been, AH present spept a most enjoyable time. The proceeds .bf these functions are being devoted to the) fallen soldiers’ memorial of the district and deserve liberal support. URENUI AND WAI-TOI-TOI. (Front" Our Own Correspondent.) A pleasant little gathering took place at the Okoke schoolroom on Tuesday evening last, advantage being taken of the occasion to make a small presentation to Miss D. Hanunon who is shortly to be married and is leaving the district to reside in Okau. E. K. Blundell Ln a few appropriate remarks made the presentation and stated that they felt they could not let Miss H«.m.;non leave them without expressing to her in some manner the esteem .in which she was held by her friends in the Piko and Okoke districts. The present took the form of a silver teapot and set cf silver teaspoons, and bore the Inscription "To Miss D. Hammon, from Okoke and Piko friends, March 18th 1921.” | Miss Hammon suitably acknowledged the gift, and expressed her thanks for it and also the satisfaction she felt at seeing so many present to say good-bye. ' Dancing was indulged in during the evening, and Miss Gwen Weston sang In her usual pleasing manner,. and was deservedly applauded. Refreshments were handed round between the dances, and greatly appreciated.

The usual* monthly meeting o’f the Ati Awa Troop of Frontiersmen will take place in Urenui on Saturday evening next-, 26th inst. A fair , number of residents have signified their intention of attending the Awaklno Dog Trials this week, and should have a most enjoyable time, as, in addition to a pleasant trip over the mountain, the trials are well worth witnessing, whilst the Awakirfo settlers are most hospitable, and spare no pains ;o make the meeting attractive to patrons. Those dairy factories who delayed sending in their orders for next season's supplies, are now reaping the benefit of holding off, as some of the commodities are now down to half the price , paid last Reason. Mr. Weir, who is at present in the district canvassing for shares on behalf of the Farmers’ Co-operative Company, on Wednesday last, gave a brief address at the meeting of the directors of the Wai-tod-iol Company, In which he pointed out the advantages to Te derived by supporting tho Association. It is stated that sufficient shares have been taken up, it is intended to erect yards in the northern* portion of Taranaki, the site of which will be selected later, the requirements of the district as a whole, being' one the determining factors. I understand Mr. C. Barnitt, secretary = f the Uruti Beach races, has received the necessary permit from the Minister of Internal Affairs, to hold the races on the Wai-toi-toi beach on April 7. Now that all the formalities. have been gone through, all that is required is a flne day to ensure a most successful gathering. It is reported that representatives will be running from Uruti, Wai-toi-toi, Okoke, Urenui, Waihl, Waitara, I and probably New Plymouth, and the local horses are putting in good work on the beach, which is said to be in good order. A few weeks ago mention was made of an experimental plot of Sudan grass which' was made by the North Taranaki correspondent of the Christchurch Weekly Press. In a recent issue of that journal, "Korarl,’’ in Hi article on Sudan grass, alludes to the matter, stating that the grass is very much in boom In Australia, - and that its cultivation in Taranaki will be watched with interest by farmers, as if it achieves half of what Is claimed for it, the winter troubles of the dairyman will be largely reduced. The writer also quotes some interesting remarks made on the subject by Mr. H. J. Kelly, manager of the (N.S.W.) experimental farm. He says that to get the best results, the ’’land requires to be well prepared by following in the autumn or winter months, and broken down by spring, tooth, harrows at the approach of spring, and advises rolling the ground. The quantity of seed to sow will vary to some extent according to the district in which it is to be sown. In very dry districts, where it may be better to plant It in drills 21 inches apart, 4 to 51b per acre Is sufficient; but in those with an average rainfall ’of 22in or over, up to 81b per acre, sown broadcast, or through every hoe of the seed drill, is recommended. When the seed is drilled in, the land requires to be left undisturbed until the young' plants are well above the eground and fornily roofed, when a cross harroxiling' tp prevent evaporation should be given. It his been before mentioned that the grass has been grown with good resuits in the Auckland and Nelson districts, and the small area in Wai-toi-toi, though sown in a very adverse spring, came away so rapidly when the weather got warmer, as to leave little eroom for doubt that under ordinary conditions it can be grown successfully. and would be most suitable for either ensilage or hay. on account' of Its great bulk per acre. It Is best used as an annual, and be fed off or cut two or three tlcnes during the season, and comes away again very rapidly.