DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The farmers on’ the edast, in common with those of the rest of the Dominion, are feeling the effect of the present financial position and the unsettled conditions of the markets. Moderate yardings of sheep and cattle were penned at the recent stock sales, but bidding did not indicate any improvement on late prices. Farmers are finding a. difficulty in getting rid of their surplus stock,' owing to the bad state of the market. '■ Although prices for stock slow little change the prices for lambs by all accounts have hardened. In some places farmers are topping off their lambs on turnips, the demand for these having increased, farmers who have a bit of surplus feed considering the present an opportune time to buy. The recent weather has been all that could ,be wished for. The rain, followed by colder weather, has checked the aphis among the turnip crops. Ploughing operations are being proceeded with apace. Early sowing is a secret of success in agricultural farming, and settlers are getting pretty wide awake to this fact. Now that the whole of the dairy produce has been granted a free market, which brings it into open consignment with produce from other countries, the necessity for doing everything possible to maintain, and if possible improve, the high reputation built up after many years of hard work, is most imperative. This fact is also being recognised by the majority of dairy farmers and factory directors.

The usual monthly meeting of the local factory directors was held on Friday, 15th April. Amongst the appointments made at the Education Board’s last meeting was that of Mrs. M. Evans, Puniho, to be head mistress of the Rahotu school, relieving Miss M. Parll, who is acting.

Football in Taranaki promises to be more interesting this season than last. The Introduction of new Union rules whereby a better method of grading teams is introduced, will undoubtedly tend towards this end. The coastal footballers have all been holding practice games (when weather permitted), and judging by the number of slight injuries the different players received, the coastal teams should be particularly lively ones to meet. The members are all enthusiastic, and it is to be hoped their enthusiasm will carry tkelr respective teams to as high a position as they anticipate at the end of the

Puniho, which is noted for its social evenings during the winter months, are arranging a series of functions which will take the form of euchre party and dance, the first of these taking place on Apll 29. Prizes will be given each evening for euchre, also a points prize at the end of a series of six evenings, which should help to sustain the interest, of those who participate. A strong committee, under the supervision of Mr. Payne, are leaving nothing undone to make these functions attractive, so that visitors may attend with every confidence.

Coastal residents are being well catered for in the way, of social functions this week, no less than four taking place between Okato and Opunake. First of all, there is a social and dance at Okato on the 19tb, Opunake on the 20th, Warea on the 21st, and Rahotu on the 22nd.

Oh" Thursday night last, one of the most successful social evenings which so far has taken place was held in the Warea Hall. This function, which was in aid of the Church of England funds, was attended by a large crowd, the night being perfect for dancing. Th© committee had carefully prepared all arrangements, the floori being in tip-top order, and the music by Parker's orchestra was such that many who were not intending to, dance could not resist those haunting strains. Mr. M. Parker fulfilled the duties of M.C. in his usual pleasing manner, and not a person desiring to dance was left unattended to. In the early part of the evening his task was no easy one, for there wera visitors from Okato, Punifro, Newail Road, rehu and Rahotu, but all had partners who desired them. About midnight the customary supper was served, and much appreciated. The supper arrangements were In the hands of the following ladies: —Mesdames Lawrence, Larking, Fawcett and Corbett, who were all partly responsible for the social arrangements. The function drew to a close at 2 a.m., and all were sensible of having attended one of the best dances so far this season. The wtole committee are to be congratulated on the result of their efforts to ensure success. The social was the means of £8 being raised for the funds.