DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Mokau School Committee was held on the 14th insY, Mr. J. R. Terrill presiding. Ottwr members present were: Messrs N. Clifton, 11. P. Hansen, and J. L. MacDonald. Mr. Clifton reported the visit of the Board’s Agricultural Instructor, and explained his plan fob beautifying the grounds attached to the school. This included the'planting of shelter trees, hedges, flowers, etc. The secretary was directed to procure, at the invitation of the Board, such' trees or hedge plants as would be suitable for the locality. The secretary was directed to write to the Awakino School Committee, and with them arrange a boundary line between the two schools. The action of the chairman in closing the school on account of the prevalence of measles and whooping cmigh, was endorsed. The attendance had fallen to less than one-half the normal. NEW DAIRY FACTORY. The Mokau Dairy Factory Is practically finished. It is a. ferro-concrete building of neat design, and for its size more up-to-date than any other in the Taranaki district. The workmanship throughout reflects the greatest credit upon Mr. Mclntosh, of the firm of J. T. Julian and Son, contractors, of Auckland and New Plymouth. The engine and factory fittings generally were set up by Mr. Chas. Swanson, machinery expert, of the firm of Messrs. J. B. McEwan and Co., and It is sufficient to say of him that he has been described to the writer by a factory manager aa being "probably the best man for that class of work to be found in the North Island.” So far as is known at present, the factory make a start on August 1, 1921.

GENERAL. To show their faith in the possibilities of the Mokau district, Messrs. Chambers 8r05.,, of Mangatoi -station, have decided to map out three dairy farms thereon, and send creaan thence to the factory. Mr. A. G. Mowat, their manager here, is at present busy working out the details.

Mr. Wilkinson, erstwhile engineer of the O.V. Mahoe, contemplates putting up a sawmill some fourteen miles along the Mokau river. It is estimated there are over 2,080,900 feet of rimu, totara and white pine to be cut, and settlers on the river, as settlers elsewhere, are hungry for sawn timber. Mr. Wilkinson expects to make a. start within three months. We do not expect a new bridge for a few days yet, but we arc to get the next best thing—an engine on the punt. At present, if wind and tide be adverse, the rate of progress across the- river by means of turning a belated, antiquated hand winch Is, roughly, one inch in five minutes I With the engine it is anticipated we have only to wish ourselves on the other side, when lo! we are there. Mr. Allen Sampson, the "handy man” of the district, is entrusted with the installation.

A local part}’, consisting of Mesdames M. Box, S, Whitehead, A. Sampson, Miss Box, Messrs. S. Nicholls, S. Whitehead and H. Herlihy, left here on a trip to the Waitomo Caves on the 16th Inst., returning next day. The weather was threatening during the early part of the journey, but 'fterwards cleared up and was perfect for the remainder. The scenery en route is rugged and beautiful, especially on Taumata Maire and Stoney Creek. Most wonderful limestone formations met the eye everywhere, and replicas of the ruined columns of Stonehenge, Indian temples of the sun, and 'Chinese pagodas are scattered in profusion. The caves themselves, one of the wonders of New Zealand, bld fair to rank with the wonders of the world. Giant caverns with stalagmites and stalactites, glorious Ln their dazzling whiteness, gloomy caves with their fleors of stygian waters, lit up with the torches of the voyagers to the nether regions, bottomless pits, rushing waters, the weird and fantastic on every hand, one wonders whether or not he is living in an unreal world. However, disillusion comes with the daylight, though the sights witnesse<l can never be forgotten. The party was in charge of the redoubtable Frank Richards, with whom nothing goes amiss.

I have- not worried readers over the coal question for som* time. They will probably have to worry themselves over it before long. I would remind the long-suffering public, however, that there are millions of tons of -coal to be got up the Mokau river. It just awaits the powerful syndicate, suitable boats, and miners that won't go on strike every other day, to get It out. MAHOE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Our district had quite a wave of excitement on. the 14th inst., the occasion being the Maho.e athletic sports and dance in the evening, which were a great success. The weather was ideal and the tall well filled with residents and visitors from other parts. The dance music, which was much appreciated, was sup*plied by Miss Marton, of Stratford. Miss Bailey, Air. E. Scott, and Mr. H. Hurrell kindly played extras, and the duties of M.C. were ably carried out by Mr. S. Kemp. The committee have decided to try and stop the regrettable practice of a few persons who take liquor to the dances. The committee take this opportunity of specially thanking Mr. Cave for the use of his paddock for the sports, to those who acted as judges, and all who helped In any way to make an enjoyable day’s outing.