DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

AHITITI, (From Our Own Correspondent.) On the 15th inst., the ladies' social committee held a most enjoyable and successful euchre party and dance in the schoolroom. Miss C. Lovell and Mr. Glengarry were the winners of the ladles’ and men’s euchre prizes. On behalf of tte local school committee, Mr. Glengarry spoke in eulogistic terms, congratulating the ladies’ committee on their success in raising funds for shifting the school and improving the grounds. Mr. Glengary ably carried out tte duties of M.C., and Mrs. C. Jensen officiated at the piano. Extras were played by Miss E. O’Sullivan. A splendid supper, which was provided by the ladies of the district, was thoroughly appreciated by the guests. Credit is due to Mrs. F. O’Sullivan (chairwoman) for the organisation and management of the function. The floor was all that could be desired for dancing. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Rev. Harkness, who has been appointed Methodist minister in charge of the Egmont Circuit, in succession to the Rev. Strand, has arrived and taken up his duties. Monday (Anzac Day) will be observed here as a close holiday.

Mr. W. Thomas has resumed his duties as assistant storekeeper of the Cape Egmont Dairy Company’s store department, relieving .Mr. E. Putt, who has been acting temporarily during the illness of Mr. Thomson.

Provided tire weather keeps fine a large crowd should be present at the New Plymouth Band recital, to be given on Sunday afternoon at the Rahotu school grounds. I understand afternoon tea will be provided, for which a nominal charge will be made.

Mr. A. Raynor, of Hughson’s, Ltd., left last week on a holiday south. On Friday evening, April 22, the Rahotu Public Hall should be filled with dancers and spectators, the occasion being the big social and dauce, organised by the social committee. In aid of the Hibernian Queen, a candidate for honors at the Opunake Seaside Queen Carnival. «

A social and dance was held in the Hempton Hall, Okato, on Tuesday night last. The music was supplied by Messrs. Parker and Norris, and the M.C.’s for the evening were Messrs. Andrews and Corbett. A good suppfer was provided by those responsible. Dancing was kept up till the early hours of the morning. The weather out this way foj. the best part of the week has been pretty boisterous, and the cold winds are not helping the cows to keep up their reputation. Several farmers are still busy with the ploue?>, and the weather at times is not tending to make that job pleasant.

The Government is to be congratulated on providing cheap manures, remarked a coastal farmer recently. He states that ho had nearly doubled the carrying capacity of his farm by light top-dressing, and lie considered that manures were most essential. If fawners stinted the supply of manures, production could not be kept up. He expressed the opinion that if the majority of farmers kept fewer cows, but also kept a. few sheep, they would get better results, as the sheep keep down the weeds.

Wherever wo turn to-day the sign faces us of an existent call for more goods and more necessities. The people require more houses, fuel, lighting, clothes, foodstuffs, and practi-

cally all commodities of necessity. The wants cannot be met by mere juggling with wages and prices. We are given higher wages or salaries to meet our wants, only to find that we have to pay more, and the quantity of goods we get is not increased. It is a general opinion that here In New Zealand tradesmen got unore necessities for their families when their wages averaged £3 per week than they do with them now averaging £5 or over. Not for a moment is it suggested that they could do with the lower rate now. The point is this, and it is a most important one, that with the higher rates they do not get the goods. The only way to get more goods is to have more produced. All countries, men of all classes and all parties, affirm this proposition of "the need for more production.”

Any movement which has for its object the stimulation of production of agricultural pursuits, and the encouragement, of boys and girls to take a practical interest in primary industries, is worthy of serious attention. There exists in New Zealand the nucleus for such clubs, and the question of their formation has already been mooted in some districts down south, tte main object being to encourage boys and girls to’undertake agricultural enterprises best adapted to their home conditions. Taranaki is particularly suitable for the class of work undertaken by these olubs, especially In view of the high prices for land, and the doerincreasing difficulty of rearing pigs and calves by milk, which can now be used more profitably in other directions.

The public halls between Rahotu and Pihama are now regularly engaged bj’ the supporters of the Opunake Seaside Queen Carnival candidates. At present the Maori Queen is loading in the ballot, although last in being nominated.

In connection with the tug-of-war contest at Opunake in aid of the town queen candidate, the winners of the contest turned up In Taungarata, who defeated the Maori team by half an inch: over the dead line, and this was only secured in the last 30 seconds. Grea<. excitement prevailed throughout the contest, which was witnessed by a large number of people each evening.