DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI AND URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The milk supply to the local factory is dropping rapidly, and is now being run on every other day. The weather is getting decidedly colder, and signs of winter are apparent. Although there is not a very good supply of grass, farmers have this year been enabled to secure a large quantity of well-saved hay—in fact, it is probably a record season in this respect. Many of the mangold crops have nm been too good, and the same may be said of swedes, and those farmers wl|o have taken the precaution to make ensilage will have cause to be thankful oefore the winter is over. ■

The Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company, at its meeting last Wednesday, decided on making a payment equal to 2s Id on butter-fat supplied to to date.

Mr. A. Glf>son, our local blacksmith, brought up during the week a few remarkably wellgrown turnips grown on his farm at Omata. There was a good attendance of resitdents at the Mimi schoolroom recently, when Mr. Gould, of Waitara, gave his tomary fortnightly address, which was listened to with interest. Th© children present recited their beatitudes, and several hymns were sung during the evening, Miss Phillips as usual presiding at the organ. Mr. Gould proposes again visiting the district on Thursday evening. The annual ball in connection with th' Uruti Beach Racing Club was held on Thurs day evening last. In the Urenui Town Hall, am. was an unqualified success, and, contrary to last year, resulted in a satisfactory addition to the funds of the club. A marquee had been erected at the back of the hall, and in it a sumptuous supper was served, and the ladles who undertook its management are to be complimented upon the manner in which the arrangements were carired out. The music supplied by Peek's orchestra from Waitara was ail that could be desired, whilst Mr. G. N. Skelton as M.C. spared no pains in attending to the dancers. The club should now be in a. position to show a satisfactory balance, and the officers are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts. - It is reported that the Urenui Hotel is shortly to change hands, Mr. T. S. O’Neill having taken over its management from Mrs. Coleman, the present proprietress, who has made many friends during her sojourn in the district.

One of the machine guns captured from the Germans, and presented by the Government to the Clifton County Council, is now in Messrs. Dunbar's store. It is believed the gun will be mounted in the Urenui school grounds.

I regret to have to state that Mrs. J. Canon, of the Mimi, is at present an inmate of a private hospital in New Plymouth. It is undestood that an endeavor is bqing made to get the various factories to form an association on the lines laid down by the Gov-, eminent for the purpose of appointing an expert to arrange for testing the herds of the farmers, and also to give general instruction on matters pertaining to farming. It has been before pointed out the immense advantages that would accrue from such a step, and it is to be hoped that the movement will meet with success and be taken up whole-heartedly by those interested.

The result of the enquiries instituted by the Taranaki provincial executive of the Farmers' Union as to the cost of a plant for crushing the Nauru phosphates will be awaited with interest by farmers in this and other districts. Any step that will tend to cheapen the cost of fertilisers is of great importance, and no doubt would be warmly supported. There can be no question as to the richness of the Nauru article, whether in the form of superphosphate or finely ground raw phosphate. It has been proved to run from 85 to 88 per cent, tribasic phosphate of lime, as compared with phosphatlc fertilisers brought into the Dominion from other sources depending on its value on about 30 per cent, of tribasic phosphate. Other well-known brands, contain 62 per cent., so it is easily seen that the Island product is much the richer. A pleasing feature in connection. with the recent chopping contest between Green and Shrewry was the friendly spirit displayed by the contestants and their supporters, and it is reported that Shrewry. lias expressed the opinion«that, with more experience and training, Green has every prospect of becoming a champion. The sports, have already been fully reported, and the ball, which was held in the evening, in the Urenui Hall, was equally successful as the day's proceedings. The committee had worked hard to ensure that those who attended should enjoy a pleasant evening, and have every reason to congratulate themselves on the result of their efforts. The music, provided by Feek’s orchestra, was excellent, and a plentiful supper was handed round, whilst Mr. Geo. Fuller as M.C. kept things moving. During the evening, Mr. A. H. Halcombe, president of the club, handed over the stakes to Shewry, and in a few wellchosen remarks complimented him on his performance. The latter, in acknowledgment, thanked the public for the manner m which they had supported the match, and Mr. G. N. Skelton, on behalf of Green, endorsed these remarks, and called for three cheers for Shewry, which were heartily given, as were those for Green. Despite the bitter weather, it can be safely said that the attendance was a record one for a sports gathering, visitors being present from all over this district, and Ihe township was quite alive with 'buses and cars. ,

The usual monthly meeting of tl:e Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen will take place in Urenui on Saturday evening, 30th inst.

I understand that Mr. Zimmermann has disposed of some 200 acres of his Wai-toi-toi property to Mr. Buckley, of Inglewood, the price being £65 per acre. Mr. Buckley intends milking next season, and will supply the local factory. Mr. Zimmermann also intends building another residence upon the upper portion of the estate, and will put on a second herd.

The committee of the Mimi school, amongst other improvements to the. grounds, are constructing a rose walk. A rustic fence is being erected for the roses to climb, and the effect should be very pretty. There are a large number of choice roses in the district, and the committee are fortunate in having secured promises of cuttings.