DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

AHITITI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The householders’ meeting for the election of a new school committee was held in the school on the 25ult, The interest of the residents in the welfare of primary education in the district was fully demonstrated by the large attendance. The following members now constitute the school committee: Messrs. F. Calvert (chairman), J. J. Chapman, C. Jensen, G. Ferguson and R. Scott.

On Friday evening the third and last round of the euchre tournament was played and was followed by an enjoyable dance. The winning players for the evening were Mrs. J.* J. Chapman and Mr. M. Rowe, while Miss I. Schmidt and Mr. E. Sheehy were the recipients of the points prizes for gaining the most games at the three consecutive competitions. "‘Buster” O’Halloran won a handsome jardiniere, that was raffled. The effort .put forth by the present, as well as the past ladies’ committee, to raise funds for the benefit of the school is certainly a credit to those who have worked so consistently, and also a help to the district. The past members of the school committee must not be overlooked, as they have worked strenuously and conscientiously in co-operation with the ladles’ committee, and confidence is felt in the 'new members that they will carry onthe good work of their predecessors. Mrs. C. Jensen's splendid music was appreciated by the dancers, and extras were played by Misses O’Sullivan, E. Waters, and C. Lovell, while Mr. A. O'Donnell officiated as M.C.

CARDIFF.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The householders’ meeting, held in the Cardiff schoolroom on Monday; April 25, was rather poorly attended. Mr. J. Reid, the chairman, submitted his annual report, which was as follows: —The year ending to-night has, in most respects, been fairly successful, so far as the working of the school is concerned. On taking office our first undertaking was the trimming hedges and the putting of the fences in repair. Then care has been taken to keep the school well supplied with firewood and the lighting of the room was looked after. The cupboards, tables, chairs, easels, piano, and other pieces of furnishing were varnished during the summer holidays, and thus the room was made a little brighter. Application was made to the board for a new wash-house, copper, tubs, and a bath, and I am pleased to say these additions and improvements have been carried out. In order to clear the paddock between the teacher’s residence and the school a crop of oats was taken off the ground. On this piece of ground considerable improvements have been undertaken. Now Lt is clear to every householder that the school grounds needed bringing Into line with those of other schools in the education district, and the improvements undertaken, when complete, will be in keeping with the importance of the district. These Improvements consist of a tennis court, a winding path, two pieces of lawn, an agricultural patch, flower beds, clumps of shrubs and a summer house. Besides a rockery and flagpole is to be erected at the righthand side of the gate entrance. This rockery will be planted with flowering creepers, liltes, etc., and no doubt will tend to the attractiveness and appearance of the grounds. Of course these undertakings will cost a considerable sum of money, but with the money raised during the year for this purpose, together with the amount of the Board's subsidy and what will be raised during the coming winter, there i will be more than sufficient to complete these undertakings. I feel sure the incoming committee will consider it a privilege to carry on these necessary improvements. During the year the working of the school was somewhat retarded by the prolonged illness of the head-teacter, but under the circumstances the results of the year's work may be considered satisfactory. 'Die finances of the committee may also be considered satisfactory, as the balance sheet shows. In going out of office I wish to thank the members of my committee for the loyal way they assisted me in the discharge of my duties as chairman. I trust this report will be considered a satisfactory account of the way my committee endeavored to carry out the business devolving on its members, and, further, I wish to say that even with the somewhat ambitious works we have undertaken, we, on leaving office, are handing over the business in such a way that the new committee will have no difficulties to face.’’ Only eight nominations were received for the committee, and the voting, which was fairly even, resulted in the following being elected: —V. Remnant, E. Bennett, (V. Dempsey, J. Richards and J. Reid. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. Reid was re-elected chairman, and Mr. Richards secretary.

During the past few months, great progress has been made in the district, despite the fact that the money market has been so bad. The Cardiff Dairy Co. has just installed one of the best water supplies that any factory could wish to have. With a view of bringing about an improvement, the directors wisely set about the problem in the right direction, and have now succeeded in giving the factory all the water it requires. A huge weir was built across the Waiongora River, and the water Is reticulated down the banks of the stream in 12-inch concrete pipes about a mile, where two large-sized hydraulic rams are installed. The work is of concrete.

The sports meeting, which is to be held in Mr. J. Richards' paddock, promises to be a red letter day for Cardiff. Metings of the chib have on each occasion been well attended by the local residents. The committee, which is a very strong one, and consists of the very best local sports, is most enthusiastic, and have matters well in hand, and, given a fine day, the success of the meeting is assured. At the school grounds over half an acre has ben laid out in lawns, and nicely terraced, a portion of which is a tennis court. The work, which was carried out by Messrs. W. Davis, W. Burrell, and C. Brandon, is a most creditable piece of landscape work. The dance, held in the school room last Friday, to help replenish the school funds, which have been drawn on so severely of late, was, as usual, a great success. The music, which was supplied so creditably by Miss Nellie Belski. was most favorably commented on by those present. Mr. 0. Stewart acted as M.C., and kept things moving. Extras were played by Miss E. Stewart and Mr. C. Colwell, while Mrs. Maile favored those present with three songs. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The shooting season opened on Monday last, and there were quite a number of visitors from New Plymouth and elsewhere equipped with dogs and guns. There are a fair number of pheasants around, whilst those who have mangold crops would be pleased to see a few decent shots amongst the hares, as tney play havoc amongst this class of winter fodder, which can be more profitably used in seeing the cows and sheep through the winter months.t The sharp cold nights of last week gave us a very decided reminder that winter is not far off, and the decreased supply of milk indicated that the producer of butter-fat noticed the change also. Though the majority of the swede crops have not fulfilled their early promise there is a fair amount of grass about still, and also some good stacks of hay, so that farmers hope to get. through the next few months satisfactorily. There is also a fair area of spring feed laid down by coastal farmers, so that those herds that usually come in early should not go short.

There have been fairly good entries of both sheep and cattle at the latest stock sales heid on* the coast. Prices realised were low, but with an improved demand. There has been a number of new chums arriving on the coast recently from overseas, all being engaged in filling up vacancies on coastal fanms.

' Good work is being accomplished by several ©f the local Maoris In clearing their lands and frontages of noxious weeds. There has been a large number of changes on. the coast in recent years, dwellings and farms having changed ownership. If a calculation is made of the number of families who have left, and others who have arrived, * will be found that the coastal populatioi Mows a substantial iAtteM*.

An instance of the drop in stock was given by a coastal farmer during the course of a conversation recently. The farmer stated that a stray bull had been molesting his herd lately, and approached the owner of the animal to have it removed. The owner, on counting the cost of sending men to do the work (the bull being only worth 355) considered it cheaper to have the animal destroyed, and accordingly it was shot. “There are some of you pakeha,” said a local Maori, “who are trying to make yourselves small millionaires, and my advice to you is to Spend your money while you are here. If you don’t spend it now. Bill Massey will get it when you die.” He had himself apparently been spending (his) little bit on the cup that cheers. Final arrangements have been made by the Rahotu Football Club for their social and dance on Friday evehing. Parker’s orchestra has been engaged, and songs, etc., will be given by a few of the local favorite performers. The whole affair promises to be a thorough success. Lovers of chrysanthemums from the coast, who visited the show on Thursday, April 28, held in the Whiteley Hall, New Plymouth, were struck with the keen interest taken. They considered the show one of the best yet held. The society is to be complimented on the arangements, and must feel quite satisfied with their efforts. The Warea Hall Committee's fortnightly assembly will be held in the Warea Hall on May 5. The success which attended the previous two socials should ensure a good attendance on Thursday night. With the exception of a few cases of whooping cough, our district otherwise is as usual free from sickness. The Rev. H. A. Coleman, of Bolton, England (who succeeds the Rev. C. R. Addenbrooke), has commenced his ministry of the coast. Strange to say, sugar is again a scarce commodity with coastal storekeepers, although the assertion is frequently heard that tnere Is ample sugar for all requirements in the Dominion, and that the stringency is due to hoarding. The location of the supposed hidden supplies, however, is never stated, and difficulty is experienced In formulating any idea as to whether such assertions are wel) grounded. Times are said by all and sundry to be dull, business to be suffering, and markets, bad, but still pleasure seekers are generally to be found in aboundance for any diversion that offers. The local beach was well patronised this past week with picnickers, who, by all appearances, were having a most enjoyable time. Many people from town have been spending a few days’ holiday locally.