DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Tre Urenui Library Committee have every reason to feel satisfied with the result of their endeavor to awaken public interest in the Institution. The public of Urenui. and the surrounding district have ever proved themselves willing to support any movement for the welfare of the community, and this was evidenced by the large attendance at tho euchr/, party and dance on Thursday evening, inaugurated to provide funds for the purchase of new books—in fact, so unany players entered for the competition that extra tables Lad tep-be provided at the last minute to accommodate them all. It is estimated there were over 100 players, which probably constitutes a record, and Mr. Chris Smith, who conducted the tournament, had a busy time attending to the scores of the gentlemen, whilst Mrs. A. Thompson was as fully occupied on behalf of the ladies. After a couple of hours’ play and some close finishes, Mr. A. McCracken and H. Rumball tied for first place amongst the gentlemen, the fonmer winning the play off, whilst Miss May Bleakley and Mrs. T. Waite were first and second respectively for the ladies. The first prize for gentlemen was a box of cigarettes, the second being a shaving mpg; a pair of salt cellars and vases constituted the ladles’ prizes, and it might be mentioned that the prizes were donated to the committee. Mrs. Burrell (hon. secretary), and th© other ladles are to be complimented on the manner in which the arrangements were carried out. During the evening the cards used for playing were sold, realising satisfactory prices. After supper, dancing was carried on, Mr. D. Tate officiating capitally as M.C., and Mr. Reg. Spingiving every satisfaction as pianist. The takings at the door amounted to between £8 and £9, which sum will be augmented by private donations, th© Ate Awa troop of Frontiersmen having agreed to help the funds for the use of the library for holding their meetings.

On Wednesday evening last a number of friends of Mrs. Colman and family assembled at the Urenui Hotel for the purpose of bidding them farewell on the occasion of their leaving the district. Mrs. Colman was the recipient of a silk sports’ coat, Miss Colman a lady's hand-bag, Mrs. Potter an evening cloak, whilst Miss Molly Potter also received a. handsome gift. In making the presentations, Mr. R. Mcßae alluded to the manner in which Mrs. Colman had conducted the hotel during her sojourn here, saying that she would be greatly unissed by many friends in the district, more especially by the travelling public, to whom they had had been most considerate, sparing no trouble for their comfort. He wished Mrs. Colman and family every success In private life. Mr. W. Cocoran and Mrs. Rockett also endorsed these remarks. The gifts were suitably acknowledged, and all joined in singing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Songs were contributed by Messrs. T. S. O'Neill, J. Fitzgerald, Bruce Hone, and R. Mcßae, the latter also dancing a Highland Fling. The accompaniments were played by Miss M. Potter, and N. Murray, and the singing of “Auld! Lang Syne" brought a pleasant evening to a close. I understand Mrs. Colman intends retiring to private life, and will reside in Hawera. Mr. T. S. O’Neill, who has taken over the hotel, is well-known In the district, being most popular. He >s an enthusiastic cricketer, and always willing to a wist in any movement fdr the welfare

of the district, and his numerous friends will -wish him every success in his business. The second of the fortnightly series of euchro .parties was . held .in tire Pukearuhe schoolroom on .Friday evening, and was well attended, Wai-toi-toi being also represented. There were twelve tables occupied and some close finishes resulted. Mr. Sid Moody was again successful in securing first prize amongst the gentlemen with 11 games, whilst Mrs. Luxton, with 10 games, was the best in the lady’s class. The prizes consisted of a valuable gentleman's wallet, and a handsome trinket box, which were presented to the winners by Mr. Wells. For the dance which followed, Mr. J. Robinson was in his usual good form as M.C., and the necessary music was contributed successfully by M»s. Cartwright, Misses Moeller, Wells, and Mcßae, and Messrs. Martin and Spurr. Amongst these cheese factories which have began in a very small way, and by a policy of careful finance have worked themselves into a strong and sound position, may be (mentioned that of the White Cliffs, at Pukearuhe. The land in that district is eminently suitable for dairying, and since the cutting up of the Gregg estate, th© milk supply has rapidly increased. Last season several improvements were unade to the building, and still mor© are necessary to cope with the requirements. Recently the shareholders were called together to discuss further enlargement, and as the secretary (Mr. R. Pepperell), reported the finances to be in a flourishing condition, It was decided to pay off all last years’ improvements, and put in another vat etc. Th© ’'directors are to be complimented upon the manner In which the affairs of the company have been conducted, and also upon their being' able to carry out a. progressive policy, when financial assistance from outside sources is almost a dead letter! The testing at this factory also averages very high, and great interest is shown at the end of each period by tho suppliers. On April 30 no less than six hferds were level, with a 5,& test, and quite a friendly spirit of rivalry is being evinced in the result of the competition. It is scarcely necessary to say that the contention of the president of the Taranaki Friesian Association—that solids fall as the fat rises—does not find much support up there, when It only takes from 7.4 to 81bs of milk to manufacture 11b of cheese, and it also is equally certain that the consumer would prefer an article made from such rich milk.

Recently there appeared* in the Auckland Weekly special mention of a soft turnip grown in the Waikato, measuring 33in. in circumference. This is not a bad turnip, and nearly equal to some grown in this district, on. Mr. W. J. Freeth’s farm nt Pukearuhe. A couple were pulled out of a three-acre crop, the largest going 37% inches, and the other 3G inches round. They are of the Purple Top Mammoth variety, which throw an enormous amount of feed, and vie with, the Imperial Green Globe for pride of place. Mr. Freeth luftl the land ploughed nearly three months before working, and applied about 281bs of sulphate of potash with the bone super and slag. A. meeting of the Ate Awa troop of Frontiersmen takes place in the Urenui Library on Saturday evening next, the 14th inst. Mr.'Em. Johnston, with his assistant, is at present in the district with his threshing plant. He reports that the yields . generally are quite equal to previous seasons, and in some cases 'better.

Top-dressing is now becoming general, and baste slag is again being used in fair quantities, after a lapse of several seasons.' If the movement to establish a crushing depot at New Plymouth for the Nauru Island product becomes an established fact, it should be of material assistance to farmers in North Taranaki.