DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very cold snap has been experienced, and during the past week a very keen winter wind, accompanied by some heavy showers, has prevailed. This is having a disastrous affect on the milk yield to the various factories, and a rather depressing affect on stock. The senson’s extremes have again demonstrated the great need of providing good shelter on many of the farms. Winter seems now to have set in in earnest, consequently the milking season is fast drawing to a close. The recent stock sales luve shown no improvement, though there is a tendency for prices to harden. It is noticeable that on two or three fanms stacks of building, timber are placed. The timber will within a short time be shaped into homes. According to a man closely connected with the building trade, those who delayed building in the belief that the cost would be lower have made a mistake. The extraordinary demand, if nothing else, is tending to keep prices up. Notwithstanding the absolute necessity which has forced many people to purchase houses in order to provide themselves with a home, it is stated that' the rush for houses is showing signs of moderation. The fact is that people are beginning to realise that to purchase at the {(resent high prices means certain loss, and' are beginning to fear that the drop will come sooner than anticipated. A social and dance was held in the Hampton Hail, Okato, on Tuesday evening last. The floor was in good order, and those present spent a thoroughly enjoyable time. Parker's orchestra provided the music for the dancing. Messrs. Andrews and Corbett acted as M.C.’s, and the ladles supervised the supper arrangements. Everything went along merrily until the early hours of Wednesday morning. By all accounts we are going to have a short supply of coal again, particularly for domestic purposes, though it is stated the sbcrtage probably will not be so acute as last winter. Under the circumstances householders will have to rely principally on wood and coke in the coming winter. Anything being done regarding the Ohura coalfields? An extension of the railway to the Ohura coalfields would mean years of waiting and a cost up to £lOO,OOO, even if the Government could be prevailed upon to move in the matter. A committee of those interested in the welfare of the imine, and Taranaki generally, should be set up to go into a new scheme of water carriage known as the "Hewett Submarine Transport System," costing about £4OOO per mile. The initial cost is almost final, as It needs only a few men to work the system when installed. The system A'ould embrace all the towns from New Plyj mouth to Patea, and is adaptable to coal, ; grain, root crops, and most dairy produce.

Okato senior B football team journeyed to New Plymouth last Saturday, and sustained defeat at the hands of Old Boys by 22 points to nil. The result caime as a great shock to coastal sports, who were confident that Okato would more than bold their own.

Rugby has received a considerable impetus along the coast this season, and the matches are followed with considerable interest by a large section of the sporting community each Saturday. On Saturday, the 14th, Okato meets Eltham, and the game should prove of much interest, as Okato are expected to give Eltham a shake up for victory. Rev C. Coleman (Anglican minister) commenced his (ministry in Pungareku on Sunday last, having filled a vacancy which has existed for some time. Rev. Harkness and Father Doolaghty held services in the Methodist and Catholic churches respectively. Mr. and Mrs. C. Parker, of Warea, who have f been living on the coast for a number of years, have decided on a change, and will be leaving the district shortly. While in the Warea district Sir. Parker has made himself very popular with the residents, having been a member of the school corpmittee and a prominent member in church affairs. A farewell social is being arranged in his honor. WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUL (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday evening last Mrs. Coleman and family (who are leaving the Urenui Hotel to reside in Hawera) were the guests of the N.nf?ver at the Urenui Maori pah, where a most pleasant evening was spent. Mr. Hapi Thompson conducted the proceedings. Mrs. Coleman was the recipient of several handsome presents, including mats and taiahas, which were suitably acknowledged. On Monday evening there was also a large and representative attendance in the Urenui Hall of friends of Mrs. Coleman desirous of bidding her and family farewell. In the course of the evening Mr. A. H. Halcombe, on behalf of those present, presented Mrs. Colman with a travelling rug, and Miss Colman with a travelling bag, and in doing so mentioned the esteem in which they were held by the public and the creditable way in which the hotel had been conducted during their occupancy. He wished them all every happiness and prosperity in their new home. Mr. R. Mcßae, on behalf of Mrs. suitably acknowledged Mr. Halcombe’s remarks, and expressed that lady’s appreciation of the handsome gifts to herself and Miss Colman, and also their thanks to the large number of friends who had assembled to bid them good-bye. ’'For they are Jolly Good Fellows” was then sung, all present joining in. Songs were contributed by Miss Gwen Weston and Messrs. Stone and Dennis, whilst Miss Mcßae danced a Highland fling, all the items being warmly applauded. Mr. C. Rumball officiated as M.C. in his usual creditable manner, and Miss N. Murray voluntarily contributed the dance music most efficiently, extras being played by Mrs. Potter, Miss Molly Potter, and Mesrss. Breddo and Rikiana. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne” brought a very successful evening to a close. Mrs. Kennedy, owner of the Urenui Hotel, also forwarded a silver teapot to be presented to Mrs. Colman, which was accordingly done.

The local schools ate now closed for the winter holidays, and no doubt some of the teachers will take advantage of the course of instruction which Is being given in Stratford. Enquiries are now being made for dairy cows and heifers in view of the coming season by buyers intending to embark in dairy farming. Though the prices will be still fairly gcod, it is expected the/' will not reach the high figures which have been paid during the past year or so.

One or two experiments in the matter of top-dressing with papa are being carried out in this district. Though known to contain a fair percentage of lime, experts have up to the present, been unable to locate any real manurial elements in papa, but that it does contain sound substance that assimilates with the soil and produces a luxuriant growth has been proved by farmers in different localities, and the fact that grass grows vigorously on bare papa faces is also a proof of its usefulness. Where it can be obtained in large quantities, and with practically small cost as to carting, there is every reason to suppose that a heavy application would, prove of great benefit to the pastures, and should prove cheaper than most artificial manures.

It is generally accepted by those engaged in the use of concrete that any foreign matter. such as earth, grass, etc., if allowed to be mixed with the sand or shingle, will have an injurious effect on the finished article. According to the Overseas Daily Mail, this difficulty has been overcome in the Old Country, and the house-building machine of the present day uses up everything. Rouses built from concrete materials made on the site are the latest development of building enterprise. Under this system builders will arrive on the. building site with motor lorries and trailers, carrying machinery for digging the foundations, making bricks or concrete blocks and drain-pipes, cleaning and screening plant, and a supply of cement. The machinery will be coupled up to the motors of the lorries, and the manufacture of the materials will proceed straight away, the earth and stone removed from the foundation being utilised for this purpose. "Clay, sea sand, gravel, flint stones, slag, and even common garden earth can be used for making efficient concrete," said Mr. Chas. Oushman, a pioneer of concrete building in England. "Any design that can be carried out in brick, stone, or pise de terre (moulded earth or clay) can be equally well produced in concrete.' Many of us would be glad to s<*e a few of these machines in Taranaki.