DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A general exodus of sporting enthusiasts took place from the coast on Thursday last, 12th inst., all bound for the race meeting at Hawera, this and surrounding districts presenting quite a deserted appearance. Many complimentary references were made to the day’s sport provided.

In common with other parts of Taranaki the coastal- have been experiencing during the pkst week or so a somewhat cold spell ttat-will no doubt retard the autumn growth of feed, which, up to the present, has been fairly satisfactory. The dairy factories in certain parts of are experiencing a decided shortage <\f coal, which is the means of many turning tlieir attention once again to firewood, with the result that there are good stacks of firewood at many factories. A good deal of land in the back country has been cleared of timber, the high prices now being given for firewood compensating largely for the cost of clearing. The advent of cold weather has caused the milk supply to fall off rapidly, with the result that the factories on the coast are only receiving milk every other day. Casein manufacture for the season has ceased.

Considerable improvements have been effected in the surroundings at the local school recently by the cutting out of a good deal of overgrown shrubbery, hedges trimmed, etc., the result being a much brighter appearance. Winter prospects Ln the south are anything but good, says a recent visitor to the South Island. The results of the long dry spells of the past season were yet visible, stock in many cases being in a very im-

poverished condition. Stock owners stated that the recent rains had produced only a sufficient growth of klieep pasture for tte coming winter, and the outlook for cattle was not very bright. At the last meeting of the Egmont County Council it was decided to Issue a final warning regarding heavy traffic during the winter on any of the by-roads. Steps are to be taken to have all vehicles engaged in heavy traffic licensed.

On Saturday evening, May 7th., a welcome social was tendered in the Rahotu Methodist Church to the Rev. and Mrs. Harkness, who have arrived to take charge of the Egmont circuit. Considering the inclement weather a large number were present. Mr. T. P. Hughson, who presided, tendered a warm welcome in a neat, little speech, to which Mr. Harkness suitably replied. A very nice musical programme was Submitted, after which supper was handed round, bringing a pleasant evening to a close. The opening meet of the Egmont Coursing Club, which was held at Cape Road on Saturday, 7th. inst., was a distinct success, and > a most enjoyable afternoon was spent by the large number of "macadamizers,” with a few mounted followers, who attended the meet. Hares were very plentiful, the huntsmen having the houndS in capital fettle.

The residents of Warea have arrangements in hand for tendering a farewell social to Mr. and Mrs. Parker and family. The entrance to a certain building on the coast one morning recently bore signs of somebody’s birthday, or a “night out." Broken bottles were in profusion. Somebody bad overbalanced against the door as the bolt of the door was, broken.

The Opunake Town Queen Carnival Committee made fa particular success of the social and dance Ln aid of funds, which was held at Oaonui on Friday evening last, and the enjoyment was of a high order.

For some time past quite a lot has been said and written regarding profiteering, many and varied opinions being expressed upon the subject. In view of this some figures concerning the sales and gross profits of a grocery business may be of Interest. For the year ending March 31st., 1920, the sales totalled £11,562, and tte gross profits were £1358, or 11.7 per cent. For the year ending March 31st, 1921, the sales reached £11,635, but tte gross profits were only £1044, or 9 per cent. Out of gross profits there has to be paid wages, cost of delivery, rent, office expenses, lighting and other charges, and it will readily be admitted that the figures quoted provide very little evidence of profiteering. As Instancing the difficulties with which retailers are confronted these days, a coastal shopkeeper mentioned that a line of cups and saucers, which eighteen months ago cost 10s per dozen wholesale, now cost from £1 to 25s per dozen. The Board of Trade Is satisfied to waste time trying to catch the retailers when It should get at the real profiteers—the manufacturers and the wholesalers.