DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAPONGA. ■ The adjourned monthly meeting of the Kaponga Town Board was held on Friday night. Present: Comrs. Allen (in the chair). Guy, Law, Wickham, and Betts. Mr. A. H. Guy waited on the board in connection with the board taking over the band instruments and liabilities. The matter was held over for next meeting, when it is hoped tlyfere will be a full attendance. It was decided to call a public meeting for the purpose of discussing a. war memorial. The foreman’s report was received, and his application for a man to in work in hand was granted. A new rubbish tip is to be opened hear the river at the back of the old Domain. < PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The cold weather we have been experiencing more or less during the past few weeks makes one inclined to think we must have inadvertently slipped a few degrees nearer the South Pole, and old residents claim that every season the winters are getting more severe. The cocoa which is dispensed to the school children during the mid-day meal imust prove most welcome, and the thoughtfulness of the Education Board in instituting such a welcome custon is highly appreciated by the pupils. Stock generally in the coastal districts are still in good condition, but feed is not altogether too plentiful, and some farmers who had not made provision for a bad winter are not too sanguine of tte season's prospects. One thing that will serve as a good standby to the careful farmer is the excellent hay that; was harvested.

The average test at the local factory for the last testing period still maintains a good percentage, so that although the amount of milk brought by the suppliers is comparatively small, it does not take a very large amount to realise quite a good cheque by the time the welcome 29tli of the month comes round.

The Taranaki Agricultural Association’s winter show is always looked forward to with Interest by country residents, and there is, every prospect Of another most successful exhibition in the Coronation Hall next month. No doubt every assistance will be given from the coast, both in point of entries and attendance, as most of the farmers and their families have more leisure at this time of the year than in the summer. We have now two or three separate ’bus services on the road, so that intending visitors will have ample means of travelling, and can spend a day in town and return home in good time, which used to be one of the drawbacks of winter travelling. Two functions on one night is something new for us, but this happened on Thursday evening, tte 19th inst., when we had a social und dance in aid of the town queen candidate, and a farewell social to the Parker family, who are leaving the coast shortly. Both were well attended. Miss O. Paterson, of the Puniho School, will be entertained at a social and dance in the Warea Hall on Friday night, the 27th inst., prior to her departure from the Puniho district. A very enjoyable time was spent in the Hempton Hall, Okato, on Tuesday evening last, the occasion being the social committee’s fortnightly dance. There was a satisfactory attendance, the floor was in good order, and everything went off splendidly. The music was supplied by Parkers’ orchestra, and Mr. Andrews was M.C.

The plain and fancy-dress masquerade dance arranged by the Opunake Town Queen Candidate Committee on Thursday, the I9th Inst., in the Rahotu Hall, proved to be one of the best dances of the season. The night was chiefly given up to dancing, and when the patrons in their fancy robes gathered upon the floor for the first dance, the room was filled with color and life. The dancing programme was under the management of Mr. Holmes, who executed the duties of M.C. in a creditable manner, notwithstanding the crushed state of dancing space. Music was pro-, vided by Air. Richard (piano), and Mr. Walker (violin). The supper, the work of the ladies, was a great credit to them. During the evening prizes were presented to Miss Trim for the best fancy dress, representing "Scandal," Mr. Tanner securing the gentleman’s prize as "Uncle Tom” (nigger). A lady, whose name was not available, got first prize for the best poster dress, representing "Weldon's Fashions.” The committee must feel quite satisfied with their efforts, the proceeds being in the vicinity of £l5. To mark the occasion of her approaching marriage, Miss Dorothy Mason, of Rahotu, was the guest of honor at a kitchen and linen evening in the ■ Rahotu Hall on Saturday evening last by a number of her Rahotu friends. The company indulged in games, vocal items, and dancing, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Air. W. Butler, on behalf of those present, made the presentation of gifts, which were numerous and useful. During the course of a few remarks he also spoke of the sterling qualities of Aiiss Mason and her work in recent years at the local school, concluding by expressing their congratulations and good wishes. Mr. D. J. O’Neill responded on behalf of Miss Mason. The following contributed items: Chorus, Afaorl children; song, Aiiss Fisher, recitations, Alias Hodgson and Aiiss H. Wright; song; Aiiss A. O’Neill; song. Airs. W. R. Wright. a

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. i (From Our Own Correspondent.) The names of Air. Smith and Miss Purchas, who sang ,a duet, and Misses McCracken, Rumbal and Sheard (trio), were omitted in the’ report of the Urenui Ladles' Guild social held in Urenui last Thursday evening. It is stated that the fortnightly dances, which were held last season, are to be resumed in Urenui during the winter months, and the proceeds will be devoted to the hall funds. A number of ladies in the district are interesting themselves In the matter of procuring a new piano for the hall. The present instrument has seen long and strenuous service, and is practically beyond repair, and no doubt the trustees of the hall, if approached on the subject, will willingly render every assistance in their power, and in the near future a long-felt want will be supplied. The enlargement of the building is another matter which will have to be dealt with sooner or later, but in view of the scarcity and prohibitive prices of building material, some little time must elapse before any active steps can be taken. A meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen will be held in the Urenui Library on Saturday evening next, when a fair amount of business is to be transacted. On Friday evening last a most successful evening was spent in the Urutl Hall, the proceeds being devoted to the local Tennis Club. Several songs, etc., were contributed, and Air. Kirkby acted efficiently as M.C., whilst Aiiss N. Alurray was the pianist. During the evening a very welcome supper was handed round, provided by tte ladies of the district. The Ml.mi School re-opened after the winter vacation on Monday last. Aiiss Murray is still in charge of the school as head teacher, pending the arrival of Alias Simpson, who has been appointed to that position. As. showing how little rain has fallen during the past four or five months, it might be mentioned that the well from which the water supply of the Urenui Hotel is derived has less than a foot of water In It—a circumstance which has never been known to have happened before. The well at the Alaori pah is also practically dry, whilst the Wai-toi-toi stream is lower than during any previous year.

The pedigree Jersey sal®; which is to be held next month at WaiwakaSio by Newton King, Ltd., under the auspices of the Jersey Breeders’ Association, is sure to attract a large number of buyers from the surrounding districts. Every year dairy farmers are recognising the necessity for milking none but the best cows, and this is more than ever necessary in view of the probable drop in the price of dairy produce. An inferior animal is equally as costly to maintain as a good one, and takes no more looking after, so it is only business policy that the culls should be tfaxowfc ouL and fiU«d

by higher buttey-fat producers. Every season sees more pedigree animals introduced to the [ herds in this district, and it is only a question of time before scarcely anything but pedigrees .and high-class grades will be milked. On Jlonday and Tuesday last a successful Catholic Church Mission waa held in the Urenui Hall, presided over by the Rev. Dean AlcKenna and Rev. Father Hering, who delivered addresses on each evening. A sale of various articles was also carried out. A line of some sixty well-bred Jersey springing heifers passed through on Tuesday last on ftlieir way to Palmerston from Urutl. The demand for good class cows and heifers is gradually increasing, and according to present indications there will be a large quantity of cheese produced in the North Island next season. Prices are also steadily increasing for the best lines, and as the spring advances, may come somewhere within reach of those of last year.