DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday evening last the usual fortnightly dance in aid of the hall funds was held In the Urenui Hall. There were a fair number of dancers present, the music being supplied by Miss A. Terrill in her usual capable manner, whilst extras were contributed by Messrs. L. Spurr and Rikiana.. Messrs. Geo. Fuller and J. O’Neill carried out the duties of M.C. successfully, and a most enjoyable supper was provided. Mr. A. H. bould, of Waitara, gave an Interesting address in • tte Mimi schoolroom on Friday evening last. Owing, no doubt, to the rather short notice given.,. there were not so many present as usual, but there will probably be a large attendance on the next occasion. Several hymns were sung during the evening. A runaway, which might have been attended with more serious results, occurred on the Mimi road on Monday last, Mr. Reg. Baker, of Mangamahoe, was proceeding to Urenui in a gig when a portion of the harness gave way, and the horse (a young one) taking fright, started off at top, his -destination being Waitara, his former home. Though several attempts were made to stop him. ho managed to keep on the course till he reached Urenui, where he was intercepted by Mr. Geo. Baker. The driver fortunately managed to jump clear, and broken harness was the only damage done. Another exercise gallop was executed by a couple of horses attached to a drill driven by Mr. J. Smith, of Urenui. Starting from Mr. Bert. Sheard’s gate at half-pace, they increased it through the township, and negotiated all obstacles till reaching Mr. L. Rattenbury’s residence by the Urenui river, when one of the animals fell. Fortunately very little damage was incurred. On Saturday evening last, the usual monthly meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiers* men was held in the Urenui Library, Troopleader J. Ross presiding over a good attendance of members. One new member was elected, and other business transacted. Those of the troop who attended the recent successful encampment at New Plymouth, report having had a very enjoyable visit, our local rifle shots being very successful in the shooting competitions. The spirit of comradeship which pervades these meetings, and the instructive addresses on Legionary matters given at them, do a lot of good, and future encampments will, no doubt, be largely attended. General Russell's remarks at tke opening of the conference at Gisborne on Monday last were most interesting, and will no doubt further the cause which represents patriotism, love of country, the unity of the Empire, and maintenance of Anglo-Saxon traditions. It is reported that Mr. A. Sorenson has disposed of his farm at tbe Mimi at a figure quit© in accordance with ruling rates, the purchaser being Mr. Hobbs, of the former firm of Young and Hobbs, At Okoke on Friday evening last, Miss Gladys Lee, daughter of *Mr. T. Lee, an old Okoke resident, was the receipient of several handsome presents, from the settlers of that district, in view of her departure and approaching marriage. .Miss Lee is hfeld in high esteem by all who know her, and will carry with her their hearty wishes for a happy and prosperous future.

The Returned Soldiers’ Plain and Fancy Dress Ball, which takes place on July 21, is exciting a large amount of interest, and the committee are sparing no pains to make it the ball of the season. Prizes are, being offered for the most original fancy dress for both ladies and gentlemen, and the competition Is sure to be keen. There are certain to be visitors from New Plymouth, Waitara, and the surrounding districts, and there is every reason to believe that the boys will hare one of the largest assemblages ever seen in the Urenui hall. Functions of this kind should be encouraged and no doubt the ball .will become an annual one for many years to come. The visit of the Springboks to New Plymouth is already being discussed, and it is almost a certainty that New Plymouth will bo a full town on that occasion. It Is to be hoped there will not be such a deluge as on the day when the English team played a good many years ago. The number of umbrellas sold on that occasion proved easily a record, and the going on the Park was decidedly soft. Should the coming visitors experience a similar state of affairs, Taranaki may have more than a 100 to 1 chance of a win.

The statement made by Mr. J. Cameron, chief dairy instructor for J. Nathan and Co. Ltd., in the Waikato, at the recent meeting of the association held in Hamilton, that the use of brushes was Injurious to the rubbers, and that plenty of boiling water and soda should be used instead, calls to mind the remark made by an old supplier in this district some years ago, who generally managed to bring good milk to the factory, when others who used milking machines and went to no end in cleaning them, were getting called over the coals by the manager for the state of their milk. Asked as to his method of washing them, he replied, "I just dip them in a bucket of hot water and then a bucket of cold, and scrub the dirt off about once a month.” And, in this respect it might be mentioned that there is often a certain slime in milk which is attributed to want of proper attention in cleansing the rubbers, etc./ that is not due to that cause at all, but simply to attaching the cups to he teats of a cow on the early stages of developing a swollen quarter, and in districts where this trouble exists it is always advisable to try the quarters of a cow before placing the cups on her.