DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

LOWGARTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) In spite of the inclement weather there was a good attendance at the fancy dress ball held on Tuesday last, and an enjoyable evening I was spent. Quite a lot of interest was taken | in the different fancy costumes and also in the maiden waltzing competition. The prize winners of the former were Miss Urbhan (Witch], for tte ladies, and Mr. H. Mead (Red Indian), for the gents, while in the latter, Mr. L. Townsend and Miss Cumberworth were the winners. The following is a list of the fancy dresses Mrs. Carlson (Ruination), Mrs. Vini cent (Dutch Maid), Miss Vincent (Home fashions). Miss Urbhan (Witch), Miss D. Palmer (Dixie), Miss Palmer (Dutch girl), Miss Pryce (slice of water melon), Miss Cumberworth (Swiss Peasant), Mrs. Rae (Nurse), Miss Belcher (Three Castle cigarettes), Mrs. Thrush (Safety matches), Mr. H. Mead (Red Indian), Mr. L. Townsend (Clown), Mr. H. Thrush (Saturday and Sunday). Mr. G. Smith met with an accident last week, severely crushing his left hand • and he is still in a private hospital in Eltham. The local social committee have agreed to hold the next fortnightly assembly as a benefit social for Mr. Smith, and it is hoped there will be a bumper house for such a worthy cause. The local football team journeyed to Cardiff last Thursday to play that team, and after a real good, willing game, the match resulted in a draw, each side scoring three points. Mr. T. Malone, one of the Lowgarth players, dislocated and broke his shoulder. WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very interesting euchre party and dance was held in the Urenul Hall on Thursday evening last, the proceeds being devoted to the Girls’ Hostel Fund, New Plymouth. Euchre parties are a very popular form of amusement, and are the means of affording a pleasant hour or two of amusement to many who do not indulge in dancing, and the on£ held on Thursday evening proved no exception to the rule. Keen interest was evinced from start to finish, and the competition in the gentlemen’s class was very close, Messrs. J. O'Neill, W, McCracken and A. Johnston tleing with 10 games each, the final result being Mr. J. O'Neill 1, and Mr. MeCraeken 2, the former securing the set of military hairbrushes presented by Mr. T. S. O’Neill, and the latter a box of cigarettes given by Mr. T. Murray. Mrs. T. S. O’Neill was first amongst the ladies with 12 games, the prize consisting of a salad bowl presented by Mr. A. Gibson, Miss Pigott being 2nd with 9 games, and won the tray cloths given by Mrs. R. H. Pigott, The dance which followed was equally enjoyable, and Mr. J. O'Neill as M.C. kept the ball moving merrily, whilst Miss A. Terril rendered the necessary music in her best style. A greatly appreciated supper was also provided, and It is satisfactory to note that tte tunas of the hostel will benefit , to the extent of something over £5 by the efforts of the committee In charge of the function.

The recently held annual meeting of the Uruti Hall committee was largely attended, there being some fifty settlers present. Mr. Qias. Barnltt presided, and in commenting upon the last year's operations, stated that the overdraft at the bank had been reduced by some £22, the amount now being £6O. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee for the ensuing year: Messrs. F. Aubrey, J. Telfar, J. Kelly, Era. Jones, Ed. .■ones, Genn and T. Murray. Several contemplated improvements in connection with the hall were discussed.

Miss Lulu Musker, of Wai-toi-toi, left during the week to join the staff of a private nursing establishment in New Plymouth. There was an attedance of some fifty cadets and territorials at Urenul on Thursday lafjt. when Sergeant Major Bell, of Nsw Plymouth, was present io carry out a course of drill instructions In future cadets will be taken on Thursdays (fortnightly), and the territorials on Fridays, the hours feeing from 12.30 to 2.36 In each case.

Keen disappointment was felt fey a large number of residents at the drenching rain which prevailed during the greater portion of Friday last, .as they had hoped to witness the meet of the North Taranaki Hunt club >t Mr. A. R. Halemnbe's, of • Ferngreve.” Tills was the more to be regretted as the Springboks were the guests of Mr. Haleombe and the members of the club, and many would hare liked to have witnessed their exploits over cross country. However, In <pite of the adverse state of the elements our South African visitors will carry with them pleasant recollections of the hospitality experienced at ■Ferngrove."

Those of us who had the good fortune to visit New Plymouth on Saturday—and the number was not inconsiderable—had every reason to congratulate ourselves on the day's outing, teeth from a spectacular ami a fontbull point of view. One of the first things that became apparent, even to the most casual observer, was the complete made by the authentic* for handling the large crowd which was present, and anything in the shape of congest'.oii was conspicuous by its absence. In fact, as one visitor observed, other larger’ centres might with advantage take a lesson from New Plymouth In this respect. The panoTamia which was presented by the innum-: •rable tints of dresses worn by the ladles on the terraces around the playing held, with the dark green of the lofty trees in the background, was a sight which will long remain in the memories of those who witnessed it, and; one worth going a long way to see. There may be equal and even better grounds for playing football in the Dominion and Australia, but for beauty and picturesque surroundings, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth,, stands second to none, and this opinion has been expressed by many who have travelled all over the world.

Of course, we were all proud of the manner in which the Clifton representatives acquitted themselves—and this without any reflection on the other members of the team—and the coolness and superb Inciting of the full-back. Kingston, were most favorably commented ’ upon. Before the match, many comparisons .••id been made as to the relative merits of the present day reps, with those of teams which have played for the ..province in the years gone by, one .of the chief faults found being lack of condition. Without in any way •reflecting upon the performances of by-gone (.-.•arks, who no doubt put up many sterling battles. It would seem hard to conceive anyj team playing a harder or cleaner game than :hat exhibited by the Yellow and Blacks on Saturday last, and very few will be found to grudge them credit for the manner in which iley bucked up from start to finish against their heavier opponents. /

I hare been requested to ask if you would kindly correct a small error in Mr. P R. Spurt’s letter to the New Plymouth Harbor Board, and published in your Issue of Friday last. The paragraph referred to should read: "If tte outer ends were sloped it would give a better surface and greater stability, but at the same time 101 tons would take a lot of shifting." The.substitution of the words "stopped” for "sloped," and "stopping" for "shifting,” rather misconstrues the meaning of the sentence. Whether the suggestion offered by Mr. Spurr iSt feasible or otherwise, is a matter on which a layman can hardly venture an opinion, and as the matter has been referred to the board’s engineer, no doubt that gentleman’s opinion will settle tte matter; but there is no question that this o¥ any otner suggestion which will save the demolition of Paritutu will be gladly welcomed, not only by the (members of the Preservation Committee, but by the -gentlemen composing the Harbor Board themselves, and possibly a portion of the money collected for the purpose of keeping the old landmark from destruction might be well spent in assisting to give the present suggestion a trial.

Dr. Gunn will visit the local schools during tion boat’d, will visit the local schools during the present week, and inspect the pupils in regard to health and dental requirements. The annual plain and fancy dress ball to be given In the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening next is beig looked forward with interest by a large number of residents in this and the surrounding districts, and visitors are expected from Waitara and New Plymouth. The prizes for the most original dresses for both ladies

and gentlemen are sure to bo keenly competed for, and most complete arrangements have been made by tie committee, both in regard to the music (which is to be orchestral) and tlie sit-down supper, to be served in a mafquee erected’ at the rear of the Hall. These re-unions serve as a means of bringing those of the "boys’" together who passea through the horrors of the recent groat struggle with credit to themselves and to their country, and also as a reminder to all of us of what we owe to the "diggers,” and it goes without saying that everyone will do their best to assist the conunittee in making the function what It should be—an unqualified success. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Maori pah at Parlhaka has proved a very interesting place this last few weeks and has been visited by a large number of people. Preparations are alunost complete for tte visit of Ratana some time this week. Houses are being renovated to their order, and it is understood that one of the largest houses has been set apart for visiting PakeMas wishing to remain overnight. Throughout the two days a number of welcomes- will be tendered to visitors. A motorist in a nearby district is complaining of the way in which motor lorries, monopolise the centre of the main roads, declining to give way for other traffic. Another grievance complained of is cars using dazzling’ head lights, and he urged that by-laws relating thereto should be enforced. At the stock sales held In the coastal districts recqptly, sheop. showed a sharp rise, partly owing to good rains and partly to a big demand from various other parts. Cattie are being penned in large nwmlffirs, but do not show n corresponding Increase in prices. Dairy cows arc meeting with a good demand, whilst others sold at previous rates. The problem of sufficient feed for the early spring is an important one for. farmers around these parts, and the growing of oats as a solution is being tried and gives every promise of success. One farmer who is utilising this method, this winter, has put down several acres, sowing them about twelve weeks ago. ' This lot has come up well and and though practically at a standstill during a recent period are making good growth during the warmer spells. It is proposed to cut the oats and feed them out, not turning the cows in on them until the second growth. The toll gate system was further discussed by a coastal resident the other day. At present there are seven toll gates in Taranaki he said, the three most important being Puniho, Waipuku and one between Eltham and Optmake. Taking the Puniho toll gate for example he observed that the tax for two seater car was 3s. This gate is situated approximately eighteen miles from New Plymouth. This road is plain macadam and tar sealed macadam, mainly tar sealed. The whole road is in excellent condition and was constructed entirely out of loan money. The net annual revenue from this gate is £BOO. The coat of maintenance of tar sealed road is about £l6O per mile, and of plain macadam about £3OO per mile. Taking the whole eighteen miles as tar sealed, the annual maintenance charge could he £2690, so that the revenue from the Puniho toll gate would not provide tho annual maintenance cost by at least £BBO, leaving out of consideration the provision of interest and sinking fund on the original loan.

Plenty of evening entertainment for the coastal residents is taking place this week, with a complimentary social at Pungarehu to the soldier settlers at Parihaka on the 19th, social and dance in aid of hall funds at Rahotu on the 20th, social and dance at Oaonui on the 20th, and one at Warea on the 21 st. Puniho is also talking about renewing their socials this week, so things are quite lively.

One of the German maelilne guns allocated to the Egmont \lounty, will be placed in the Rahotu school grounds as soon as arrange- 1 ments are made for its acceptance. There was a attendance at the. Warea Hall on Thursday evening, 7th, when r e fortnightly dance was held by the hall committee. Parker’s orchestra provided the music and Mr. Wells was M.C.

On Thursday evening last, Mrs. B. A. Mathews entertained a few. friends at five hundred, when a most enjoyable time was spent. A dainty supper was partaken of which brought a very pleasant evening to a dose.

The euchre party and dance, under the auspices of the Bowling Club, held at the Rahotu hall on Wednesday evening 3rd, was very successful, a large crowd- being present. Fourteen tables were engaged jn the euchre tournament. Mrs. A. Cameron was the winner of Die ladies' prize (crochet camisole), with 11 games, Mr. R. Morgan secured the gentleman’s prize (razor and strop), y s games after a play off. The boobey prizes went to Miss D. Galard and Mr. D. Neilson. Mr. F. Chapman, president of the club, made the presentation of prizes, congratulating the winners. The prizes wore generously donated. by Mr, and Mrs. A, 1 Cameron. A very large extra cr-owd <’ame for the dance, which was kept going till one o'clock-. Messrs. Parker and Norris supplied the dance music to every one’s satisfaction. Messrs. D. Paton and J. Hunter made attentive M.C.’s. Extras were contributed by Miss'Kahui and Mr. E. Barrett. • The custwnaiy supper was handed round during an Interval. Tho committee, who are to be congratulated on the success of the evenfrig, ihtend .holding these entertainments fortnightly. The present t» ion. of a points prize at the end of the season may do much to sus--tain interest in the gatherings. Another euchre party and dance will be held on Wednesday week, which will no doubt attract a ■good attendance, owing to the success of the two past functions. ’’ \

'• The Rahotu hall comriilitee are proposing to hold a series of functions throughout the next two or three months in aid of hall funds. The first of these will take place on’- Wednesday, the 20th inst., and fortnightly thereafter. As the hall has considerable leeway to make up, owing to the extensive improvements 'being done to the building, it is hoped their efi'orts will meet with success. Great praiso Is due to the committee for having this work of improvements completed, as it will fill a ‘long felt want. P.al'otu Is noted for its social. evenings during the winter, and lovers of dancing, from outside districts will be sure of having a good 'time at Rahotu.

Within the next few weeks several of our settlers will be leaving the coast, having decided on .a change from farm life. They will mostly reside in New Plymouth.