DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The settlers of ti e Pungarehu district are still pursuing their purpose to fittingly memora Use the services of tho men from this district who fought in the great war. The necessity for recognising the sacrifice of the local soldiers In the shape of a permanent war memorial has been in the air for some time here, and I understand a public meeting will be held shortly to decide what form the memorial should take. To further the project, arrangements are being made to hold a series of functions In the hall, and it is to be hoped these affairs will be generously patronised. The Rahotu hall committee’s social and dance which took place in the Rahotu ball, was fairly well attended, and proved a very successful function, both from the social and monetary points of view. Excellent onusic was supplied by Parker (piano) and Norris (violin), and everything went off swimmingly. The M.C.’s, Messrs. L. Billing and D. Paton, gave nobody any chance to shirk, but kept everything going as merrily as marriage bells. A bountiful supper was handed round and much appreciated. Another social will be held by the committee on Wednesday of next week.

The social and dance promoted by the Oaonul social committee on Wednesday, 20th, was rather poorly attended, only about eight couples taking the floor. The fact that a dance was held in Pungarehu the previous evening and another was held at Rahotu the same evening, no doubt militated against a large attendance. The floor was in good order, the music and supper first rate. All present enjoyed themselves quite thoroughly. A social and dance was held in the Warea Hall on Thursday evening 21st. The floor was everything a good dancer could wish tot, and those present spent an enjoyable time. Parker's orchestra provided the musid for the dancing, Mr. Wells acted as M.C., and the ladies supervised the supper arrangements. Keen disappointment was felt amongst the coastal residents, particularly the Maoris, when it became "known that Ratana had of necessity to abandon his contemplated visit to Parihaka. It is rather unfortunate on the local Maoris, who were making the fullest preparations for the visit, the cancellation of which will mean a big loss to them, many having been put to a. great deal of unnecessary expense.

An advocate for the toll gate system, states that his opinion had undergone a change since the meeting of the ratepayers at Pungarehu. He was quite satisfied that toll gates were no good, and the community would be better without them. In further comments he referred to the Walpuku toll gate, the tax on a two sea ter car being 2s 6d. This gate is on the main road between Stratford and Inglewood. In 1916 it was erected by Government permission, provided the proceeds were spent on constructing a tar-sealed road. It was stipulated that when the road was completed the gate was to be removed. This stretch of roiid is probably the worst main road in Taranaki, and at the present is only partially tar-sealed It has taken six years under the toll gate system to bring it to itsy present partially -constructed state, and it is estimated that it will take .another year at least to complete. The net annual revenue from this main road gate Is £2338 It is held hy authorities that if this road had been constructed out of loan money the work would have been completed long ago. Another instance is the toll gate between Eitham and Opunake, Tax on two seater cars Is 6d. This is situated on a macadam tar-sealed road, which was constructed entirely out of loan money. The proceeds of this gate more than pay for the maintenance of the road. The toll is lower than elsewhere, due to the large number of big motorwagons which ply continually between the factories and railway. The grass of our pastures is unequalled as a milk-producing food for cows, but there are some things to be remembered in connection with this. In the first place it may be desirable to supplement the pasturage with ■ some other food, or the cows may suffer. In 1 the second place, the land, its manurlal treatment, the season, and lhe time of the year, all have effect on the quality of the herbage. Further, it Is very often overlooked that although there may be ample feed for a certain number of cattle, there is not enough for the whole herd. If the grass is short the animal will bo called upon to graze for several hours before It will have eaten enough to become satisfied. As long as all the cows can fill themselves easily, and lie down contentedly, the dairy fanner can bo assured that they are producing at their best, and he may be also assured, on the other hand, that a shortage of grass, unless it is liberally added to with roots, green food, or hay, is also a shortage of milk.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Mini! school committee was held on Wednesday evening last, there being present Messrs. J. D. Ross (chairman), J. F. Phillips, Mooney, G. Baker and P. Spurt. The chainman tendered his resignation owing to leaving the district, which was accepted with regret, reference being made to the warm interest Mr. Ross had taken in the affairs of the school. Mr. Phillips was appointed to the position and Mr. Alf. Johnson elected as a committeeman in place of Mr. Ross. A request was received from the head-teacher (Miss Simpson), for racks for the saddles of the pupils riding to school. It was derided that as the shelter shed was already too small for the number of pupils attending the school, to write and ask the Education Board if steps could not be taken for enlarging the building. The secretary reported that the necessary shingle had been procured for tho proposed concrete work round the school, and it was agreed to carry out the work during the spring vacation.

As was anticipated, tFe Urenui returned soldiers’ plain and fancy dress ball was a complete success, visitors being present from Awakino, Uruti, Pakearuhe, Okoke, Wal-toi-tol, Waitara, New Plymouth, and Hawera. The necessity for enlarging the hall is becoming -more apparent every year, tho growing requirements of the district, making the pre- i sent building totally inadequate. Whenever there is anything special on, and a sit-down supper required, a marquee has to be erected at the rear of the hall, and this necessitates a. lot of extra work and expense. If the, night should prove to be wet, the conditions are far from pleasant, and though the shortage of material Is a serious drawback to, building, the matter will have to be gone into' sooner or later. The committee had gone to a lot of trouble in the mutter of decorations, and the effect of the evergreens and numerous flags was decidedly pretty -and formed a fitting background for tho dresses worn by the dancers during the grand march. The supper which was laid in the marquee was unost creditable and the plan of issuing different colored tickets avoided any crushing, whilst the ladies who assisted the committee in this important matter are to be complimented on the manner in which they worked. The music, as supplied by Fowler’s orchestra from Waitara, left nothing to bo desired, and was enjoyed by the non dancers as well as others. Amongst those ladles present in fancy costumes were Mrs, J. Rockett (Indian Squaw), Mrs. P. Spurt (Pnritutu), Mrs. N. Street (Soldier Settlement), Mrs. J. Teifat, (Aunt Chloe), Mrs, O’Grady (French Artist), Mrs. T. Marsh (Food Control), Miss Taylor (Good Luck). Miss Dempster (Black and White), Airs. Sullivan (Peace), Miss Handley (Gipsy), Alias Johnston (Spanish Dancer), Miss Carr (Pierott), Miss Fugern (Egyptian Lady), Miss Wdlsh (Harem), Miss Moeller, (England and France). Amongst the gentle--inert were Messrs, J. O’Neill (Indian), W. Murray (Swagger), L. Burke (Pierott), B. Wells (Clown), L. Spurt (Waiter), and A. Alabin (Israel). The .Judges for the prizes for tho most original costumes, Mrs. Young, of Waitara, and Mr./A. H. Halcombe, of Urenui, awarded first prize to Mrs. P. Spurr, as Paritutu, Mrs. N. Street, (Soldier Settlement), being second, Mrs. J. Rockett (Indian Squaw), was awarded a special prize, and all three ladies are to bo complimented Upon the taste displayed in the selection of their costumes. Mr. J. O’Neill secured ent prize for gentlemen, his representation of an Indian being extremely clever. Mr. Geo. Fuller made a most efficient M.C., and was ably assisted by Messrs. K>n wuncUii. d.

Des Forges, J. Fitzgerald, and J. O’Neill, in l fact, all of tho committee worked hard towards the success of tho gathering, and it is fairly safe to assume that the soldiers’ ball of 1921 is only the the forerunner of many equally successful functions. The Mimi schoolroom was again well filled on Friday evening, when Mr. Gould paid his customary fortnightly visit, and delivered another interesting address. During the evening, Mr. Gould referred to the loss the congregation would sustain by the departure of the organist. Miss Phillips, who was shortly to be .married. Several hymns were sung in the course of tho evening. At the recent euchre party and dance, held in the Pukearuhe schoolroom Miss AL Afoeller secured the first prize (a silk scarf) amongst the ladies, and Mr. P, Carey won the tie and socks which constituted the gentleunen's prize. . Great interest is being evinced in the competition for the points’ prizes, the present leaders being Miss M. Afoeller and Mr. S. Moody. The dance which followed was also well carried out, Mr. J. 1 obinson, ns usual, being a most efficient* M.C., whilst the supper provided by the ladies was much appreciated. On Thursday evening next, a farewell social is to bo tendered to Airs. Cartwright, uPukearuhe, who has been school teacher in that locality for same thirteen years, and Is held in great esteem by tho residents and many other friends in the district.

In view of the coming milking season, Mr. Zimmerman is at present erecting a milking shed on the upper portion of his farm at Wai-toi-tol, which' has been sold to Mr. Buckley, lato of Inglewood. On Wednesday last. Dr. Gunn visited the Miani school for the purpose of inspecting the teeth of the children attending the school. Several recommendations were made for further treatment from the dentist, and It might be pointed out that these instructions will have to bo complied with. HURFORD ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Th death last week of Mr. H. Loveridge removes from us our oldest and one of our most respected settlers. Mr. Loveridge took up land here some thirty years ago, when the country was mostly standing bush, and had resided here ever since, so had seen many changes during that time. He leaves a widow and thirteen children to mourn their loss. They have the deepest sympathy of a large circle of friends.