DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) In my report of the complimentary social given recently to the Parihaka soldier set- • tiers, the names of Mr. Keogh and Mr. Shale were wrongly given as Mr. Hall and Mr. Wright. The coronation ball in connection with the Opunake seaside carnival, which was held in the Opunake Hall on Friday 22, was a brilliant success in every respect and reflected the greatest credit on those responsible for organising it. Quite a large number went from Pungarehn and surrounding districts, the accommodation being severely taxed there was a record attendance. On Thursday evening 21st a number of local residents went up to Urenui to tho returned soldiers' annual ball held in the Urenui Hall. There was a large attendance and a most enjoyable dance was held. The committee are to be complimented for the manner in which they carried cut the arrangements for the evening. On Saturday, at the Hempton Hall, Okato, tho Anglican Church sale of work will be opened and continued throughout the day and evening. A good display of fancy guoas and many dainty articles will be offered for Lome decoration and use. Stalls will be devoted to flowers, sweets, etc. Afternoon tea will be provided. One thing lacking in the coastal d’stricts Is a private telephone service. There are probably sixty or more settlers waiting to be connected with the telephone exchange, but I understand shortage of poles, insulators, and wire, prevents thorn obtaining the conveniFirewood splitters are busily engaged on several of the bush sections at present and judging by reports, godd money is being made. The district surrounding Pungarehn has been admired by visitors lately, the bush lands in particular are looking well and green. Owing to the high prices still prevailing for fencing material, hedge planting has become quite prevalent in the coastal districts Tree planting Is also being extensively carried on locally. Mr. J. Williamson has now taken over the bush farm he recently acquired from Mr. W. Green, and intends milking some fifty cows during the coming season.

One of two experiments in the matter of top-dressing with papa are being carried out in certain districts. Though known to contain a. fair percentage of lime, experts have up to the present been unable to locate any real manurial elements in papa, but that it does contain some substance that assimilates with the soil and produces a luxuriant growth has been proved by farmers in different localities, and the fact that grass grows vigorously on bare papa places is also a proof

of Its usefulness. Where it can be obtained in large quantities, and with practically small cost, as to carting, there Is every reason to suppose that a heavy application would prove of great benefit to the pastures and should prove cheaper tnan most artificial manures.

What may prove io be a revolutionary development in the fertiliser industry has been reached by a foreign country, which has succeeded in extracting phosphoric acid from phosphate rock by heating mixtures of this mineral, sand, and coke to a arnplting temperature in a fuel-fed furnace. The established method of producing soluble phosphate in Australia is to treat the rock with sulphuric acid. An equal quantity of acid and rock is used, and the resulting product, known as superphosphate, contains only one-half the acid contained in the rock from which it is derived. Commercial acid phosphate for Instance made from a 32 per cent, rock contains only G per cent, of phosphoric acid. The elaborate washing and screening process now used in preparing phosphate rock for treatment with sulphuric acid often results jr ttc loss of two-thirds of the rock and it was with a view to saving this immense wasfe of phosphate that, the new process was evolved. While the actual cost of the new process in a large industrial plant is difficult to estimate with accuracy, in the work thus far done, even on a small scale, it was found that, the fuel consumption was only about 15 per cent, of the value of the product, while with the sulphuric acid process the cost of the i acid used seldom runs below 22 per cent. i The euchre party held at Taylor's Barn on the Newall Road on Wednesday evening, 20th, was a great success. Messrs. I. Hamilton and I*. Wilson were conspicuous for the manner in which they carried out the arrangements for the evening, and it is safe to add that any further evenings controlled by the same committee will meet with a generous response. What' promises to be the function of the season is the grand ball to be held in Taylor’s Barn, Newall Road, on Friday, 29th, under the control of the Warea Timber Mill Employees. An orchestra has been engaged from town to supply the music, so that patrons may attend with every confidence of a good evenings enjoyment. Amongst the appointments made at the recent Education Board's meeting was that of

Mrs. Pearson, Oaklira, ns head mistress of the Punlho School. The Pearson family will be decided acquisitions as they are all musical and moreover, are desirous of being of assistance to the district in any way required. A very enjoyable time was spent in the Warea Hall recently, the occasion being the hall committee’s fortnightly dance. The floor was Ln good order and everything went off u-fJL Tbe music was supplied by Mr. P.

Parker, Miss C. A. Julian contributing a] extra. Mr. 0. Wells fulfilled the duties of M.C. to everyone’s satisfaction. The customary supper was handed round, during &| interval.