DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MUKAU—AWAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Spring has come, and the “Voice of the lamb is heard, in the land,” also the grass is showing green with promise of excellent pasturage for our stock. The popular skipper, Captain Jensen, of O. L. Mahoe, was farewelled. at the wharf last week, on his making his last trip on our little “Home Liner.- Captain Jensen has navigated this eoast for many years, and has always proved himself a capable and courteous officer. Harbormaster J. Macdonald, in a happy little speech, wished Captain Jensen “Bon Voyage,” and a peaceful and happy retirement from the nautical life. The Captain ably responded, and hoped that if somedav in the far future he should ever revisit Mokau, it would be to see its harbor successfully vying with New Plymouth in providing anchorage for 10,000 and 12,000 ton Canadian and Pacific liners, etc. The new skipper, Captain Gibson, was then cordially welcomed to his new sphere of duty, and it is hoped he will be long among us.

Mr. Charlie Johnson is to be congratulated on having at last secured the services of a first class coachman for the mail service on this route. It is a treat to have our mail once more arriving in decent time, for which our courteous postmistress (Mrs. A. Condon) must be most devoutly thankful, as it could not have been very pleasant for her to have to get up out of bed at 10.10 p.m. (sometimes 11 p.m.) to take delivery of the mail. It is also a treat to see the poor old horses looking so well. We had the first touring car of the season through last week. The driver had rather a bad time on the road between “Messenger” and here, but he managed to “win through.” It was owned by Mr. Minific, of Wellington, who, with* Mrs. Minific, were on their way to their new home in “Mercury Bay,” where Mr. Minific has purchased some 1.400 acres, on which he intends to go in for mixM farming.

A very successful cap and apron dance was held in the Mokau Hall on August 27. The caps and aprons worn were very pretty, and much fun was caused by the gentlemen donning those of their supper partners. They wore them as “to the manner born,” and the bachelors wearing them, will, we are sure, prove most domesticated “hubbies” bye and bye, while the benedicts appear to be already well broken in. Many visitors were present from the Waikawau, Awakino, and up the river. The function was organised by Mesdames P. Hansen and N. Clifton. To our mind the prettiest aprons were worn by Misses Svenson and Myrtle Carlsen. The music was supplied by Mrs. Christofferson, while Mrs. M'cNiece Mrs. Wilson, and Miss Hazel Sampson kindly contributed extras. Our local fisherman (Mr. Paddy Kavanagh) has been casting his, not pearls before swine, but nets before sharks lately, as amongst Kawhai. Schnapper, etc., he has caught several baby sharks, •for which he was fiercely besieged by the friendly Maoris, who are very fond of this succulent morsel, anti thus, as Paddy’s nets became lighter, his pockets became heavier. There arc plenty of whitebait and flounder in our river at present. __ We are glad to hear that Mr. Northern, of Awakino, is making good progress towards recovery after his operation. Messrs. W. D. and Lal Black are busy making many improvements on their fine farm Mahoe. h The little “Home liner” the Manoe was unable to get into Mokau on her last trip. Through stress of weather sh* had to make back to Waitara, which she safely reached after 12 hours strenuous battling with the waves. Mr. A. G. Sampson has completed a fine 4 bail milking shed, with concrete floor and all conveniences. Our local butter factory, under tha able management of Mr. Balson, commenced operations on Thursday last, and, so far, everything is most satisfactory. There are well over 100 cows milking already, with speedy promise of 000 before long. Our up-river suppliers are doing their “bit,” and Captain Bill ■Wilson is busy with his little launch, carrying their cream down. This arrangement is only temporary, as we believe tenders are to he called for the carriage of the cream. At a meeting of the directors of the butter factory, held on August 27, there were present, Messrs. W. D. Black (in the chair), Geo. Sage, McKeown, Radford, Raven, A. G. Sampson, and A. G. Mouatt. The appointment of Mr. J. Batson as manager was confirmed. Consideration of the balance sheet for the year ending July 1921, was adjourned till the annual meeting on September 15. It was decided that the Mokau dairy factory will open on September 1 for % thc receiving of cream. Mr. A. G. Sampson undertook the carriage of cream, pending other arrangements. Mr. J. L. Macdonald, the local secretary, was directed to take out cover under the Workers’ Compensation Act, for the manager, casuals, etc. The chairman stated that fuel was being obtained at reasonable rates, viz, 25s per cord for firewood, and 60s per ton for coal. Mr. Whitcpmbe, on behalf of Messrs. Newton King, Ltd., atended the meeting, and offend to handle the factory’s output on terms of mutual advantage. It was decided that no steps be taken re output till after the annual meeting, the opinion, however, being unanimous that, other things being equal, preference should be given to Messrs. Newton King, Lid. It was arranged that daily cream cards be procured for use of suppliers, to be filled in by the manager, and to bear a record of weight, condition, and on due dates, test of cream. It was decided that a social and dance be held in connection with the opening of the factory at an early date, probably September 15, the arrangements being left in the capable hands of Messrs. A. G. Sampson and J. L. Macdonald. The Awakino cheese factory is going ahead, and turning out a first class artunder the energetic hands of its new manager, Mr. N. Pepperel. Awakino sports have their arrangements well ahead re forming and obtaining a permit for a racing club, and there are whispers in the air of a meeting to be fixed for the coming New Year. We regret to hear of the illness of Miss Marie Avery, daughter of Mr. W. J. R. Avery, of Awakino, who is on the staff of the Wellington hospital. We sincerely trust this young lady, who was so popular in our district, will soon be convalescent.

A surprise party, oragnised by Mrs. W. D. Thomson, “raided” the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. Black, of Awakino, and were cordially received. A most enjoyable evening was spent in music and song, and after a dainty supper, the ' 9 isitors went home highly delighted.

with their entertainment. Miss Russell is visiting Mrs. W. D. Thomson, Awakino. So far, there has no beginning been made of the snagging of our river. Oh! those coal mines, with, their waste tons of “bottled sunshine.” When, oh when, shall you enter into your rights? The workers on the Awakino Valley Road are “going strong,” and the result of their energy is manifest. We hear that Mr. J. Ennis is leaving our district. Mr. Ennis has been .a most energetic social worker during his residence amongst us, and it is to be hoped that the genial “Uncle Jim” will not be allowed to depart without a fitting recognition of his services in that respect. • Mr. Lew Jones has a very fine milking herd this season, as has also Mr. Geo. Lake. Both these gentlemen are suppliers to the Awakino cheese factory. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Clifton, Mokau, are considering whether they will enter their fine new trotting mare “Trixie” for the next “Trots” at New Plymouth. The bot-fly is rather troublesome round here just now, some 4 or 5 horses having succumbed lately. Mr. Mason, of the Waikawau, was down lately, and is turning out some fine timber from his mill. Mrs. S. Whitehead is spending a few weeks in Taranaki Miss Kathleen Thomson is on a holiday in the south. Miss Orr is visiting Mrs. J. Mouk, Awakino. Miss Jeannie Stewart is visiting friends in Hawkes Bay. This young lady being both a dancer and a pianiste, is much missed at our local functions. It was reported on Saturday afternoon, that Mr. Wolfe’s horse “Kariri” had carried off the Hunt Club Steeplechase. and had paid £66. It had many backers in Mokau, and when that news arrived, hats were thrown into the air, and mighty cheers rent the air. One spoilsman sank into the arms of his spouse in blissful content that his (small) fortune was made, but alas! later on “the scene was changed.” News came through that poor “Kariri” was far from being a- winner, and oh! the lugubrious countenance of the beforetime happy optimistic “sport” when he found, instead-of being of a few “sixtysixes” he was a loser on his investment. Thus does Jade Fortune oftimes treat her followers.