DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI

(From Out Own Correspondent.)

Owing, no doubt, to the rather shortnotice given, the dance held in Urenui on Thursday evening last in aid of the hall funds was not so largely attended as would have otherwise been the case. However, those that did attend spent a most enjoyable evening, and the sum of £1 17s 8d will be handed over to the trustees as the result of the function. Miss A. Terrill was in her usual good form at the piano, whilst extras were admirably contributed by Mrs. Geo. Bleakley, Miss Sole, and Mr. Breddo. As M.C.’s Messrs. C. Rumbal senr., and Geo. N. Fuller were most courteous, and kept the dancers busy, whilst the supper provided gave complete satisfaction, and was accorded full justice by those present, A fair number of ladies and gentlemen have signified their intention of attending the Returned Soldiers plain and fancy dress ball to be held in the Coronation Hall, New Plymouth, on Thursday evening next. This function is always looked upon as one of the most successful of its kind held during the year, and no doubt this ball will be a most brilliant affair, and one well worth witnessing. The Mimi school re-assembled on Tuesday last, after a fortnight’s holiday, the weather during that period having been all in favor of the youngsters having a good time which included a trip to New Plymouth to witness the War Trophies’ exhibition, besides an hour or two at Kawaroa Park. Some very convenient improvements have been carried out during the interval by the committee, notably a concrete path from the gateway to the school door, and also an enlargement of the space used for the purposes of drilling, etc. The matter of enlarging the shelter shed, which is altogether too small for the number of pupils attending the school, has been brought under the notice of the Education Board, and no doubt some steps will be taken in the matter in the near future. The motor lorry carrying service which has for many years been conducted in this district by Mr. Ern Johnston, has been purchased by Messrs. J. Telfar of Uruti) and Mr. J. Northcott, who has been driving one of the lorries for some time past. The business will in future be carried on under the style of the Waitara Carrying Co., and whilstmany patrons will regret the retirement of Mr. Johnston, who has been most obliging and deservedly popular, no doubt the new firm will be equally successful in their new venture.

Those farmers who retained their faith in the ability of the “gintilman who pays the rinf’ to still bear out his reputation, in spite of the low prices ruling last season, and still kept on breeding, have every reason to feel satisfied with their judgment, as the present price of. weaners and stores leaves a fair niargin for profit, and the outlook for the future seems most hopeful for this very useful side-line. It is to be hoped that the suggestion made by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, at its last meeting—that a party composed of members of the Chamber should make a tour of the hinterland of Taranaki, similar to the trip made some years ago, should take place this summer—will be given effect to. The former visit was productive of much good, and there is little doubt that another carried' out on the same lines would give equally good results. There are many ways in which an influential body like the Chamber of Commerce can assist those whose lots are cast in the backblocks, who very often have not the opportunity of making their wants known to the proper authorities. The interests of the country are, or should be, identical with those of the town, more especially when the latter happens to be a most important seaport, as is the case with New Plymouth, and the more the residents come into touch with one another the better it should be for all concerned.

Our member (Mr. W. T. Jennings) has always been a staunch friend to the backblocks, sparing neither time nor trouble in ascertaining how best to assist them, and in the matter of efficient roads, which of course is the greatest drawback to bush settlers, he lias always strongly advocated 'their claims. He has even been reported to have expressed the opinion that it would not have been too much if many of the earlier pioneers in the bush* had been given their sections rent free until such time as they were assured of making a decent living. The same remark applies to many of our soldier settlers, who have struck bad luck and hard times, and although the Government money chests are not by any means filled to overflowing, still it might be better to curtail expenditure in some other respects, and do the utmost that can be done for the men that have already gone through hardships enough to last a lifetime. In any case, should the proposed visit eventuate, the members composing the party may rest assured of a very warm welcome from those who are helping to develop the resources of the province—the prosperous future of which is becoming every day more assured. There was a large attendance of senior cadets and mounted troopers on Thursday and Friday last at Urenui, when Sergeant-Major Bell was present from New Plymouth to give the usual course of drill instruction. The number of troopers present totalled fifty-six, and as the work is getting rather much for Sergeant-Major Bell, I understajid Lieutenant Hayhurst, of Waitara, has kindly offered to assist that officer in the discharge of these duties. The Ser-geant-Major has evidently made a good impression on those under his charge in this district, and his visits are eagerly looked forward to. It might be mentioned that Lieutenant Hayhurst has seen active service in Egypt, where he was commanding mounted forces, after which he proceeded to France. Wednesday, the 21st inst., will be quite an important military day in Urenui, when Colonel Melville will be present on a visit of inspection. A parade will take place consisting of the mounted troopers, senior cadets, and members of the Ati Awa troop of the Legion of Frontiersmen, who, I understand, are holding a practice drill on Friday evening next. It has been reported by a veterinary adviser at a meeting of Chesterfield farmers in England that experiments at six centres with a certain liquid drench has resulted in abortion being absolutely cut out in four of the centres. A good many farmers in this district would willingly pay a fair price for the recipe, as the complaint has been unusually prevalent amongst cows this

season. The world’s record sale for a cow 01 £3OOO has been beaten by £6OO in America, when an aged Jersey breeding cow, Gamboga Oxford Gem, the property

of Mr. T. V. Waikeley realised that price. This is somewhat in advance to the values received in Taranaki.

PUNGAREHU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The usual fortnightly sale of stock was held at Rahotu on Thursday, Bth inst., when the prices realised were about the same as have been ruling lately. A quantity of timber from the Te Kiri mill was pub up in lots to suit purchasers, and was sold readily. It was rough class but nftw, and just the thing for sheds, piggeries, etc., and the enterprise was successful and should encourage sawmillers to send more along, as this class of timber is usually in keen demand, and the freight from New Plymouth is almost as much as the timber is worth from a monetary point of view’. Walking across country from the Lower Parihaka to the Pungarehu Road, any lover of the beautiful could not fail to be struck with the glorious view from the hilltops. The lighthouse is easiliy Seen —a solid structure well worth a visit; the gorse is a mass ot golden bloom, which fills the air with perfume; while as far as the eye can see sheep and cattle graze contentedly. Some of the pastures are looking remarkably well, and show good and careful farming, and judging from present appearance, will well repay the farmer for money spent on manure ar ' L opdressing; but others are backwar The dairy herds, too, are in good condition, although the loss of an odd cow or two is reported, but, generally speaking, everything augurs well for another successful season. The school will re-open on Tuesday.

The list in connection with the memorial fund is showing a' very substantial increase the last few days, but the amount will have to be doubled before anything worth while can be erected. It is hoped that intending subscribers will add their names to the list before the 30th. The secretary regrets that she is unable to make a personal call on all residents, but hopes this will not debar anyone from subscribing. The assistant for the Cape Egmont lighthouse has not yet arrived, and it is surmised that he is taking his holidays before commencing duty. The supply of milk at the factory is daily increasing, atid tests are as high as they usually are at this season of the year. The Bowling Club’s social, which eventuated at Rahotu on Wednesday evening last, was a very successful gathering, and shows how popular these functions are. The floor was pronounc-* ed perfect, and the music tip-top. A dainty sit-down supper was provided by the ladies, and everything went with a swing from start to finish. A goo<l downpour of rain wpuldJ be welcomed by the farmers, as feed, is getting scarce, and the grass not as forward, , generally speaking, as it ought to be, the cold nights we are experiencing retarding the growth. House-building here has been fairly brisk, the homes having been mostly built for soldier settlers. A few, however, are being erected for older residents, who are to be congratulated upon their enterprise. The Rev. H. A. Coleman pays a weekly visit to Pungarehu to instruct several of the juvenile members of the Anglican Church preparatory to their confirmation by his lordship the Bishop some time in November. Holy Communion was celebrated at Pungarehu on Sunday morning at the Anglican service held in the hall, the Rev. H. A. Coleman officiating. Mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, a very large congregation partaking in the service. The local footballers, comprising the Parihaka-Pungarehu .Club, jourrteyM to Rahotu on Saturday, the I,oth inst., where a keenly contested match was played against the Rahotu Club. The success of the local team was militated against on account of them having only a couple of practices before the match took place, but there are some really good players amongst them, and given a few more games, their opponents would have had to look to their laurels. As it was, they were defeated. Rahotu scoring eight times and Pungarehu three. The onlookers were satisfied that the local men are good players, and only need practice. It was a pity that, just at the last several of their best players were indisposed, and others had to take their places. As the milking season is getting on and each day sees the farmers getting busier the match will be about the last for the season.

For the satisfaction of all concerned I beg to state here that all subs on the memorial list have been actually given, either on the present occasion or before the subscribers left the district, and no one is credited with a sub who has not donated, I hope, therefore, that the residents will give the committee the credit of being honest in their endeavor on behalf of a worthy cause. TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A most enjoyable euchre party and dance was held in the Tarata Hall on the 9th inst.. visitors being present from all surrounding districts. Mrs. Matheson won the lady’s prize with nine games out of a total of eleven, and was presented with a cream jug and basin. Messrs. F. M. Standish, A. Elliott, and J. Drummond tied with eight games, and in the play-off the latter secured the gentleman’s prize. Supper was provided by the ladies of the district, and done full justice to by all present. After supper the hall was cleared for dancing, and Mr. M. Martin acted as M.C. in his usual capable manner Messrs. J. Burgess, J. Burr, and A. Elliott voluntarily contributed the music. The proceeds were devoted to the funds of the hall committee. During the evening a committee of the local football players held a meeting in the gentlemen’s room to arrange a social and dance. The Inglewood County Council has had allotted to them for distribution a number of machine guns captured from the Germans, and one of these mementos of a great struggle has been presented to the local hall committee, and is to be set up in a prominent part of the hall. The preparation, here for growing root crops for the ensuing winter is to be seen in the amoqnt of stumping that has been done during the past few months by the settlers of this district, and during the late dry spell fires were to be seen all around us. Mr. R. Paterson has bought a 2-ton White Truck to do the carting for the store, dairy, factory, and tlie farmers of the district, and disposed of his well known team of horses and waggons at the Inglewood mart last Saturday at a very satisfactory figure, the horses averaging approximately £35, and the waggons £27 and £23 10s respectively.

A considerable improvement has been effected in the mail service of this district. Whereas the car used to arrive here at five o’clock, and on race days, show days, football match days, and a lot of other days did not arrive till nearly seven o’clock, it now arrives regularly at nine in the morning, and leaves again at 10.30 a.m.—a great improvement. Pigs are in demand bv a lot of the farmers here, as was evidenced by the fact that, several of the settlers from here went to Inglewood last Saturday with the intention of procuring some of the “gintlemin that pay the rint,” but the price evidently was a “wee bit high,” and I heard of no purchases being made.