DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Winter and its long evenings with their amusements are now past, and farmers have settled down in earnest to the work of the season. The recent spell of fine weather has stimulated the growth and there is now an abundance of grass on pastures which have been top-dressed. Hay stacks and turnip crops are now practically exhausted, and green oats are being fed off. Artificial feeding will not be required for the next few months, but farmers are busy ploughing and preparing for soft turnips for autumn use. Another day or two of warm moist weather would be appreciated now. The factory is turning out rather more cheese than last spring and the supply of milk is likely to increase still more, as most of the Parihaka soldier settlers are supplying the Cape Egmont factory, and a bigger flush than usual is expected. Quite a number of residents spent a very enjoyable evening at Parihaka on Monday, Sept. 26, the occasion being a “house-warming” at the home of Messrs. N. and A. Taylor. The hosts, Messrs. Utting and Taylor Bros., spared no pains to give their guests a good time, and their hospitality was much appreciated. Mr. Layard very kindly lent his piano for the evening, and he contributed much to the enjoyment of those present. Vocal items, cards, and dancing, made up a very pleasant evening. The guests were well pleased with their outing, and are eagerly anticipating many similar pleasures” when the busy season is over. It has been decided not to close the subscription list in aid of the Memorial Fund until the end of the present month. Any settler who was a member of the Patriotic Committee, having knowledge of those boys who fell, is requested to forward the same to the post-mistress, as the committee are anxious to have a correct list of names of those who fell, belonging to Pungarehu. It is not proposed to include those who were not residents.

Mass was celebrated at the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning, a very large congregation attending the service. Mr. Field preached in the Methodist Church in the afternoon to an attentive and appreciative congregation. The Rev. H. A. Coleman will hold divine service in the hall next Sunday (the 9th) at 2.15 p.m.

It is rumored that a picture play will be given in the local hall on Wednesday, the sth inst., and it is evident from the talk of the young folk that there will be plepty of patronage. The Cape Egmont Dairy Company paid out another small bonus at its last meeting (Sept. 20), and we are still looking for more, and hoping there is still a few more pence per lb to come this way. The season’s output of cheese, is being consigned through Messrs. Wright and Co., and it is hoped the company will meet with good markets.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The recent spell of warm weather has had the effect of causing a rapid growth o£< grass, and an increased supply of milk and cream to the local factory is noticeable. For the month ending September, 389,3291 b b of milk have been received, from which 498 cheese and SoOlbs of whey butter have been manufactured in addition to which there lias been made 1112 Ibsof cream butter, the average test being 3.96. For the corresponding period last year, there were 362.648 lbs of milk, representing 479 cheese and 5891bs of whey butter, with an average test of 3.93, the cream butter amounting to 6721b5. Ploughing operations are now in full swing, and there is every probability of a larger area than in previous years being under cultivation. Cadets and mounted troopers‘are reminded that Sergeant-Major Bell will be present in Urenui on Thursday and Friday next, for the purpose of giving them military instruction. It might be mentioned that the Sergeant-Major is highly pleased at the manner in which the trainees have attended drill during the past three months, and the keen interest evinced by them in the proceedings. That they have made good progress was evidenced by the remarks made by Colonel Melville last week, and it is also satisfactory to note that there is every probability of a commodious drill shed being erected for their convenience on the recreation grounds in the near future. Mr. and Mrs. C. Rumball, of Urenui ,are at present on a holiday trip to Auckland.

The Urenui Cricket and Tennis Clubs intend celebrating the opening of the season with a ball in the Urenui Hall on the 13th, and I understand are engaging Feek’s orchestra from Waitara, which will be a sufficient guarantee as to the excellence of the music. These dances are always most successful, and well attended, and no doubt the forthcoming one will quite equal those of past years. The Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen held their customary monthly meeting on Friday evening last, in the Urenui library, when there was a good attendance of members. Frontiersman F. &• O’Neill was appointed troop leader in place of Frontiersman J. D. Ross, who recently resigned owing to leaving the district. Reference was made to the recent visit of Colonel Melville to Urenui, when the troop were on parade. Two new members were proposed, and the meeting terminated. The concluding euchre party and dance of the series held through the winter took place in the Pukearuhe schoolroom recently, when Mr. V. Wells won the gentleman’s prize of half & dozen handkerchiefs, and Miss J. Moeller secured the pair of stockings which constituted the ladies’ prize. The P° in^ 3 prizes for the season were also awarded, £1 each being handed to Miss Mary Moeller and Mr. Sid Moody. Mr. J. Robinson, as usual, acted as M.C. most capably, whilst Messrs. Martin Bros., and Misses Wells and Moeller contributed the music. These parties have proved quite successful throughout the wi - ter months, the competition being and the games interesting, and have been well supported by visitors f Wai-toi-toi and Urenui, who have a ways looked forward to an enjoyame evening when visiting Pukearuhe. . The annual meeting of the: Uren Tennis Club was held m the hbra y Monday evening last, some ™ bers being present, the president ( Mr. A. H. Haicombe) occupying the chair, balance-sheet, showing a credit ot 14s 7d, was presented and adopted, b considered most satisfactory. lowing officers were elected for th suing year: President, Mr. A. H. Hal combe (re-elected); vice-pree-d ent, Messrs. R. H. Pigott, C. bm> Wright, A. Sheard T. r ald; [Dunbar; captain, Mr. IL ® *elec-•viCT-eaptaiu, Mr. D. Des gorges, selec

tion committee, captain, vice-captain, and Mr. W. H. Fuller; general committee, Messrs. G. Pigott, Geo. Fuller, L. Rattenbury, C. Wilson, W. Pigott, W. H- Fuller, captain and vice-captain; hon. secretary, Mr. W. H. Fuller. It was decided that the subscription fee be similar to last season, viz., gentlemen 5s and ladies 2s 6d. It was also decided to prepare another court for the ensuing season, and to invite all tennis enthusiasts who can manage to attend to assist in the matter, for which the committee would be most thankful. It is anticipated there will be a most successful season, as great interest is being displayed by members, and an endeavor will be made to arrange several matches with outside clubs. The advisability of joining the association is also being considered, and most probably this will be done. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies who had assisted last season.

The prospects for both cricket and tennis in Urenui seem very bright, as keeness is being evinced by members of both clubs, both play on the recreation grounds, and work in harmony, it being no unusual sight to see players after a turn at cricket, adjourn to the courts and join the ladies at tennis. The funds of both were materially assisted last season by the fortnightly dances conducted by Mr. 43. N. Fuller and a number of members of each club, and the money thus raised proved most acceptable, as owing to the high cost of playing material, any monetary assistance is gladly welcomed. / The Urenui Cricket Club held their annual meeting in the library on Monday evening last, Mr. R. H. Pigott (president) occupying the chair, there being nearly twenty members present. The secretary (Mr. C. Wilson) presented the balance-sheet for the past year, which showed the receipts to have been £39 4s Id (including £5 4s Id brought forward from last season), and the expenditure £24 19s Id, leaving a credit balance of £l4 ss. This was considered most satisfactory, and adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. R. H. Pigott; vice-presidents, Messrs. R. Greenwood, A. H. Haicombe, C. Dunbar, Geo. Bertrand, senr., P. Spurr, Geo. Bleaktey, T. Wright, W. Purehas, S. Topliss, A. Sheard, S. Beauchamp, Fugere, and A. Gibson; captain, Mr. W. Fuller; secretary, Mr. C. Wilson; selection committee, Messrs. W. Fuller, Ken. Blundell, C. Wilson, T. O’Neill; committee, Messrs. Maibin,' G. Pigott, L. P.attenbury, S. Managh, D. Mcßae, J. Fitzgerald, D. ( Des Forges, J. O’Neill, Geo. Fuller, R. Wyllie, E. Rumball, and J. Robinson; delegates to the association, Messrs. A. H. Haicombe, and T. S. O’Neill. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies of the district who had so kindly provided afternoon tea during cricket matches last season. The allocation of the bat presented by Mr. A. H. Haicombe, was left in the hands of the selection committee. After discussion, it was decided to nominate a senior and junior team in the competition run under the auspices of the association, and as it is probable that the commencement of the first round will probably take place on the 29th inst., it is hoped members will endeavor to get in as much practice as possible. It was reported that the cricket pitch had been re-turfed, and was now in first-class order. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated a most successful meeting.

The Urenui Hall was well filled on Thursday evening last, when a farewell social gathering was tendered to Miss M. Dempster, who for the past few years has occupied the position of assistant mistress of the Urenui-school, and auring her residence in W” made herself extremely popular r>o<h a school teacher and in other ways, having taken a keen interest in social gatherings, and always rendering willing assistance. During the evening, Mr. Geo. Hertiert (chairman of the school committee) on behalf of those present, presented Miss Dempster with a very handsome gold bangle, set with rubies and diamonds, and in doing so remarked on the able manner in which that lady had performed her duties during her long stay in Urenui. Mr. Herbert also alluded to the way in which Miss Dempster had made herself beloved by the pupils under her charge, and also as to her extreme popularity amongst the parents and other residents of the district. He trusted their loss would be Miss Dempster’s gain, and Wished her every possible happiness and prosperity in her new school at Ackland Road. Miss Dempster in acknowledging the presentation and Mr. Herbert's remarks, alluded to the happy times she had spent in Urenui, where she had made a large circle of friends whom she greatly regretted leaving. She thanked them very much for their handsome gift, which she would value extremely as a reminder of the pleasant years spent in the district. Miss Dempster was warmly applauded, and the audience joined in singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Miss A. Terrill supplied the necessary dance music in her customary happy manner, while Mr. G. N. Fuller as M.C. was most attentive. A very welcome supper was also handed round, and before departing, “Aid Lang Syne” was sung, bringing a most enjoyable gathering to a close.

As a further evidence of the esteem in which Miss Dempster was regarded by the children under her charge, a pleasing little ceremony took place in the schoolroom on Friday afternoon, when entirely on their own initiative, her pupils presented their teacher with a handsome handbag, suitably inscribed with the recipients initials. A number of parents were also present, and Miss Alice Rattenbury, assisted by Master, Ronald Pigott, on behalf of their classmates, in a really neat little speech made the presentation, and the manner in which the little ones flocked round Miss Dempster to ibid her' good-bye, speaks volumes as to the manner in which that lady had endeared herself tc those present. At the Okoke school on Friday afternoon last there was a large gathering of parents and friends for the purpose of bidding farewell to Miss C. Mjusker, who has been teacher in that district for the past twelve months, and who is now leaving to take up the position of assistant mistress in the Urenui school. Afternoon tea and a variety of games were indulged in, whilst in the evening a pleasant little dance was held, the music being supplied -by Misses Sowry, Hoskin, and Mr. J. Brough, Mr. Symmans making a most efficient M.C. During the course of the evening Mr. P. Darke, on behalf of the parents and children, presented Miss Musker with a handsome handbag, and in doing so, remarked how sorry they were to lose that lady, who had been amongst them for some twelve months, anil during that period had always done her best for the children, who had made good progress during her temrs of office. He was sure all would join in wishing Miss Musker every success in her new position. The recipient suitably acknowledged M”? Darke’s remarks and the gift, which she would value very much, and after supper had been dispensed by the ladies, a very pleasant function terminated. It is stated that Mr. Geo. Graham ras been appointed temporarily as teacher of the Okoke sch©o v