DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Wednesday evening last, a. meeting of ♦he Mimi School Committee was held, there being present Messrs. J. F. Phillips (chairman), G. Baker, A. Johnson, W. Mooney, and P R Spurt. It was decided that labor be employed to cut the blackberry and grub the furze in the schodl pruddoek. anct several fences be repaired and reconstructed. A communication from the Education Board was read stating that the Committee’s request for assistance in the matter of enlarging the present shelter shed had been referred to the board’s architect for consideration. A letter was also read from Mr. Buckerldge, secretary of the Farmers' Union, asking for siibscriptlons towards defraying the expense of the competition which was being inaugurated for tlie growing of carrots or mamgolds amongst the children attending the various schools in North Taranaki. It was considered the scheme was an excellent one, and a subscription list was opened with the object of rendering It assistance. The matter of appointing a supervisor for the local plots was deferred, and it was stated that some seven nonlnations had been received from the Mimi school. Owing to the number of horses ridden by children attending the school, it was considered the present grazing paddock was al-

together too small, and it was agreed to endeavor to arrange with Mr. W. Corcoran, whose property adjoins the school premises, r for the lease of another piece of land. A request from the head teacher to fence • off a larger play-ground for the pupils was held over. It was reported that during the recent recess some much-needed Improvements had beer, effected, amongst them being the concreting of a path from tire road gate to the school, and the enlargement of the drilling aiea. Mr. I*. Spurr stated Hat he had received a notification from Mr. Norman Uren. of the State Forest Department, that he and Mr Page would be through this district between the 14th and 21st inst., for the purpose of delivering lectures and giving demonstrations in the matter of three-planting. If the committee .so desired they would be pleased to attend the school and address the pupils on this important matter. It was agreed to invite Messrs. Ur.eu and Page to visit the school, the members of the committee promising to give every assistance in their power. There was another good attendance of cadets and mounted troopers at the recreation ground last week for the purpose of receiving instruction in drill. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Sergeant-Major Bell, Lieutenant Hayhurst, of Waitara, conducted the operations. Those of the troopers who have qeived their greatcoats had them marked with tie Government brand, and it is understood that the rifles are in course of transit and will probably arrive shortly, so that target shooting will no doubt scon be indulged in. As usual, the Jersey pedigree bull fair held at Wahvakaiho last week, under the auspices of the Taranaki Jersey Breeders’ Association, and conducted by Newton King, Ltd., was well attended both by buyers and sellers from this ena of the district, and the high prices given for pedigree bulls show that farmers arc more

than ever realising that the time has arrived when it pays to have nothing but the best to sire the herds of the future. Amongst the local purchasers were Mr. E. J. Cannan (Mimi), who gave lOOgns. for Pinewood’s O.K. : Mr. T. Wright (Dkoke), 40gns. for Uruti's Jacko; Mr. S. Topllss (Urenui), 25gns. for Larke’s Fox Goddlngton ; Mr. J. Miller (Urutl), G"gns. for Hua Brook’s Gay Lad: Mr. W. Oxonham, 38gns. for Woodland’s Black Boy. Amongst th© vendors to receive good prices for their stock were Jlessrs. W. Oxenhann, F. H. Blundell. 11. Greig, and W. J. Freeth. The annual bull fair to be held by Newton King. Ltd. at their Urenui yards on the 17th inst. will give buyers a further opportunity of supplying their requirements for the season. The ball to inaugurate the opening of the tennis and cricket season in Urenui takes place on Thursday evening next, and is being eagerly looked forward to, as the committee arc using every effort to ensure a successful gathering. It Is understood that owing- to Feck's orchestra from Waitara. not being available, arrangements have been made with Boulton’s orchestra from New Plymouth, to attend. ’ It is expected that, visitors from both Waitara and New Plymouth will be present, as well as the usual quota from the outlying districts. In view of the forthcoming visit of Messrs. N. Uren and Page, of the State Forests Department. I understand arrangements arc being carried out tn hold meetings in the various centres, between Waitara and Awakino, when lectures on tree-planting and (where desired) demonstrations will be given. Tnts department. which is competed of officers who are thoroughly conversant with the necessary requirements for suitable milling timber, and tho methods of laying off large plantation areas.

are doing their utunost. to arouse enthusiasm amongst the settlers in different parts of the Dominion in this respect, and are setting a splendid example by carying out tree-planting on an extensive scale. It is stated the State plantations in the Rotorua district have been most successful, and those who have seen them speak in high terms of the manner in which they are laid out. As a further inducement to farmers and others, the department have offered to supply trees suitable to the various localities at most moderate rates under very easy conditions, and in the case of returned soldiers a certain quantity are supplied gratis. It is to be hoped that all Interested will endeavor to attend these lectures, and do their utmost to forward a scheme which will evenually be the means of replenishing the fast-diminishing supply of timber, fencing material, and firewood. From all accounts a similar condition of affairs is fast approaching in America, where millions upon millions of feet of good millng timber have been destroyed for forest fires, and the newspapers ar? constantly pointing out. the necessity for making these shortages good by judicious treeplanting, in order that the timiber supply of the country may be kept up In future years. I recently heard a suggestion made by a returned soldier who had a personal acquaintance with the late Colonel Malone, whose grave was recently visited on the Peninsula by our member, Mr. W. T. Jennings, that a suitable memorial to that officer’s memory would be the erection of a handsome drinking fountain in some suitable site in New Plymouth with a memorial tablet, on somewhat similar lines to the one In Christchurch and other centres. And also a gold Challenge Cup, to be shot for by the different cadet corps, in Taranaki, the Cup to be kept in the Soldier’s Club and inscribed with the name of each winner yearly. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather here has been unusually warm and tiring these last few days, and the rain seems to have fallen north■ and south of Pungarehu in heavy showers, but here there has been only a liglu sprinkling. However, the humid weather conditions have been beneficial to the growth of plants aud grass, and it is hoped we shall have more ruin before the weather finally clears. A very enjoyable party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk on Tuesday evening last, tlie Parihaka soldier settlers, their wives and friends being entertained. The dining room was cleared for dancing, while card tables were well patronised and vocal and Instrumental music was very much appreciated by the guests. A dainty supper was served, and all wended their way home in the “wee sana’ hours” after a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Mrs. Brown, who has been the guest of Mr. aud Mrs. Raynor for some weeks past, left o-i Thursday for Christchurch, and Miss Marjorie Birch, who has also been spending a holiday here, has returned to New Plymouth. The Fresh- Food Company which has its head-quarters in Wanganui, hfls commenced operations in this- district, and a tri-weekly collection of cream is made, the suppliers mostly being soldier settlers. To the lay-mind it. is a matter for wonder how cream from such far-away districts, pays the cost of conveying it to Wanganui by

motor and train, and yet be able to pay out a bigger price per lb of butter-fat than can a local fact ry. The offer made by the Fresh Food Company Is fair, and there is a rumor that settlers, as well ns the soldier boys, are contemplating supplying them wiff cream. TJie Domain Board, I understand, is about to undertake some improvements to the Domain, ploughing and re-sowing the land with permanent grass. It is also rumored that a tennis court may he included in the improvements. The “picture play” on Wednesday evening last, was accorded a bumper house for

opening, “Passion Fruit” being screened. Patrons declare the picture to have been par excellence, end the management were satisfied with the patronage, and have decided .that some instructive pictures will he shown, and tha< an occasional educational show will be screened for the children. A local resident is raising chickens and using an ineullfttor for hatching. The first batch of eggs hatched were a decided success. Rather more than three fifths of the chicks were “alive and cheeping” at the appointed time. Another lot of one hundred is under way, with still more to follow. No doubtthe incubator puts '<Mrs. Broody” quite in the shade, providing the “chicken raiser” has the necessary time to attend to his feathered family. It is mooted that some half-dozen farmers in this district who recently purchased a Mock of land, contemplate building a small factory for their own use and benefit, in tiie vicinity of tho Baillie Road. Service was held in two of the local churches yesterday. Mass being celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in the morning. The Rev. H. A. Coleunan (Anglican) preached a very interesting sermon in the hall in the afternoon.