DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. . (From Our Own Correspondent.) ; On Thursday evening last a successful dance was held in the Urenui Hall, the proceeds being devoted to the purchase of crockery for I use at the various functions held in the . building. Miss A. Terrill presided at the piano in her usual capable manner, whilst Mr. C. Bleakley (assisted by Mr. G. Fuller) made a most efficient M.C. It is understood that the customary fortnightly dances, which were so successful last season, will be conducted under the auspices of the cricket and tennis clubs, flannels to be worn by the dancers. Sergeant-Major Bell was in Urenui oq* Saturday last, for the purpose of escorting the mounted troopers, who assisted at the reception of Lord Jellicoe in Waitara, under the command of Lieutenant Hayhurst. It is pleasing to note that His Excellency made complimentary reference to the appearance of the men, specially referring to the distance they had travelled in order to be present. The Urenui cricketers played their first match in cup cricket this season, when they were defeated by the re-organised Waitara club. On Saturday’ next they meet the Old Boys, from New Plymouth, on the Urenui recreation ground, when no doubt there will be a good number of spectators to witness the contest. The fine weather experienced during the past week has enabled farmers to somewhat make up for lost time, and teams may be seen at work in all directions, the sowing of seed for autumn feed being the most important item at present. The manures and seed for the competitors in tire carrot and mangold growing competition, under the auspices of the Farmers’ Union, have now arrived, and no doubt the children will be kept busy getting their plots ready.

The children attending the Mimi school are at present busy rehearsing for the concert, which is to take place at tte breaking-up ceremony next month. It is expected to be a most successful affair, and great interest is being evinced both by parents and pupils. During the past week, Mr. C. E. Page, of the State Forests Department, who has been on a lecturing tour through Taranaki, addressed a well-attended meeting of settlers in the Urenui library. Mr. A. H. Halcombe occu-

pied the chair, and introduced Mr. Page, wno stated that tte chief object of his visit was to get in touch with the settlers, with a view to interesting them in the matter of forestry. The matter of forest extension was a most important one, and it was hoped that farmers and municipal bodies would endeavor to assist the Department in the matter. By meeting them and discussing the better methods of tree-pl.anting, etc., it was thought to get settlers interested, and the Department were prepared to assist by providing seeds

.-nd trees at reasonable rates, and also to give advice as to the most suitable species lor .the various districts. From April, 1919, to March, 1920, £270,000 went out of the country for timber, of which amount £lOB,OOO was spent in Australia, and It was felt that money like this should be kept in the Dominion. Later on, it was intended to present moving pictures, showing the transaction of timber from seed to sawdust, with suitable addresses. The scheme was as yet in its early stages, and information bad to be gained, as to the conditions of drought, frost, and rainfall in the different districts. With the present slump in the price of produce it was necessary that increased, production should take place, and Mr. Page pointed out that the planting of shelter belts helped to conserve moistute. and consequently an increase in the growth of grass. He would not say they increased the rainfall, but. they had a big effect on the atmosphere and were conducive to rainfall. It was thought that each farm should grow sufficient timber for its own requirements, and the speaker pointed out that although It was possible to get timber from America at present, it was probable there would be a shortage in that country in less than 40 years. Mr. Page recommended the Introduction of eucalyptus into live fences at intervals of 16 feet, as they would take up no land and would provide excellent shade and shelter, as well as farm timber. This was done in other countries with excellent results, and would not kill boxthorn, which seemed to be the prevailing hedge. The speaker dwelt at length on the different species of trees likely to be of use in this district, and went into the matter of cost, slowing that an acre of land could be planted with two-year-old trees at a cost of £8 4s per acre, whilst with seedlings the cost would be £6 ss. The royalties from an acre of pinus radiata at the age of 33 years -would amount to £5OO, from the Douglas Hr £1000: whilst from eucalyptus £lOOO to £l5OO would be obtainable. Some very interesting advice was also given as to the methods to be adopted in planting trees, and also as to the raising of seedlings. The thf&e species of eucalyptus recommended as most suitable for tills locality were eugenoides, muelleriana, and obltqua. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Page was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. On Thursday morning he visited the farm of Mr. Sam Topliss, of Urenui. who is going in extensively for forestry, whilst in the afternoon Mr. Page visited Wai-toi-toi, and inspected a plantation of some 1500 Douglas Fir (or Oregan pine) at Messrs. Spurr Bros., which it is stated are the first of the kind In this locality grown under forest conditions. The trees have made good progress, Mr. Page considering that they had grown as much in the two months they have been planted, as they would have done in twelve in Rotorua, which is saying a good deal for the soil and climate conditions of this district. The school children at Wai-toi-toi, were also given a short address, tte lecturer promising to forward several different kinds of seeds for the establishment of a nursery, stating that if they looked after them and grew them successfully, they would have the proud distinction of being the first school in the Dominion to accomplish this under the Department. In the evening a- good attendance of settlers was addressed in the schoolroom. Mr. J. F. Phillips presiding. The lecture was on similar lines to the one delivered in Urenui, and after answering several questions, the speaker was thanked for his attendance, several present announcing their intention of going in for tree-planting. On Friday. Uruti was visited, from whence Mr. Page proceeded to Marton. Cadets and mounted troopers are reminded that the customary drill takes place on in# recreation ground on Thursday and Friday next, when Sergeant-Major Beil, of New Plymouth, will be present. MOKAU—AWAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather, whidh has been rather changeable, has somewhat cleared during the past few days, for which the shearers and their employers are devoutly thankful. As to what the sheep tl’lnk abojit it, we can’t say. The Mokau School Committee met last Friday. There were present: Mr. S. Whitehead (chairman), Messrs. McDonald, Hansen, Clifton, and Piko. Good progress was reported in the planting of the shelter hedge, also repairs to school fence, and school building. A 400 gallon tank received from the Education Board is to be placed in position as soon as it has received a coating of coal tar. Several accounts were passed for payment. Shearing is now in full swing at “Tauma-te-maire” (Messrs. Bignell Bros.’ homestead), at Mohakatino, Piripiri, and Maungatoi. Another aeroplane, going south, was sighted off Mokau on Saturday evening. The machine , was flying high, but was plainly visible. 1 A big tangi has been on at Manucroa, the Maori pah, about 3 miles from Mokau, and about 1% from Awakino. An old Maori lady, who was very high up in. the altitude of chief tainesses, died last week. Her name was “Ellen,” and she was well known and highly respected, so that visitors both Maori and pakeha, came from all parts to attend the funeral. The Te Kuiti band was to have attended, and the old lady was to have been burled with military honors, but owing to the news of the serious illness of some near relative of one of the chief mourners, and who was called north in consequence, the time of the funeral was hurried on, and as the band would not have reached the pah in time, they turned back after getting half-way. As per usual there was plenty of “kai” during the tangi, and the hospitality of the Maori is too well known to need any "puff.” The old lady was laid to rest at 3 p.m. on Sunday. A meeting of the local butter factory directors was held on Saturday afternoon. Thefirst pay-out had been made to the suppliers, and several matters pertaining to butter were dealt with. Everyone is of the opinion that the butter turned out from our .factory is just “top-notch.” and no mistake about it. A very successful social was held in the

Awakino Hall on Friday, October 28. This was under the auspices of tl’e Awakino Football Club, and took the form of a basket social. The baskets donated by the different ladies of the district were (most daintily and prettily decorated, and contained “tasties” sufficient to tempt the appetite of the greatest epicure, and very keen were our young bachelors in their endeavor to obtain the names of the donors, so that they might sup with the lady of their choice. Not very many were disappointed, though the names were most carefully “hidden from ken” until after the Dutch auction. One staid and discreet Benedict seemed to be highly enjoying the savory contents of a beautful basket donated by one of our Awakino belles, much to the amusement of his spouse. Visitors were present from Maroenui, Mokau River, Mohakatino and other parts of the district, and the dresses of the ladies present were very dainty.

During the evening the MaeMillan Shield was presented to Mr. Foster, captain of the Awakino team, who are the winners of it for the present season. The presentation was made by Mr. Len. Jones, of Awakino. The takings were well over £2O, and both footballers and visitors r'l agree as to its being a most successful and enjoyable function. The music was in the capable bands of Mesdames Chris totters on and McNeice (piano), and Mr. H. Northern (flute), while Mr. Fred Northern made a most efficient and courteous M.C.

The popular “Hayseeds” gave their enjoyable concert in the Mokau Town Hall on Saturday, October 29, to a large and appreciative audience. 13113 is the third repetition of their programme, and we are not tired of it yet. Every item was a distinct success, and Mrs. MCNeice and her “Hayseeds" are to be congratulated on a very fine performance, and everyone gave them credit for being real “sports," inasmuch as they bad had a very strenuous evening at the social in Awakino the night before, they did not begrudge the journey to Mokau to give its residents the benefit of their very enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The programme was much the same as that given in Awakino same weeks ago, only that in the absence of Mrs. Gillick, Mrs. Northern, Miss Russell, and Mr. H. Northern (which was much regretted), the gaps were filled by Miss Firth, Miss Orr, and Mrs. Christofferson. Miss Firth was in splendid voice, and for her fine rendering of that lovely song, “Friend o’ Mine,” received an enthusiastic encore, when she gave “Absent." She also sang in the second part of the programme, and again her fine voice was heard to advantage in “Roses of Picardy” and “The Rosary.” Miss On’, too, delighted the audience with her rendering of “Ye Banks and Braes.” We omitted to mention that at the footballers’ social this young lady sang “On the Ball” .in fine style, and fairly brought down the bouse. Miss Jeannie Stewart gave as a pianoforte solo “Charmeuse,” which was delightful to listen to, and her playing gives great promise of masterly execution and skill. Mrs. Christofferson gave a “Hayseed" costume song, containing local hits. The duet, “Come Where the Fairies Dwell,” was charmingly rendered by Misses M. Wolfe and E. McNeice, who had to respond to a hearty recall. Miss McNeice possesses a very sweet soprano voice, while Miss Wolfe’s is a splendid contralto, whose voice was heard to great advantage in her number, “Dream Boat.” Mrs. McNeice played the overture for the first part in her usual artistic manner, while Mrs. W. D. Thomson did the same in the second part of the programme. Both ladles are musicians of no mean order. Miss B. Stewart, in her .songs and fhoruses, “Down Honolulu Way,” and “Swanee,” was very .->uccessful, and had to respond to hearty encores, as also did Miss McNeice in "From Here to Shanghai,” and “Fununcull Funnuncula.” Mr. Fred Northern was siunply “out on his own” as a “Bachelor Gay," and also in “They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me." The chorus, consisting of Misses N. Thomson, Chapman, Lake, Wolfe, and Stewart, in their several pretty costumes, made a most effective and charming “tout ensemble." Mr. McGregor, who was in splendid voice, gave a very fine rendering of “Trooper Johnny Ludlow," for which he received a. vociferous encore. “Chu Chin Chow," in which Miss McNeice was again the soloist, and with her oriental choristers, and Mr. Eugene Baddeley as the wily

“Chu,” was again the gem of the programme. The performance concluded with “All Aboard for Dixie," and “O, by Jingo," by the company. After the singing of “God Save the King,” Brother Hayseed McNeice, in a few appropriate words, gave a very hearty vote of thanks to all who had helped towards such a pleasant evening’s entertainment, and a special vote to the Mokau people, head of which was Mr. Allan Sampson, who not only generously lent his piano for the occasion (which meant a fair amount of strenuous work, inasmuch as the instrument bad to be lifted on and off and sledged down from his residence on the Cliffs, to the hall), but also for his tasteful decoration of the hall, and providing curtain, etc. Thanks are also due to Miss Rita Whitehead, who also assisted, and set up the palanquin for “Chu Chin Chow.”

The concert over, the floor was speedily cleared, and dancing was Indulged in till 12 p.m. to excellent music, supplied by “Chief Hayseed,” Mrs. McNeice, and Mrs. Christofferson (piano), and Messrs. A. G. Sampson (baritone), and J. L. McDonald (violin). A dainty supper was provided. The takings were well over £ 6. The houses on the three dairy farms owned by Messrs. Chambers Bros., up the Mokau River, are nearing ccmpletioh; and the sharemilkers may rest satisfied they will have cosy and compact little homes. Messrs. Chambers Bros., like the rest of the up-river settlers, are nothing if not progressive. We think that your contemporary correspondent must have /hud his 50 horse power magnifying lenses on when he professed to read in our columns that “the Mokau River rose 16 feet in 3 hours.” Try the other end of the binoculars next time, Mac! Mr. Fred Northern, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Northern, of Awakino, left this morning to sit for his accountancy exaun. We wish hlin every success. Miss Wickham is visiting Mrs. L,al Black, Mokau. Our relieving officer in charge tad a most exciting chase the other night. We were wondering if it was another ‘‘liquor case," but on Inquiry, found that what he was after was ono of Mokau’s many “high-steppers,” siz, the busy "flea.” Needless to say, a speedy capture was effected. Mokau and Awakino folk are wondering why Lord Jellicoe was not invited to visit our two beautiful little watering places. They were quite prepared to go “en fete" in his honor. Visitors at Mrs. Box included, the Misses Kandell (3). Miss Orr. Miss Marshal, Messrs. Parkinson. Radford, Raven. Delves, Waterson (2), Mr. M. Walsh, and Mr. E. Lewes. MANGATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather has been very wet and boisterous for the last few weeks, the rainfall for October being very high. So far we have been free from late frosts which play such havoc in the garden. Farmers are busy now sowing carrots and mangolds for next winter. The sale of work held at Eltham in connection with All Saint’s Church was a great success, and the Town Hall presented a very gay appearance. The stalls were laden with gcod and useful articles of every description and business was very brisk. Mesdames Pease and Corkill had charge of the Mangatoki stall. The Christy Minstrel concert in the evening was .thoroughly enjoyed. The Church will benefit by about £ 180. The uncommon sight of an aeroplane flying over last week caused much excitement, especially among the children. It was travelling very high and at a groat speed, so it was soon out of sight. It was seen to better advantage on its return journey to Invercargill, making a cruise round Elthaim in passing. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, of the Hunter Road, met with a painful accident as lie was walking home from school on Friday, being accidentally run into by a school mate, v,ho was riding a push bicycle. The lad sustained a broken leg and was taken to the hospital. Miss Lawrenson, of Wellington, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Astbury. Mrs. Martin has returned from a seven week’s visit to relations in Wellington. We are pleased to see Mrs. C. Nicholas out again after being recently an Inmate of' the Kaponga hospital. TOKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A kitchen afternoon was hold at the residence of Mrs. Cuff, in honor of Miss Downs, who is shortly to be married. To show the esteem in which this young lady

is held by all Waiwiri Road folk, quite a household of people assembled. The presents were nunnerous and useful, including aluminium ware and enamel, as well as several beautiful glass dishes. Although Miss Downs is being married, I believe we are still to have her amongst us, as she intends tp continue to reside on the Waiwiri Road. The weather has now lifted. The rain has in one sense been beneficial to the farmer, but it has kept him back with bis crops, and now that the fine weather is with us once again, he is to be seen following either harrows, discs, or drills around his fields. The cattle, too, were feeling the cold very much, needing as much shelter as could be afforded The local school had a holiday on Labor Day, but children and grown-ups alike, were prevented from making the most of it, through the boisterous weather. Most people spent Labor Day in the regions of the house, with a good roaring fire. Now the fine weather tas come tennis will soon be in full swing. Already a tennis meeting has been held, and very soon this pleasant recreation will be well established. It will be quite a treat to see the cool white flannels of the men and the light frocks of the women folk once more. Even if Labor Day did disappoint people there is another “day” coming, in the form of the Stratford A. and P. Show. This Is the event of the year and is looked forward to by young and old alike. It is to be hoped that the weather will be favorable. Those who intend exhibiting cattle etc., are now busily engaged in grooming and preparing them. From what we bear we believe that the show this year is to be somewhat better than those held previously. The local school children are now busily engaged in practising for their annual concert, which is to be held some time in December, prior to breaking up for the Christmas vacation. The hall committee held their annual meeting on Wednesday evening. There was a record attendance. Amongst other things discussed was the question of alterations. This ended in the decision to erect a scullery for washing up and to extend the supper room. Needless to say, the women folk will appreciate these improvements, especially the addition of the scullery. Mrs. McDavitt, who has been staying with her mother, Mrs. Maxwell, for a short time, Is returning to her home in Wanganui at the end of the week.