DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Monday was a gala day among the natives. An old time feast was held in honor of the late chief Te Whiti, and the native village ofParihaka for the nonce was “en fete,” as in days of yore, with plenty of “Kai.” By korry 1 The school children are very busy practising for their concert, which is billed tor about, the middle of December. Jildging from the zeal the children are putting into the Work, the concert will equal, if it does not exceed in merit, those held in former years. Th Anglican Church Fair, which takes place at. Rahotu, promises to be very successful, with the various name quesslng, and other competitions too numerous to mention. The convassers for the different competitions are busy with their lists, and the keen interest which is evidenced angurs well for the success of the undertaking. A very bad form of cold, which affects the lungs and chest, is very prevalent here at present. The weather is cold and growth not as forward as it usually Is at this time of the year. A few weeks ago the season gave great promise of being very prolific in every way, but the cold weather we are at present experiencing Is a decided “set-back” to what seemed as if It would be “par excellence.” ' Service - was held in two of the local’’ churches on Sunday, Mass being celebrated >n the Roman Catholic Church in' the morning. The Rev. C. Aker preached in the Methodist Church in the. afternoon. The Rev. H. A. Coleman will conduct -service In the hall on Sunday evening next, at 7.30 p.m. Those who trip “the light fantastic” may look forward to a very pleasant evening on the 18th, when the tennis club intend holding another social. Th© contractor for ploughing the' domain has completed his share of the work, and tte land is ready for the seed. A meeting of the domain board will be held on Saturday evening, I understand, in the hall, when a. deputation from the sports’ committee will wait on the board, and other business regarding improvements be discussed. The queen of flowers,’ the rose, is at its best" in most of the local gardens at present,. and in one "or two some particularly fine •blooms are to be seen. Lieutenant Shephard, who has charge of this district’s squad of Taranaki mounted rifles; was at Rahotu on Tuesday, . when a good number of territorial troopers were present at drill. The men are now uniformed and equipped with bandoliers, and look very “spie and span” in their brand new outfit. I am informed by one of the \men that owing to the Lieutenant being away for instruction, etc., for a few .months, drill will be “off,” and will not be resumed until the beginning ioZ next year. Farmers will not be sorry, as the work of the farm for the next ten or twelve weeks will be heavy, and this cessation of. drill will give them a chance to do sonuj extra work. Hay-saving and cropping will be practically over before “the boys” will have to go into their harness again. It is reported that a farm on the Te Poka Road owned by Mr. Neilson, has been sold at a satisfactory figure. Little in the way of land deals has been transacted in this district for some time, so those farmers who .contemplate selling out will be pleased to hear things in this direction are beginning to move. At recent stock sales, prices remained practically unchanged, store cows being particularly low in price; In, fact, there is very little demand for this class of sto.ck.