DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WHAREROA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday evening' last a very successful concert and dance was held in the Whareroa Hall, under the management of Mrs. Quin. The audience showed their appreciation by encoring most of the items. Mrs. M. J. Goodson and Miss Vera McCarthy, of Hawera, as usual, won special laurels for the fine rendering of their songs. The accompaniments were well played by Mesdames Quin and Bolan. The following were the items submitted: — Opening chorus, "God Defend New Zealand," children; piano duet, "Minuet,” Annie /and Ken. Reynolds; songs, Messrs. Hawthorne, Stefford and Jacks, and Phonse Quin; also by Mrs. Goodson and Miss Vera McCarthy; recitation by Frank Quin; piano duet by Misses Quin and Robertson ; pianoforte solos bj’ Miss G. Benton; and dancirig steps by •Ava and Joyce Hicks. After the singing of the National Anthem a plentiful supper was handed round. Dancing was then indulged in until 12 o'clock. Mr. Stefford proved a capable M.C. On Tuesday evening a large gathering met at. the residence of Mr. A. Death for the purpose df furthering the candidature of Miss glavis Death for the forthcoming Queen Carnival, which takes place about, the end of the year. The evening was very pleasantly spent In dancing to music supplied by Mrs. Benton and Mrs. Nicholson. Billiards and character reading also helped to fill in the time, while a good phonograph supplied a number of items. Games were also played on the lawn in the (moonlight. Altogether, a good sum was raised to augment the proceeds which are to be spent in improving the school grounds of Hawera. Interest in the Carnival Competition continues to increase daily, and each party 13 working hard for its own selected candidate. There has been a good deal of sickness in the district lately, in the shape of "flu-’ and severe colds. The high winds have done a good deal of damage to crops recently put in.

WAI-TOI-TOI— URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There was again a good- muster of mounted troopers at Urenui on Friday last. Captain Hayhurst, of Waitara, being present to give the usual instruction. Sergeant-Major Bell was unavoidably absent, having to be on duty at a rifle meeting in Hawera. As this will be the last parade until February 3, it was decided to hold a break-up function on Thursday evening next in the Urenui Hall, when dancing, cards, etc., will be indulged in. It is understood the troopers will attend in uniform, and that during the evening a very pleasing ceremony will take place. A meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen was held in the Urenui library on Friday evening last, troop-leader T. S. O’Neill presiding over a fair attendance of members. Several matters in connection with the procuring of uniforms were discussed, and tn invitation was received from the Paritutu group to their annual dinner to be held at the Kawaroa Bungalow on Friday evening next. A number of comrades expressed their intention of being present, and the matter of arranging means of transit was left in the hands of the secretary, Frontiersman L. Rattenbury. The first of the series of fortnightly dances, held under the auspices of the cricket and tennis clubs, took place in the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening last, there being a good attendance, many of the dancers appearing in flannels, which should prove most comfortable as the evenings become wanner. Tire duties of M’s.C. were carried out excellently by Messrs. G. Fuller, C. Bleakley and J. Robinson, whilst Miss Kdwin provided the music in a satisfactory manner. An enjoyable supper was also accorded full justice. Tiie Wai-toi-toi and North Taranaki dairy factories have advanced Is per lb for butterfat for the month of October, which, pending definite information as to the state of the Home market, is as much as can be expected; in .fact, some companies are only paying out 9d, and other as low as 6d. However, tt’ft cable appearing In Saturday's News as to the improving tone of the butter and cheese market, will come as good tidings to dairy farmers, and a feeling predominates that as the season advances remunerative prices will be obtained for both products. It is to be hoped that this will prove the case, as the prices realised for store stock are still ruinously low, whilst although the prospects for wool are brighter than previously. It may still be some time before ordinary payable rates are reached. It is stated that several sports from this district have expressed their intention of being present at the Awakino race meeting on the 28th inst., and durnig the week one or two probable contestants have been exercised on the Wai-toi-toi beach. Although the stakes are not large, the cup being worth a modest "tenner,” there should be plenty, of fun, and Awaklnians always "do” their visitors well, whether at a dog trial or any other function. In fact, many people look forward with pleasure to a trip over the mountain with its magnificent scenery, to say nothing of the many exciting Incidents often experienced on the road; and although the meeting is held in the "dry" area, a cheering cup of tea and plenty of eatables are dispensed with true country hospitality. In view of your forthcoming Christmas number, many of your sporting readers (and others as well) are eagerly looking forward to a few more of those racy anecdotes from the pen of "Moturoa," which appeared in last year’s number, and proved so readable and interesting. Several mangold crops In the district are reported to have been severely affected by the fly, and the probability of re-sowing will in some cases likely have to be considered. There are some fifteen entrants in Urenui and Wai-toi-toi in the children's mangold and carrot growing competition, and in many instances the seeds are just coming through the ground, whilst there is a general comparing of notes amongst the youthful farmers. Wtat, with home duties, school studies, and various other interests, the average boy or girl of to-day (especially those who live on dairy farms) have their time fully occupied, and it has been suggested that there is a possibility c.f a little too much being attempted, and ttat a greater amount of relaxation might with benefit be permitted. When Mr. C. E. Page, of the Forests Department was through this district on his recent lecturing tour, he kindly • promised the children attending the Mimi school an assortment of seeds, as tte means of establishing a small nursery in connection with the school. These have now arrived and comprise eucalyptus eugenioides, eucalyptus obliqua, sequoia sempervirens, cupressus lawsonlana, and eucalyptus botryoides, there being sufficient to grow some 5000 trees. The ground has been prepared, and suitable frames provided by the committee, the seed being sown in the approved methods of the Department, under the supervision of the head teacher. When the seedlings are ready for transplantation, they will be sold to settlers In the district, it being proposed that money thus accruing should be placed to a fund for the purchase of more seeds, and obtaining requirements for recreation purposes for th© pupils attending the school. / The cricket championship was advanced another stage on Saturday in fine weather, and our local representatives acquitted themselves well, the A grade team defeating Inglewood by a large majority, whilst their score of 219 should, I* think, rank as one of the highest made by the team in cup cricket. E. K. Blundell proved in flrst-ciass form both with bat and ball, as besides putting up the good score of 87, he accomplished tte "hat” trick. The B grade eleven showed greatly improved form to the previous Saturday and only suffered defeat by the High School 3 by the narrow margin of three runs. These results are most encouraging, and the games with other clubs by both seniors and juniors will be eagerly watched. The former have a match on their own ground next Saturday with High School, and should again prove winners, whilst the latter will try conclusions with New Plymouth on the Racecourse No. 3.