DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Owing to a misunderstanding the memorial gate posts will not be finished in time for Bishop Averill to dedicate them, but it is hoped that they will be completed and erected by Hie second Saturday in December, and that the unveiling ceremony will be held as soon after as possible. As the Christmas vacation commences on the 16th of the month and the school concert is to be held if possible on the 15th, the vicar of the parish of Okato (the Rev. n. A. Coleman) will try to arrange for an unveiling between the 10th and 15th. Functions at this season of the year are not usually so well patronised as during the winter months, especially in the dairying districts, and it was certainly unfortunate that the tennis club’s social and the pictures were both fixed for the same week, a fact which, no doubt, was largely responsible for the disappointing attendance r.t the social, the music for which was in the very capable hands of Messrs. Parker and Norris, while Mr. Tom Barrett, the ever willing M.C., was in charge of tfce floor. The hall was beautifully decorated by the factory staff, and the supper was pronounced excellent; and those who attended were well satisfied that everything possible had been done for their enjoyment. The Rahotu Anglican Church Fair, to be held shortly, promises to be a huge success, and the ladies of the church are working very hard to make it attractive. There will be produce and jumble stalls, afternoon tea,; and name guessing, weight guessing, peas in bottles, etc. In the evening a concert and dance will finish Up what should prove to be “an outing worth while.” “The golden 20th” had a surprise packet In store for suppliers' to the factory, a shilling per lb butter-fat beintf the progress payout. How the man on high priced land is going to live, work his farm, keep his herd up to scratch and pay interest and rates on land on a shilling a lb of butter, is a matter for conjecture. No doubt the Government will urge us to economise, but where are we to begin. Children must be fed and clothed, and under the new tariff not a few of the poor man’s necessaries are to carry a heavier duty, which means an increased retail cost to the eoßsumar, wkile farm implements, seed

and manures are still very high in price. Fancy a duty on towels I Of course, they are a luxury, we can take our morning dip and run around while Nature dries us! But; we have no time for games of this sort on a dairy farm. And it is rather strange that cigars, tfrhich are only used by the man who can afford to pay the duty, are free, while the poor cockles and working man must pay the increase on tobacco and cigarettes ke uses. We can derive some small comfort, however, from the thought that few of us will be in a position to pay. income tax this year, much less buy kerosene to read by through the long winter evenings. But if we make up our minds to economise I guess we will find a way out.

The continued wet weather is a source of annoyance to the housewife, who can’t get the men out or ti e money in, and farmers are beginning to wonder when the crops will get put in, so consistent is the rain and unist. There has been a wonderful growth of grass recently and vegetable gardens are now looking .well, but unless there is a change of weather soon, winter root crops will be fopnd wanting, as the hay-saving season will be upon us in a few weeks from now. The Education Board's workmen have completed the work of painting and renovating tie school. New black-boards have also been fixed, and things are now quite “chic” and convenient.

The school garden also is looking very nice, and’ the well-kept flower plots reflect credit both on teachers and scholars. The junior teacher (Mr. J. Guild) does yeoman service in this branch of the school curriculum, and his fellow teachers and tl?e senior scholars appreciate his help and efforts. The soil; however, is very poor in quality, and ,lt would he a good idea if some rich loam could be carted in during the winter months, and the result would be muck better than it is, even though now the gearden is nice. Dare I suggest "a working bee" of the tmembers of the school committee, to aid the teachers in this direction.