DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNIHO &. WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There was a large meeting of Anglican Church members in the Warea hall on Monday, 28th ultimo. Bishop Averill, of Auckland, presided. Several maters relating to the new church were discussed, and there were also a few items relating to parish atiairs brought forward. The Bishop stated that he was well pleased with the splendid progress of the church, and he expressed a wish that he should be able to lay the foundation stone on his next visit. On Tuesday, 29th ultimo, the Bishop conducted a confirmation service at St. Raul’s Church, Okato, when thirteen candidates from the Okato parish were confirmed. Archdeacon Evans and Rev. H. A. Coleman, vicar of Okato, were also in attendance. After the service the visiting parishioners were entertained to afternoon tea In tne Okato Hall by the Okato ladies. Mr. Willie Gray briefly welcomed the visitors and the Bishop duly replied. Before leaving tne Bishop shook hands with all present. The concert given by the Okato S School children was well attended. All. the children only had a short time to pr.ujtice, the concert was exceptionally good. Several of the performers had to respond to encores. After the confeert the floor was cleared for dancing. Mr. Pearson supplied tne music, whilst Mr. Dan Hamilton was in charge of the floor. In spite of the many other attractions on Friday, 2nd Inst., the Warea Social Com-nit-tee’s fortnightly dance was well attended. A very energetic committee had given the floor a much needed spring clean, and the unstinted praise given by the dancers should have been a good enough reward for their labors. The music was supplied by Messrs. Parker and Morris, and Mr. Gordon Wells was M.C. The Puniho School Committee’s annual concert takes place on Wednesday, December 14. Unfortunately the Oakura school concert is on the same night, whilst I believe Pungareku and Tataraimaka are the following night. It is a pity that some arrangement could not be made whereby these concerts could be spread about a little more. No stone is being left unturned to make the Puniho concert a success. The Warea hall has been engaged for the night. A dance will follow, at which firstclass musicians have been engaged to play. Mr. W. Komani, an old and very wealthy native of this district, died last week. Mr. Komani .at one time owned the whole of the Puniho district, and it is also stated that all the property in this part, starting from the ranges and going through to the sea, all belonged to him at one time. He was well known throughout this coast, and he was respected and well liked by the natives. He was also very popular amongst the whites. A large tangl has been in progress at the local pa in keeping with the usual native custom. One can hardly be surprised at the poor hearing that pigs are getting on this coast this year after the long wait farmers have and are having for their pig cheques. Some farmers sold pigs to a bacon company i.s early as last January, and they are still living in hopes of seeing the money roll in shortly. Whilst finance is like it is at present there are not many farmers who can afford to have •money lying idle such as this.

e The dairy company’s pay-out this year was a lot smaller, in some cases less than half of what was paid out last year. The milk yield is still exceptionally good, but the flush is apparently over, as several farmers’ supplies are reported to be going MOKAU-AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On November 29 Messrs. Ballantyne, Valentine and Griffin, school inspectors, visited our district and held the annual examinations at the Mokau, Awakino, and Mokau river household school. The results were quite satisfactory. The schools break up on the 16th inst., when a school picnic and distribution of prizes will be held at Mokau; a school concert and presentation to Miss W. Chapman (who is leaving) at Awakino; and what is to take place up the river is still "in the lap of the Mr. Sell, home imissionary, held services at Awakino and Mokau on Sunday, November 29, with which our people were well pleased, as there had been no church here since the Rev. Mr. Barnett was transferred'. The Rev. Father Dillon visited Mokau and Awakino and celebrated mass during November 3. It has been several times remarked by "the stranger passing through” that it seems odd that the backblocks folk round these parts seem to be able to find money to build halls, and each town has its billiard saloon, but not a sign of a church from Waitara to Te Kultl. The Awakino Racing Club are well pleased with the result of their beach meeting on November 28,\ and intend holding another some time in the early part of next’ year, when the prize money is to be increased. The folks round here were astonished to find that the mail between Waitara and Awakino is changing hands from January 1, 1922. Mr. Charlie Johnson, who has held it for some years, was unsuccessful in his tender this time, and we believe that the successful parties are Mr. Smith (Waitara to Uruti), and Mr. Fitzgerald (Uruti to Awakino). It is also rumored that the accepted tenders are for a tri-weekly unai! only.

Mr. Johnson has been very popular durtng his terra of office, and many will be sorry Io hear of his losing the contract. Still we trust the newcomers will serve us as well and faithfully in the future. It is to be hoped they will be able to retain Mr. Welch as driver, as he is both capable and trustworthy, besides being kind and courteous to his passengers. The river mail has aiso changed hands, the successful tenderer in this instance being Mr. Eric Leives. Mr. Victor Sjolund, the unsuccessful tenderer, had held the contract for many years and had always been found courteous, capable and punctual. In fact, both men are very much esteemed in our district, and as always "Le rol est mort 1 Vive le roi.” Miss Beattie Stewart, who has been staying with her aunt, Mrs. F. Wolfe, of Awakino, left for Wellington per mail car on Saturday enorning, where she joins the s.s. Paloona, which is sailing on Tuesday for Melbourne. Miss Stewart had made herself very popular during her stay amongst us, and as one oi the famous "Hayseed Concert Company,” has made a name for herself. Sne will be much missed amongst her circle of friends. It is rumored that Miss Winnie W’olfe intends returning to Melbourne early next year to continue the training of’her voice, which is a very fine contralto. The fine weather we have had lately Las dried up the roads nicely, and Mount Messenger and Taiwnatamalre are both navigable with comfort and safety to motorists, either by car or bicycle. In spite of the drop in price of butter our suppliers to the local factory are still doing their “bit” with smiling faces, and the topnotch article is still being turned out by our capable manager, Mr. Balsom. Mr. W. J. R. Avery returned from New Plymouth per mail car this (Monday) evening. We are glad to hear that Mrs. Norman Ordish, of Waikawau, has quite recovered from her recent indisposition. Mr. Al Carter, of Awakino, has had several advantageous offers for ms norse Dramatist, which won the Awakino Cup and the Maiden Handicap at the races on the 28th ult., but he has decided not to sell, and may probably give him a run at Hamilton later on. Master Allan Erickson was the host at a birthday party at Mohakatino on Sunday, December 4. A very enjoyable day was spent on the beach, and a dainty tea was partaken of by the 28 children present. Games of rll kinds were indulged in, and about 5.30 p.m. a happy lot of children wended their way homewards, having had a jolly good time. The little host was the recipient of many handsome presents. Miss Wickhaun is visiting Mrs. Lew Jones, of Awakino. Christmas is upon us once again, and your correspondent, on behalf of the people of the district and seif, desires to convey to the proprietor and staff of the News heartiest good wishes for a very Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year. WAI-TOI-Tol—-URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the recent meeting of the Urenui Sports Club, the secretary announced that Mr. V. Dalgleisl., New Plymouth, had kindly <osated a cold medal the forthcoming snorts

to be awarded at the discretion of the com inittee. On the motion of Mr. Pigott, it wa; decided to acknowledge the offer of Mr. Dai gleish with: thanks.

The hon. secretary of the imilitary’ bal (Mr. C. Bleakley) held in Urenui lately states that there was a surplus of £3 17: 6d, which sum is to be placed to the credi of hte squadron fund.

The usual concert to celebrate the break ing-up of the Urenui School for the summei vacation’ will be held in the hall on the 13tl inst., and considerable trouble has been gout to by the teachers and. pupils to provide ar enjoyable evening's entertainment for the parents and friends.

At the annual meeting of the Uruti Beach Races Club at Urenui on Saturday evening last, very general regret was expressed by members at the retirement of the secretary, Mr. C. H. Barnitt, a position which has been held by that gentleman since the first ptenro meeting on the Wai-toi-tol beach was inaugurated some thirteen years ago. The chairman (Mr. R. H. Pigott), in moving a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Barnitt, spoke in most eulogistic terms as to the manner in which the latter had carried out the duties, and stated that the present successful condition of the club was due in no smaller measure to the energetic manner in which its affairs had been conducted by Mr. Barnitt. When it is considered that he has had to make a journey of some sixteen miles from his home in Uruti to attend meetings of the club it will show how thoroughly these remarks were merited.

During the past week, Mr. N. Uren, of the State Forests Department was through this district. Whilst in Urenui he paid a visit to the farm of Mr. Sam Topliss, of Moerangi, whp is going in extensively for tree-planting, and at Wai-toi-toi inspected a plantation ct Douglas fir (Oregon pine), expressing himself as well pleased with the rapid growth of the trees during the short period they had been planted. Mr. Uren also examined the nursery at the Minni school. Some of the seeds are now through the ground, and are promising well, and Mr. Uren gave every credit to the teachers and children for the manner in which the plots had been arranged, stating that he would follow the experiment with interest, more especially so as this was the first of the kind in the Dominion.

One of the 'chief objects of the officer’s visit through the Mokau district is to gain some idea of the amount of bush that has been felled in the vicinity of the department’s reserves, dnd he would like any settlers who intend burning in the region of these areas to notify him as to probable dates so that he may assist in taking the necessary precautions against the spread of fire. Though the law is very strict on this matter, it is the aim of the department to try and induce settlers to co-operate with their officers to prevent any damage being done to the timber which is becoming so valuable. Tourists and picnic parties are also requested to exercise every care by properly extinguishing canfp fires, etc., during the coming holiday season, and if this is done there

should be little, if any danger. Mr. Uren will be In this locality again shortly, and will be only too pleased to meet any farmers cr others who intend to go in for tree-planting under forest conditions during the coming season, and give them everj' assistance and any information within his power.

Whilst digging on his section on the flat near the mouth of the Urenui river (commonly known as schnapper flat), Mr. R. H.

Pigott came across a reminder of the very early days of Urenui in the shape of a blue rata pile, which had formed one of the foundations of the first hotel built in that locality, and which was eventually blown over. The timber is as sound as the day when it was placed in the ground, which must be considerably over forty years ago. The next hotel, built a little further along, was known as Wilkinson’s Hotel, and was destroyed by fire. In this respect Mr. C. Wilkinson, of Eltham, recently obtained from Mrs. C. N. Rowe a well-preserved photo of the hotel, on the verandah of which may be seen seated Mr Wilkinson (then a boy). After this, the present Urenui Hotel was built by the late Mr. Pigott senr., and though it has been altered and added to, the original building is still standing.

Hay-making Is now commencing in this locality, and taken all round there are some exceptionally heavy crops, quite equal to those of last season. Should the same fine weather be experienced again this year there should be a plentiful supply of this most necessary winter fodder. Many farmers are intending to supplement their root crops with ensilage stacks, the food value of which has only to be tried to be appreciated. Many of the mangold and soft turnip crops arc reported to have been badly attacked by the fly, although it is claimed by some farmers that the small birds are answerable for a considerable amount of damage. In some cases, re-sow-ing has had to be done, which makes this class of crop rather expensive. One crop of mangolds which has been grown from plants raised in seed beds, is looking really well, the. moist weather experienced during tb© process of transplantation being all in its favour. This method has the value of cheapness, as it only takes 2 per cent, of seed to secure sufficient plants to lay out an acre, whereas 6 per cent, is usually the amount required when sown directly through the drill or ridgers; whilst another point in its favour is that by getting the seed in early the plants are generally fit for removal about the time the main crops are being sown. However, root crops under the present day conditions are a bit of a gamble, and the farmer who provides himself with a good stack or two of ensilage, is, to say the least of it, taking a wise precaution, more especially as It will keep for an indefinite penoct if not required in the immediate future. The annual meeting of the Uruti Beach Races Club was held in Urenui on Saturday evening last, when Mr. R. H. Pigott presided over a good attendance of members. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, the secretary read a statement of accounts showing a credit balance of £lO, which was considered most satisfactory considering the club had started the meeting with a debit. On the motion of Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Salway, it was resolved that

the gathering be held again this year. Mr. W. T. Jennings was appointed patron, and Mr. A. H. Halcombe president, the vicb-presidents being Messrs. W. G. Glassford. Newton King, J S. O’Neill, C. Dunbar and R. H. Pigott. The following committee was also elected:— Messrs. E. K. Blundell, S. J. Sutton, G. Sal* way, G. Baker, E. Putt, Kapinga, F. Morris, J S. O’Neill. T. Skelton, C. Rumbal, G. Fuller, J. Fitzgerald. T. Taylor. A. Spurr. and C. Barnitt; stewards, Messrs. L. O'Neill, E. K. Blundell, G. Salway. S. J. Sutton. W. Moeller. C. Rumbal. A. Spurr. and G. Fuller. Mr. C. Barnitt having decided to resign the position of secretary, a position which he has held for the past thirteen years, on the motion of Mr. Barnitt. seconded by Mr. Kapinga, Mr. Leo. O’Neill was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. R. H. Pigott proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the retiring secretary for his past services to the club, and in doing so referred to the able manner in which Mr. Barnitt had carried out the duties. This was seconded by Mr. C.

Rumbal and carried with acclamation. It was agreed that the programme be similar to last year, and that it be a recommendation to the committee to fix a date for holding the meeting early in March, provided the necessary permit be obtained. The matter of arranging the actual date was left in the hands of Messrs. Salway, Baker and the secretary. Mr. G. Fuller was appointed treasurer and empowered tb sign cheques with the secretary, and the meeting adjourned after the customary vote of thanks to the chair. i