DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Christmas holidays plassed very quietly in this district. There was an exodus of young people on Christmas Eve, mostly bound for New Plymouth and its many attractions, while most of the local sports attended the races there on Tuesday and Wednesday. The very wet weather we had on Monday prevented anything in the way of outdoor amusements, .so “a cosy corner” and “an interesting book” were the order of the day with most people, and, although the young folks were disappointed somewhat, the older ones appreciated the rest and quietness. Midnight mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church on the eve of Christmas, the service lasting well into Christmas morning, and on Sunday morning also a service was held at 9 a ab., the Rev. Father Doolaghty being the celebrant. On Monday, .December 26, the Rev. H. A. Coleman conducted services of holy communion at Warea, Pungarehu and Rahotu. The Roman Catholic Church has been newly painted, and is very much improved in appearance. The local stores seem to have done a roaring trade a few days before closing for the holidays,, but it is certainly somewhat trying to the housewife to keep her larder filled when stores are closed for four days in succession, and the problem of “how to keep the bread moist” for the greater part of a week is hard to solve in the summer weather. Mr. and Mrs. 'Shaw, of New Plymouth, are spending the holidays with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Shaw, of Parihaka. Mr. and Mrs. Raynor are still at Rahotu, Mr. Raynow being baker pro tern. We are fortunate in having him to fill the position, otherwise we should perhaps have to resort to “dough-boys” when illness or accident befalls the permanent baker. Mrs. Ehrhorn, of the Parihaka soldiers settlement, who has been a patient in the New Plymouth hospital for some time, has recovered sufficiently to be able to return home.

Mrs. Grenfell is at present in the New Plymouth hospital, where on Christmas Eve she underwent an operation for appendicitis. The continued wet weather is a source of anxiety to those farmers whose hay is ripe and waiting to be harvested. In all probability much grass intended for hay will be made into ensilage should the present weather conditions continue. An instance of the present slump is given in the totalisator returns at the Christmas race meeting, which shows that, the thinking public are realising that a penny saved is a penny gained. The farmer who “thinks hard” is studying economy in more ways than one at present, and it is evid-ent that others are also. A happy and prosperous New Year to all readers and the staff of the Daily News. Pungarehu sends you greetings: Underneath these skies so 'blue, Naught of care or hurt or sorrow, Gaunt and grim encircle you. Always round and round about you, Rivers of rich blessing flow. E’en anon the Graces bringing Heaven’s blessings, fall like dew, Untold joys through twenty-two.