DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TAR AT A. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Much disappointment and some inconvenience were the lot of quite a number of residents who journeyed from here on Boxing Day with the intention of going to the Christmas meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club. However, after hearing of the. postponement of the races, a good many spent the night in Inglewood, and then made the trip the following day. In view of the tightness of money at the present time, our local sports were reluctant to pul more than a modest sum on any particular horse, although one gentleman put twenty pounds on two horses, and he, poor man, returned home wiser if not wealthier. However, nothing daunted, he sent five pounds to Stratford on New Year’s Day to be put on Skylight (a horse owned by Mr. J. Hartigari, of Tarata), which partly compensated him for his first loss. Hay-making operations have received a serious set-back here as in other districts. To my knowledge three settlers cut their hay on Wednesday, December '2l, and had it laying in the paddocks for a fortnight, owing to the wet weather, which has been with us practically every alternate day. One of the settlers refereed to, after stacking about half of his hay, thought fit to resort to a box of lucifers, and after burning the balance, has commenced to re-plough the paddock with the intention of sowing soft turnips for the winter. (Now that fine weather appeals to have set in, the clatter of the mowing machine will no doubt be prevalent amongst us for some time. During Christmas • - New Year week the boxing classes were not held here, owing to the rain on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights—the nights these classes are held. Arrangements have been made to set up what is known as a ‘’ladder,” and Mr. W. Scott, on behalf of the school, has generously promised two pairs of boxing gloves” to the two best amateur boxers. In passing some of the homesteads around here. I noticed the front gardens very gay with azalia blooms, and I am told that they are out in bloom unusually early, being autumn flowers, but, not being a” connoisseur, I write from hearsay, not from knowledge. The contractors (Messrs. Archibald and . Stuck) for the Inglewood-Tarata-Pu-rangi mail service, are only running a tri-weekly service, namely, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. However, rthis will not inconvenience us much, as three times a week is ample for our mail, but the non-delivery of our daily paper every day will be annoying, to say the least of it. However, I am given to understand this trouble is to .be overcome by Mr. R. Paterson, who intends to run his motor lorry to Inglewood on two of the other days, so if this should evenutate we will have our papers at east five days a week. The chairman (Mr. M. S. Cameron) of the Tarata Library has announced that the library will be closed during the summer months, but should subsetiers wish to continue, arrangements can be made with the librarian, (Mrs. F. M. Standish). c £ j In spite of the abundance of feed, through the warm wet weather recently experienced, the cream supply to the local factory has decreased somewhat, but the decrease in milk is nothing compared with the total collapse of the butter market at Home. From the latest reports New Zealand butter is selling at approximately one shilling per lb on the London market —far below the cost of production even on this cheap land, but how dairy farmers on the highpriced land will be able to make it pay I cannot even conjecture. Mr. M. H. Barnitt, buyer for the Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Co., New Plymouth, intends operating in this district shortly- " Mr. and Mirs. Weston and family, of Korito, and Mr. and Mrs. Huggefrt, of New Plymouth, have returned home after spending Christmas with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Paterson. Nurse Waite, from Samoa, has returned" home on a holiday to recruit her health. Miss M. Waite, of Cambridge, is also spending her holidays with her parenMiss Sowry, of the Eltham post office, has returned after paying a flying visit home to her mother for Christmas. Miss B. Sowry, from Urenui, is stayino- with her mother during the holidays. Mrs. Cameron, senr., is staying with her son and daughter in the townMiss Greenwood, frorfi the South Island. is staying with her sister, Mrs. H. Blackburne, on the Otaroa Road.

MIDHIRST,

From Our Own Correspondent.) The Midhirst Tennis Club held their opening day on Thursday, December 9. Being a lovely summer day, quite a number of visitors w"ere present. Mr. Sprav and Mr. Witheford served the first balls, with Mr. D. Kivell and Miss Kivell as partners. After several sets, a dainty afternoon tea was served by the ladies. Mr. Witheford, in a happy speech, congratulated the club on their energetic committee’s efforts, which added quite a new aspect to the village. The membership has lately increased, and in the near future the club should be able to challenge other districts. It is the club’s intention to hold socials throughout the year to raise funds to defray the cost of an asphalt court.

MOKAU—AWAKING.

(From Our Own Correspondent? Christmas and New Year have come and gone, and here we are, once inofc in the ordinary ruck of everyday affairs. Several of our residents journeyed to New Plymouth for the Christmas race meeting.

The opening of the ‘Awakino tennis court is still postponed on account of the serious illness of Mrs. J. McNeice, whom we trust soon to hear is on the way to a speedy recovery. Mr. and Mrs. McNeice are two of our oldest and; well-respected residents, and Mr. McNeice is the generous donor of the ground for the tennis court. Talking of tennis, there are rumors afloat that a club is shortly to be formed in Mokau. We sincerely trust that such will come to pass, and that by next season the Mokauites will be far enough advanced to try conclusions with our AWakino neighbors. . » On New Year’s Eve, a social and dance was held in Mr. McKeown s woolshed, kindly lent and beautifully decorated for the occasion. The decorations consisted of ferns and bush flowers, while across one side of the wall, tastefully designed in red roses, was the word “Welcome,” and on the other “A Happy New Year.” Everything possible was done for the comfort and amusement of the many visitors who

j journeyed up our beautiful river in the J good old “Swan,” manned and captained by skipper V. Sjolund. Splendid ac- | coraeon music was provided by Messrs. McKeown, Baker, and G. Thomas. During the evening games and guessing competitions were indulged in, and the fun waxed fast and furious till 12 p.m., when all joined hands and sang “Auld Lang Syne” by way of speeding the parting 1921 and welcoming the coming 1922 guest. The suppers (not one, but many) were, as is always the case at these up-river festivities, tasty, and delicious. After the first supper, Mr. Randell, one of the most courteous and capable of M.C.’s, put on a Leap Year Waltz, during which the dancers were showered with confetti, a novel and pretty sight. Visitors were present from Awakino, Mohakatino township, and other parts of the district. Great praise is due to Mesdames Wilson, Sage, Randell, and the Misses McKenzie and Randell, for the splendid way in which the whole function was carried out; also to those who so tastefully and prettily decorated the hall for the occasion. The only “crumpled roseleaf” was the weather. The thanks of all are due to Mr. A. G. Mouatt for the loan of a magnificent gramaphone, to the delightful music of which the dancing was made pleasant. Among the ladies present were:—Mrs. Wilson, the charming young hostess, who received the guests in a lovely black merv silk evening gown; Mrs. A. G. Mouatt, cream crepe de chine; Mrs. G. P. Sage, beautiful pale blue taffeta silk; Mrs. P. Sage, cream georgette; Mrs. Randell, black silk; Mrs. Raven, black silk voile; Mrs. Reid, cream silk; Mrs. Baker, taffeta silk; Mrs. Condon, grey crepe de chine, with netted silk; Mrs. S. Whitehead, pretty brown silk voile; Mrs. A. G. Sampson, electric blue eolienne; Mrs. Ross, black taffeta silk; Miss McKenzie, black silk voile; Miss E. Randell, cream silk voile: Miss T. Randell, white taffeta; Miss Sage, pink silk voile; Miss C. Sage, black taffeta silk; Miss Barker, grey silk voile; Miss Thomson, pretty floral silk poplin; Miss Ramsey, pink silk; Miss Avery, black taffeta silk, floral sash; Miss McNeice, pretty floral voile; Miss Wickham, pretty cream georgette; Miss D. Whitehead, white silk voile; Miss H. Sampson, white silk voile.

Great interest was taken by our local residents in the Arnst - Hadfield boat race, and some were highly hilarious over the result.

At last there are whispers afloat regarding the re-organisation of our Mokau Sports Club. With something over £7O in hand from the defunct club, it is time someone got moving and brought a little life and movement, to say nothing of hard cash into our little township. With such good sports as Messrs. N. Clifton, P. Hansen, F. Stevens, S. Whitehead, junr., and others, surely something could be set going. Time was when axemen’s carnivals and land sports were things of annual success in Mokau. Why not now? The heavy rain during Christmas week made Mts. Messenger and Taumatemaire just about impossible for motor traffic. One young lady tourist, who is “doing” the Dominion on a motor cycle, had an unpleasant experience the other week, falling forty feet over a bank, but as it happened with no further injury than a good shaking and one or two bruises, which the cycle also shared in. A heavy growth of fern had broken the fall, and so averted what might easily have been a tragedy. The young lady in question took it ail as the “fortune of war” (on motor bikes) and after repairs (to the cycle) went on her way rejoicing.

We learn that Mrs. McNeice has successfully undergone a slight operation, and is now getting on towards recovery. Mrs. J. Northern, of Awakino, and Miss Frances Northern, are-visiting New Plymouth. Mr. J. McNeice and Master Terence McNeice returned to Awakino on Wednesday. Mrs. E. Paynter, o f Teripoto, is visiting the South Island. Miss McKenzie, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. T. Radford, Mokan River, returned south on Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. ' Raven, Mokav River, returned to Taranaki this week.

Mr. Syd. Whitehead, junr., returned from New Plymouth last week. The Mokau ferry has again changed hands, Mr. Dave Scott having been the successful tenderer for this year. Mr. Charlie Johnson is soon to inaugurate a passenger service, which will be a great boon, not only to the travelling public, but also to Mokau ana Awakino towns. By it, toilworn and office weary town residents will be able to leave New Plymouth at 1 p.m. on the Saturday, spend a delightful weekend at our lovely little seaside resort, taking a trip up the glorious Mokau River on Sunday by launch, and return to town in time for business on Monday morning. He is having a splendid new ’bus. built for this special service. It will be timed to leave Awakino at 5 a.m., Mokau 5.30 a.m., and will reach town in time, for breakfast. The journey at this time of the year is simply delightful, and we hope to see. Mr. Johnson’s enterprise rewarded by such crowds of passengers that one ’bus will certainly not be sufficient. y

Haymaking is being cheerily carried on in our district.

The drovers are onee more busy and droves of splendid fats, both of beef and mutton, are to be seen driven to doom. Our capable factory manager still turns out tons of first class butter. All that is wanted now is, that this conference shall do “summat” to send the price up again, and all will be well (for the supplier, but what about the consumer ?).

Debating Society meets on the 19th of the month, Mr. P. Kavanagh in the chair.

65. Lavender water, all sizes, still sellin at the old prices at H. J. Abram, the “MAIL ORDER” Chemist, New Plymouth.

Osborne Mowers and Hay Rakes, also E.B. Sweeps a>d Stackers, are among the latest and be‘ t in hay-making equipment, having al; worth while features, and the prices are right! Seventy years’ honorable manufacturing service stands behind them. Full stocks, also duplicates, available. Get particulars from Booth, MacDonald and Co., Ltd. New Plymouth.

You get pure, sound, ripe Tomatoes flavored with simple spices in Sharland’s Tojnatb Sauce. It is wholesome, appetising and delicious. 4

All housewives who enjoy a cup of fragrant tea should not be without Nelson Moate’s 3s blend, packed in half and one-pound packets, and 5 and 101 b tins.

The overwhelming experience of thousands testifies to the value of Nazol, as an effective cure for coughs, colds, .sore throat