DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MANGATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Christmas and New Year have come and gone, and folks have settled, down to the busy hum-drum of lifo again. The holidays were' considerably marred by the inclement weather. Nevertheless, many journeyed to the New Plymouth and Stratford, race meetings. The mountain house and Opunake beach were also well patronised. Some ascents to the top of the mountain were made.

The Hawera and Eltham coonty employees had a glorious day for their picnic at the Opunake beach, where a thoroughly enjoyable tjme was spent by all. Eltham was over-run with happy childhood on Christmas Eve, tickets for presents having been given to town and country schools. The children were wild with delight at receiving a present from a real live Father Christmas.

The clatter of the mowing machine, is to be heard all round. Farmers are taking advantage of the dry spell to get in their hay, and fine heavy crops they are. A very enjoyable garden party was given by Mr. and Mrs. Astbury on January 2nd, tennis and bowls being indulged jn.

Quite a gloom was cast over the district when it became known that Mrs. Owen, better known as Miss Gladys Taylor, had lost her life in such a. sadly tragic manner. She was so sweet and gentle, and beloved by all. Great sympathy is felt for the sorrowing parents.

■Mr. Norman Day. formerly on the New Plymouth High School staff, and now of the Waikato, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gardiner during the holidays. Mrs. and Miss Handley have returned to Wanganui after spending a fortnight with Mr. and Mrs. Munro Innes.

Mrs. Colson, of Tatuanui, and her tw*o little daughters, are at present staying with Mr. and Mrs. E. Colson, of Mangatoki. Miss Eggers, of Auckland, is on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Astbury.

We are pleased to learn that Mr. J. Penny is sufficiently recovered from his recent serious illness to be able to return to his own h’ome.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Clark, of Hunter Road, left last week on a nioto? trip to Hamilton.

WAI-TOI-TOI— URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Although up to the present the price we are to receive lor our dairy produce is somewhat indefinite, there is every prospect of the season proving a record as far as the output of the North Taranaki, Wai-toi-toi and Pukearuhe factories are concerned. Uruti was also in a fair way to eclipse previous records, and were about to turn their attention to the manufacture of cheese when the unfortunate loss of their whole plant by the recent fire occurred.

Comparing the month of December, 1921, with the same month of 1920, the records for the Wai-toi-toi factory show that for the latter period there were received 694,567‘1bs of milk, from which there were 907 cheese manufactured, and 15571bs of whey butter, the average test bing 3.9; 15G81bs of cream butter were also made. The figures for 1921 read: 647.8501bs of milk, 850 cheese, and 1680Ibs of whey* butter, with, an average test of 4.1; whilst the cream butter output was 38401b5.

January’s record as regards the cheese manufacture should show a considerable improvement, as not only are the present suppliers of cream now sending their milk, but the average yield per cow should be much larger than last year, in addition to which there are some splendid crops of soft turnips, kale, millet, etc., available when the grass becomes too dry. These remarks are equally applicable to the other factories, so unless the bottom is knocked clean out of the Home market, there should be room for a considerabile decline in prices and still leave the producers with a fair return on the season’s operations. In regard to the recent loss of the Uruti dairy factory, I heard a suggestion made the other day which seems to have the merit of economy, if nothing else. Tt was to the effect that, instead of going to the expense of erecting a new and necessarily expensive building, the Uruti company should join forces with that of Wai-toi-toi and manufacture* the whole output (whether cheese or 'butter) under the one roof. Of course, there may be several reasons why an arrangement of this nature could not be carried into effect, and both districts would have to be fairly unanimous before the matter could even be discussed, but past and present experience goes to prove that the larger the supply to any individual factory the less the cost of production and consequently the amount to be diveded amongst the individual suppliers is thereby accordingly increased. Tn the South Island, and in many parts of the North, where the means of transit of cream or milk is reasonably practicable, this pooling of supplies is becoming more in favor every season, and in the present, financial stringency and the high cost of building material, to say nothing of the decrease in the price of produce, the system seems to have a lot to recommend it.

It is stated that the sub committee appointed to arrange the date of ipeeting of the Uruti beach races picnic fixture on the .Wai-toi-toi beach have decided upon March 11 as the most suitable day as regards tide/ etc. The necessary permit from the authorities to hold a few horse races at this popular seaside gathering will have to be obtained, and upon this being granted, training operations will no doubt become general. Despite the postponement on account of wet weather last year’s re-union was eminently successful visitors being present from Hawera, iStratford/ New Plymouth and Waitara, and as far north as Awakino, and although the stakes are not large, and betting is strictly prohibited, there is 'lots of fun, and all are out to make the most of the day’s amusement. The committee have strong promises of support this season, and everything points to a record meeting. .In connection with the recent meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club. Uruti sports were very pleased at the success of Mr. E. Whittle’s Crossfire (by Campfire). as he was born and reared in that locality on the farm of Mr. T. Jones. During the past few fine, days there has been an exceptionally large of tourist traffic on the Main North Road, as many as forty or fifty cars passing daily. Fishing excursions to Pukearuhe are also quite general, and a large ’bus load went through on Sunday last to try their luck at this popular sport. The number of visitors to ■Urenui this season has also been a re-

cord, and this popular resort is becoming more largely patronised every year. Though the township will probably never attain very large dimensions, it will always have a certain amount of importance througn being the business centre of a large and increasing dairying district. In the matter of cricket, tennis, athletic sport, and next season in football, an active interest is also taken, and the number of picnic parties and visitors from New Plymouth is an evidence of its popularity. By a little more judicious advertising these numbers could be considerably increased, and as the attractions and advantages become more widely known, Would eventually take its proper position in the numerous pleasure resorts of Taranaki,

The new mail service, as from January 1. is somewhat different as regards the time-table to that of last year. The mail will leave Waitara at 9.15 a.m., arriving at Wai-toi-toi at 10 a.m. and Awakino at 4.50 p.m. The outgoing mail will depart from the latter place at 5.30 a.m., reaching Wai-toi-toi at 9.50 a.m., and Waitara at ! 10.30. This will allow of country letters having an earlier delivery in New Plymouth than formerly.