DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wet weather prevailed on Tuesday, January 31, the date fixed for the school picnic ahd sports. Notwithstanding the -incessant heavy showers of the early morning, the children began ■to assemble about ten o’clock, determined to make ihe best of a bad day, and before noon, the immediate ficinity of the village was the scene of unusual life and; bustle. By this time the showers were less frequent and a few foot races on the roadside were run in great style under the management of Mr. F. Kirk. At about 1 p.m. an adjournment was made to the hall, where a sumptuous lunch and an abundant supply of fruit was soon disposed of, and keenly enjoyed by t-he litlle folks. Heavy rain prevented any further attempt at outdoor amusements, and during the afternoon the . young ladies present kept the little ones amused- by dancing with them. The boys, keenly alive to the fact that ttis was their day out, enjoyed themselves as only boys can in rough and tumble games and pastimes, and the time for afternoon tea cartie all too quickly, and was eaten with zest and relish by the happy, hearty children. Very few parents braved the. elements, which was disappointing to :the school committee- and ttb children, but we hope for better luck next year.

Considering the bad weather quite a decent number of young pople came along to the dance which is the usual wind-up to a country school picnic. Messrs. Parker and Norris supplied the- music in their usual excellent stayle, and Mr. T. Barrett, the popular M.C., was in charge of the programme.

After a dainty supper had been served, Mr. A. Corbett, on behalf of friends and wellwishers of Mr. J. Guild, the junior teacher, who is leaving for the Training College, presented him with a cheque, and made the usual felicitous speech. Mr. Guild returned thanks for the presentation and expressions of goodwill. The gathering broke up about 1.30 a.m., and all wended their way home after an enjoyable evening.

The school re-opened on Wednesday,, when the newly appointed assistant teacher. Miss M. Fleming, commenced her duties.

.Miss Morecraft returned from Hawera on Tuesday morning.

The Misses Fleming, including Rita and Peggy, whQ have now concluded their course at the local school, have gone to the Convent for • further study.

Miss Lizzie Gilhooly is at present in New Plymouth, having undergone an operation for adenoids and tonsils. - /

The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Symons, of Cape Egmont lighthouse, recently underwent a similar operation at Opunafce. Friends of Mrs. Grenfell will be pleasfed to hear that she is rapidly improving, and is expected to be able to return home shortly. Mr.'Grenfell has left for the Centre Island.

The motor service on this coast is now much improved, there being three cars each way daily, not including the Maori taxi cars, and we lave no cause to grumble about lack of accommodation for passengers between New Plymouth and Opunake. The various cars seem to be fairly well patronised by visitors returning from their holidays, and so far traffic seems quite to warrant tbe number running.

Notices re payment of income-tax are now duly announcing the unpleasant fact that we are expected to part with some more of our hard-earned cash, and one wonders what will happen to the man who has not the. necessary to meet the tax. Blood cannot be got from a stone, neither can gold be extracted from those who have none. In almost every paper we read of farmers being unable to meet their interest, and where income-tax is coming from Is indeed a problem.

During the past week “the highway of the seas” along this coast has been unusually busy, and more than one home-liner has. passed Cape Egmont bound for New Plymouth or Wellington. Truly our port is getting a busy place, of which the harbor board may be justly proud, and the presence of homeliners show that Taranaki's trade is Increasing by leaps and bounds. A tangi is in progress at Parlhaka, a native youth named Donohue. Pue having died there early on Wednesday morning. Much sympathy is felt for the parents, it being hardly a year since their lad Waru passed away.

Some people still make use of the “long acis”. for. grazing their stock, and the anl-

mals are a source of annoyance to owners of turnip crops near the road. Only a few evpningr ago no fewer than .rjne animals might have been seen on a by-r.*>jf<i j n t j n - 3 neighborhood—a nice little haul had. the ranger only been around, but, of course, so unnelglborly to complain, no nut t ter if your fences do get broken down and props or gardens damaged. ' Mr. Peter Hunt, who so efficiently filled. position of chef at the factory “bach.” | Ct - t on Monday for Wellington, accompanied Mrs. Hunt. Mr. Hunt was very popular wlun the “boys’* during his short, stay here, and is seldom the factory employees are fortunL ate enough to secure the services of such an excellent chef as Mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt was ratter severely wounded at the front, and a return of his old trouble was largely responsible for his sudden depsetuge.