DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOi-TOi—URENUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Haymaking for the present season is now practically completed ns far as this district is concerned. Taken as a whole it may be safely stated that the aunount saved is equal to that of last year, and in most cases it has been harvested in good condition, though ttere has been considerably more wet weather than was experienced in 1.920-21. The amount of ensilage made Is also greater than on former occasions, and judging by the number of enquiries as to the better methods of making z this most valuable adjunct to dairy farms for either autumn or winter and spring feed-

ing, it may b& predicted that it will come into even greater favor in future seasons. The satisfactory news contained in Monday’s News that the demand for cheese is becoming more keen, and the gradual rise in the quotations, is decidedly encouraging, as with the cessation of export from the Canadian market and the bulk of their stocks already cleared, there should be a good open market for our consignments, and what promised to be a somewhat disastrous season for this class of produce, may in the end turn out a payable proposition. As far as the local factory is concerned the milk supply is keeping up wonderfully well, and as was anticipated, the January figures show a satisfactory increase on those of the same month last year. In 1921 the amount of milk received wa<> Gl'Z.OlOlbs, from which 804 cheeses were manufactured, together with 11601bs of whey butter, the average test being 4.19; 19041bs of cream butter was also made. This year for the same period, 702,919ibs of milk produced 906 cheese and 21101bs whey butter, the average test being also 4.19. The amount of cream butter shows a decline of some 39libs; several of the suppliers who were sending cream are now supplying milk, and the quantity of cream butter will no doubt be considerably less for the next two or three months. The cows in other parts of the district are also reported to be doing ’well, and as the North Taranaki factory is handling the Uruti cream, as well as manufacturing cheese from a large portion of their own unilk supply, the output from this factory should easily be a record; whilst Pukearuhe is also producing more than in former years. It is stated that the Uruti company have decided to. call for alternative tenders in timber or concrete for the erection of a cteese and butter factory, though it Is scarcely likely the building will be erected in time to be of any use ttis season.

Large numbers of visitors from New Plymouth and other portions of the district went as far as the Mangaimaho'e stream on Sunday last, the bridge/ over which was lifted from its piles during the phenomenally heavy rain in the early hours of Thursday last, a& well as causing a large number of landslips on the main road in that locality. By the aid of a Fordson tractor the timber from the old bridge has now been hauled to terra firma, and the work of erecting a temporary structure is being proceeded with. Meanwhile, a plank b r ’dge some Bft. wide is being used, as well as a wire rope and cage. It seems almost incredible that a small stream some 2ft. deep and 7 or Bft. wide rhould, in the space of a few hours be formed into a river of two chains in width, whilst the size and number of slips is also a further evidence of the quantity of rain which must have fallen. It is stated that there are also numerous papa slips on many of the farms, in the Uruti district, miles of boundary fencing being destroyed, making many holdings into one large paddock. One settler, whose residence Is fairly close to the Mimi river, had to beat a hasty retreat, and seek safer quarters up on the table land, whilst the occupants of the Post Office just managed to save their buckets and other utensils from being swept away in the flood. Taken altogether, the settlers of Uruti have had more than their share of ill luck during the past month or so. as in addition to the loss of their dairy factory by fire, the inconvenience and pecuniary loss incurred by the flood must have been fairly considerable.

Mr. J. Fitzgerald, who had one of his motor lorries destroyed in the recent fire at the Urenui stables, arrived from Wellington on Friday evening last, bringing with him a fine thrcc-ton lorry, with which he is now carting the Uruti cream.

Sergeant Major Bell was present in Urenui on Thursday and Friday last, when drill for the senior cadets and mounted rifles was resumed. Now that the busy season as regards haywnaking, etc., is practically over, no doubt the trainees will be able to attend parades (which are held fortnightly) as regularly as was the case last year.

A final reminder is given to. intending competitors at the Urenui sports that nominations close with the secretaries (Messrs. J. S. O’Neill and D. Tate) on Thursday, February 9; also that an important meeting of the committee will be held on Friday evening the 10th inst.

Though no doubt there will be a large number of visitors from this district to witness the opening of the Taranaki Jockey Club’s autumn meeting on Thursday next, It is probable that the number will be equally as large (If not greater) on the second day (Saturday), whilst the presence of Gloaming .will prove the attraction to many, as no doubt te is one of the greatest horses of to-day in Australasia, and even the school kiddies in referring to anything of especial merit compare it to this equine wonder. Though no doubt the totalisator returns will show a considerable decrease to those of last year, that will not detract from the enjoyment or success of the meeting, and the enterprise of the club in providing such liberal stake money, has already met with its reward in the large fields and high class quality ot the horses competing. i

MOKAU—-AWAKINO. W’

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Splendid showers have fallen during the last fortnight, bringing the feed on our dairy farms up to top notch. Alas, that it should have the opposite effect on our roads, which, I must say, are pretty bad, the two “hills” (Messenger and Taumatemaire) being rather difficult of navigation to motorists. However, we are hoping that by this time next year the main road from Waitara to Te Knit! will be a joy and delight to travellers.

The Awakino Tennis Club is in full swing, and both young folk and oldsters are to be seen wielding the racquet, with vim. There is some talk of two or three of its members entering for the championship (singles and doubles) this season. By the look of things, your scribe thinks there will certainly be some entries for “doubles,” but we .would not assert that it will be in the line of tennis, although there is plainly a good deal of “courting” about it.

There have been many tourists visiting our district during the past month or so, and each and all have been loud in their praise of our river, our scenery, our beach, our fishing, boating facilities, and our accommodation, and have declared their fixed intention of again spending their holiday (or honeymoon) in Mokau or Awakino.

A concert will be given in the Mokau Hall by th© school children in the near future, and as there are some talented artists among our juveniles, and as they will be under the training of Mesdames Clifton, Hansen, Black and Christofferson, the audience may confidently look forward to a very enjoyable programme.

The Awakino Collie Club Trials are drawing near, and the energetic hon. secretary (Mr. Keith Black) and the other officials are anticipating a very successful meeting, and, as usual,*Mrs. J. McNeice is thinking of gathering her social workers together and getting things in trim for the concert and ball which are always held on the first and second nights of the trials. It is rumored that Mr. Geo. Dixon, manager of Pioi station, is again coming to the fore with one or two prize-win-ners, also that Mr. N. Buyant’s two dogs are making good promise of carrying off some of the valuable trophies offered. Somehow I seem to fancy a certain little black and tan dog owned by one “Roddie McKenzie.” There is also another likely tc be a close runnerup, one called “Brownie,” which is the P r 0 (" perty of our local “guardian of the peace,’ Mr. Blaikie. Mr. Mae Elliot, late of our district, but now of Waitara. passed through last week on his way to Mahoenui, where he owns a very fine farm, of rolling uplands, green and grassy, well watered. Mr. Elliot was accompanied by-

Mr. Haseler, and they certainly had not a very enjoyable trip, and were loud in their denunciation of the state of the road. Fish- are plentiful, and our “chief angler, Mr. P. Kavanagh, is to be seen wending his way lionu'WiTU with smiw very big hauls. Uur popular luir’iKirmaster (Mr. .1. L. McDauald) Las returned frcuu )Vullhigton, aud -is

now well into harness again. Mr. Allan Sampson, of Mokau, has been visiting friends in Waitara, and returned much Invigorated after his sojourn in the “city of freezers.”

Mr. Tom Cummings, junr., is doing good work on his section up the Mokau river. He has made great improvement since taking up the land, as have also many other of our returned soldier boys on their up-river settlements.

Mrs. Geo. Sage’s garden is a picture with its wonderful show of blooms. It seems almost incredible that such progress in improvements in and arouhd a homestead could have 1.-een made Mr. Sage, and his energetic sons in such a short, time. x

Mr. Frank Stevens is alsoi steadily improving his little plot, where he intends build’ng a dainty “nest for some sweet bird” and “letting the rest of the world go by.” Several of our residents, especially the ‘'males among ’em” are journeying to the New Plyunduth races in the sure and certain hope that the “tote” is going to make their fortunes.

The date for the Awakino Racing Club’s next meeting has not yet been fixed, but we believe it is to be early next month. W6 wish them every success. We regret to hear that Master Edgar Russell, nephew of Mrs. J. McNeice, of Awakino. is seriously ill in the New Plymouth hospital.

Good progress is being made with the new dwelling house which, is being built for Mr. Fraser, resident engineer, of Awakino.

The Mokau debating society meets on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. sharp. Your correspondent hopes to have a full report of same in next issue; also of how things are progressing with the snagging of the Mokau river.

WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) It Is now quite a long time since “ybur own” contributed any news from this small corner of the universe, but at last the torch blazes up again, not that there is very much news at present to record, but interested readers will be able to see that the light has not quite flickered out..

For the past fortnight or so, this and other parts of Taranaki have been trying to find out whether we have been experiencing midsummer or midwinter weather, but at last the problem is solved, or at least it 4s to -be hoped it is, for the last few days have been perfect. The continued bad weather caused' a lot of anxiety amongst the Ibeal farmers, .quite a number having had their hay down for a fortnight or over, while others again had to pull their stacks down and rebuild them. Although! the rain was by no means a help towards haymaking, >it has proved very beneficial to the root crops. The turnips, mangolds, etc., are all growing apace, and no doubt will be as good as have been grown here for a number of years.

The local schodl has reopened after the six weeks’ vacation. Several new pupils are how attending, while several of the senior ones have left.

Petty thieving is very prevalent in some parts nowadays, but one would hardly expect to find it in so small a place as this. During the recent school holidays some mean person or persons went so far as to strip the local school gardens of practically all the vegetables, and also pulled up and took away some very choice flowers that had been given to the school by visitors. It is very disappointing for the youngsters to be, treated in this way after having put in hours and hours of hard toil to, try and beautify the school Surroundings.

Many readers will rertiember the report of th.e local school concert some two months ago, and that it had been decided to repeat the performance. The children are at present practising and anticipate giving the concert on or about the 17th of this unonth. Thosfe who did not attend the previous concert should not miss this opportunity of enjoying a first fate entertainment.

Mr. Guppy, who has been suffering from Indifferent health for some time, is at present an inmate of the Stratford hospital.

Mr. Cooper has been confined to his room for several days, suffering from a poisoned hand, and is now well on the road to recovery.

Friend- of Mrs. Breen will be pleased to hear that she is now much improved in health after having spent several weeks in the Rotorua and Taupo disrricts. whither she was ordered by her unedical supervisor.

Miss Cartori returned last Tuesday evening after having spent a most enjoyable holiday in the Hastings, Rotorua and Taupo districts.

Miss Guppy returned home last week after abotit ten days at the North Egmont hostel. Miss Bella Guppy, sole teacter at Denbeigh Road school, spent the summer vacation at Hastings.

Mrs. Glenny and family (Wanganui), who has been spending a short holiday with her brother (Mr. Cooper), f eturned home last

Mr. and Mrs. G Hamilton (Bell Block) were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. V. Smith for the Hawera races.

Miss Blennerhassett, who was the guest of Mrs. Strack, has returned to her home at Mataimnta.

Mrs. I. inett (New Plymouth) has been spending the week-end with her sister, Mrs. T. Bell.

After spending a week in New Plymouth, Mrs, Vivian returned home on Saturday.

Mrs. E. A. Richmond returned recently from a trip to' England after having been away for about eight montbs.

Miss W. Richmond has now up duties on the staff of Dr. Gordon’s hospital.