DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Ma hoe steamed into Awakino last week, crossing the bar without any difficulty, and Captain Gibson and his crew are to be congratulated on their masterly handling of the little vessel, for the channel at Awakino heads is none too easy of navigation. She unloaded a large cargo of merchandise, etc., for the store and settlers around, returning to Waitara with a full cargo of wool. Mokau Butter Factory’s pay-out for January was B*Ad, being a slight advance on the month before (7%d), but it needs a greater advance still to clear our suppliers of their difficulties. These suppliers are keeping up the quantity of cream well so far, and in all likelihood the factory will run to the first week in April, perhaps, of May. Anyßuy, as prices for all farm produce seem to be on the rise things all round should soon wear a much brighter outlook.

The Awakino sheep and cattle fair (Newton King, Ltd.) was held on February 4 and was very successful. Entries both of sheep and cattle were good, and there was a very large attendance of buyers, as also of the general public. Nearly every pen changed hands, and at. much higher and more satisfactory prices than have ruled of late. Probably now that the price of stock Is, on the rise .our local butcher may find himkrilf slightly relieved from what has been the continued cry of some of our housewives: you must brlpg your meat down, she^ ? dnd bullocks are so cheap now 1”

Sympathy is extended to Mr. S. Whitehead, of Mokau, and family, on the death of his mother, Mrs. S. Whitehead, senr., who passed away at her residence, Tikorangi, on Wednesday last.

Mr. A. G. Sampson, with his son Cedric, has returned to Mokau from Taranaki.

We regret to hear that Mr. Welch, of Awakino, driver of the mail coach for Mr. Charlie Johnson, met with what might have proved a serious accident last week. He was inspecting a gasolene outfit in which there must have been a leakage somewhere. Mr. Welch struck a match, when a violent explosion took place, and he was thrown to the ground. Luckily, he received no worse injury than ‘a. severe shock. We all wish him a speedy recovery, for each and every passenger testifies to his ability as a driver, either of car or coach, and also to tis care and courtesy on the journey.

Miss P. Murray, relieving teacher, Is on duty at Mokau school, and making herself so popular that parents and pupils are wishing her stay with us might be a permanent one. Messrs. Henry Free and M. Broadfoot, both of Te Kuitl, have been spending a few days in Mokau. While here, they did a good deal of fishing, and are loud in their praise of our little seaside resort, and especially of the river trip, which really Is delightful at this time of the year.

Mrs. J. McNeice, of Awakino, and her daughter. Miss Eunice McNeice, are on a holiday visit to Auckland, and are having a good

Mr. W. J. McKeown, of Mokau River, is at present away visiting her other homestead in Hustings. He is accompanied by his son and daughter. . Arrangements are well in band for the forthcoming meeting of the Awakino Collie Club. Entriea should be good this year, as the prizes are valuable. As usual, a concert will be held on the first night of the trials (which occuvy two or three days), and a grand ball on the second night.

Mr. Archie Lamont, one of our returned boys, has entered into business in Wanganui, and is doing well.

We regret to have heard that Mr. R. McNair, who was a resident amongst us for some years, has bjeen an inmate of the New Plymouth hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Will Avery and family are happy on their pretty situated little farm on the Valley Road. Their younger son, Mr. Cedric Avery, is a very clever caricaturist, and should make a name for himself in u.-at line.

Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Attril (nee Miss Viv. Black) are expected to return shortly from the Horae country, where they have been spending a. long honeymoon. They have visited among many other places the Isle of Wight, with which they were highly delighted. Mr. A. G. Sampson is the successful tenderer for the snagging of the Mokau river, and will very shortly start operations. The downfall of the bridge between Uruti and Urenui has caused a daily delay in delivery of mails and carriage of passengers between here and Waitara. It is a mercy that some loss of life has not happened through the state of some of our bridges, most of which, we are thankful to see, are undergoing thorough repair at the capable hands uf Mr. Rogers and his imen. Mrs. W. Rogers, who has been visiting fclokau, returned to Waitara last week. Mrs. Cfcristofferson is still out under medical advice. WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI (From Our Own Correspondent.) There was a large assemblage from all parts of f he district In the Urenui Hall on Tuesday evening last, when a farewell social was tendered to Mrs. Sullivan, who has occupied the position of postmistress for the past three years, and has now been transferred to Hamilton East. During her sojourn here, Mrs. Sullivan has made herself extremely popular, and this was evidenced Dy the large number of her friends, who availed themselves of this opportunity of saying good-bye. Dancing was Indulged in for the greater part of the evening, the music being supplied by ■Miss Edwin in her customary satisfactory manner, the duties of M.C. being sustained by Mr. Jas. Robinson, who was most attentive to the requirements of the dancers. Extras were kindly contributed by Misses Moeiler and Edwin, and also by Mr. Breddo. During an interval between the dances, opportunity was taken by Mr. C. H. Halcombe, on behalf of those present, to present Mrs. Sullivan with a most handsome travelling rug, and in the course of a few suitable remarks alluded to the esteem in which that lady was held by residents in the district, who had always found her most willing to oblige them in every way In the discharge of her duties as postmistress; more especially was this. the case in the matter of allowing the use of the telephone in urgent cases, such as sickness or accident, after the usual hours. Mr. Halcombe also mentioned the warm interest that, had always been evinced by Mrs. Sullivan in social (matters In the township, and the ready manner in which she had rendered any assistance within her power. He trusted the small present they were giving heri would serve as a memento of the many friends sne would leave behind in Urenui, and wished her every happiness and prosperity in her new home.

Mr. J. S. O’Neill, on behalf of Mrs. Sullivan, suitably acknowledged Mr. Halcombe’s remarks, and expressed that lady’s appreciation of them, as well as the handsome gift with which they were accompanied, and stating that Mrs. Sullivan would value it highly and that it would remind her of the many happy days spent in Urenui, and the num • erous friends .she had made in the district. Mr. O’Neill also mentioned that Mrs. Sullivan greatly regretted leaving, and extended a warm invitation to any of her friends who happened to be in the vicinity of her new home to pay her a visit. After singing "For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” dancing was resumed, and a Very successful gathering brought to a close.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ellis, formerly of the Urenui Hotel, «nd at present paying a visit of this district, arc the guests of MT. C. Rumbal. During their sojourn here, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis made a large numoer of friends, both rendering valuable assistance in patriotic matters during the war period; whilst Mr. Ellis, who is a. first-class shot, took a very prominent. Interest in the affairs of the local rifle club. Several of our local punters did well at the first day’s racing of the Taranaki Jockey Club, Vespucci’s win in the Cup was anticipated by several, and, what is more, they backed their opinion on the machine, and had the pleasure of collecting. It is said that one or two Uruti sports, taking the tip from the recent slips in that locality, backed Landslide, but the omen proved fallacious, and they were obliged to seek a recovery in some of she later races of the day. The coining week will be quite a busy one in Urenui. On Thursday and Friday there will be drill for the senior cadets and mounted I rifles, under the command of Sergeant-Major i Bellwhilst on Saturday there will be held I the ’popular gathering of the Urenui Sports’ Club, which, judging from the preparations which are being made, should prove more successful than ever.