DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Frontiersmen are reminded that the monthly . meeting of the Ati Awa troop takes place on Friday evening next in the Urenui library. The election of officers for the ensuing twelve months, which should have taken place at the last meeting, but was postponed owing to the rather limited attendance, will take place, and no doubt, now that harvesting is practically completed, there will be a good muster of ■members. Ragwort is now in full bloom, and although most farmers make periodical attempts to check its spreading propensities It seems a most difficult matter to eradicate it from the district, and every season Lt seems to obtain a greater hold. The Urenui Sports Club are to be congratulated upon the success of their annual gathering held on Saturday last, and the large crowd which assembled on the recreation ground had every reason to feel satisfied with the sport provided for their amusement. The liberal prize money which was offered, met with a most excellent response in the matter of entries, and as the gate money amounted to some £5O, these receipts, together with other sources of revenue, should enable the club to further add to the substantial credit balance which they have on hand; and proves the wisdoen of th« nrogressivo policy that has been adopted. As th© result of the various events have already been fully reported, further cocnment is unnecessary, except, perhaps, to remark that th© officials are to be complimented upon the prompt manner in which the programme was gone through, the extra work entailed by the large entries in the matter of having as many as three heats in some of the events being coped with unost successfully. No doubt the annual ball, which is to take place in the Urenui Hail on Thursday evening next, will be equally as successful as its predecessors. Tte committee are sparing no pains to ensure that this will be so, both in the matter of supper and music, an efficient orchestra having been engaged for the occasion.

The Taranaki Metropplitan Agricultural Society’s annual show, which takes place on March 8 and 9, at. their up-to-date grounds at Waiyvakaihd, is now being looked forward to with interest,- more especially by tte farming community in tills district, and as the very busy portion of the season will by that time have slackened off to soune extent, there will be very few that will not spend at least one day at this popular fixture, more especially as every year sees a wonderful increase both in the matter of entries and the quality of animals competing. The determined stand taken by the society against the imposition of the amusement (?) tax is only what was to be expected, and Mr. R. H. Pigott’s contention that rather than impose a levy the Government should provide a subsidy, is quite justifiable, as were agricultural shows of this description discontinued it would be a serious loss to the farming interests of the community.

The visit of the members! of the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce to the hinterland of Nortlr Taranaki is certain to be productive of much good to the settlers In the backblpeks, and that they require all the assistance that can be rendered them is undeniable. If the party could have timed their return to town on the 11th so as to have spent an hour or so on the Wai-toi-toi beact (which is only five minutes run by ear off the main road) when the annual race meeting and picnic will be in progress, it would have given a number of settlers from Uruti, Okoke and Pukearuhe an opportunity of meeting them, and no doubt many matters of importance could have been discussed. There was a good muster of senior cadets and mounted troopers at the fortnightly drill on Thursday and Friday last, when SergeantMajor Bell wa present from New Plymouth. It is stated that owing to the retrenchment policy which is being now carried oiit by the Department it is probable that drill in some of the country districts will be discontinued, and operations confined chiefly td. the larger centres. Whether Urenui will be included amongst the number is a matter of conjecture. MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There is still a great Influx if tourists, some staying a night ot two on their way to Waitomr», Hamilton, Rotorua, or Auckland. Others remaining a week, 10 days, or a fortnight, passing, or making the beautiful river trip and botanizing, etc. They all express themselves as being delighted with the place, and assuring us that if only the metalling of the road between Uruti and here, and the bridging of the Mokau River were completed, the toufist traffic alone would be enormous. Snagging operations are now in progress on the Mokau River, and once they . are successfully flnisi?ed, we are hoping to see the coal mines opened up, and probably that great electrical power scheme carried through, a scheme which, as we have before opinlone,d, would “make,” not only our little town, but the whole district to New Plymouth. Messrs. Radford and McKenzie's homestead on the Mokau River is looking particularly well just now, and they are to be congratulated on the improvements they are making, as are also Messrs. Cfcas. Raven, and Claude Stevens, on their different farms. Mr. Stevens’ ,new house Is a compact, convenient, and roomy dwelling of 5 rooms, and js very prettily situated on a rise, close to the river. A very pleasant picnic was held by several of the Awaklno residents a few weeks ago. A happy party jou >eyed from Awaklno to Mokau by horse, gig, or motor, took the launch for soune miles up the river, landed in a most glorious spot for picnickers, boiled the billy, lunched, fern-gathered, and otherwise spent a most delightful afternoon. They reached Awaklno again about 7 p.m. Miss Therkleson, temporary teacher, seems to be as popular among the parents and pupils as is Miss P. Murray, at Mokau. Why not then, with the young ladies’ consent, make the “temporary” “permanent”? Messrs. Ordish, senr., and J. Terrill have returned from Taranaki. Mrs. Al. Carter, with her little son and daughter, have returned from! their trip to the Walrarapa and Wanganui. Mr. Carter’s fine racehorse “Dramatist” is loking very fit, as are also Mr. Geo. McMillan’s “Key," and Mr. F. Wolfe’s “Karirl." We also notice Mr. Jimmy Rangl's “Te Kawau” is in good “going order.” Mrs. Galvin has returned from New Plymputh. Mr. Len Jones, of Valley Road, Awakino, has his fine herd of milkers In tip-top condition, as no doubt his milk cheques testify. Mr. Jones is a large supplier to the Awakino cheese factory, which still continues to turn out some “topnotch” quality cheese, under the management of Mr. N. Pepperell. Soune of our residents were rather expecting that Mr. Jennings, M.P. for Waitomo, would visit us, and let us hjear his experiences during his recent trip to foreign lands. We are rather disappointed that he has not treated us to one of his interesting "travellogues," such as he delighted his Waitara friends with. We notice that the Manganul Road from Awakino to the Waikawau Is quite easy of navigation now, being practically all metalled for a distance of over 26 miles, so that a motor car has no difficulty In travelling on that route, which Is a most glorious drive for anyone who loves the grandeur of bush scenery. Tills part of tte district is great for “wild pig" hunters, and many is the Maori, or pakeha, to be seen riding along after a day’s hunt with 3 or 4 succulent porkers in front of | him. A good pig-tunting dog la of great j value in these parts. Miss Rita and Miss Dorrie Whitehead are visiting friends in Taranaki. ' A very fine flock of black swan were notlce- • able about 10 miles up the Mokau River this I week.