DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

MOKAU—AWAKINO. • i r' V (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wool from our homesteads is etill being shipped, by the trim-built little Mahoe, and. Mr, Charlie Johnston’s motor lorries are also to be seen daily loaded up with the “golden fleece.” Now that the price of wool seems to be in the ascendant, our sheepfarmers are once more wreathed in smiles. Let us hope that this miserable slump will soon be a thing of the past, blotted out from the minds of men. The Mokau Harbor Board met on February 16. Present: Messrs. J. R. Terrill, A. -Sole, A. G. Sampson and S. Whitehead (in the chair), hfr. A. G. Sampson handed in bis resignation in order to comply with a regulation forbidding any member of the board from tendering for any of the board’s work. Mr. Sampson is to build the snagging punt for use on the Mokau River. Mr. Sampson’s resignation was accepted with regret, and it was resolved that he be granted the use of any gear that might be necessary for building the punt. It was also resolved that Captain Bysanteon’s requirements at the pilot-sta-tion be attended to.

A fine lot of 75 fat bullocks passed through Mokau last week on their way to the Taranaki Farmers’ freezing works, also a splendid lot of prime fat wethers, bound for the same “place of doom.” These were from Mr. Newton King’s station at Nukuhakere.

Arrangements are well in hand for the Awakino Collie CSub’s annual trials at Awakino, to be held on March 9 and 10. The enrgetie hon. secretaries (Messrs. G. MacMillan and F. Northern) are very busy, and we wish them all the success due to their efforts. We remind our residents and visitor® that a grand concert is to be held on the ’first evening, and a grand ball on the second.

The Tennis Club at Awakino is still well patronised. Our beautiful Mokau River was alive with happy picnickers on Sunday last, when Mr. George Gibson, of New Plymouth, piloted a very successful motor trip through. They left New Plymouth about 6.30 a.m., reaching Mokau in good time, where they transhipped from the punt to good Old Captain Victor’s launches, and after steaming up-river several miles they landed at what we dare to say is one of the most beautiful spots on earth, for picnickers. There they “boiled the billy,” lunched, ferngathered and otherwise “al frescoed” until time for the return journey, which they made in good time, arriving safely back in New Plymouth, tired, ’tis true, but loud in their praise of the day’s enjoyment. Our roads are improving, and Mount Messenger is fast becoming once more “a thing of beauty.” Mr. Townley keep-s his energetic men well to the wheel, and being a first-rate boss, basnet much difficiil’y either in doing so. He i-' to be congratulated on the way in which the metalling of the southern side o* the hill has been carried out, and now the same energy and good work is to be sean going on on the other oide. Work on the Valley Road (Awakino) is also “speeding on apace,” and soon the navigation of poor old Taumatamaire will be like a long-forgotten dream. Mr. E. Paynter is visiting New Plymouth, and ’is the guest of his father and mother. Mrs. E. Paynter has lately returned from the South Island, looking particularly well and fit after her trip. Mr. and Mrs. McNeill have returned from Auckland.

A lot of our folk have just returned from the different race meetings, some wearing the sunny smile of the “totewinner”; others also have become wiser if sadder men. WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual school concert proved to be such a success this year that the committee, who were short of funds, decided to put the performance on again. It is about the first time in the history of the Stanley school that the same concert has been given a second time. A crowded house greeted the young performers, who went through their pieces in better style and with more confidence than at the previous performance in December. After the concert a dainty supper was handed round, the management .being in the hands of a strong ladies’ committee. The floor was cleared and dancing kept going until about 1 a.m., the music being supplied by local players. On Thursday night last a meeting of the young meh of the district was held in the local hall, when it was decided to hold a bachelors’ ball on Friday next. I The hall board are holding a meeting on Wednesday evening, when it is hoped tc arrange a scheme, to run entertainments fortnightly, the proceeds of which’ are to go towards the hall funds. The papers at present all contain programmes or reports of sports meetings, school picnics, etc., but in vain do readers look for the Stanley school picnic.: Of course they are not aware that it is yet too early to hold the picnic, as topcoats and umbrellas are not needed yet. Wake up. Stanley, and have “the day” before the icicles collect, on the bushes’ Miss Strack (Hawera), who is a medical,student at the Dunedin I'niversity, spent a few days of last week in this district as the guest of her aunt, Mrs. L. Strack. Mrs. Breen returned home on Friday after spending several weeks in the Rotorua and Taupo districts.