DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TATARAIMAKA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The school picnic was held on Friday in ideal weather in the beautiful grounds surrounding Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s residence, which, with their usual generosity, they had kindly lent for the occasion. The chairman (Mr. Gatenby) and his committee had everything arranged in first-class order. A programme of running events, etc., for the children and adults was got off without a hitch, and everything went with a swing from start to finish. A bounteous luncheon and afternoon tea was provided, and presided over by the ladies. Our member, Mr. Smith, with Mrs. Smith, were present by invitation, also Rev. Mr. Coleman. Both gentlemen addressed the gathering and thanked the chairman and committee for their hospitality. A social was held in the evening and was a great success. Mr. Pearson supplied excellent music, and Mr. Rex. Honeyfield made a capable M.C. Our local head teacher, Mrs. Moss, who is much loved and respected by children and parents alike, is retiring on superannuation at the end of the month.

One of our most up-to-date farmers, Mr. Owen Penwarden, has just completed a silo. It is concrete cylinder built in the ground, forty feet deep, and eighteen feet in diameter. He is now making silage from maize. Easter. Monday promises to be a gala day here, as everyone is looking forward to the sports meeting and sale of work in aid of our local Church of England building, which badly needs painting and renovating.

RATAPIKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) It is about time something was said about this part of the world. Although not very large it is fairly important. Very important works are now carried on in this part of Inglewood county. Mr. E. Grigg is in charge of two large gangs of men, one gang forming and grading the Mana Road from the present metal on to Taitama soldiers’ settlement. When the road is graded and metalled it will be a great boon to the settlers as they have had a great struggle right through last winter and wet spring in getting their cream out to the factory. The other gang of men are engaged on the lower end of Ratapiko Road.* The road is now in splendid order, as it has been well formed and graded, and not likely to. give much trouble in future, it being almost ready to receive the long promised coat of metal. A splendid, deposit of shell rock has been discovered on Mr. J. Hair’s .property about sixty chains from Ratapiko Road, and men are busy forming roads to the place. Several thousand yards of this rock will be needed on Mana and Ratapiko roads. The Inglewood County’s plant is now established in the Manganui. metal pit, and crushing for the Kaimata road I south, a portion of which has already been done. Hay cropping is all finished now, although the farmers have been very late this season. There are to be seen some splendid crops) of swedes this season. The soldiers are pegging along and all seem to have their farms well stocked with winter feed for the cows, in spite of a very poor pay-out at the factory. One farmer here has nearly one hundred acres of turnips this year, all looking well so it is all work, work, work, wherever you go. Ratapiko is one of the fortunate settlements as regards their mail service. Many, larger districts have only a three days’ per week service while we have a daily service, Mr. Jacobson, the mail contractor, having signed op for a three years’ term. Everything should be smooth sailing. The service has also been extended to Taitama soldier settlement. . Stock straying on the roads is rather a nuisance in this district, and should not be encouraged. . Our local school held their annual picnic at Ngaere Gardens this year, and it was a great success. The children and their parents w’ere conveyed to Ngaere in two large motor waggons. Our Sports and Pastimes Club are beoinniug to stir themselves in readiness for their great sports meeting on Easter Monday. We are looking forward to two great events this year, viz., the householder s meeting and general elections which always causes some excitement. The milk supply at the local creamery is keeping up remarkably well this season, no doubt owing to the great quantity of grass and good crops ot hardy green globes which abound m this district this autumn. Ratapiko has never looked so well. New buildings have sprung up around hefe like mushrooms. There are two or three more houses in course of erection on Mana Road. It only requires a public hall, church, store, pub. etc., to make us believe we are living in a city.