DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Many bales of wool are still lying at the Mokau wharf for transit per Mahoe to Waitara. Some of this wool is being brought from a distance of about 26 or 27 miles up the river, the launches being able to easily navigate so far up during the present spring tides. A good deal,of rain fallen lately, which also tends to raise the height of the river.

Miss P. Murray, who has been temporarily filling the position of teacher at Mokau has left for Stratford. Her departure is regretted by both pupils and parents, to whom she has greatly endeared herself during her stay, and all wish her every success in her new sphere of action. Mr. Whittington has arrived here.

Mr. A. G. Sampson is doing excellent work in connection with the building of the snagging punt for use on the Mokau River. It seems a pity that the Awakino River is not navigable beyond the bridge, as there are some very picturesque spots on it, just aboiK Piripiri station (Mr. Battley’s property, about 3 miles from Awakino township.. Everyone is most speculative regarding the outcome of events attendant upon the visit of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce to our parts. As its members are of the progressive party, and possess wisdom and foresight, we are hoping great good will come of it. The engagement is announced of Miss Marie Avery, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. R. Avery, of Awakino, to Mr. Frank Belcher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Belcher, of Eltham. Miss Avery is one of oijr popular young girls, and we wish her and her future husband every happiness.

Mr. S. Vickers, of Taranaki, has been spending some days in Mokau, combining duty with pleasure. Mr. W. J. McKeown (Mokau River) has lately returned from a visit to Hawke’s Bay, and is looking much better for the trip. Mr. McKeown is one of our most progressive river settlers, and is now busily engaged in burning off and otherwise improving hia fine property. Arrangements are well in hand for the forthcoming Collie Club trials at Awakiso on March 9 a_nd 10. There are good entries, and given fine weather, good days’ sport may be expected, while the grand concert on the evening of the 9th and the ball on die 10th will be well worth attending, and are always very successful functions. The catering for the booth at the trials will be in the capable hands of Mrs. Galvin, and everyone here knows the “pasties and tasties” she is able to produce. , Mr. and Mrs. Bert. Condon (late of Awakino, but now of Te Kuiti), with their little son and daughter, have been visiting us, and we were greatly pleased to welcome them to Awakino again, if only for a while.

Mrs. McNeice has returned from Auckland. Mr. E. Paynter is visiting New Plymouth. The few orchards in our district are in fine order this year, especially that of Mr. J. McNeice, of Awakino. Miss Dorrie Whitehead is still away visiting friends in Taranaki. Tourists are still “passin’ through,” and all still delighted with Mokau-Awa-kino. There is a small cave on Mokau beach which is brilliantly lighted up by numbers of glowworms, and this is a pretty sight nd tourist should miss.

WAI-TOI-Tol- URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A well-attended meeting of the committee of the Uruti Beach Picnic Club was held ijj Urenui on Saturday evening last, Mr. S. J. Sutton occupying the chair. Gatekeepers to collect voluntary contributions at the two entrances to the beach were appointed, as well as other officials to act on the day of the races. The protest committee will be selected on the course. Various necessary improvements were discussed and arrangements made to carry them out, those present promising every assistance. It is proposed for this meeting to erect a number 'board at the judge’s box, so that the results of each race can be hoisted promptly. Other information as to /the various acceptors, with their allotted weights, will also be shown, so that patrons will be given the fullest information possible. It is stated that horses will be present frofh as far south as Hawera, and all the available stable accommodation has been booked in Urenui and Wai-toi-toi. The beach has presented quite an animated appearance during the past few days, trainers being busy exercising their horses, Whilst otherar'witlr ’slashers and shovels, have been straightening up the approaches to the course. Those intending to compete in the Maiden (the first race of the day) are reminded that it is desired to make a start-punctually at 11.30 in order to get the eight events carded off in good time.

Amongst the successful candidates at the school teachers’ examinations held at New Plymouth and Stratford in January last, was Miss Constance Musker, of Wai-toi-toi, assistant mistress at the Urenui school, who has obtained her Class D certificate.

The Taranaki Agricultural Show, which takes place at Waiwakaiho on Wednesday and Thursday, is almost certain to be well patronised by the farming community and other residents in this district, who always look forward to spending an enjoyable and instructive visit to thia popular fixture. essentially dairying district the exhibition of high-class milking cows and pedigree

bulls is a big attraction, whilst to the general the jumping and other horse events always prove interesting. The Awakino Collie Clu'b’s dog trials is another gathering which is generally well attended by enthusiasts from this locality, the 9th and 10th the dates fixed; whilst the ’ Ith, the Uruti Beach Picnic Club’s annual race meeting, is sure to draw visitors from the northern and southern ends of the district.

The exceedingly heavy rain on Thursday last caused the Mangamahoe stream to overflow the new temporary bridge which has recently been erected over it. It is satisfactory to be able to state that the structure stood the strain well, and no doubt will allow the extremely large amount of traffic which passes along this road to be carried on until satisfactory financial arrangements can be effected to enable a permanent high water level bridge to be built.

The Urenui A grade cricket team notched another win on Saturday last

” defeating Inglewood, after an exciting finish. As the completion of the round approaches, keen interest is being evinced as to the probable final result, it being stated that two or three teams are still in an equal position for the championship. A very pleasing feature About the played ou the Ure-

nui ground (and one which increases the popularity of the game) is the warm interest taken by the ladies, who show this in a very practical manner by providing most welcome afternoon tea, and the dub wish to place on record their appreciation of their thoughtfulness. The receipts of the recent Urenui sports gathering are reported to 'be somewhere in the vicinity of £l5O, whilst the approximate expenditure totals £l3O, leaving a credit balance of some £2O. This is considered most satisfactory, and will enable the club, with the apiount they already have in hand, to carry out the contemplated improvements to the recreation ground, the Domain Board having promised substantial assistance in this direction.

Owing to the road past Mr. Beauchamp’s property leading to the Wai-toi-toi beach being unfit for motor traffic, the Uruti Beach Picnic Club have decided to post up a notice at the junction of thia with the main road, advising motorists that the route for those attending the races on Saturday next will be through Mr. Zimmerman’s property, the entrance gate being adjacent to the Wai-toi-toi dairy factory. Miss McCarthy, recently of the G.P.0., New Plymouth, is now in charge of the Urenui post office. ' The late mietress (Mrs. Sullivan) is indisposed.

Jt is reported that Mr. S. J. Sutton has disposed of some 200 acres of his I Mimi property, including the homestead I of Mr..O’Hanlon, of Opunake, who will, during the coming season, milk some 70 cows thereon. Mr. Sutton intends holding a clearing sale of his pedigree and grade Jerseys somewhere about June, and will build another residence for his own occupation on ; the remaining por- • ion of the estate facing, the MimiMokau Road. Mr. Sutton, who is an energetic member of the Clifton County Council, and one of the directors of the Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company, has always done his best to forward the interests of the district, and, it might be mentioned, has been the means of introducing several good settlers to the Mimi and Wai-toi-toi.