DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNIHO AND WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very heavy storm passed over this district last week, and, judging by the rapid rising of the rivers and creeks, there must have been a cloud burst not very far away. The Puniho river was in flood and several flood gates, foot bridges, etc., were completely washed away. One settler had to cut his way through a ford before he was able to get his milk to the factory. The ford on the Puniho Road was also impassable, as in about two hours it rose three feet, and the ford, which in no*’mal times is about nine feet wide, was two chains wide, and large logs were washed on to the roadway. A bridge would be very welcome at this spot. Nine out of every ten motorists get stuck in the middle of it when she creek is high, and motor cyclists have to rely on an old tin bridge to cross, erected about three years ago by Mr. Morgan, the late factory manager at Brooklands. This bridge is very often surrounded by water, and the cyclists get their feet wet in crossing. Motorists would get through if they would only take the ford slowly instead of rushing through as they nearly always do.

The milk yield is on the down grade now, but the supply is still far ahead of last year. Only one supplier at the Brooklands factory is below last year’s weights. All the rest average between 200 and 300 lbs of milk more per day. Tests are also one or two points ahead of last year. A meeting of intending members of the bowling chib was held in the Warea Hall on Wednesday, Bth inst. About eighteen turned up. Many more would have done so, but through the meeting being arranged in a hurry the notices

did not arrive in time. Messrs. Chapman and Hopkins, of the Rahotu Bowling Club, were present, and addressed

the meeting, giving the local men a fair idea of how to go on. Officers were elected as follows: —President, Mr. Ray Julian; vice-president, Mjr. Chapman; committee; Messrs. Moffat, Bredin, Muir, i Fowles, and E. Johns; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Joe Fawcett. Mr. Ray Julian and Mr. Chapman were appointed to canvass the Warea district and Messrs. Moffat and Johns Puniho. The committee is subject to the approval of a full meeting of members to be called later on. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was parsed to Messrs. Chapman and Hopkins (Rahotu) for their assistance.. The club now boasts of a membership of nearly sixty, forty of these being in . the Warea district, and the rest in Puniho. It is intended to lay the green in the Warea Domain, the estimated cost being £ll2. This estimate is high, so as to give members a rough idea of the

cost. The green will be laid within the next six weeks, and it is proposed to get an expert to supervise the work. The Warea Domain Board have in

hand a very large programme for improving the Domain. This will be commenced as soon as funds are available, and the domain should be a very attractive spot in Warea when the improvements are carried out.

The harvesters’ dance, held recently in Okato, was rather poorly attended, owing no doubt, to the very rough weather, and as the committee had ordered a large amount of small goods, it was found necessary to hold another dance on the Saturday following. The attendance at the last dance was far better than the first. Everyone was well looked after, and all had a very enjoyable time. Mr. Pearson supplied the music both times.

Another of the popular little socials in aid of funds for the church was held in Puniho on Friday, 10th inst., and once again the fact was evident how badly the settlers in the. district are in need of a good hall. The school was crowded, and there was hardly enough room to turn round whilst the square dances were on. Mr. Pearson supplied the music; extras were played by Miss Muriel Pearson. The duties of M.C. were well carried out by Mr. Sax. Cooke. A first class supper, which was

in the hands of the Puniho ladies, was served during an interval, and it was well on towards morning before the dancers broke up. The Puniho dances, which have always held a good name for the introduction of all the latest dances, have gone one step further this time, and introduced a dance of their own. This is called the “Puniho Threestep.” The music for it has been composed by Mr. and Miss Pearson, and the dance is taking on very well, and will shortly be on the programmes throughout the coast.

The balance sheet of the Puniho Social Committee is to hand, and it 'shows a considerable credit on the year’s workings. This is a distinct credit to the committee, as when they started they had several large bills to meet. All of them have been paid off, and the committee have bought new lamps for the school, besides helping the school committee with funds. It has been decided to buy new forms for the school, and with the balance to buy new crockery ware. The social committee have now disbanded, and the social affairs will be carried out by the church committee. All funds will be devoted to the church. The settlers of this district are troubled a good bit with the noxious weeds from the native holdings. Noxious weeds are not very prevalent in this district, but at the same time if what few there are are not kept down they will soon become a nuisance. The weeds in the native holdings have pot been touched -for years, and they are beginning to get a good hold and spreading into the neighboring sections. It is a pity there is not some way or means of making the natives grub them out. The chief events for this week are the Warea gala, which will attract a large number, and the Okato Harvesters’ Ball on Friday. Mrs. Pearson, headmistress of Punihoschool is still absent on sick leave, but is expecting to be back at school in another fortnight. Miss Muriel Pearson is carrying on during Mrs. Pearson’s absence. Mr. Chas. Wills is still in town, but is progressing favorably. We all wish him a speedy recovery. Mr. Ashley (Okato), who was gored by a bull recently, is also doing well. Mrs. Ham (Wellington) has been on a short visit to Mrs. E, B. Cooke (Puniho).