DISTRICT NEWS,

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS,

lowgarth. (From Our Own Corresj.)ondbnt.) The Finnerty Road school held its annual picnic on Thursday last, in Mr. J. O’Brien’s fine paddock. The weather, which has been very wet for the past month or go, held ©if fairly well, although two or three slight showers fell during the day, but not enough to dampen the spirits of the children, who were out for a right royal time. After partaking of a bountiful lunch, provided by the ladies, the committee then devoted its time to children’s races, and, needless to say, each race attracted good entries and the children were amply rewarded.

Later in the afternoon all the children were lined up to receive their annual 'prize. Mr. H. Thrush, chairman of the Committee, before presenting the prizes, thanked Mr. O’Brien for the use of his paddock, and asked the children to give him three hearty cheers, and these were heartily given. 'Each child then received a book, after which the chairman thanked the ladies for providing the refreshments, thereby assisting the committee.

Concluding, the chairman said he wished to say a word or two in connection with the teachers, Miss Rowntree and Miss Belcher, who had been such conscientiou|S and energetic workers, and would be hard to replace, and the children were very fond of them. Both teachers were then presented with a fountain pen in recognition of their services to the school. The teachers suitably responded, and the children gave three hearty cheers for their teachers.

I might mention that Bessie Robertson and Bertha Ogle each gained a special prize for attendance, and Ivy Burkitt a special prize for attendance and good conduct.

This, district, like all others, is feeling the effect of the recent disastrous land boom. Several farmers are having a hard struggle to carry on, while some have already made arrangements to march on. Some mortgagees are prepared to meet the unfortunate mortgagor, and some have already made considerable concessions, while unfortunately some are not prepared to make any allowance whatever, simply taking the farm back, with a deposit of one, two, or three thousand pounds, and turn the unfortunate and his family out to start life afresh. Fortunately the latter case is rare, but nevertheless it is happening.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The rain which accompanied the thunder and lightning on Thursday night of last week is said by a resident of the lower Parihaka Road to have been exceptionally heavy, and it is reported that a. house belonging to a native in the vicinity of Parihaka collapsed during the storm. Although rain fell in other parts of the district, it was not so heavy, and it is evident that the fury of the storm spent itself in this particular belt of country. The Waikato Natives who have been visiting Parihaka in connection with the annual Te Whiti festival, left on Saturday for Waitarp to spend a few days there before returning home.

Pungarehu was the scene of a “practice contest” 'between the Rahotu and Pungarehu football teams on Saturday last. The ground was rather soft with the recent rain, and this militated against good play. It was disappointing for the, local team that several men who had practised for the match failed to (put in an appearance, and others had to be substituted, and only twelve players were procured against Rahotu’s thirteen. The result was a '‘bad beating” for the local team, the scoring being: Rahotu 12 points, Pungarehu 3. Owing to adverse circumstances, the Cape Egmont Athletic Club’s annual meeting has been postponed from'' April 5 to April 12. Lovers of good sport who anticipate a day’s outing here can confidently look forward to the sports as ’being *‘the event” of the year. The club is bent on making this year’s meeting especially attractive, and the refreshment booth is in the hands of a number of capable ladies who will attend to the. wants of the “inner man.”

There is an old gravel pit in the school horse paddock which is rather a trap for the children’s ponies, and a pony belonging to a son of Mr. M. Barrett fell over the pit and broke a leg one day last week, and had to -be shot. That something should be done go&s without saying, ’before someone else loses a pony. There is a rather acute shortage of flour in. this district at present, and we seem likely to be having “breadless” days in the near future. One -baker was unable to supply us with bread one day recently, and it is rumored that the other has only a very limited supply of flour. What we shall substitute for our “daily bread” is a puzzle, and we hope a supply of flour will soon be ingThe Rev. C. Aker, who is ’being transferred to a circuit in the Northern Wairoa, has very faithfully ministered to the needs of members of the local Methodist Church, and his work amongst us has been much appreciated. Mr. Aker will carry with him the best wishes of the church members here, who wish him long-continued service in his chosen sphere and every success in his future circuit. Mrs. Joseph, of New Plymouth, is the guest of Mrs. H. C. Clarke. Rahotu. Mrs. Wells and Miss MacFarlane, of Hamilton, are holidaying in Rahotu, and were the guests of honor at a musical evening, at which Mrs. H. C. Clarke was hostess. Friends of Mrs. Hecker will regret to hear that she is indisposed, and has to undergo a slight operation. Mrs. W. R. Wright continues to improve, and is expected to be home from the hospital shortly.