DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

RIVERLEA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Despite the general depression which, has recently been so pronounced in the dairying industry, those competent to judge are always capable of appreciating the real value of a good dairy cow when they see one. Just recently, Mr. W. Dew, one of our local pedigree Friesian breeders, disposed of two of his cows for the sum of 250 guineas. Mr. J. Stables, another breeder in this district, whose particular fancy is also the “Black and Whites,” has some very fine records against the names of some of his stock, according to the reports of The Farmer. Our premier Jersey breeder, Mr. K. Rothe, is also making marked progress with his herd, which is always an absolute picture to view. Another fact which makes this gentleman so popular is that at all times he has placed his entire herd of fine animals at the services of the school children, who use them for practical demonstration purposes. Mr. Rothe sparing no pains in explaining to his youthful hearers the valuable information he has gained during many years of practical experience. Last Thursday a very enjoyable dance was held as a fitting conclusion to our most successful sports. Though most of the younger people had spent a fairly long day at the sports and then had to attend to the milking when they returned home, this did not deter them from rolling up in full force for the evening. Mr. E. Wills, our popular M.C., had the first dance started at 8.15 p.m., and dancing, which is practically the only means of amusement in the country, continued till 1.30 ajn. During the supper interval the results of the pig and sheep guessing competitions were announced, the lucky ones being Messrs. J. Stables, B. L. Webby and A. Barton, who guessed the exact weight of the sheep (1201bs), while Mr. A. Shaw guessed the exact weight of the pig (1281bs). These gentlemen generously donated to the club the prize money, receiving the hearty thanks of the committee. The total proceeds from the dance were £l4 14s. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty, in their usual efficient manner, gave complete satisfaction in providing music for the dance, extras being played by Misses Hill, Humphries, Richards and Mrs. Walker.

Miss N. V. Collier, who has been relieving sole teacher at Awatuna, vacated that position last Friday. During her short stay she endeared herself to both pupils and parents alike, and Awatuna is indeed unfortunate in loosing such a capable teacher. Miss Collier has been, appointed sole teacher of the Hurford Road school, and she carries with her our best wishes, as she was a well known and highly popular personage at our local functions. Miss Muriel Gargan, of Auckland, who has been visiting her relatives here, has returned home. Mr. H. Johns, who has been laid up with an injured knee for the past ten weeks, has been ordered into the Hawera Hospital for treatment, and we all hope his stay in that institutio” will be short.

HURFORD ROAD.' (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very enjoyable farmers’ day was spent in Mr. Ansford’s property on March 15. The early part of the morning looked anything but favorable for picnicing, but cleared during the day, and after lunch it was quite hot. During the day various horse events were run, much to the amusement of the spectators, as well as quite a number of foot races for the children and older folk. Ladies’ stepping the chain was won by Mrs. Mac Hardy, and in the gents’ Mr. Joyce tied with Mr. Ansford, the former winning the final.. Quite a variety started in the animal race, calves, cats, a “monkey,” ducks, and a gander, which simply flew away from the rest and came in an easy winner. Mr. Bayly’s monkey kept the children in high glee for quite a time. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman of the Omata branch of the Farmers’ Union, the secretary (Mr. A. R. Bayly) expressed pleasure at seeing so many present under such unfavorable weather conditions, and hoped next year to have a permit for horse events prizes, as the races that day were for pure sport. Votes of thanks to the ladies for their valuable assistance in preparing lunch and afternoon tea, Mr. Ansford for the use of the grounds and general assistance he had rendered, were carried by acclamation. One and all agreed that it was the best day’s outing they had experienced for quite a time, and are eagerly looking forward to the next one. The monthly meeting of the Farmers’ Tin ion was held in the school on Monday, 27th, when various items of interest were discussed.

Mr. S. Vickers won the soft turnip competition, with Mr. R. D. Spence second. The judges (Messrs. A. J. Luxton and E. R. Bayly) considered it hardly fair, judging, as most of the crops had been partly fed off or eaten off, and thought it advisable to judge early in future. Entries are now being received for the swede competition, and, from all account, there are some fairly good crops this year. Messrs. Luxton and Bayly were appointed, judges for the swede competitions and accorded a vote of thanks for undertaking the soft turnip judging. Two very heavy hail storms were experienced last week, pieces of ice the size and shape of shelled wallnuts coming down and doing considerable damage to gardens and crops, maize particularly, quite a number of cobs being knocked off and the stalks badly battered, while turnip tops have a very dilapidated appearance. One settler had a window badly shattered. As a result of the wet weather ploughing for spring feed has been held up. It is to be hoped more favorable weather will be experienced for a little while now. Most of the low lying land is at present under water. There is a probability of the stone crusher paying a visit to the road in the near future for the purpose of crusing maintainance metal. The stones have been waiting for a considerable time now.

The rise in butter will be greatly appreciated by suppliers at the local factory, as this will practically double the returns to what was expected a few months back. Several offers have been made to the company, but up to the present no sale has taken place. The boisterous weather has had a very detrimental effect on the supply at the factory, and should the present weather continue much longer settlers will probably milk once a day sooner than they intended. Miss N. V. Collier has been, appointed teacher at the local school. Miss Collier was relieving teacher about eighteen months ago, and the children became very attached to her, and. are

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.}' In common with many other dairy factories in Taranaki Wai-toi-toi and North Taranaki have discontinued making cheese, and from the first of April butter only will be manufactured. The high prices ruling at Home for this commodity have been reflected in the Dominion by offers of Is 4Jd per lb for salted and Is 5d for unsalted, which is an advance of 2d on the amount quoted some two or three weeks ago. It is stated that a number of factories have accepted the former offer and although the price of cheese may show a corresponding increase (as is often the case when changes from the manufacture of one article to another are made) still those companies who have disposed of the April and May output will be in a position to know practically how they stand financially when the season closes, and be enabled to declare and pay out whatever bonus there may be on the year’s workings. Approximate balancesheets are at the best unsatisfactory, and in many cases the' amount paid out has to be partially refunded by suppliers out of the next year’s milk cheques—and this unenviable experience will be avoided by the cash disposal of the last two months’ output. After a spell of some three weeks squally weather, which has not been at all favorable for farming operations, we are now enjoying a fine spell, and if Mr. Wragge is to be believed this is likely to last for at least a fortnight. This will enable farmers who have not already sown their paddocks for spring feeding to proceed with the work. Though the days are fine the nights are decidedly cold, and frosts have been experienced in Uruti and other places. Despite the weather conditions, the milk supply is still holding up wonderfully well in this district, and the season will be a much longer one than last year, and will help to compensate for the reduced prices of produce.

As far as the Urenui Cricket Club is concerned, the season as regards the championship is now over, the New Plymouth Club having been unable to get a team to carry out their fixture with the former, and this practically entitles the country club to the leading position. It would have been better had the game been played, as there is always a certain amount of dissatisfaction about an unfinished round. However, Urenui has accomplished all that has been asked of them, and no doubt their supporters and opponents alike will join in congratulating them on having at last secured a winning bracket. Cricket has always been popular in Urenui for many years past, and one of the most pleasing features of the present season is the plucky manner in which the B grade team has -fulfilled its engagements in spite of the many reverses they sustained, broken only by one win. No doubt the experience they have gained this year will enable them to make a much better showing in future con-

tests, and. after all it is not always necessary to win to make the game enjoyable. Weazels have been most prevalent in this district during the past few months, and have taken a heavy toll amongst the poultry and ducks. One of these pests, after getting into a coop, which one would have thought could scarcely have been entered by a mouse, managed to get away with -some halfdozen prize pullets, and upon being disturbed by the owner, climbed a tree and started spitting defiance at the irate poultryman. In fact, after » while, the “varmit” came at the game again, and. only the contents of a rather badly aimed breech loader causi ed him to seek fresh quarters. There was again a large attendance at scrum practice by members of the Urenui Football Club on Tuesday evening, and some solid practice was indulged in, several of the players being most energetic in their tactics of getting the ball out. Two teams have been entered in the forthcoming Taranaki Rugby Union competitions—one in the first and one in the second junior grades; both being in the northern division. As there are seven clubs in the former and eight in the latter, there will be a fair number of matches to be played and good sport should be provided. The application of the club for consent to adopt green jerseys was approved by the Union, and all the necessary formalities have now been complied with. As club matches commerce on April 22, it will be necessary for both teams to geti in as much practice as possible before that date, in order that they may make a fair show against the older-established clubs. Those interested are again reminded that the opening social takes place on Thursday evening next, April 6, in the Urenui Hall. In common with other centres, keen disappoinment is felt here at the abandonment of the French tour in the Dominion, though hopes are still expressed that this may yet be brought about. Sergeant-Major Bell conducted the usual drill for senior cadets and territorials on Thursday and Friday last in Urenui. Those interested are reminded that a muster parade of all members of the non-effective list takes place at New Plymouth at 10 a.m. on April 10. This list comprises all male persons between the ages of 14 and 25, who are not training with a senior cadet or territorial unit, and leave of absence may be obtained provided written application is made to the nearest defence office on or before the date of muster parade. At the usual monthly meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen held in Urenui on Friday evening last, over which Troop-leader J. 8. O’Neill presided, an invitation was received from the troop in. Waitara to their annual dinner on Friday evening next. This function is always most successful, as Waitara comrades are always most hospitable, and recollections of a most pleasant evening spent at this event last year will no doubt cause many to avail themselves of the present oppor-

tunity of meeting comrades from all parts of Taranaki and having an enjoyable time as well. At a recent meeting of ratepayers held in the Uruti district, to discuss county matters, it is stated that a deputation was formed to interview the Council at its meeting on Friday next, the outcome of which will no doubt be looked forward to with interest by settlers in that portion of the riding.