DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MANGATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The new bridge recently opened over the Mangatoki stream is a very creditable ‘ piece of work. The footpath along the side is a great convenience and safe, especially to the school children. We would like to see one of the same at the town bridge, Eltham. It would be- a boon to pedestriano. The local factory is making butter just now. This has been a splendid season for the farmers, and from a climatic point of view, they should be wearing a broad smile again since the rise in butter fat. The sunshine during the last few days is very acceptable after the, dismal wet weeks that we had endured. On March 18 our tennis team journeyed to Rawhitiroa, and played a match with the 10..al players, eventually winning by o 5 to 56 games. On the following Saturday the Mangatoki-ites played Okaiawa and were again victorious. Pending the appointment of a permanent teacher, our school is at present in charge of Mr. Cumberworth, who for a number of years was head teacher at Mahoe. We are fortunate in getting him to fill the vacancy here. Mr. W. Lambie is now with his brother, Mr. R. Lambie, of Pihama, visiting relations in the South Island.

PUNIHO AND WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Advantage was taken of the few fine days at the latter end of last week to cart some of the firewood that has been lying in readiness for the last two or three months on the Puniho and Carrington Roaus. As a consequence the heavy lorry traffic cut the roads about very badly in places, especially on the Puniho Road, and although the council kept two men filling the holes up for two or three days, the lorries very soon pushed the metal out again. It was suggested that the council should limit the load of the lorries according to the wheel base. This idea would save the council a good deal in road repairs, as they carry at present some four to five cords of wood on a very small wheel base, and it is only natural that they must tear the road about.

The dance organised by the Newall Road School Committee recently was well attended. First-class music was supplied by Mr. Pearson, extras being given by Miss Pearson and Mrs. Fraser Jones. Mr. Ralph Cassie acted as M.C. The fortnightly dance held by the Warea hall committee on Friday, March 31, was again a huge success. The floor was in first-class order, and the music, supplied by Messrs. Parker (piano) and Norris (violin) left little to be desired. Mr. Gordon Wills again proved an efli cient M.C. Miss Pearson’ and Mr. J. Orbell supplied the extras. A dainty supper was served during an interval. A start has been made with putting down a bowling green in the Warea Domain. Sufficient money has been raised by the energetic canvassers (Messrs. R. Julian and E. Johns) to enable the committee to commence the work. The work of excavating has been left to Mr. Tom Julian, to be supervised by an expert from New Plymouth. Word has just been received that Miss Muriel A. Pearson (Puniho) has passed her final examination for Licentiate. In 19*20 she was successful in the following examinations:—lntermediate, Higher Rudiments (theory), Associate (practical) Trinity College, and Rudiments (theory), and Advanced Grade (practical), Royal College; in 1921, Licentiate (practical), Art of Teaching (theory), Trinity College. She gained the highest marks for the North Island in both practical examinations, Associate and. Licentiate. Congratulations to Miss Pearson, L.T.C.L., A.T.C.L. In connection with a children’s fancy dress ball, to be held later in the season, dancing classes are being held in the Hempton Hall, Okato, on Saturday afternoons by Miss Pearson and Miss Shieb. Classes are also being held in the Warea Hall, the teachers there being< Mrs. Barak and Miss M. Corbett, assisted by the young ladies of the district. The Okato Dairy Co. have finished

making cheese for the season, and have changed to butter-making.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The chief topic of conversation in this district at present is the sports. Messrs. B. Hickey and J. Sullivan have been appointed joint secretaries in place of Mr. N. V. »Taylor, who resigned the office recently. These young men, both of whom are returned soldiers, have entered into their work with a “never say die” spirit, and are evidently bent on keeping things in connection- with the sports on the move. Given a fine day, and under the spell of music discoursed by the Federal Band, an ideal day’s enjoyment will be provided. The nomination date has 'been extended to the 7th, and acceptances until the 10th, so as to give intending competitors a little more time. Visitors to the sports need have no qualms of conscience regarding their horses, as a paddock opposite the sports ground will be available for them, and also for vehicles of all kinds. The showery weather continues, and farmers who have not yet finished ploughing for spring feed find things decidedly against them. There is an abun- , dance of grass and rough feed is plentiful, so that stock should winter well. The continual showery weather is having a bad effect on the unmetalled roads, and settlers in the back country will be cut off as far as vehicular traffic is concerned before winter sets in if present weather conditions continue. The kumara crops, upon which the Maoris depend very largely for “kai” during the winter months, are reported to be very poor this season. Fortunnately for our Native friends, however, the potato crops have been heavy, which will make up to a great extent for the failure of the kumaras.

The supply of milk is getting very small, and only four or five vats are now in use at the factory. The Rahotu troop of mounted rifles I speak in highly eulogistic terms of StaffSergeant Shephard, under whose command they were, and one and all regret that, owing to the necessity for retrenchment, his services have been dispensed with. The staff-sergeant was personally popular, and his troop have lost an instructor who was keenly alive to their individual interests, as well as possessing the “ginger” necessary for turning out a good territorial troop. That the slump is still with us wua evidenced at a recent stock sale, when some weaner calves changed hands at five shillings per head. Poor Mr. Farmer! Three half crowns seemed to be the popular price for mixed weaners, but only a few changed owners, and most of the Vealers offering went back to their old homes.

It js reported that fares are being gradually reduced by the coastal taxi proprietors, and the competition is keen We are fortunate in having such a splendid motor service—very different to the “good old days” of the family coach ind four-in-hand. Housewives will be pleased to see that Messrs. Quiekenden Bros, have still farther reduced the price of the. Sunday joint, and “Paterfamilias” will be even more delighted than his better half. Service was conducted in two of the local churches on Sunday last, the Rev. Father Pentecost conducting the usual service of Mass at the Roman Catholic Church in the morning. The Rev. E. S. Harkness, of Opunake, preached in the Methodist Church in the afternoon. The usual monthly service of the Anglican Church will be conducted by the Rev. H. A. Coleman at- 11.15 a.m. on Easter Day. Coastal residents will have no cause to feel dull next week, for amusments warranted to chase dull care away will be here in plenty—Pungarehu on Wednesday, 12th; Okato on Easter Saturday; and Warea, on Easter Monday, each vieing with the other to give us a good time. Friends of Mrs. Raynor Will be gratified to hear that she is making good progress towards recovery. Owing to the illness of his son-in-law, Mr. W. R. Wright has gone to Mataanga. Mrs. Mason, who has been convalescing here, .and who was the guest of her sister. Mrs. McKenna, has returned to ‘New Plymouth.