DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TAHORA. (From, Our Own Correspondent.) Just after the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce party had completed their trip through the back country, the weather broke, and evei* since we have had wet and wintry weather, and the roads have been in a bad condition. It looked as if we were going to have an early winter, but the weather has cleared, and it is hoped we may have a good spell before the winter sets in. The people of this district appreciated very highly the visit of the Chamber of Commerce party, but some think it would have been better if they had seen the roads at their worst instead of at their best. By the combined efforts of town and country it is hoped something may be done to rmprove conditions in these parts. On Monday (April 3) the people of Tahora gathered in large numbers in the Tahora Public Works Hall to say farewell to Aites Hill, the local postmistress, who is leaving the district to take up a position in Stratford. By her efficient work and obliging manner Miss Hill won the gratitude and goodwill of the district. During the evening vocal items were contributed by Mesdames Craig and Carter, Miss Hill and Mr. Long, and recitations were given by Messrs. Hoddinott and Corbett. Music for the dance was provided by Messrs. F. Coxhead, J. Hoddinott, C. Carter, a.nd W. Jepson. On behalf of the residents Mr. W. Holley presented Miss Hill with a well-filled, purse, and in doing so he referred to the regret felt at the departure of Miss Hill, and conveyed to her the best wishes o-f the people for her future success. The Rev. John Craig, on behalf of Miss Hill, thanked the people for their liberal present and good wishes. ll<* was sure Miss Hill would always cherish happy memories of Tahora. At an interval in the programme supper was provided by the ladies. At a meeting of the Tahora Settlers’ Association held last Saturday night, Mr. Kennedy was appointed to represent the association on the Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Alorton, a local resident, has been appointed to fill the position in the post office rendered vacant by the departure of Miss Hill. MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) .A meeting of the Mokau Dairy Factory was held on March 27, Mr. W. D. Black in the chair. The further rise in butter has caused our suppliers to “smile a further smile,” and make Air. Balsom, our manager, cheerier than ever. Advance Mokau ! I hear that Miss Jeannie Stewart, of Mokau, has developed a great aptitude for “trick” photography, being able to portray the Ritter in four or five different positions on one plate. Besides which, some very decent “snaps” of the places surrounding have been taken by this really talented and popular young lady. Want to learn how to grow flowers and vegetables to perfection? Just go down to Mrs. F. Willtecroft, senr., and her garden will open your eyes. Mrs. Williscroft certainly knows, amongst other good things, how to grow flowers, and succulent vegetables. The building of the snagging punt for use on the Mokau is nearing completion by Mr. A. G. Sampson. The recent work of the Taranaki Chambex’ of Commerce anent the Awakino Valley Road has borne good fruit, for I understand that a much larger number of men are to be employed, and the work is to be pushed on with more vigor. It is really wonderful, considering the uncongenial weather and dearth of men and implements, the amount of work that has been got through by Mr. Fraser and his employees. Mr. Townley and his men are also doing good work on Aft. Alessenger, though the elements, too, have been against them. There is one very bad spot on the northern side which needs attention, and which is really a menace to travellers by either motor coach or horseback. For instance, one day last week the empty coach was being driven over, and got stuck in this selfsame bad spot, and it took 12 horses to pull it out, while the long handled “banjo” used by one of the men in endeavoring to dig the vehicle out was covered nearly the length of the handle, and, as one of our residents remarked, to yours truly the other day, “Oh! ye gods and little fishes —what a state of road this is.”

A representative meeting of settlers of our district was held in the Awakino Hall last week, the business being to form an association -for pushing forward the interests of the district. There was a good attendance, and a strong committee was formed, of which Mr. \V. D. Thomson was elected president and Mr. F. L. Northern secretary and representative on the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. This association is pledged to protect and further the best interests of our district, and i.s really the outcome of the visit of Taranaki’s Chamber of Commerce. Mokau-Awakino is not yet lighted by electricity, but it is to be so in the “near future.” We are not going to let matters drop, now we have got a move on. I am pleased to report that the little son of Air. and Mrs. Albert Sole, who is in New Plymouth hospital, as the result of an accident, still continues to improve, and will soon be able to return home. Mrs. Radford, of Mokau River, is out in Taranaki at present. Political and electoral matters are ; mostly the themes taken up by our ' literary and debating society here just I now. “To be or not to be” (a Masseyite) is the question.” Grass-seeding here has been delayed Iby the late constant rains, though these have been very beneficial to the pasturage for oux - stock, and there is promise of plenty of winter feed. Mr. W. T. Jennings, member for Waitomo, gave a very interesting address in the Awakino Hall last month. He has been “doing the round” of his electorate, finding out the wants of his constituency. Air. Jennings is a real live member. Mr. J. L. AlcDonald, our popular har-bor-master, has just returned from Wellington, where he had been to atjtend the funeral of Mrs. AlcDonald s father. We regret to hear that Airs. McDonald is not too well in health herself at present, and wish she will soon recover. I hear that Mr. T. Cummings, of Awakino, has made a “hit” with his patent for milking machines, which W’ill do away with the necessity for stripping hands. Captain Eric Lewis is still kept going with his trim little craft, The SefItoHj, caKryiDg creana jrom suppliers up

the Mokau, to our local dairy factory, also the mails. The' Awakino tennis players are as vigorous as ever, though football seems fair to “cut it out.” We are looking forward to some good matches agaixx this season. “Piri Piri” station, the homestead of Mr. R. Battley, is looking well, and some very fine stock are being turned off therefrom.