DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-Tol- URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) As showing the marked difference between the yield of milk for the month of March in 1921 and the corresponding period in 1922, the following figures in connection with the local dairy factory may prove somewhat interesting. In 1921 the amount of milk received was 296,584 lbs, from which 428 cheese and 9301bs of whey butter were manufactured, the average test being 4.53; 7281'bs of cream butter also being made. In March, 1922, the figures read: 495.9701'bs of milk, 702 cheese, 19051bs of whey butter, with an average test of 4.51. On March 31 last year 10' cheese were manufactured, whilst on that this year the number was exactly double. Bqtter is now being made only, and the amount turned out is between thirteen and fourteen boxes, whilst the grade notes are most satisfactory.

During the past week or so ploughing operations have been going on extensively and it would seem as if a fair area would be sown for spring feed. Amongst the various kinds of fodders grown this autumn to keep up the milk supply, such as kale, millet, soft turnips, etc., one that has given highly satisfactory results is a mixture of maize and. soft turnip, whilst ensilage will also be used later on. There has been a record amount of the latter made this season, operations being carried on in this respect till quite recently. When the risk of securing a good crop of swedes or mangolds is taken into consideration, it it a matter of no surprise that farmers are favoring such a sure method of providing for their winter and spring requirements by making a good stack or two of ensilage.

The Urenui Cricket Club again proved that they were fairly entitled to the championship honors when they defeated Western Park in a very enjoyable friendly match played on the recreation ground in Urenui recently. In the early days of cup cricket the late Stewart McGuiness (who was always a warm supporter of the club and some eighteen years ago mine host of the Urenui Hotel) offered to entertain the team if they succeeded in bringing home the cup. Unfortunately he is amongst the many good “sports” who have “gone west,” but no doubt the club will celebrate the winning of the trophy in a fitting manner later on.

The football season was formally opened in Urenui on Saturday last, when the local club’s first fifteen met the Clifton first juniors in a pleasant friendly game. Although the visitors defeated their opponents by 11 points to 6, the lat. ter made a most creditable showing, considering it was their first game, and several experienced judges expressed the opinion that, with more combination and experience, they should develop into a strong team. For the winners, tries were secured by Beckbeseinger and W. Skelton (two), Young converting one of the tries by placing a neat goal. Lane and Wright ’ each scored for the home team. Mr. L. Andrews was a most impartial referee. That the players are taking the game up seriously is proved by the good number which attend the practices, which are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings, as, besides scrum work, a good long run is indulged in. The club captain (Mr. V. Tate), who is an old player in the Clifto% colors, is sparing no pains to get his team into form, and was well satisfied with their showing on Saturday last. The clpb intend to hold another social on Thursday evening next, in the Urenui hall. Mounted drill was held for the Mounted Rifles on Thursday, whilst the Senior Cadets also received their instruction at the hands of Sergeant-Major Bell. An event which is being looked forward to with considerable interest (especially amongst the ladies) is the annual ball of the Urenui Beach Clu*b, which take® place in the Urenui Hal] on May 9. The cup, which was won at the recent meeting by Mr. J. Baker’s Takagnui, will be presented during the evening, whilst another very interesting pre. sentation will also be made.

The local schools closed for the Easter vacation on Thursday last. Householders are also reminded that the annual elections of school committees take place on the 24th inst. Mushrooms are conspicuous by their absence in any quantity this season. Last year there was a plentiful supply of this much appreciated delicacy. There is a great revival of billiard playing in Urenui. and it is stated that there will shortly be three tables in commission.

PUNIHO AND WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) One of the most brilliant functions held on the coast this year took place in the Hemp ton Hall, Okato, on Friday last, the event being a fancy dress ball held by the Okato hall committee in aid of a new platform for the hall. The hall was very prettily decorated with nikau ferns and numerous small brown flags. There were over one hundred couples on the flopr, and the M.’sC., Messrs. Roberts and Smith, are to be complimented upon the splendid manner in which they handled the crowd. Good music was supplied by Messrs. Pearson (piano) and Norris (violin). were played by Misses Pearson, Julian and Iloneyfield. The floor was in good order, and the sit-down supper, which was in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke, added a great deal to the enjoyment of the evening.

There were many in fancy dress, and the dre&ses dated from the early Victorian period to the very latest in ladies’ dresses, and, strange to say, the latest style in ladies’ dresses was worn by a gentleman. The dresses were far too many to describe, but one should mention the dresses worn by Messrs. E. B. and S. Cooke and Misses S. Biggin and McKeague, who were attired as “The Follies,” Mrs. Garey as the “Snow Queen,” Miss Schieb as “Roseland,” and the four prize-winners. The judging of the dresses was by public voting, and their choice fell as follows: —Ladies, _Miss Paterson (Tataraimaka), “Indian Chief,” and Mrs. J. Shaw (Okato). “Old English Lady.” The winners of the gent’s prizes were Mr. Brennan (Punilio), “Mexican,” and Mr. Jenkins (Okato), “Chu'Chin Chow.”

Branches of the Girls’ Friendly Society are being formed throughout the Okato parochial district on this coast. The meetings are Being arranged so as to suit the convenience of the young ladies who have to milk. The organiser, Mrs. Coleman (Okato), informs me that there is already quite a large roll number. The Okato Anglican parochial district is the first and only back country district that can boast of its own parish maagzine. We have to congratulate the editor, the Rev. H. A. Coleman (vicar of Okato), upon the success of this new enterprise. It fills a long-felt want in the district, and we wish it every suc;cess. | The engagements are announced of Mr. A. V. (Puaibo) to Miss May,

second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Elwin; and Mr. J. McEldowney (Puniho) to Miss Doris, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. El win, also of Puniho. Good progress is being made with the laying down of the bowling green at Warea. The contractor hopes to be able to sow the grasses in a day or two. The i Warea Domain Board intends, if sufficient funds are available, to put down an asphalt tennis court for the benefit of the younger members of the bowling club. The cattle sales on this coast are still very depressing, the prices being still ridiculously low. The farmers are hoping for a mild winter, so that they may carry as much stock as possible rather than sell, or at. least give it away.