DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI-ÜBENUL, (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Urenui Ladies’ Guild are holding their annual social and dance in the Urenui Ha on June 8, the proceeds to be devoted to the Anglican Church funds. A crowded house generally rewards the efforts of the ladies committee, who undertake the necessary arrangements, which include the providing of a liberal supper. The best available local talent are rendering assistance. Items by the children are also sure to prove an attraction, whilst an efficient orchestra will also be present. Added to this, there will be a number of singers from other centres, so that a most attractive programme should be presented. It is not only in church matters that the guild have accomplished good work, as they • have always been willing to assist in any worthy object, and during the recent war period the mfembers spent no inconsiderable amount of time in manufacturing useful articles for sa)es of wbrk, etc., in aid of the patriotic funds. No doubt their efforts on this occasion will meet wth success, and they be enabled to hand over a substantal sum to the object for which the. function Is being held. The returned soldiers in the Urenui district have decided upon Thursday, June 15, as the date for their annual ball. This function has now become a regular annual re-union of the boys and their frineds, and it is to be hoped will long continue so, as it affords an opportunity to those who have fought and suffered of meeting and spending a social evening. Those attending may rest assured of a hearty welcome. As it is expected there will be even a larger number than on previous occasions, . and owing to the inadequate supperroom accommodation in the hall, it is proposed to erect a large marquee at the rear of the building. The popularity of Urenui as a resort for dancing, etc., is rapidly growing, as the large number of visitors from both New Plymouth and Waitara testify, and it is absolutely certain that some steps to provide efficient accommodation will have to be taken in the near future. No doubh if a "public meeting were called, and the trustees of the hall conferred with on the matter, some scheme could be formulated to overcome the difficulty, whilst It is tolerably certain that any step in this direction would receive the financial support of residents in the district, who are always willing to contribute to any object for the advancement of the township. The usual monthly meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen was held in Urenui on Wednesday evening last, Troop Leader J. S. O’Neill presiding over a large attendance of members. Correspondence relating to the forthcoming encampment to be held on the New Plymouth racecourse, was read, comrades bing informed that they would have to notify their intention of attending before the 10th of June, as the camp will assemble on the 15th and disperse on the 20th. A number of those present signified their desire to be present, and no doubt Atl Awa will be well represented, recollections of the enjoyable few days spent there last June being a large inducement to again attend. Two new members were proposed, and arrangements for the first annual dinner, which takes place on Wednesday next, the 31st instant, were gone into. The matter is being taken up enthusiastically, a desire being expressed to give the large number of visiting comrades who are expected from other centres a real good time; and it is needless to say that all will be made as thoroughly welcome as were the Ati Awians at both the Paritutu and North Taranaki functions of this description, where true comradeship and loyalty to the good old flag were both shown and expressed. On Wednesdaj- and Thursday’ last, Mr. A. J. Glasson, of the Agricultural Department, and supervisor of the carrot and mangold growing competition which has been inaugurated by the Farmers’ Union for the Taranaki school children, accompanied by Mr. Syme, the agricultural instructor under the Taranaki Education Board, paid a visit to Urenui and Wai-tof-toi, to judge the plots of the candidates who have entered the competition. Besides inspecting the crops, Mr. Glasson delivered an interestinng address on these matters to the children, who no doubt will continue to take an Interest in this useful branch of agriculture, and strive to improve upon this season's results, which, it might be remarked, owing to the continued wet weather, have not been too favorable for this class of root crop. Nevertheless, in some cases splendid results have been achieved, and Mr. Glasson has expressed himself as highly pleased with the manner in which some of the candidates have carried out the work. Of course the main factor towards success in the successful growth of either carrots or mangolds is cultivation, and this point was stressed to the children by the supervisor. The area of the plots was one-fortieth of an acre (33 feet by 33 feet), and in the case of carrots the drills were 14 inches apart, and in mangolds 22 Inches. In addition to the general supervisor, local gentlemen were appointed to visit and Instruct the candidates, and this has been done from time to time. The boys and girls were also requested to keep a chart giving particulars of the crop grown, the treatment it has received, etc., this being looked upon is an important branch of the work. As the plots are judged, points are awarded for bestkept chart, cultivation, quality and weight, the maximum of points being, for chart, 40; for cultivation, 20 ; quality, 10 : while 2 points are awarded for every ton, one point for halfton, and half a point tor quarter-ton. As a full list of the results w’lll shortly be published it is scarcely necessary to go into the matter at present; suffice it to say that a splendid plot of Jersey Queen mangolds was shown by Miss Amy Phillips, of the Mimi, both Messrs. Glasson and Syme stating it to be one of the best they had ever seen. Considerable interest is being evinced iq the married versus single football match, which takes place on the recreation-ground on Saturday next, under the auspices of the Urenui Football Club, there being ho fixtures for that date, owing to the representative match against Wanganui. The odds are slightly in favor of the benedicts, as many as ten points being given in in some cases. Win or lose, they are sure to put up a good fight, and no doubt there will be a large attendance of the public to witness the contest.

WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) For many years this small corner of the globe has bene noted for the successful dances that have been held, but never has there been such a large crowd as favored the ladies at their return dance, which was held in the Social Hall on Friday evening last, there being over 60 couples on the floor besides a fair number of spectators. Not only was there a big crowd from the local and surrounding districts, there were also visitors from Hawera, Huiroa and Tarlki, all of whom voted the dance one of the best they had ever attended. Tiie duties of M.C.’s were ably carried out by two young ladies, namely, Misses Phillips and Chard, who did all in their power of the main items which went towards the success of the evening were the supper and the music. The former, which was supplied by the ladies, proves their efficiency at the oven; while the music, which was supplied by Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra was a treat to dancers. During the evening extras were supplied by Miss Hall (Midhirst), Miss Wells (Ilawera), and several local players. The members of the ladies’ dance committee wish to thank all those who helped to make the evening such a Before the hall was erected in this district, one of the chief items of amusement was to organise a surprise party and drop in for an evening at one of the neighbour’s, but since the advent of the hall, that has been out of the fashion. However, on Tuesday evening the custom was revived once more, when a party of about GO congregated and made a surprise call on Miss Strack, who is shortly to be marired and is afterwards going to reside in the TauniarunUi district. The evening took the form of a "gift” evening, many useful and dainty presents being given. During the proceedings Mr. W. Wellington, on behalf of the residents of Wharehuia, in a few well-chosen words; wished the guest of the evening every success and happiness in her new sphere in life. On Wednesday evening, the second of the series of euchre parties was held in the Social Hall, there being quite a good crowd present. Miss E. Bottin, who won 13 games out of 16, was successful in securing the ladies’ prize, while Mr. J. Wheller, Mr. A. Kovaleskl and Mr. Strack, senr., had to play off for the gent.'a prize. Ml - . Swank winning it. Mrs.

Wheller and Mr. V. Jones won the prizes for the least number .of games. After supper, the floor was cleared, and dancing kept going for a couple of hours.

Quite a pleasant afternoon was spent by a large and representative gathering of the ladies of the on Thursday, when a Plunket afternoon was held. The Stratford branch have been agitating for some time for some country meetings such as this, and I am glad ot be able to report that Wharehuia has the honor of being first on the list. At the invitation of Mrs. V. Smith, the president of the Stratford branch (Dr. Doris Gordon) agreed to address the local ladies, so Thursday was

“the day” amongst the womenfolk of the district. On the platform were Dr. Doris Gordon, Miss Hewitt (Plunket nurse), Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Cuthbert, Mrs. Kiera, and Mrs. V. Smith. Mrs. Smith welcomed the visiting ladies and introduced the speakers. Besides the aforementioned ladles there were also present, from Stratford, Mesdames Freeman-Jack-son, Abraham, Finch and Martin. Dr. Gordon spoke on the general aspect of the Plunket Society, and the many advantages to be derived from it, and urged all mothers to take the advice that can be gained for the asking. I Mrs. Cuthbert then spoke briefly on the financial point of the society and the need of more up-to-date Plunket rooms in Stratford, preferably in Broadway. At the close of the address Mrs. V. Smith, on behalf of the Wharehul ladies, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers and visitors who had helped to make the afternoon so pleasant and interesting. A dainty afternoon tea was served, after which the ladles departed for home. Prior to meeting the ladies at the hall, Dr. Gordon paid a short visit to the school and gave the children a short address on loyalty and cleanliness about the school grounds, which proved interesting to both teachers and scholars. OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) For a number of years it had been the Intention of the residents of Oakura to add a supper-room to their District Hall. The need for such an addition was discussed time and again, but only this year were steps taken to carry out the project. A householders’ meeting was conevened by the chairman, Mr. G. H. Bell, who always has the interests of the hall at heart, and the probable cost of the undertaking was explained to those present. As a result, within a very short time the work was commenced, and With the kind" assistance of a number of those living in the vicinity, who gave their labor gratis, not only has the supper-room been finished, but also a very comfortable ladies’ room and a committee-room have been added.

The inside finished, someone suggested that the exterior should be given a more respectable appearance. No sooner was the hint thrown out than a number of volunteers signed on, and from day to day worked like Trojans until they had given the whole building an entirely new “face.” Although some of the “painters” were novices, with the advice of those “in the know” they quickly learnt how to wield the brush, and the result is that today the building gives a stranger the impression of having been put up quite recently. Immediately all was ready, another meeting was called to make arrangements for the “house-warming." Everybody Toted for a ball, and accordingly a ball was held. The best available orchestra was engaged, and the hall was packed to overflowing. A first-class sitdown supper was put on by a number of ladies, who most successfully used every effort to satisfy the needs of the inner man. Everybody went away satisfied, and outsiders gave as their opinion that it was “the premier ball of the season.”

When a further meeting was held last Wednesday evening, to examine accounts, contrary to expectations it was found that they showed a credit balance. Part of the balance is made up of a donation kindly made by Captain Mace, who, although now unable to give active assistance, desired to continue doing his share in the district over whose interests he has always kept a fatherly eye. Fortnightly euchre parties are being held this winter, as usual. At the first of these, on la§t Thursday week, the new, cosy supperrooin was used Instead of the big hafl, and a bright fire' burning in the grate made the room very much like home. Everybody in Oaku a is looking forward to spending many a hapi y evening during the forthcoming winter. The school children are at present making a collection to place a wreath on the grave of their little mate, D’Arcy Penwarden, who left the district in the best of health only a few weeks ago, to reside in Hamilton. At school he was greatly loved by the teachers and children for his exceedingly bright manner, and his loss will be very much felt.

On Thursday, the remains of Mrs. Mace were laid to rest in Oakura. During her long residence tn the district she was highly esteemed by all who knew her.