DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU-AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent;) The annual meeting of the Mokau Harbor Board was held on May 11. There were present: Messrs. W. D. Black, A. Sole, S. Whitehead (in the chair), and J. Terrill. Mr. S. Whitehead was reelected chairman for the ensuing term. The balance sheet for 1921 was adopted. Figures dief. not show any improvement on. previous year; firstly, on account of the restricted buying power of farmers and of the community in general; secondly, on account of competition in traffic by motors during the summer. Several matters iri connection with the new snagging punt were dealt with, and several accounts were passed for payment. The monthly meeting of tie Mokau Coi operative Dairy Factory Co. was held on May 30, Mr. W. D. Black in the chair. The other directors present- -were: Messrs. A. G. Sampson, A. G. Mouatt, G. Sage, and C. Raven. The question of procuring and installinng a second cream-vat for next; season was referred to the manager (Mr. J. Balsom) and secretary (Mr. J. L. McDonald). The question of the ’ dairy pool was .discussed 1 ; . The directors thought that, considering the far-reaching . consequences’ of the scheme if carried into Effect, all shareholders and suppliers should have a voice in the matter. . Therefore, a general meeting is to be called for June .10.. The advisability of a tram-line from I factory to wharf, for the conveyance of I cream and butter, and a breakwater for !.protection of the company’s property from the action of flood-water, was discussed. The factory closed down for the season on May 24. The weather has turned suddenly cold, and we have had a few showers. Mr. W. Black, of Awakino, has returned from a visit to New Plymouth. Mr. J. Balsom, manager of the local butter factory, and Mrs. Balsom, -are visiting ’friends in Taranaki. A dance is shortly to be held in the Tawariki Hall (Mokau River).

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The ball in aid of the hall funds, held | on Wednesday evening, May 31, which i was organised by a committee with Mr. ■ W. T. Guild as secretary, was very poorly i attended, and it is feared the takings will ! hardly defray expenses. The music was I in the hands of Parker’s orchestra, and I the catering was done by Hughson’s. Per- ; haps the euchre parties which it is pro- ! posed to hold fortnightly will prove more i prosperous, as the older residents enjoy 1 this popular game. Mr. John Fleming, of Oanui, who passed . away in the New Plymouth Hospital on : Monday, May 29, was a highly-respected 1 bettier, and a member of one of the oldest established families on this coast. Three brothers and a sister, Messrs. M., R. and J. Fleming and Mrs. R. Gilhooly, reside in Pungarehu. Other members of. the family live at Rahotu, Kahui and Oanui, and to all who survive Kim the sympathy of coastal residents is extended. Mr. Fleming ’ suffered from an internal com- j ' plaint for some months previous to his i removal to the hospital, so that his end ' was .not altogether unexpected. The body was brought out to the Roman Catholic , Church, and the funeral cortege which left the church after solemn Requiem Mass had been held on Wednesday afternoon was one of the largest seen in this dis- , trie*. The Rev. Fathers Pentecost and i Doolagbty officiated at the graveside in i Okato, where the remains were laid to ! rest. The lady teachers of the local school | are to be commended for their efforts to j improve the school gardens, and a little i help by the school committee in seeing that fences and gates are in good repair and cattle-proof would be a great help. For the past month straying cattle have been a real nuisance. This being the off-season so far as milking is concerned, farmers are devoting their time to the more general work of the farm as well as putting fences in order and trimming hedges, etc. The weather seems to have settled at last, and outdoor work now proceeds apace. Much time has unavoidably been lost through the wet weather, and there is, consequently, a lot of work to be completed before the return of the milking season. The contractors (Messrs. Sandford and Jones) for building the curing-room at the Cape Egmont Co-op. Dairy Factory i are making good progress, and it is expected that, given fine weather, the building will not be long in course of erection. A special service was held at the. Roman Catholic Church on Ascension Day, and the usual Sunday service was well attended. The Rev. E. S. Harkness preached in the Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon.' The usual monthly service of the Anglican Church .will be conducted by the Rev. H. A. Coleman, at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday next (Trinity). The factory manager, Mr. U. T. Guild, left on Thursday-last- for Dunedinn, for his annual vacation. • June 3 (King’s Birthday) was spent very quietly in this district, the holiday being duly observed by the stores and post-office, the school having been granted Monday, in lieu of Saturday. A big tangi was held at Parihaka on Sunday and Monday last, an old native named Mason having died the Saturday evenihg previously. It was reported that a second death had occurred during the progress of the tangi, but this proved to be incorrect, or, as the natives so quaintly put it., “she came to life again.” Houses for soldier settlers are still in course of erection, and some are nearing completion, to the joy of those who have endured privations for many months.