DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—UKEXUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The week’s training of the members of the “C” Squadron, 2nd Queen Alexandra’s, W.W.C., M.R., in this district, has concluded. Good work has been accomplished by trainees, and a very interesting demonstration of the capabilities of the Lewis machine gun was given by Sergeant-Ma-jor Stevens, who accompanied SergeantMajor Bell. The senior cadets will undergo their course of training from July 9 until the 17th, assembling at 9 a.m. each day and dispersing at 4 p.m. Despite the rather Tough weather there was a good attendance at the usual fortnightly euchre party and dance, held in the Pukearuhe schoolroom on Friday evening last. After some interesting play, Mrs. J. Lambert secured the pair of towels which constituted the ladies’ prize, Mrs. Dodunski capturing the “booby.” Amongst the gentlemen. Mr a W. Walker was first, winning two pairs of socks and half a dozen handkerchiefs, the • booby prize being secured by Mr. H. Martin. A very enjoyable dance was held afterwards, the music, as supplied by Messrs. Geo. Martin and W. Walker, and Miss Hazel Wells, giving every satisfaction, whilst Mr. V. Wells efficiently discharged the duties of M.C. A liberal supper was also handed round and greatly appreciated. "Tlie schoolroom at Pukearuhe on Saturday evening last was the scene of a most successful farewell gathering tendered to Mr. N. Stewart, who has for the past eighteen months acted as driver of Mr. A. Smtih s motor’ bus. which carries out the Pukearuhe —Urenui run. During his sojourn in this district Mr. Stewart has made himself extremely popular, being most courteous aaid obliging in the discharge of his duties, as well as taking.an active interest in social matters connected with the settlement. This was evidenced by the large number of friends who assembled to wish him good-bye, two car loads of visitors being present from Urenui and Wai-toi-toi. A most substantial and enjoyable spread was laid out, and the chair was occupied' by Mr. S- Moody, who referred most feelingly to the esteem in which Mr. Stewart was held by residents and other friends, and to the very general regret that would be felt at his departure. A number of toasts were proposed and honored; and during the evening several songs and Maori hakas were given, Mr. Rikiana playing the accompaniments. Mrs. Hobbs, who has been under medical care for some weeks past at the New Plymouth Hospital, has now sufficiently recovered to be able to return home again to Pukearuhe. Residents are reminded that the public meeting to confer with the trustees of the Urenui Hall will be- held on Monday evening next, 10th inst., its object being to ascertain if some steps cannot be taken to effect some most necessary additions as regards supper room accommodation, ete. It is now some seventeen years since the building was enlarged to suit the growing requirements -of the district, and since that period the various centres around Urenui have gradually become more closely settled, whilst visitors from New Plymouth and Wai" tara to any special' function are becoming more numerous every year, so that for some considerable time past it has been recognised that something will have sooner or later to be done in the matter of altering the present building. When the matter was discussed some twelve or. eighteen months ago (although the necessity was fully admitted) the cost of building material was nlmost prohibitive, and it was decided to defer talcing any steps until prices became somewhat more normal. Since that time a considerable reduction has taken place in the price of timber and iron, and it is thought that proviaing the necessary finance can. be arranged the. matter should be again considered, and that although we have been and are passing through a period of depression there is every reason to believe the prospects for the future are much brighter, and that by a united effort on the part of all interested the difficulty may be overcome and a much-needed want to both the township and surrounding district supplied. A meeting of the Mimi school committee was held on Tuesday evening last, there being present: Messrs. J. F. Phillips (chairman), Geo. Baker, A. Johnson, (’. Willison, and P. Spurr. The secretary [.'resented an agreement with Mr. W. Corcoran in reference to leasing a paddock adjoining the school grounds for the use of the horses ridden by the children attending the school. The committee confirmed the action of the secretary, ami decided to accept Qie terms offered. The matter of repairs and new fencing was left in the hands of Messrs. Willison and Spurr to deal with. A donation of trees from Mr. Sam Topless, of Moerangi. for the proposed plantation was gratefully accepted, and the secretary was instructed to write and thank* that gentleman for his kind offer. The secretary brought up the matter of preparing the grounds for planting out the trees, mentioning that the committee had been spending a large sum of money recently in order to bring the surroundings up-to-date. He thought they should appeal to the householders for assistance in the matter, and no | doubt there would be a good response.' especially as the committee had supplier all the free labor for some considerable period. After discussion, it was decided that after the fences had been made thoroughly secure the parents be invited to attend a working bee in order that the whole site be properly clea.-. ed and the holes dug in order to pr<-l, vent any delay when the trees arrived, I full notice to be given to those interest-| ed in time to make arrangements. Thef chairman pointed out that the commit ' tee had to find a sum of money (which ; could not be taken out of the capita- i tion grant) to meet their liability to the board for the recent addition to the shelter shed; and. after discussion, it was decided to hold card parties to taise the necessary amount. After passing accounts amounting to £33 Gs 3d, the meeting adjourned. MOK AU—A WA KING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of directors of the Mokau Dairy Factor}' was held, on June 27. There were present: Messrs. W. D. Black (in the chair), A. G. Sampson, A. G. Mouatt, T. Radford, and C. Raven. It was decided to instal a new vat in order to provide for the increased supply of cream for next season. That there will be a very great increase in the supply is very certain.

Messrs. Chambers Bros, intend milking 50 or 60 ’more cows on their new property on the Mokau River (Andrew Kelly’s old homestead). That will mean that Messrs. Chambers’ herd will consist all told of about 250 head. Messrs. Radford and McKenzie will also be milking over 100 cows on their holding. In fact, practically all our dairy farmers are increasing their herds. Captain Eric Lewis will have to be increasing the carrying capacity of his launch if things go on like this. There are rumors of a bacon • factory being built at Mokau. It is to be hoped it proves true. The Public Works Department intend installing a stone crusher about the Mokau Ferry. The stone will be brought down in lumps from about 3 miles up the Mokau River by a punt or barge. This is the cheapest way of handling the material. We are wondering if this is the first step towards the long-looked-for Mokau bridge? We trust it is. The Awakino Football Club are giving a grand ball in the Awakino Hall on Saturday night, July 8. As there is a good floor, a top-notch orchestra of 5 instruments, the best talent in the district, and the arrangements for the supper being in the capable hands of Mrs. Al. Carter, of Awakino, the. function- . , should be a great success. Mr. and Mrs. E. Carrington have returned from an enjoyable holiday trip o Taranaki. Mr. J. Delves, who has been out under Medical treatment for a poisoned hand, ias returned to Awakino. Mr. A. G. Mouatt has returned from 1 business trip to Taranaki. Miss Sage, who has been sole teacher at the Mokaku River household school, has received notice of transfer to Stratford, Where she will be on the staff of the high school. Miss -Sage will be much missed by her pupils, to whom she has endeared herself by her kindly disposition and untiring efforts in their behalf. Miss Ross will take charge temporarily. Mr. Morris, of the New Plymouth Post Office, is at present relieving Mr. Web- , stej, of Awakino, who is out on holiday.