DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A waxm rain, which was welcomed by aimers, set in on Monday night, and as been beneficial to the pastures, ;rcshening them nicely after the cold outh wind which has blown for several weeks. A few cows have already come into profit in this district. Customers of the Cape Egmont Cooperative Store will regret to hear that the manager (Mr. Wm. McKenna) has resigned his office. Mr. McKenna was appointed to his present position nearly four years ago, and has always been most obliging in his efforts to please customers, and both he and Mrs McKenna will carry with them the best wishes of friends and patrons. A meeting f the school committee was held on Wednesday evening, July 5, when the following members were present:—Mr. Guild ’(chairman); Messrs. Hamil, O’Neil and Mathews. Accounts were passed for payment and work in connection with the grounds, etc., commented on. It was decided to apply to the board’s architect for a report on the shelter shed, the same being almost useless for shelter in wet weather. The memorial gate also came up for discussion. members agreeing that a move to have this erected should certa’nly be made. It was also decided to have the hedges trimmed and other minor details attended to. The inspector’s report of the annual examination was read by the chairman, and this being in every way most satisfactory, a letter of congratulation and thanks from the committee will be forwarded to the head-mistress. The work of blowing up the gravel pit in the school horse-paddock is also being attended to, Mr. P. Hodge having made a start to remove this menace to the ponies. One of the coastal cars became incapacitated south of Pungarehu through the axle breaking on Tuesday morning. Passengers and papers were transferred to other cars, and during the day a new axle came forward, and repairs were quickly executed. The work of building the new drying room at the factory is nearing completion. A meeting convened by Mr. J. Sullivan was held in the hall on Tuesday evening of last week, to consider some means of help for the widow and children of the late Mr. Fred Kirk. It was unanimously agreed to open subscription lists both locally and through the Daily News. Messrs. P. C. Smith, A. B. Layard and the chairman (Mr. W. T. Guild) were appointed trustees of the fund. Several local sports visitc.” Hawera and attended the football match between the Wanganui College and the New Plymouth High School. Mrs. Joseph, of New Plymouth, who has been the guest of Mrs. Martin, has returned home. Miss Blackburn, of Te A-roha, is visiting Mrs. Hector Campbell, of Cape Road. Mrs. P. Grenfell spent the week-end with friends at Hawera. Mrs. Mathews leaves on Wednesday for Fitzroy, where she will be engaged on ’business for a few weeks. An unusually large congregation attended requiem mass for the late Dean McKenna at the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning. Mr. Gibson conducted the Anglican Church service in the afternoon. PUNIHO & WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Quite a gloom was cast over this district when the news of the death of Mr. D. McEldowney, senr., was reported. The deceased gentleman was one of the pioneers of the Puniho district, and at the time of his death a director of Brooklands Co-operative Dairj’ ' Company. Although he had not enjoyed the best of health for some time his death was quite unexpected, and it came as a sudden blow to his relatives and his many friends on this coast. He leaves a wife and family of three daughters and four sons to mourn his loss. To them goes the heartfelt sympathy of the district in their sad bereavement. Tlie funeral took place on the 12th inst., at which practically the whole of the district were present, proof of the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held.

It was also with deep regret that we learnt of the death of Miss McKeague (Gisborne), who was with us but a short time ago. Miss McKeague made a host of friends during her sojourn here, and also rendered some invaluable assistance at the concerts, etc. She was the possessor of an exceptionally good voice, and it is hard to realise that we will never hear her again. Miss McKeague was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Cooke (Puniho) while she was here. To them and all Miss McKeague’s relations we extend the heartfelt sympathy of the district. Tlie church social organised by the Warea members of the Anglican Church committee was very successful, the hall being well but not over filled, which unade dancing a pleasure. The secretary (Miss M. Corbett) had everything well arranged, and it is to her efforts that such a successful evening was spent. Mr. Will Laurence very capably fulfilled the duties of M.C., Mr. Pearson was at the piano, and as usual good music was the order. Miss Isabell Sole and Miss Ivy Goodin supplied extras. A dainty supper, which was provided by the lady members of the committee, was handed round during an interval. The church funds should benefit considerably by the proceeds. A very enjoyable dance was held In the Hempton Hall. Okato, on the sth inst., the event being held to celebrate a local wedding. Dancing was kept up to the early hours of the morning, Mr. Pearson supplying the music. A dainty supper was served during the evening. The usual monthly dance by the Newall social committee was held in O’Callaghan s* barn on the Sth inst., ahd, ns n-nnl with these popular turn-outs, tlie b;” well filled. The committee had decor.- barn with nikaus and punga ferns. • electric lights were shaded in different, colors and Hie hall presented a very pleasing effect. Being a. very cold night it was very suitable for dancing, and with Mr. Percy Wilson as M.C. the dancers were never left still Jong enough to get cold. A feature of these dances and one which elicits a good deal of praise from visitors is the splendid manner in yrhich the visitors are attended to This is what is really esential in these back districts, where the committee have to rely on outside help to make the affair successful. The music was supplied by Mr Pearson. Mrs. Fraser Jones and Miss P. Jones favored with extras. A tip-top supper was handed round during the customary interval. The members of the girls’ friendly society have every reason to be proud of the success of their cobweb social held in Hempton Hall. Okato. on the 11th inst. The success was well deserved, for the members have worked very hard for the last few months to ensure success, and evervone was pleased to see such a large number at the social. Tlie members consist of young ladies from Rahotu. Pungarehu. Warea, Puniho, Okato, Tataraimaka, and Oakura, and at present there is a large membership. It has filled a long felt want throughout the coast, as any girl of any denomination is allowed to join. As usual, dancing occupied the greater part of the evening. Mr. Pearson supplying the music. Mr. ... Shaw and H. Jenkins were very efficient M.C.’s and kept everything going with a swing. The supper was provided by the .members of the society, and was a distinct, nddi«lou to the evening’s enjoyment. Visitors

were present from Rahotu to New Plymouth, and when the usual time came for stopping, the hat was passed round and the musician was kept going until well into the morning, and then the dancers were loath to leave. It was one of the most successful and enjoyable functions held on the coast this year. The special feature of the evening was the unravelling of the cobweb strings. Attached to the end was a number which corresponded to a number on a parcel containing some of the goods unade by the G.F.S. members. As soon as the Rev. H. A. Coleman announced starting of the strings, there was a big rush, ' and within ten minutes the whole of the strings (about 250) were sold at a “bob” a time. One cannot leave the subject without giving praise to Mrs. H. A. Coleman, the organising secretary of the G.F.S. Without doubt a large measure of the success was due to the time and untiring efforts that Mrs, Coleman had given, and we congratulate her upon the success achieved. We were very pleased to see tlie successful results Mr. T. Raven (Warea) obtained from his sale of grade Jersey cows. Mr. Raven has worked very hard and spared no expense in raising a herd of first-class and high-grade Jersey cattle, and the high prices realised were well deserved. This high priced sale will help to dispel the idea that a lot of farmers on the Plains havd that this part of the country is unsuitable for Jersey breeding. Some of the best Jerseys on the coast are in the district, for we have some very valuable Jersey herds. ; Evidence of the big drop in dairy cattle was given at a sale of dairy’ cattle held at Okato recently. A very good type of cattle was offered, and the average did not reach as high as £lO. Last year this herd would have averaged between £l5 and £2O, but this year the farmers are not paying big prfees for anything unless it is Jersey. The Jersey will fetch a very good -price, whilst cows (in some cases equally as good, if not better) of a different breed fetch only a few pounds. Visitors from the district to the Hawera show speak very highly of the exhibits there this year, but they have come back with a very bad report of the conditions on the Plains. One farmer stated that we here are well off compared with those on the the Plains. Really compared with the Plains, the slump has not been felt here. The general opinion is that although dairy produce has risen in price the worst period for the farmers on the Plains is yet to come. We were sorry to hear of the serious illness of Mrs. W. Silver, who only recently moved into our , midst, and we wish her a speedy recovery. Mr. D. McEldowney, junr., is or. a trip to the South Island for the benefit of his health. There have been a few cases of cows coming into profit before they are due in this district and a suggestion has been made that the Government should send competent men to lecture at different centres on the causes of and cure for this trouble, which means a big loss and causes a lot of worry to dairy farmers at this time of the season.

One farmer of many years experience recently stated that practically all after calving troubles would be done away with if dairy farmers would grow and feed carrots to the cows in the spring. Abortion is often caused through carelessness in looking after cows after calving. This idea seems well worth considering. There is no doubt a lot of this trouble could be saved if farmers were better informed on the subject, and it would mean the saving of many hundreds of pounds to the farmers. It is felt that more drastic methods should be used to prevent the spreading of the trouble. One man goes as far as to say that farmers should be allowed to shoot infected bulls that are trespassing. Another suggestion is that at the annual fairs where farmers buy the leaders for their herds all animals should be examined by a competent vetinary surgeon before they are sold. A small charge could be made for this, but the cost would be insignificant compared with the saving it would ultimately effect. Cases have been known of farmers paying up to and over three figures for bulls that were absolutely useless; in fact, it would have paid them to pay the high price to be rid of them. The Warea bachelors are holding a ball shortly, and they are leaving no stone unturned to make this affair successful. Music will be provided' by Mrs. George’s orchestra, and a first class supper has been ordered for the occasion.

DOft/UNION NEWS. FIRE AT DUNEDIN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, July 15. A fire starting in a store-room attached to the- shop occupied by Thomas John Brosnan, tobacconist, in the city, did damage to the building probably exceeding £5OO. Amongst the stock was a quantity of Domino matches, which were possibly the cause of the outbreak. Flames spread to the fish supper rooms overhead and threatened to involve the whole arcade block, but the brigade made a good save. The insurances on the block of buildings total £5OOO.

TAUPO EARTHQUAKES. Rotorua, July 15. A shock at Oruanui opened cracks under the schoolmaster's house and in several other places. Tlie school chimneys ■ are down, and some dead trees fell. A j wardrobe in the aeh ,-olmaster's house ! was thrown forward and some articles thrown off shelves. The schoolmaster ! and his wife left for Rotorua. Nothing serious is Reported elsewhere. The shock was not felt at Rotorua. CATTLE DISEASE. Wellington, July 15. Some time ago sickness broke out in the dairy herds on six sections of the Reporoa estate, on the Taupo-Rotorua i Route. Sixty-nine head of cattle were affected and thirteen died. Investigation proved that the land on which they were reared was quite clean and not affected with bush sickness, as was believed by some local farmers. When the cattle were removed from the high country to swamp land they quickly recovered. Officers of the Live Stock Division of the Agricultural Department made an investigation and formed the opinion that the outbreak was not -bush sickness; it was more associated with malnutrition than anything else. It is probable the sickness was caused through the cattle being depastured on poor light land which had lacked proper manuring for the last three or four years. SHEARERS’ AWARD. Wellington, July 15. The Wellington shearers and shed hands’ dispute was before the Conciliation Council yesterday. A lengthy discussion centred around the difficult times through which sheep farmers were passing owing to increased labor costs and high taxation. The unionists contended that sheep farmers were better off today than last year owing to the iml>r<>ved outlook for wool, but the employers’ agent (Mr. W. H. Nieholson) said i that the last London sales showed a lowier tone. Eventually it was decided to ' adjourn the proceedings in the hope of ;->rr»n"ing a settlement on a Dominion