DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKINO. v ■—.. ■ (Pram Our Own Correspondent.) A very nasty accident occurred on the Awakino hill last week. Two ladies. Miss Minaie Wolfe and Mrs. Lovell, had driven over to Mokau in a gig to spend the evening with some friends. Leaving about 10 p.m. full of life and spirit, they got on quite alright until they reached the top of the hill going down into Awakino township. Miss Wolfe had been driving, but Mrs. Lovell took the reins to drfva down the hill, but a few minutes after, handed them again to Miss Wolfe, but partly held on to them to help to hold the horse back, as it was going at a good "bat" down the hill, which is very steep, and has some nasty corners, which should have been cut off long ago. The breeching broke, and the gig ran forward on the horse’s hindquarters, the latter bolting, lashing out with its heels at the same time. At the foot of the hill the gig capsized, Mrs. Lovell being so badly injured as to necessitate her being taken cut. by car for medical treatment. I understand she is suffering from a broken collar bone, ribs, and some nasty cuts and bruises about the face. She is progressing favorably, and we all wish she will shortly be well enough to return home. It is time something was done in regard to making that hill, and also the one at Awakino Heads, safer for traffic, especially now the summer Is coming on, and the enotor traffic will probably be considerable. It is of no use putting off the work until some more serious accident takes place. At the Heads it really needs a cutting through the more dangerous part, and it cannot surely be waste of public money to spend it in making our roads safe for the travelling public. Mrs. Kelly, of "Ba^ycraggan,’' , has returned after some months’ stay in New Plymouth. Mrs. Jack Hutchinson and her infant son returned from New Plymouth last week. We are pleased to learn that Mrs. S. Whitehead, of Mokau, who had to go out for medical treatment, is very much better, and still continues to improve. Mrs. Allan Sampson has returned from visiting friends in Taranaki. The new tram line, being laid from the Mokau Dairy Factory to the wharf, under the capable hands of Mr. S. Wright and his assistant, is nearing completion. Congratulations to Captain W. Wilson on being successful in obtaining his skipper’s certificate. Mr. A. J. Haldane, of Awakino P. 0., has received notic® of his transfer to Auckland, for which city he departs this week. Since his staying Awakino, Mr. Haldane has proved himself a courteous and capable officer, and the public sincerely regret his removal. With the footballers he has proved himself a real "sport," and has acted as their hon. secretary for some time past. W r e regret to jtiear of the death of Mrs. Wilson, one of the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Old, of Mahoenui, to whom sincere sympathy is extended by all the district, as also to the bereaved young husband, who is left with a little child one month old. We have been prom-'ted the return of the "daily" instead of the "tri-weekly" mail for some time past, and yesterday’s paper said it was to be so immediately, but so far it is not an established fact.

Mr. Harry Wolfe, of Waitara P.O. staff, is at present on leave, and is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wolfe, of .Awakino. On Saturday next, August 12, there will be a football match at Awakino—Awakino v. Navvies, the latter being the challengers. A very successful "cobweb" social was held in the Mokau Hall on Friday evening last (August 4). The function, which was organised by Mesdames Sole, Blaikie- and Sheen, resulted in the sum of about £l5 being obtained. There were a great many present, and all enjoyed themselves immensely. The only drawback was that the floor was not in tiptop condition for dancing, the cause being that the mud caused by the rain the day before the function was held was carried into the hall on the boots. A jolly little orchestra of Mrs. A. Sole (piano), Mr. Sole and Mr. A. Sampson (violin), contributed tmost enjoyable dance music. Extras were kindly supplied by Mesdames Christofferson, McNeice, Mr. A. G. Sampson, and Miss J. Stewart. A splendid supper was provided by the ladies, and the presents on the "cobweb" were numerous and well worth the "bob" paid for the ticket with which Mr. Blaikie, a. most energetic and versatile "spider" tempted the many "flies" who "buzzed" around him. During the evening, songs were contributed by Mr. F. Northern, of .Awskino, who sang in his usual style, receTvinc a well deserved and vociferous encore. Mr. McGregor, of Awakino, also contributed a fine song, which was much enjoyed. Altogether the organisers are to be congratulated upon a most successful and enjoyable function. Visitors at Mrs. Box, Tainui House, Mok.au, this week, include Mrs. J. Hutchinson,. Mrs. Bishell, Messrs. S. Wright, Palmer, Grevell, Wilson W. Hutchinson, Wanger, and Waterson (2). Mr. J. Balson. (manager of the Mokau Dairy Factory, returned from Taranaki this week. Mr. and Mrs. Balson, sent., are visiting their son, Mr. J. Balson, of Mokau. A feature of the evening at the "cobweb” social on Friday last was the single and double pot dance by the Misses M. Wetene and L. Win lata. QAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) With the intention probably of one day representing Taranaki the local schoolboys have formed a football team, and are hard at it on every possible occasion practising the game. On Saturday last they visited Tataraimaka to meet a team from the school there, but unfortunately owing to a mistake on the part of one or' two of the players only a few opponents turned up, and two scratch teams had to be picked from representatives of both schools, one side defeating the other to the tune of 30 points to nil. Mr. Sam Hawke refereed the game, which was played in one of his paddocks, and Mrs. Hawke very kindly entertained the boys to afternoon tea. It is hoped that matches will be arranged at later dates with the neighboring schools, so that the young enthusiasts may pick up the various points of the Rugby code. As a wind-up. to the euchre parties a longnight dance was held on Tuesday night in the hall. The attendance was not very large, but those who were present had a thoroughly enjoyable time. A number of visitors came from Tataraimaka and Omata. Mesdames Bell, Morris, Smart and P. Mace prepared supper and Messrs. West, Wells and Mahon acted as M.C.'s. Miss Coates, Oma-ta, obliged the company with a song after supper, and so popular has this young lady’s singing become in Oakura that she was specially requested to sing "Peggy O'Neill" later in the evening. Mr. Fred Boulton gave general satisfaction at the piano. z

LOWGARTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The winter has been very mild; in fact, last season was so good that critics thought it was impossible to get another like it, but this waiter has eclipsed it. Unfortunately the long continued frosts have checked all growth, and consequently grass is not at all forward, and pastures are looking generally a little barren, but the recent broken weather, with occasional showers, has somewhat brightened them up. Still, most farmers have a plentiful supply of hay, etc., and cattle generally are looking well. As this is the right time of the year to buy cows for dairy purposes, prices are improving, and the sales recently held show a bigger average than was the case a short while ago. One thing I cannot understand is the price being paid for pigs, which command up to £2 and over. .There seems to be nothing to warrant these . prices, and by the time the pigs are fattened and meal and pollard, etc., paid for, very little profit (if any) can be shown. In conversation with a pig buyer, I was told that he cannot see anything better than fourpence or flvepence (at most) being paid. The bellows of the cows and the bleating of the calves, heard on all sides, tells us that the busy season is again rapidly approaching, and the cockles will be up to their necks in Wrwk agaun, but it 1* to be hoped that th®

remuneration for his work will be a bit better than was the case for the season just passed. The Finnerty Road schoolboys completed their football season on Tuesday by defeating Ngaere at Ngaere. Previous to this each side had a win on their respective grounds, and this match was the final, when a hard and interesting game resulted. Mr. W. Greig made a very capable and efficient referee. The follow'Jig is a list of matches played: Finnerty beat Cardiff at Cardiff, 18 to- 6; and again at Finnerty by 9 to nil; Fjnnerty beat Mangatoki on the latter’s grounds by 15 to 3, and again at home by 15 to nil; Ngaere beat Finnerty at Ngaere by 5 to 3; Finnerty won the return match by 3 to nil, and in the final Finnerty travelled to Ngaere and, after a hard game, won by 6 to 3. The boys are to be congratulated on this good record, and next year should see some in the competit.ons tn conjunction with Mangatoki. The boys have been coached by Mr. H. Thrush, while Mr. P. Byrant also assisted before leaving the district. The results of the season are indeed gratifying, with 69 points for and 17 points against.