DISTRICT NEWS,

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS,

MANQATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Many residents of South Taranaki sincerely regretted to learn of the death of Mrs. Bulmer, senr., which took place at New Plymouth last week. The deceased lady was very well known and highly respected in Mangatoki, having resided here for many years with her husband and family, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended. A nasty accident befel Mr. Hamilton, of Stratford, recently, at the intersection of the Eltham and Hunter Road. He was on a motorcycle, and In trying to avoid a collision With a push bicycle, he was thrown off his machine and rendered unconscious. Medical aid was quickly procured and the patient sent, to the Stratford Hospital, where, we are pleased to hear, he is progressing favorably. Mr. Hamilton is well known here among the dairyfarmers, who, I am sure, will regret to hear of his misfortune. The local school football team journeyed to Matapu a week or two ago, and were victorious by 38 points to nil. One evening lately a large party’ of friends paid a surprise visit to Mr. and Mrs. 'Lambie, of the Hastings Road, where a most enjoyable time was spent in dancing,, games, cards, Mrs. W. Eambie has returned to her home in Hamilton after an extendecl visit to her paregts, Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of the Hunter Road. We are pleased to see Mr. J. Penny home from Auckland, where he has been undergoing medical treatment for the last few months, and hope he will soon regain his health and strength. It is also pleasing to see Master Willie Fever home again after spending some months in the Hawera Hospital. WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) This winter has been rather an exception to the rule for,. Taranaki. t Usually we have fairly severe weather during the winter months, but this time we have had quite a change. The recent spell of mild rains'fend sunny days after the continuous frosts of tho previous month is making itself very evident, for the grass is now coming away in fine style, and if the present weather continues, no doubt farmers will have a first-rate season. The milk supply at the local creamery Is now rising very fast, which has made it necessary for the creamery to run every day.

Most of the local farmers have- now started the season’s toil in real earnest, or at least one is apt to think so; for on entering a farmyard one is greeted by either a bellowing calf or a cow that is. feeling rather upset because the skin of her offspring is in the act of being salted and the carcase boiled for the pigs*

There sems to be rather a catchy complaint prevalent around these parts at present. What it is called is hard to say, but it has the effect of making people want to trim hedges, etc. Several of the members of the local church met last week and set to work to improve the church surroundings, which they certainly did, for the hedges badly needed trimming and cleaning. One or two of the ladv members also met “nd attended to the interior of the building.

A working bee got to work on the local school grounds on Monday and Tuesday of this week, when great improvements were effected. This year the schoolboys have had ’the use of a neighboring paddock for their football field, on account of their own field having a barberry hedge along one side, and which was the cause of. the ball being punctured several times each week. The . committee arranged the working bee, who removed the h£dge and enlarged the paddock a little, .which - 'enables the boys to have a full-size football field.. The boys have now only one- danger to contend with, and that is a barb-wire fence, which, we are told, Is to be removed as soon as they have sufficient funds to purchase some plain wire. It is rumored that the boys contemplate holding a dance to raise the necessary funds, so the sports of the district are reminded to watch the paper for further particulars. The lawns and gardens at the school also looking very nice at present, the mild rains making the former look nice and green, while the latter are beginning to look gay with spring flowers.

Local residents have looked with envy upon the improvements being made to some of the streets in Stratford, namely, the manner in which the space between the metal and the footpaths lias been levelled. Some days ago, one or two of the local residents had visions of our main street being a rival to those m Stratford, for at the western end of our thoroughfare great headway was being made by a party of graders, who had, evidently secured the contract;; but, alas! their dreams have come to a sudden end, for ohe day a visitor ( on an'lndian motor-cycle passed along and evidently did not approve of the earthwork being carried on.. At any rate, the contractors have now a rather sore place on the tips of their noses, and something bright shining on them. Besides this, they are safely enclosed behind a good barb-wire fence.

A week last Saturday, the local school football team met. and defeated the Stratford Convent team on the Stratford ground, the spore being 27 points to nil. After the match both teams were entertained to afternoon tea by the sisters from the convent apd several lady helpers, hospitality which was greatly appreciated by the local hoys. This was the final match, and seeing that the boys- have not lost a game, it puts them well in the lead for the central division, and now they have only to play off with the winners of the northern and southern divisions.

A very successful dance was held in the hall on Friday evening of last week,’ When quite a large/Crowd attended, there , being- quite a number of visitors from Stratford, Midhirst, apd Tarikl. The chief attractions of the evening were local and open waltzing competitions. There were eight entries for the local competition, the successful couple being Miss Dempster and Mr. W. Johnson. Great interest was taken in the open competition, for which there were ten entries, the successful competitors being Miss M. Wilson and Mr. P. Healy, both of Stratford. The waltzing in the latter competiiton was a trfcat to see, and 1 am sure it must hare been difficult to pick which was the best. Mr. J. Shotter and Mr. T. Sullivan acted as judges, and it was generally acknowledged the prizes had gone to couples that deserved them. Mr. J. Chard carried out the duties of M.C. in his usual capable manner, while the music, which was supplied by Mrs. Bianchi, was all that could be desired, extras being supplied by Messrs. C. Phillips and R. Barleyman.

The home industries exhibition, which is to be held in the hall on the last day of this month, promises to be one of the finest attractions that has been held in this district for a number of years. The secretary cf the hall board announces that there were considerably over 300 entries at the beginning of this week, and that they are still continuing to come in in fairly large numbers. The cookery, class promises to be very large, and no doubt it will be a close go as to who is to gain the cup for most points in that class. The cup is now on view in Hallenstein Bros.’ window in Stratford. The school work sections’ will be exceptionally good, there being entries from quite a number of the neighboring district schools, as well as some from as far afield as Hawera, Kapuni, and Otakeho. Judging by the crops of mangolds, swedes, etc., that are grown in these parts, the vegetable and produce classes should have entries that, are worth going a long way to see. Most of the local farmers who have these crops are entering, so the competition in this class will be keen. The numerous otheh classes that I have not touched on all have their share of entries, so visitors may rest assured of an interesting and attractive day out on the 31st. Those who have not got their entries in are advised to do so at once, as the entries close for all classes with the secretary. Miss Sartori, on Monday, 28th. Another of the series of euchre parties is to be held in the hall on Friday night of this week, at which good prizes are being offered. Several very- successful entertainments and dances have been held in the hall during the winter months, but now that the busy season is well on the way, the hall board has decided to bring the dances to a close' with a “hardup” social and dance on September 8, when a good crowd is anticipated. Prizes are being given for the best “hard-up” costumes, and Mrs. Bianchi has been engaged ta supply the music. Friends of Mrs. Strack will be pleased to hear that she is now well on the way to re-

covery. Mrs. D. B. Smith, who has been an inmate of a Stratford private hospital for the last three weeks, is making a sneadv recovery from a aerieus operation.