DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The spinsters’ confetti ball, which was held one night last week, was a thoroughly successful function in every respect. It was organised and managed throughout by the youth and beauty of Tariki. Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra, from Stratford, supplied the unuslc. The weekly progressive euchre parties in aid of the Tennis Club’s funds are still doing good business, and I understand that as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made regarding the ground the work of making tne new court will be put in hand. On Tuesday night, September 5, one of the biggest, best and most enjoyable parties of the year in this district was given by Mr. and Mrs. Tross in their home on the Tariki Road, when about sixty or seventy guests assembled. Mr. Tross, during the football season, acted in the unenvious position of sole selector for the club’s team, giving very general satisfaction throughout, and the party on Tuesday night was given chiefly as an entertainment to members and supporters of the Tariki Club. All present will have good cause to remember the evening as a most enjoyable The drought is now over. The rain commenced on Sunday; softly and gently at first, but increasing in quantity as time wore on until on Monday it was coming down in a convincing, Tariki-like style. . At present it is hard to see a cookie’s face for smiles. As one young enthusiast was heard to say: "We have been waiting a long time, and now it has come we can almost see the grass growing." Then, flourishing the morning paper, he said: "Look! The price of butter is going up, so we are all right now.’’ People in this district were highly elated a short time ago at the prospect of having the great hydro-electric power scheme submitted by Mr. Climie, developed within the next two or three years, but their spirits were rather dampened by the action of the board which recently sat at Eltham. when they asked the engineers to submit a plan for the development of one instead of the twenty thousand previously under consideration. I do not pretend to know much about the undertaking, except that a vast quantity of water is required to maintain an output of ten, fifteen or twenty thousand horse-power, and If this is the chief requirement then I aim sure there is no more likely source of supply in Taranaki. WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Corresponoent.) Our local factory returns show the amount of milk for the past month to have been 76.4691b5.. together with 99731b5. of cream, as against 15.3831b5. of milk in August. 1921 the increase in butter-fat being 18521b5. The average test is also higher, reading 4.04 as against 3.88. It is stated that the Pukearuhe factory supply is also considerably in advance of last season and both these companies, as well as North Taranaki, are still manufacturing butter. The coming conference of factory delegates, to be held in Wellington on the 14th inst., for the purpose of forming a control board for dairy produce similar to the one now in existence for meat, is creating a fair amount of discussion, and the result will be watched with interest. On Wednesday evening last there was a. wellattended euchre party and dance held in thg Mimi schoolroom, the object being to raise funds for liquidating the Indebtedness of the committee to the Education Board for improvements to the shelter shed. Besides local residents, there was a large contingent of players from Pukearuhe. whose presence added not a little to the success of the evening. There were some fourteen tables engaged, and Interesting play resulted, the ladles' prize (a handsome pair of vases) being won by Mrs. Geo. Baker, who secured 7 games, whilst Mr. R. Johnson (2 games) was rewarded with a packet of bokep. Amongst the gentlemen, Mr. Drozdowski was first with 9 wins, and in a sporting spirit handed back the razor (which constituted the first prize) to the committee, to be competed for on a future occasion. A porous plaster was awarded to Mr. S. Phillips as a consolation for losing every game but one. After a liberal supper, provided by the ladies of the district, the room was cleared and a few hours' dancing Indulged In, Mr. V. Wells efficiently fulfilling the role of M.C. The music was supplied by Messrs. P. and L. Spurr. During the evening Mr. J. F. Phillips (chairman of the committee) presented the prizes, and thanked those present for their support. It is expected that after defraying expenses, there will be some £ 5 credit, which must be considered most satisfactory. Genera! approval was expressed at the manner in which the grounds are being laid out, the opinion being that in a few years’ time they will be amonogst the most picturesque of their kind in Taranaki. Friday evening witnessed another function of a similar nature in the schoolroom at Pukearuhe, and this was equally as successful as the r.ne held at Wai-toi-toi. a number of visitors from the latter settlement being presen.. The evening was even somewhat more interesting than usual, advantage being taken of the occasion to decide the winner of the pointe prize, given to the gentleman who succeeded in winning the most games during the fortnightly series held through the winter. Messrs. P. Carey and E. White ha 1 i d for this event, and in a closely contest, f play-off the latter secured the verdict by the narrow margin of one game, thus taking the £1 note which constituted the prize. A similar amount was awarded to Miss M. Moeller, who scored the most points amongst the ladies, whilst Miss Grace White’ was presented with the prize for visiting ladies, which consisted of emu eggs imported from Australia. Miss M. Moeller aiso won a handsome Dalton vase, after tleing with Misses Eileen Moeller and Lily Phillips, each winning seven games on the evening's play. The Gilette safety razor was won by Mr. Drozdowski. Mr. Luxton, on behalf of the committee, thanked those present for the support accorded to the gatherings during the season, especially mentioning the ladles and gentlemen who had contributed the music for the dances. He also expressed the committee’s appreciation of the great assistance rendered by the ladies in providing refreshments, and announced that during the summer the parties wouold be held monthly. For the dance which followed. Miss Hazel Wells and Messrs. T. and G. Martin and L. Spurr supplied the music, Mr. V. Wells carrying out the duties of M.C. Messrs. C. Horner and J. Thompson also contributed songs. It is satisfactory to state that through these functions the committee have netted a considerable sum of money, which it is intended to devote to the improvement of the school surroundings, including an asphalt tennis court. There is quite a revival of card playing in this district, and on Thursday evening last a euchre party and dance is to be held in the L’renui hall, the committee having decided upon this means of making another appeal to the public for funds to assist in the proposed hail improvements. Good prizes are being offered, and for the dance excellent music has been procured. After a rather protracted spell of dry weather (for this time of the year, at any rate), welcome rain fell on Sunday, and will have a most beneficial effect on the pastures, more especially if the weather keeps mild. Another matter in which a good rain will assist in will be to enable farmers to give their grass paddocks a thorough tripod harrowing, as it will soften the cattle manure and allow of its being broken and spread over the pasture. In areas which have been used for feeding out hay, etc., this form of top-dressing has a most noticeable effect on the growth of the spring grass, and could be followed out with advantage more frequently. Flower stealing is bad enough and most annoying to those who often spend a considerable amount of time and money in their cultivation, but during the recent spring vacation some vandal went a step further ana coolly dug up and removed a valuable bulb, which, amongst others, had been purchased at her own expense by the head teacher of the Mimi School, with a view to beautifying the school surrouondings. Desnicable actions such as these are beyond a joke, and it is a pity the offender could not bo meted out the punishment so thoroughly deserved. During the week Mr. E. Pepperell, of Waitara, was through this district engaged in securing the names of thoset electors who hattt tosea otaltted from ths roll.

PUfUHO & WAREA. I (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Okato Operatic Society held their first performance in the Hempton Hall on the 28th tilt. The play, which was called "The Burgomaster’s Daughter,” was a. decided success and reflects great credit on the organisers, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Coleman, who spent much time in arranging it. As was expected, the hall was well packed, all reserve seats being taken before the night of the play, and at j 7.30 standing room only was available. The i scenery, which was painted by Mr. W. Willis (Okato), gave the staging a very artistic effect, and the dresses worn by the performers were very pretty, and helped to make the play such a success. The performance lasted about two and a-half hours. At the conclusion. Rev. H. A. Coleman proposed a vote of thanks to the performers (about 40) for the evening’s entertainment. Mr. J. Wooldridge suitably replied, also proposing a vote of thanks to the directors, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Coleman. Mr. W. Willis was also voted a vote of thanks for painting the scenery, etc. The leading parts were taken as follow: — The burgomaster’s daughter, Sirs. Bates; the Gipsy queen, Mrs. A. Gray ; the cobbler’s wife, Mrs. H. A. Coleman ; the Gipsy king, Mr. Jenkins : the villain, Mr. W. Willis; the cobbler, Mr. S. Cassie; the burgomaster, Mr. J. Wooldridge ; town crier, Mr. Ted Larking; the constable. Mr. Will. Larking; the fairy queen, Mrs. T. Larking. The accompaniments were played by Miss Harrison. The plan for the new Puniho-Warea church has been decided upon by the committee subject to the Bishop’s consent, and after the necessary preliminaries have been gone through we hope to commence building. The settlers of Puniho and Warea hare promised to cart the shingle required for the foundation. A working bee consisting of Puniho and Warea men, met on Wednesday and Thursday of last week to level the ground. Two days of real hard work were put in. and, according to a bystander, "all you could see of the workers was a large pool of perspiration at the conclusion of the day!” The levelling was much harder than anticipated, and at least another two days’ work will be required before the levelling is finished. The workers were indebted to Mr. E. Gray, who generously provided them with light luncheon and afternoon tea. We regret to learn that Mr. Waters, who until just lately has been manager of the Puniho factory, has found it necessary to move from our midst. Mr. Waters was always a prominent worker in connection with church affairs, and, until his removal, held the position of secretary to the new church com-mittee. Unfortunately we were unaware of Mr. Waters’ intending removal until a day or so before he went, and we were unable to arrange a befitting send-off. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking him for the services he has rendered to the community, and to express our regret at being unable to give him a send-off in order to show our appreciation. The Rev. H. A. Coleman has received the sum of £55 4s from his old parishioners In the Old Country towards the church, also £5 from a missionary association. The position of secretary to the church has been taken up by Mr. Coleman, at the request of the committee. A very enjoyable dance was held at the Newall Road mill on the Ist inst. As usual with these dances, there was a large number present. Mr. Pearson officiated at the piano, and Miss P. Jones and Miss M. Pearson assisted with extras. The former, at the request of rhe dancers, responded to an encore. Mr. P. Wilson was master of ceremonies. The bachelor boys of Warea are holding a hard-up dance shortly in order to obtain sufficient funds to pay off a small debt in connection with the recent batehelors’ ball. The local members, of the G.F.S. hope to be ready for the concert at the end of this month in order to allow the other various coimmittee that are working for the church funds to have their bazaars, etc., before the New Year. Mrs. T. Larking (Okato) is directing the local girls, and, from all accounts, there is going to be something startling when the concert is staged. Miss M. Pearson has returned from a visit to Taihapc. Miss F. Day, who has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs.’ Henry Clarke for a few days, has returned to Wellington. Mrs. V. Ellis is spending a few days in New Plymouth. Mr. and Mrs. J. Waters and family have moved into their new home at Oaonui. We wish them success. We deeply regret to hear of the death of Mrs. W. Moffat (Puniho), who less than a week ago was visiting friends on Puniho Road. Mrs. Moffat leaves a husband and nine young children, and to them I wish to extend the heartfelt sympathy of this district. We have to again congratulate Mr. A. E. R. Pearson upon the success of his music pupils at the recent exa-minations at New Plymouth. Once again Mr. Pearson was successful in getting all his pupils passes, the examiner having no failures. We also congratulate Miss Daisy Wells and Miss Peggy Jones upon passing the senior exam. The exceptionally fine weather of late has allowed the owners of tennis courts to get them in order, and tennis has already started. The first match of the season has been played, the teams being the newly weds versus bachelors and spinsters. Evidently married life must be a little too strenuous, for the latter had a walk over. The match was played on Messrs. Payne Bros.’ court by the kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. A. Payne. The milk yield this year is practically double that of the corresponding period last year, and although last year was an exceptionally good year as far as milk is concerned there are indications that this year will prove a better one. There has been and still Is a lot of sickness amongst dairy cattle around here. Several farmers have lost some of their best cows from that disease. "Haematuria,” which is generally ’present when there is a flush of feed or at this time of the year when oats form a part of the day’s ration.

TATARAIMAKA. We have been experiencing beautiful weather lately, and the milk supply at the local factory. is on the increase. The largest supplier (Mr. Honeyfield) Is sending over three thousand pounds of milk daily. A visit to Mr. Owen Penwarden's farm should prove of great interest to all those interested in modern farm improvements. Perhaps foremost among these last is the large ensilage pit, twenty feet In depth, and constructed by excavating a tunnel in the side of a hill for about one hundred yards, and then digging down from above. Huge work as it entailed, the whole was completed in a fortnight, and I understand Mr. Penwarden had but one assistant in his arduous task. He intends to make another pit of the same dimensions shortly, since he has proved that his cattle do much better on Indian corn ensilage than on hay. Of labor saving appliances there are unany. and his cowshed is a picture of neatness and cleanliness, concreted inside and much of outside, where there are concrete troughs of water. Several thousand gallons of waler serves the dual purpose of forming tne roof of the milk cans, and acting as a cooler. Some cows are rugged, but all are protected from the winds of winter by hardy boxthorn hedges, and a new plantation of over a thousand trees has recently been planted. As a result of good farming. Mr. Penwarden has more than doubled his butter-fat returns during the last few years.

Bathers along the should beware of sharks, as one weighing over seventy pounds was caught on a schnapper line recently not forty yards out.