DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

TATARAIMAKA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The long spell of fine weather has broken at last, and crops and grass are benefiting by the change. On Saturday night especially very heavy rain fell, and did considerable damage to the factory dam. In consequence local milk carts were so late on their return on Sunday morning that folks at home began to wonder what was the matter. However, smart work on the part of voluntary helpers soon remedied the fault, and work proceeded as usual. Tataraimaka young men are to be congratulated on their ready response in the recent call for enlistments. It Is indeed gratifying to find that a strong sense of duty and patriotism exists which is not in any v/ay lessened by the horrors of the last war. Let us hope that war will not come, and that matters may be straightened out by the "powers that be” before very long. Last Tuesday evening the many friends and well-wishers of Miss Ethel Gatenby, whose marriage is dated for the very near future, gathered to do her honor. The function took the form of a gift surprise evening, and a "surprise” it was Indeed, •everyone being "In the know” except the guest of the evenrng. A large room had been cleared for dancing and there was card-playing in the dining room for those who wished for a quiet game. Games produced much merriment, and an advertisement competition was keenly contested, Miss Amy Longley and Mr. "Bob” Gatenby proving the winners. Songs; were contributed by Mesdames Hoby, Longley and Bates. So passed a very pleasant evening, towards the end of which Mr. Penwarden, in a pleasant little speech, wished Miss Gatenby every happinness in her future life. Mr. Gatenby responded on behalf of his daughter. The party broke up after singing "Auld Lang Syne,” and the National Anthem. A calf-rearing competition has been organised among the school children, who have become enthusiastic farmers. The final bonus of one penny per pound bn last season’s butter-fat has been paid by the Patua factory. Dr. Elizabeth Gunn visited the school children on Friday last, and examined the children. Miss Muriel Sefton has returned from an enjoyable holiday. Mrs. Bates (Hamilton), who has been visiting Mrs. Knight, went on to Otakeho last Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Morris, senr. (Hawera), are the guests of Mrs. Honeyfield. Mrs. Thomas, sent. (Te Kiri) has come to stay with Mrs. Gatenby for the marriage of her grand-daughter. Miss Ethel Gatenby, to Mr. L. Morris. Mrs. S. Hawke gave an enjoyable children’s party recently.

LOWGARTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Quite a severe gale has been raging during the past few days, making matters very unpleasant for working. However, rain set in on Friday night and continued continuously until well into Saturday night, doing a vast amount of good, and giving the pastures another good start. The farmers have been taking advantage of the spell of fine weather and been busy preparing ground for oats, etc.; in fact, the season has been one of the best for working ground. Residents of this district read with great regret of the recent accident which took place at Manaia, whereby the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Cox was accidentally killed through being thrown from his horse. Mr. Cox quite recently resided in this district, occupying a farm on the Stewart Road, the residents of which tender their sincere sympathy in such a sad bereavement. The residents of this district also wish to express their sympathy tc Mr. J. J. Gray, of the Finnerty Road, in the loss of his mother, whose demise took place at New Plymouth on Saturday morning. Quite a lot of hot air has been talked of in connection with a. Pure Seeds Bill, but nothing done. The spread of Californian thistle is becoming a terrible pest, and it is hard to buy any kind of grain without a fair percentage of this detestable seed. Just the other day I had occasion to go and dr!!’ my neighbor’s ground, with oats and pe* but on opening the bag of peas I was mor han disgusted at the enormous amount of Californian thistle heads. I venture to say that one could not pick up a handful of peas without getting fully a half-dozen heads, and.

that was the condition right through the bag. Needless to say the peas were not sown, and will be returned to the merchant in Stratford who sold them. TESTING ASSOCIATION. Hie following table will no doubt be interesting In connection with the Lowgarth Testing Association: — 1920-21. 1921-22. Butter- Butterfat. Days. fat. Days. Average cow 248.24 240 296.33 255 Highest herd aver. 278.04 248 329.01 241 Lowest herd aver. 189.29 238 202.92 152 Highest cow 390.99 260 460.13 287 Lowest cow 93.36 106 137.93 111