DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On the morning of the round-the-mountain race, all eyes were strained In the direction of New Plymouth. At a few .minutes after ten the first cry of "Here they are I" was raised, and all domestic .and other duties were suspended for the time being to get a glimpse of the cyclists coming down the hill beyond the Oakura bridge. From this hill a fine view of anything approaching can be obtained, and immediate!}’ the first competitor pushed his weary way up the somewhat stiff gradient cn the Oakura side of the bridge, programmes of the race were consulted and numbers checked off whilst the cyclists passed one by one or in groups by the hotel corner. In a few instances cheery greetings were exchanged between competitors and spectators as acquaintances were recognised. By half-past ten the last, of the party had got out of sight, all taking advantage of the level stretch of road between the hotel and the school road to increase speed before reaching the next hill. Moore, the winner of the race, appeared to be in the best of form after (manipulating the many hills between New Plymouth and Oakura, but a number of the others seemed to find the stiff head wind that had been blowing all the morning a strong adversary to their progress. Those who favor prohibition will have tc look out for themselevs when visiting our district if there is anything in a threat made by a local school-girl of about nine years of age. One day last week, as the custom is in some of our public schools, this little girl was asked by her teacher to make a sentence for which the expression "Woe betide” was to I form a foundation. Imagine the consternation ! of her teacher next morning, when her home exercisg was handed in containing the sentence: "Woe betide the unan who brings in prohibition!” Until then it was not known that supporters of the Continuance platform

Yet another of our neighbors has decided to sever his connection with Oakura. Mr. Sharrock, who was unfortunate enough a few weeks ago to collide with a motor cyclist on his way home from the factory, has sold his farm at Tapuae, and intends to reside at Westown. T understand the collision has. noth-