DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The fine spell of last week was very welcome, and has given the grass a new start. Feed is very plentiful at present, and cows are iu the best of condition, and are returning to normal so far as milk is concerned. A considerable drop In the supply has been noticeable this month, and this notwithstanding the fact that more cows are being milked than In October, so It appears as if the flush this season has been considerably earlier than, usual. Much excitement prevails aimong the menfolk as the date of the election draws near; ipdeed they are as interested in the result of the issue as they are in cheese and butter, although “tests" are still the subject of paramount importance, and these are quite satisfactory in this district so far, except in a few cases, and these, by the way, whare the lids are left off and the gentle dew falls in heavier showers than usual. Mr. Bert. Shaw, one of our Parihaka soli dier settlers, has been most unfortunate this, season in that he has lost no fewer than eleven of Ills dairy cows. This is very hard luck for this new settler, and it is to be hoped that some practical sympathy and help will be shown Mr-. and Mrs. Shaw in their misfortune.

Mr. Peter Brennan, who for the past three months has been holidaying In Auckland, has returned to Pungarehu, and will in the near future resume work as assistant in the Cape Egmont Co.op. store. M r - Brennan has joined the ranks of the benedicts, and in all probability will reside with his wife and her family on the Punggrehu Road. We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, and tender them our best wishes for future happiness.

The picture company played to a full house on Thursday, the 23rd, when Fatty Arbuckle was the chief actor in the play. Picture plays are often disappointing to a casual visitor, and the scenes in a low tap-room of an American city, where shooting and murder formed by far the chief features of the play are certainly quite unfit for young children to see, and at country houses the children form a large part of the audience. The movies are educational, but it is not always an education to be desired, and since there is so much bad in the best of us, and so much good in the worst of us, that plays of the Deadwood Dick type are not at all elevating for young and plastic minds. We must strive to save before the harm is done, or perhaps the constant witnessing of such plays will bring out those characteristics which we should strive most to suppress, and our young people will neglect those things which are elementary to good conduct.

A number of local people attended the service of unveiling the war memorial at Rahotu on Sunday last. It is fit and right that those "who went, but canne not again” should be thus remembered, and we are hoping that the day is near when sufficient money will be raised to erect a suitable monument to those boys of this district who went West.

WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There was a good attendance at the euchre party and dance held In thO Urenui Hall on. Thursday evening last, in aid of the scnooi pla.no fund. After some interests play the gentlemen's prize fell to Mr. Hapi Thompson, whilst Miss Musker gained first honors amongst the ladies. Messrs. G. Fuller apd R. Kleuner tied for the booby prize, and in the playoff the former managed to lose, and thus claim the prize. After an enjoyable supper had been partaken of a few hours' dancing was indulged in, thus bringing a most successful gathering to a close, the proceeds from which will be a most welcome addition to the funds. The Parltutu troop of Frontiersmen are to be congratulated upon the excellent manner in which the arrangements in connection with their annual dinner at New Plymouth on Friday evening last was carried out, and .the goodly contingent of tho Ati Awa troop, who were present, cannot speak too highly of the hospitality extended to them, and the bill of fare provided for their enjoyment. Not only was a most excellent spread placed before thorn (which. It Is needless to say, was accorded full justice), but the high-class musical and other items which were interspersed between the various toasts, and rendered by some of the best talent In New Plymouth, made the evening’s entertainment one which those of us from the country do not often have the pleasure of witnessing. A word of praise is also due to the popular leader of the troop (Lieutenant G. F. Bertrand) for the able manner in which he conducted the proceedings, whilst the hearty welcome extended to «U the Visitors by Paritutu comrades, made

the function one which will long be remem-, bered by those who had the good fortune to be present, and will gq a long way towards accelerating the growing interest which la twin evinced In this worthy and world-wide organisation.

The near approach of the polling day (December 7) in connection with the general election is being shown by the general interest which is being evinced in political matters, and the supporters of both candidates for the Waltomo seat (Mr. W. T. Jennings, the present member, and Mr. J. R. Rolleston) are working hard to secure their* return. The latter gentleman has finished his campaign In this locality, and Mr. Jennings ia now addressing meetings in the different centres. The contest i» being carried out in the best of spirit, there being an entire absence of the mud-slinging tactics which are noticeable in some of the other electorates. The licensing poll which takes place on the same day Is even creating tmore interest than the general election, and the prevailing opinion seems to be that the result will be fairly

Should the weather prove fine on Saturday next, there Is e-jgey likelihood of a fair number of sports making the trip to Awaklno to assist at the beach races in that district, and several local horses are likely to compete, the coveted Ladles’ Bracelet being the chief mission. The gathering is growing in popularity every year, and the hearty welcome extended to all visitors by members of the club, as well as the. wonderful scenery to be seen

in the trip over the mountain, makes the day’s outing a most enjoyable one. The annual general meeting of the Uruti Beach Picnic Club is to take place in Urenul on Thursday evening, December 7 (the date of the general ejection), and those attending the meeting will also be able to learn the results of the elections in many parts of the Dominion. The Urenui cricketers scored their first win of the season on Saturday, when they defeated Inglewood,. after an interesting game on the recreation ground, by some twenty runs. Though the club is not so strong as was the case last year, now that they have broken the ice, it is to be hoped they will win several more matches during the season. The recent spell of fine weather has enabled shearing operations to be proceeded 1 with, and some good' clips are being reported, and this, with the prospects of good prlcfes for wool, will enable sheepfarmers to make up in a small measure for the run of had seasons as regards prices that have been experienced during the past few years. Some time ago the Urenui Athletic Club set aside some £5O of their profits to be devoted to improving the buildings on the recreation ground. This amount carries a £ for £ subsidy from the domain board, thus allowing some £l9O to be spent for this purpose. These improvements are now being carried out, and consist chiefly of the removal of the former pavilion to a site near the tennis courts, and the erection of a couple of urinals. Th© present structure is of concrete foundations, and will include a pavilion, with a dressing room at one end and offices at the other, whilst a lean-to at the rear will form a commodious luncheon room and kitchen. This will obviate the necessity of erecting a marquee on sports days to serve as a luncheon booth, and will also considerably Improve the appearance of the surroundings.

MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) After a. few days' spell of fine weather again the elements are “against us.” A soft rain If falling to-day (Monday), and promises to continue for the night. It Is to be hoped that the “wet” spell .will pass over before race day (Saturday. 2nd), as everyone Is locking forward to a good day’s sport. Folks Tire very keen on this meeting. One entbuslast is so intent on trying to reduce his weight, to enable him to ride Clifton’s “Golden .Gem that he is almost prepared to subsist on “barlejwater” (not “.Idhn RarlfiiWS”) until afteT Black’* A ne ’’hestnu l maretoe h doing some good gallops, and seems a likely one, while Mr. Dan Stockman has a very promising hay horse in the running. A .meeting of the racing club was held at Awaklno on Saturday evening, when various matters in connection with the races were discussed and arranged. Mrs. Al. Carter s tender fw tlw luncheon booth was accepted, w tnlendlnK patrons may confidently expect and will zet an appetising and tasty luncheon, accompanied by a ' real suld” CMP u “- S “ n drinks, sweets and fruit will also he on sale. A dance will be held the evening. Mr W. T. Jennings. pre«»nt member and candidate for Waltomo. will address the electors in the Mokau Hall on Friday eve" lag, December 1. Mr- Jennings had some splendid meetings and hearty receptions at. other place, in the electorate. At his meeting In Awalnno on Friday lost, a hearty rote of thanks and confidence was accorded him. Mr Rolleston, tho Reform candidate is also having some very successful meetings. "Progression" is our watchword and » s Indellblv written on the banner of Mr. Chari Johnson, as Will be perceived when it is known that from December 1 he Is “" J* daily motor service. Waitara to Te KuiU. This will be a real boon, and means a good deal to our district, and we think Mr. Johnston deserves a very hegrty vote of thanks, and we wish him all success in his entersocial in aid of the Mokau Tennis Club was held on Saturday. November 25, In the Mokau Town Hall, and a very emoyabW function it proved. Songs wore suns by Mrs. Bailey, who rendered most pleasingly that ever- enjoyable "Over My Heart." Mr McGregor sang, “Bld Me to I<ove’ In splendid style. This gentleman’s voice is always heard tn advantage in this hall. Our friend Mr. F. Northern, favored us with the “Drum Major." As usual, he sang excellently, and rereceived a vociferous encore. The ladies, as is always the case, put on a most toothsome supper. Music and floor were excellent, extras being played by Mrs. W. D. Thomson and -Miss Jean Stewart.

Life is full of surprises, and It caitno with a shock to many when it was known that Mrs.' Condon, who for the past two years has been our courteous and capable postmistress at Mokau, had resigned. Mrs. Condon contemplates a. trip to the Homeland, and she will also visit France, where her son, Mr. Wynn Condon, who lost his life in tl\e Great War, lies “silent ’mid the poppies, beloved of his country and his God.” An afternoon and presentation will be tendered to Mrs. Condon on Thursday, November 30. Mrs. Condon has made many friends during her term of office, and ah wish her a pleasant trip and safe re-

in his Awakino notes a writer in another paper gives an unnecessary hit at. our boys of .the bush and the road when he speaks of this district becoming “quite a safe place for women and children to live in if Prohibition Is carried.” Your correspondent, who has lived for years amongst them (much longer than the other writer), and who has probably seen them at their “drunkest" (if I may use the word) must speak this mucl| in their favor that, drunk or sober, they have never been known to insult either woman or child. ' In fact, they would protect rather than in- : suit them, so that in justice to our boys, who 1 no doubt do go on the “jamboree” occasion- ' ally, but still remember to respect womanhood anti childhood, the aforesaid writer might have ! left those few w' or^s Ollt P ara K ra P“ ■ which seems some slur on "our boys. ’ l The o.v. Mahoe again put Into Mokau on Saturday last. She had a full cargo besides a ■ goo’l haul of fine sehnapper. She unloaded j and loaded again with wool and coal, leaving j again for Waitara on Sunday. Mr. Ball, Public. Works engineer, accompanied by Messrs. North and Townley, paid a I visit 'to Mokau last week-end, and proceeded i up the river in Captain Victor Sjolund’s fine launch, “The Swan.” They went as far as the coal mines. Mrs. Townley was also of t.?e party. They had a very ehjoyable trip, combining business with pleasure, the result of which Is that we are soon to have a .stone crusher erected some little way up the river, from whence metal will be brought for our Messenger-Awaklno road. Shearing is in full swing at “Bexley. Mr. Duncan’s fine station, about 8 miles out from Awakino. ‘ Mrs. Albert Sole was a passenger for laranakl by mail car on Monday. Miss Muriel Macdonald, daughter cf our genial and popular harbormaster, Mr. J. L. Macdonald, has been appointed postmistress at Mokau In place of Mrs. Condon.