DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. W. T. Jennings held a very successful meeting at Moka.u on Friday, December 1. Mr. S. Whitehead presided. Mr. Jennings spoke well and forcibly on the Liberal policy. At the close a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Jennings proposed by Mr. J. L. Macdonald and seconded by Mr. A. Blanchard, was carried unanimously. Many here seem to think that the contest between Mrj Jennings and Mr. Rolleston will be. a. very close one; also that license and prohibition will about run "neck and neck.” In answer to a question at his meeting on the prohibition question, Mr. Jennings wisely answered that he left that to the people of the Dominion. On Thursday, November 30, an afternoon tea and presentation was tendered to Mrs. Condon, who has resigned from the Mokau post office, and who is making an extended trip to Australia, England, and France. Lady visitors were present from Awakino, Mohakatino and other parts of the district, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. After the excellent tea and dainty cakes provided by the ladles were disposed of. Mr. J. L. McDonald, on behnlf of her friends in the district, presented Mrs. Condon with a very handsome gold-mounted fountain pen as a souvenir of their esteem. Mr. McDonald, in his usual humorous manner, made an excellent speech, eulogising Mrs. Condon’s affability and courtesy to one and all while carrying out her duties as postmistress, and he had much pleasure in making this presentation on behalf of her Mokau and Awakino friends. Mr. McGregor, postmaster at Awakino, returned thanks on Mrs. Condon’s behalf, and also spoke most, highly of her in her official capacity, being in ft position to speak, for as postmaster he had often worked with Mrs. Condon, and always found her to be obliging and of unfailing courtesy. The rest of the afternoon was pleasantly spent In music and song. Mr. and Mrs. McGregor sang most pleasingly a charming little duet. “I Would I Were a Tiny Bird,” and, in response to a vociferous encore, gave another entitled, “Echo.” Mr. McGregor also gave that fine song, “Trooper Johnny Ludlow” in excellent style. Miss Jean Stewart, who made her first bow to the public as a vocalist, created a most pleasing impression. She sang that exquisite little song, “To You,” and in response to a hearty recall gave “Happy Song.” TAHORA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On the evening of Saturday, December 2. the Tahora school committee met in the school. Reports were received from the different collectors for the prize fund, and arrangements were made for securing the prizes. In addition to a prize for each scholar, a number of special prizes have been donated. If the ultimate amount of money received is sufficient it is hoped that it will be possible to provide toys as well as books.

The break-up ceremony and picnic take place on December 20. The picnic will he held on the sports ground. On the Saturday previous to the picnic the senior boys of the school will clear the ground of stumps, etc. The committee received a communication from the Taranaki Education Board inquiring if it were possible to purchase the public works house at present occupied by the master for a school residence. As this is not possible the board will no doubt proceed to immediately erect a teacher's residence. The committee was pleased that the board recognised the necessity of immediately providing a school residence. On November 29 Mr. R. Masters addressed the electors in the Tahora public works hall. There was a good attendance, and Mr. J. McGillivary occupied the chair. The address consisted of a general criticism of the policy and administration of the present Government. A number of questions were asked, and a good deal of opposition was evident. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Masters received a vote of thanks and confidence.

After the meeting supper was provided, especially for those who had come from a distance. Quite a number stayed, and around a cup of tea forgot for the time party differences. On the afternoon of December 29, Mr. R. Masters, M.P., visited tlje public school. He took particular note of the serious lack of accommodation, especially for the senior scholars. At the request of the master, Mr. Masters gave a short talk to the children.

When the polling boxes arrived on Saturday, the Tahora people were visibly reminded of the important issues to be decided on December 7. The polling will take place In the public school, and arrangements will be made to have the results shown at some convenient place. For the advantage of those who come from a distance to vote there will be tennis on the courts all day. and a dance will be held in the public works building in the evening. We are at present experiencing good spring weather, and consequently the gardens look well and the pastures are green.

EGMONT VILLAGE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A verv pleasant evening was spent on Friday last in the hall on the occasion of a farewell given to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Marsh and Mrs. Marsh. The hall was filled to its fullest capacity, which spoke volumes for the popularity of the guests. During the evening the presentation of an eiderdown quilt and cake trav to Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, and a hearthrug to Miss Marsh was made by Mr. J. Sutherland (Mayor of Inglewood), who made a very appropriate speech as to the loss that will be felt by the local community at the guests' departure. He also spoke of the valuable help given to the district by Mr. Marsh and hit family. Mr. A. Morton and Mr. Lamb also spoke in the same strain, and Mr. Marsh ably responded. Vocal items, which were much appreciated, were rendered by Miss A. M. Giddy, Mrs. N. Marsh and Mr. F. Price. Dancing was Indulged in until the small hours of the morning. Our local pedigree Ayrshire breeder, Mr. W. T. Olsen, Is to be congratulated upon having bred the champion bull, “Culearicra of Braeside,” at the recent show at Palmerston North He has now one row under seml-offl-elal test yielding S 3 lb of milk per day, testin-, 4 ", ■ also a three-year-old heifer yielding 65” lb 'milk per day. Prom six pedigree cows Mr Olsen is now taking an average of 300 lb of milk per day. These figures speak volumes for the breed and. although I am. not well versed In these matters, I should think the yield would compare very lavorably with anything In the Dominion.

PUNGAREHU. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Snuallv weather, more rain, more grass and .more mud. We sing the song of slush now, instead of the song of the shirt, but th tune is In the same dismal strain and that to the accompaniment of falling rain. The school committee met on Saturday evenIng when Messrs. Guild. Hamill. Smith and Maihews were present. Mr. O’Neill bmng the only absentee. Al a previous meeting Mr. Guild resigned Hie position of chairman, but as no one else has come forward <“ t“' le t '’° position, he consented to retain the chairmanship ,he ho“ seholdeis ' meeting in April next. It !’ « P'ty that such a spirit M apathy prevails here, because we are fortunate “ having good ieachers. and they certainly should receive more help and en™”r--1 1S » than they do from the parents and T ™ tee The matter of improving the te the technical sofamj classes was under discussion, and as the hall classes w (( be neceMWy to belongs hefor( . „nv action can be taken, to keep the dssses in the dis- " " it behoves us tn "get a move on. and make' the necessary Improvements, so that the cookerv classes for the girls «n be com.l «hen the schools re-open after the Christmas vacation, otherwise some other district will do this, and Pungarehu will bo left oU Tl:e t memorial was afao under review, and the first d . AU other memorials are erectad! a»d we are .till only talkins. This

is a very poor spirit for a community to display in so worthy a cause, and It is well for us that those brave boys were not so reluctant in doing their duty as we are in doing ours.

The hall committee election, which fell due at the end of October, was allowed for some unknown reason to lapse, and whether the old committee are still in harness, or whether no one is in charge of the hall, I aim unable to state, but here again, as in most other matters, we are too indifferent to bother. The almighty dollar income tax, and the rate of Interest, to say nothing of political elections, keep us talking, and the poor old hall is neglected.

Friends of Mr. P. Jenkins, son 6f our local buttermaker, who Is a patient in the New Plymouth hospital, having undergone an operation for appendicitis recently, will be pleased to hear that he is making good progress towards recovery.

Miss Rhoda Shale, of Wanganui, is visiting this district, and is the guest of her brother, Mr. M. Shale ,of Parihaka.

Mr. S. Metcalfe, of New Plymouth, a representative of the Government. . Insurance Company, was In this district last week, and was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Mathews during his short stay. The usual monthly service of the Anglican Church will be conducted by the Rev. H. A. Coleman on Sunday next, at 2.15 p.m.

Miss Morecraft spent the week-end in New Plymouth and attended Handel’s oratorio, “The Messiah,” on Saturday evening. Mr. Pratt, who wan engaged as assistant at the Co-op. store during Mr. Brennan's absence on sick leave, has left for Auckland. The commissioners appointed by the Government to enquire into the working and the finance of the ex-soldiers who have, taken up land at Parihaka were in the district last week to investigate and report on the scheme, and to decide whether th® men are to be further assisted, or vice versa.