DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MANGATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) All roads led to Eltham on Thursday evening. There was an incessant stream of cars, gigs, equestrians and pedestrians all with one idea, namely, to go to Eltham for the result of the election. After standing wearily about for some hours, we decided to go home and learn it all from the morning paper. Mr. Gant, our local schoolmaster, is to be ccmgratulated on the result of the examniatlon. Out of eight pupils presented, five gained proficiency and three competency. This is all the more creditable as the school was without a head teacher for soime time at the beginning of the year. The children, and no doubt the teachers too, are looking forward to the holidays, which start next Wednesday, when the annual prize-giving will take placb. , , x . Universal regret will be felt at the death of Mr. Clement Wragge. It will be remembered that a few months ago he gave one of his interesting and instructive lectures In Mangatoki. a The last two Saturdays the Kaponga tennis club have been expected to play on the Mangatoki courts, and both times the match has had to be postponed on account of rain. Farmers have had very bad luck with their turnips. In nearly every Instance there has had to be a second sowing. Club-root is also troublesome in the young cabbage, and it has even made its appearance in the peas. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Great excitement prevailed in the village on Wednesday, 6th, when our native friends were called upon to choose between the candidates and the sitting member for Parliamentary honors. The Maoris were early astir, dressed in their Sunday best, and were briim-ful of talk and excitement, which, of course, subsided e’er the polling booth was reached, and their votes recorded by the deputy returning officer, Miss Morecraft. Some disappointment was evident when Mrs. Martin, the postmistress, explained to the natives that no definite news would be received until early next morning, but they were "all there” when it became known that the Hon. Maul Pomare led the van, and would again be their representative for the next three years. It takes a lot to rouse us to anything like enthusiasm In Pungarehu, but very few residents failed to record their vote on Thursday, 7th. We are somewhat lax so far as community civics are concerned, but the voting for the M.P. was quite up to the mark, rather more votes being taken by the returning officer at this election than in 1919. The voting was fairly even. Mr. Astbury scoring 58 and Mr. Hawken 52. Whether it Is due to our proximity to Mount Bemont, with its abundant snow-covered peaks, or whether we are an eztrnordinary thirsty

people I cannot say, but certain it is that the cons, beat the pros, very badly, the continuance issue coming in an easy winner with 73 votes against 34 for prohibition, and three for State purchase, so the "Cheerlos” and "Beerlos” will still be able to quench their thirst on the hot summer days with something stronger than lemonade. Of the four candidates from the local school who sat for the certificate of proficiency three were successful and the fourth gained competency. Two were granted the certificate on the teacher’s marks; the number remaining sat at Rahotu. The headteacher has concluded her final test for the current year, and we hope the children acquitted themselves creditably. The judges for the caif-rearlng competitions were at the school this week, but only two out of four competitors’ calves were shown, the other two not coming forward. After the strenuous work of the year the children are looking forward to the annual picnic, which is to be held on the 20th of the month. Subscription lists to provide the good things for the tea and bun contest, and also sports for the little folks, are in the hands of the scholars, and no doubt there will be a ready response. The trustees of the Anglican Church fund also solicit subscriptions to carry on the work of the church in this district, and for so worthy a cause there will doubtless be very liberal contributions. Mrs. Salter and Mrs. H. Lynan are visiting here. Mrs. Lynan, who is just recovering from a severe illness, is the wife of Mr. H. Lynan, who last year filled the position of first assistant at the factory. Mrs. Brennan and her three children arrived here from Auckland yesterday, and have joined Mr. Brennan in their new home in this district. Mr. and Mrs. Urlich, with their family, have returned from their tour of the world, and are visiting Mrs. Urlich’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. Miss Rhoda Shale, of Wanganui, who has been visiting her brother at Parlhaka, has returned home. The weather is still very unsettled, and there seems little prospect of any hay being harvested before Christmas, Some splendid fields of hay are nearly ready for the reaping machine, but, ilke most other farm work, they seem likely to have to wait a wee while yet for the weather to brighten up.