DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1926, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) During the past months work on the Mokau bridge has progressed steadily. Trouble was experienced lately, however, in sinking the four main cylinder piles in the centre of the river. Eventually a new’ process was tried, consisting of a steel grab operating up and down inside the cylinder, and so removing the silt, etc., from the bed of the river, and allowing the cylinder to sink. This method is proving a complete success. The abutment on the Mokau side is practically finished, and all the girders on that side should be in place by Christmas. A punt is being built at the water’s edge at the ferry, and is intended for ferry work at McEwan’s, on the Mokau River. The metal quarry on the Mokau River has lately been re-opened, a gang of eight men at present being employed. Work on the bridgeworks has fortunately been free from accident up to the present, but I regret to report that a middle-aged native, Blossom Rutane, recently sustained a badly cut leg, and, after being attended by the district nurse, was admitted to the New Plymouth hospital. We regret also that Mrs. D. Scott, of Mokau, is rather seriously ill in New Plymouth. A trim .joking, fair-sized yacht, owned by the captain of the s.s. Wetere, is now to be seen on the Mokau River. This is the first yacht for a long period on the river, and reminds one that the Mokau River has excellent natural advantages which would permit a fine regatta being held. Although being hindered by the general inclement weather, the shearing operations at Mohakatina station are now practically finished, the number of sheep shorn being roughly 7000. Several smaller owners have yet, however, to complete their shearing. Wild pigs are still very numerous around Awakino, and recently a drove was seen on the river flat opposite the Awakino store. Several sportsmen were soon after them in the hope of a luscious joint, and in less than half an hour were back, having killed six, the sport meanwhile being observed by interested onlookers in front of the store. Mrs. Wilson, of the Mokau tea rooms, has returned to Mokau after a month’s tour of the South Island. Miss B. Keat, of Palmerston North, is visiting her sister, Mrs. J. Raven, of Mohakatina. MIDHIRST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Last week the local school held a calfrearing competition, the first of its kind ever held in this school. Owing to the children not having sufficient information on the matter, not many entries came forward. However, the idea is a very good one. It appeals to the children, and as the various faults and good points were pointed out to the children, they now understand what ™«» ired, and quite a number have signified their intention of competing next year. Messrs. McKay and Symes, Government agricultural and dairy instructors, were present. Mr. Johnson acted as judge of ealf rearing and Mr. Jenkins judge of dairy type. The headmaster (Mr. Craig) briefly "welcomed and introduced the visitors. Mr. Syme gave a short address on the aims and objects of these competitions, and hoped to see the children take a keen interest in the calves, which would be the cows of to-morrow. The results of the competitions were as follows: — Calf rearing: H. Hunwiek 1, E. Widmer 2, P. G. Harkness 3. Dairy type: E. Widmer 1, H. Hunwiek 2, P. G. Harkness 3. After a few days of glorious summer weather we experienced an exceedingly severe eold snap over the week-end. On Sunday morning we had a light fall of snow, an experience hitherto unknown at this time of the year. The growth of grass is seriously retarded, which is affecting the milk yields. Early in the season indications pointed to a great season, but at present things are not near as promising. However, now that the butter market looks ever so much brighter the farmers are taking this little set-back in a very cheerful manner.

Last week the Anglican Ladies’ Guild held a very successful bazaar in the local hall. The ladies for some time past have been holding gift and guild afternoons, and have left no stone unturned to ensure success. The way the various stalls were packed with dainty articles is sufficient evidence of the hard work put in by the guild. The bazaar was officially opened by Mr. E. Walter, M.P. The Rev. Kayll, vicar of Stratford, in introducing Mr. Walter, on behalf of the parish thanked the guild for their efforts and congratulated them on the generously stocked stalls and wished them the success they deserved. Mr. E. Walter endorsed Rev. Kayll’s remarks. He then declared the bazaar open. The stallholders were as follows:—Sweets stall, Mrs. Tapp; jumble, Mrs. Smith; produce, Mesdames Graham and Symonds; fancy, Mesdames Shotter and King; needlework, Mesdames Lepper and Hunt; tea rooms, Mrs. E. and H. Walker. Business in the different stalls must have been exceedingly brisk, as after two or three hours’ selling, most of the stalls were sold out; in fact, they could have sold twice the amount of stock.

In the evening a dance was held, when between the dances Constable Chestnutt drew the different raffles in connection with the afternoon. The winners of the competitions were:—lced cake, Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Phillips, and Miss Tapp tied for the cake, Mrs. Thompson winning with 41b 9Joz: dressed doll, Miss E. Phillips; black satin cushion, C. C. Rose; No. 1 stencilled cushion, Mrs. W. Platt; No. 2 stencilled cushion, Miss Softley, Auckland; table cloth, Mrs. H. Walker, Flint Road; eake basket. Mrs M. Gernhoefer, Toko; photo, Mrs. Hunt. Music for the dance was supplied by Feek’s orchestra, extras being played by Mrs. Marsh and Mr. C. Kovaleski.

A very dainty and bounteous supper, given bv the ladies of the district, was partaken of. Mr. E. Linnell acted as M.C. in a very capable manner. The president and secretary (Mesdames Symonds and Linnell) deserve great credit f— the able manner in which they carried out their respective duties. Among t ose present during the afternoon and evening were: Mesdames Walter, Kayll, Burton. Phillips, Vickers. Blick, Irving, Anderson, Baker, Hunwiek. Gray, Fowler, Mills, Smith. Hogg. Platt, Boniface, Jones. Lobb. Latham, Goodwin. Angus, Marsh. Guthrie. Evans, Bourkart. Jensen, Haig. Fowler. Bain. Anderson. Olliver, I. Smith, J. .Vickers. G. Vickers,

Misses Gray, Smith, Divehall, Tapp, Irving, Graham, Phillips, Garter (2), Adlam (2), Hambl.vn, Shotter (3), Edwards, Bain, Whittington, Burton, Shieb. FRASER ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The doings of the Fraser Road school children deserve mention for the success attained at the recent Egmont A. and P. Show. Out of five entries four prizes were gained. Then in the pony classes entries were made in all possible events, with the result that no less than fifteen successes were achieved. Chief among these were Ray Burt, with six prizes, and Bobbie Davidson, with four. The children certainly put in plenty of riding practice, as quite three-fourths of them use school ponies. In two cases the ponies carry three of a family to school. For two years now the school has scored 100 per cent, success in the number of proficiency certificates. There is a danger at present of the school losing its grade, as the average attendance is on the border line. It is hoped that the coming year will see an increase of the roll so as to avoid a change of staff. The Fraser Road factory is in the public eye as the factory with a pasteuriser installed. This has justified the additional expense and labour, as a large proportion of the cheese has been graded superfine. T ARIEL (From Our Own Correspondent.) Residents along the Mountain Road from Inglewood to Stratford were not favoured with many fine sunny days throughout October and November. October might have been slightly the wetter of the two months, but November was considered by many to be much the colder, and certainly the most unseasonable, and its bad effect was easily noticeable in the reduced milk supply at the factories. The climatic conditions of November and early December always have a marked influence on the season’s milk production. These are the two months when the cows should be at their best for the season and, as is well known, if the supply begins to fall off as a result of unfavourable weather, there is very little chance of making up for it later on. The milking season commenced here, as in many other districts, with excellent prospects of being a record one for production. This in a great measure was attributable to the exceptionally mild winter, but October and November have been disappointing, and it looks as if, for some reason unknown to most of us, the seasons have been turned “topsy turvy,” and there’s no one on whom we can definitely fix the blame for it, unless we do as that Stratford farmer did, who was not satisfied with his factory milk test; just blame the durned Control Board! Incidentally, it seems fairly safe to say that the Free Marketing League could count on many converts to their side of the argument from this district. Lovers of bowls, tennis, and other outdoor games, are having rather a poor time of it up to the present. Rain generally comes along to spoil play of any sort on the weekly half-holiday. Preparations for a big day at the tennis courts was made last Thursday, but very little play took place. On the same day the Avon v. Tariki bowling clubs were fixed to play their first match in the banner competition on the Tariki green. The Avon teams arrived and play commenced, and was continued between the showers of rain and hailstones until fifteen heads had been played on one rink and seventeen on the other, when an extra heavy storm came along and prevented any further play, Tariki leading by two points. This game will be continued, and we hope, finished on some future pleasanter day. Up to date the Tariki bowlers have had one win and one loss in the banner matches. The next game will be versus Eltham", at Eltham. Tariki will not have quite as many Jersey breeders exhibiting at the Stratford Show this year, as Messrs. O’Sullivan, Mueli and Muller, former enthusiastic breeders, have recently left the district.

Christmas is coming near once again, and one frequently hears of preparations in the way of cake and plum puddings in the making for the festive season. Sunday trains to the seaside are to start again, and a good many are already looking forward to this cheap and convenient means of getting a day away from their immediate surroundings. There are, I understand, two boys from the Tariki school entering into the athletic competitions for primary schoolboys, which is to be held on the New Plymouth High School grounds next, week in connection with the Alf. Baylv Scholarship. Considering the lack of training and coaching they are receiving, we will not expect them to carry all the prizes home, but we venture to think they might be looked upon as good specimens of under 15-year-old boys.