DISTRICT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17985, 2 April 1930, Page 10

DISTRICT NEWS

| FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS. |

PUKEMIRO.

TE AKAU.

©pi Guides. The Girl Guides, with Captain Ray in charge, and the members of the ■Guide Committee motored to Morrins■ville on Saturday, and competed in competitions. V Great hospitality was shown the ■visitors, and the Pukemlro Patrol returned in great spirits after their enjoyable day.

Tennis. The semi-finals of the ladies’ and men’s cups -were played off during the week. In the Snodgrass Cup, Mrs Ludgate (owe 16) best G. Philbum (10), 5042; Mrs Ludgate (owe 16) heat Airs Evans (owe 1), 50-35. In the men’s cup C. Ludgate (owe 3) heat J. Evans (rec. 6), 70-68; J. Otway (owe 11) beat O. Nierls (ree. 1), 70-61. The finals are to be played on April 6, when the following matches will take place:—The Armour Cup, Miss Snodgrass (owe 25) v. Mrs Ludgate (sor.) ; Snodgrass Cup, Mrs McClure (rec. 5) v. Airs Ludgate (owe 16) ; Fenwick Trophy, Aliss M. Henry and Rathtoone (rec. 4) v. Mrs Mellsop and Broughton (owe 2); Malcolmson Gup, J. Otway (owe 11) v. the winner of C. Ludgate (owe 3) and I. Broughton (owe 25), Personal. Air and Airs S. B. Henry and Miss Alavis Henry left on Friday for Feilding en route to Wellington, where they are to bid farewell to Mr Keith Henry, who is leaving by the Remuera for England. Airs Upton and Miss Ethel Upton were at Feilding ,for the annual polo tournament. Airs Philbum is spending a holiday in Auckland.

GLEN MASSEY.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services. On Sunday morning and evening the Eev. G. Hall, Methodist minister at Nga.ruawahia, conducted special harvest thanksgiving services in the local church, before very large congregations. The church was tastefully decorated with flowers and held produce, and during the services a local choir, under the direction of Mr P. L,ees, rendered special anthems.

Church Social. A very large number of visitors and residents attended the Methodist church social in the local church on Monday evening, the Rev. CL Hail being in the chair. The Ngaruawahia Orchestra’s musical numbers, the Ngaruawahia choir’s cantata, and Mr Courtney’s cornet sol-os, were items that were much appreciated by the audience. After a splendid supper, supplied by the ladies of the district, the produce was sold, the church funds benefiting by a substantial sum as a result. At the conclusion the Rev. Hall thanked all those who had so generously donated goods, and the ladies who had provided the _ supper, together with all others who had contributed to the success of the evening. Weather. The weather still continues line and dry. March having been the driest month experienced locally for some years. There was rain on one day alone during Ibe month, the fail registered then being only .00 inches. Many local residents are again ex-, periencing a shortage of water and unless rain foils in the near future the position wilt become serious. Locai Industry. A large tunnelling contract, in connection With the opening of the new mine, has been let to a local party and the contractors will he commcncjmr work immediately. During the week a large petrol-driven navvy e.mrnenced excavating on the site of the coal bir.s and screening plant.

GLEN AFTON.

A Presentation.

A very pleasing function took place in the Glen Afton -workshop, a presentation being made by Mr Norman Naylor, who has left Glen Afton to take up a position in the Renown collieries at Rotowaro. Mr Naylor was a general favourite with his fellow workmates. Air John Greenhorn, jnr., made the presentation in a very- eulogistic speech. Air Naylor feelingly replied. The Collieries. Alosf, of the ironwork and machinery is on the ground for the new screens, and the foundation blocks of cement are being erected. When completed this mine will he able to screen 1000 tons of coal a day. Miners’ Union. On Tuesday morning the union had a meeting at the pithead and decided to Like the day off lo hear delegates’ report and other business. Personal. Air J. Rowe, who was eight weeks i!i Ihe Waikato' Hospital, is hack at \Yi)" k

TE AROHA

dresses were given by Mr Lye and Rev. C. W. Clarke, a teacher of the old Taotaoroa school. Reference was made during the speeches to the size of the classes. Rev. Clarke stated that the children of a small country school were usually able to receive greater individual attention than pupils of larger town classes. The danger of over-central-isation of education was also emphasised. Air Clinkard congratulated settlers on having obtained such a fine school. The key of the school was turned by Air Clinkard, and the opportunity was taken by residents and visitors to inspect the building. The school has been built on the most modem plan and has been splendidly equipped. During the afternoon races were run toy the children, and a dainty afternoon tea served by the ladies was much appreciated. The master of the school is Air W. J. B. Hunter, late of Royal Oak school, Auckland. Social Evening. 1 As a fitting sequel to the official opening of the school a social evening > was spent by a large number of resi- i dents and visitors from Cambridge. Games and dancing took up the main part of the evening, and vocal items were much appreciated. The duties of M.C. were efficiently conducted by Air Alford, School Funds. A considerable number of voluntary subscriptions have been received from residents of Taotaoroa and business people of Canlbridge for the purpose of setting up a school library. It is desired to thank all those who gave towards this fund, which is for a worthy purpose. Personal. Airs C. Bruce, who has not been in good health, has returned from a visit to Rotorua greatly benefited toy her holiday.

Pfunket Society. Airs G. Hedge presided at the monthly meeting of the Plunket Society. The nurse’s report for the month as applied to Te Anoha was as follows: Attendance at rooms, mothers 208, babies 173, older children 42. There were 11 new cases, and 52 visits were paid to homes. Fined for Speeding. N. Shaw was charged at the S-M. Court with having driven a motor-car at an excessive speed. He pleaded guilty to having speeded at 40 miles per hour, and was fined £2 and costs. Presentation to Teacher. Mr and Mrs H. S. Redwood, on the eve of leaving for Rotorangi, were presented toy the residents of Mangaiti with a handsome leather fireside easychair, Miss Redwood with an art glass vase and Alaster R. Redwood with an electric torch. Mr Redwood has been headmaster of the Mangaiti sohool for the past two years.

TE KAWA,

Cricket. The local cricket team, which has won the Looirrb Cup for two consecutive seasons, played a challenge match against Patcrangi and High School combined. The result was a draw. The home team is to toe congratulated on annexing the cup again this year from teams that are able to practice diligently and often, the former team securing very little practice throughout the season. A Switchback. The Swamp road (becomes “eoriouser and curiouser,” resembling a switchhack more and more each day. The bridge, over the main drain needs attention, one loose board being a souroe of danger to the unwary driver. It is hoped that work may be commenoed very soon on this part of the Swamp road.

TAOTAOROA.

Official Opening of School. A recent important event at Taotaoroa was the official opening of the new school by the member for the district, Air C. 11. Clinkard, who was accompanied by Air F. Lye, M.P. Although there was a school in the district some 2 0 years ago, children of late years bad to travel a considerable distance to school at lvarapiro. After several years of agitation a school was granted, due mainly lo the endeavours of Air F. Kelly. The opening ceremony was conducted in (lie presence of some fifty residents and visitors, and an allogether enjoyable afternoon was spent. Afr J. Bruce, a pupil of the original Taotaoroa school, gave an address of welcome, in which he outlined the history of the district and the endeavours to obtain a schooL Appropriate ad-1

PIRONGIA.

Progress. Very marked progress has been made during the past five years in the Pirongia West district suffering for many years from had access by road and bridges. . Settlement in consequence swept toy and an area of some 10,000 acres was left practically unsettled until a few years ago. By fir the graeter part of the land was allotted for military service, providing another difficulty in the way of settlement, in tracing owners and effecting a purchase. Certain peculiarities of tiie land not understood by tlie first settlers who were unable lo succeed by the old Waikato method of tillage, led to the belief that the 'land was intractable. About five years ago a do- I lormined effort to test the capabilities I of the land under a system of manuring and grass management was. made, notably by one settler, Air E. J. Owen. I Under ■ his system a property in an advanced stale of deterioration, incapable of supporting a beast to Tour acres, was within two years carrying a beast and a sheep to two acres, be-

sides producing 10,0001 b. of ‘butterfat from grass alone. It is interesting to note the increase, in grass laid down and in the herds milked during the past five years. With approximately 715 acres of grass, scattered throughout six holdings comprising about 3000 acres, carrying about 80 dairy cows and 500 sheep at that time —and to-day with 1750 of 1 grass there are close upon 500 cows being milked in addition to IGOO sheep and a large number of growing cattle. All this despite the difficulty of access and the difficulty of finance for the farm during recent years. The progress of this area has focussed public attention and created a good deal of inquiry from those desirous of taking up cheap land. Land that is procurable at a very low unimproved price—there are blocks available at no more than £1 per acre—which at a cost of £5 per acre can be made to produce 1001 b of butterfat per annum, and at a total cost of £lO or £l-2 per acre a farmer can be fully established on this country. Sunday School Picnic. The annual Methodist Sunday School picnic was held in beautiful weather on Mr Joe Ormsby’s farm at Mangati. The spot is well favoured for outings of this kind and consequently is much sought by all whose duty it is to organise functions of this kind. This fact brought forth a special vote of thanks to Mr Ormsby for the use of his beautiful property. The usual list of games and sports was gone through, kecuing everyone on the go throughout the day, with intervals for lunch and afternoon tea. Altogether" a most enjoyable time was spent. According to Lime honoured custom each child participating received a prize. All who assisted received the thanks of the happy assemblage.