DISTRICT NEWS.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 67, 10 June 1931, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

GLEN MURRAY NEWS.

THE DISTRICT DEVELOPING

There w’as an exceptionally heavy fog yesterday morning in the Pukekaw'a and Glenmurray districts and it was difficult to see more than a chain ahead. Residents in this locality state it was the heaviest for some time. A thick wdiite blanket enveloped the whole countryside until about midday when it commenced to lift and waxs superseded by brilliant sunshine.

A representative of,the Times who visited Pukekaw'a and Glenmurray districts yesterday the first time for many years, was agreeably surprised with the land development w'hich is taking place in these parts of the Ragland county. Country, which a few 7 years ago was clothed with fern and scrub, has been cleared and to-day ; s pasturing cattle and sheep which despite the time of the year, are in fairly good condition. Another noticeable feature w'as the improved fences in all parts of the district. In several places new grass sown in the autumn Ipas taken very well indeed and these pastures present a real picture. There is no doubt that the wonderful potentialities of the Glenmurray district as a farming centre have been realised and the district is now commencing lo come into its own. Aided by scientific farming methods it w’ill not be long, based on recent rates of progress, before Glenmurray will be one of the best dairying and sheep raising districts in the province. This development is due, in a large measure, to the improved roading conditions and transport facilities which enables farmers in this formerly more or less isolated settlement to obtain their farm requirements expeditiously and at almost any time of the year. Conditions to-day are vastly improved to what they were' 30 years ago when the roads w ; ere merely tracks and when mud was up to the saddle girth. In those days the only means of travel was by horse and canoe. The Times man was informed that over 20 years ago it was a most difficult and arduous task lo get to Rangiriri via the back road. First of all horses had to be used and then canoes. “Imagine it and then compare existing conditions and means of ■travel. Who said the good old days. The present day will do me despite the fact that I am not as young as I used to be,® said an old resident during conversation. “The advent of the telephone and the wireless has made a wmnderful difference to back block settlers, to say nothing of fastmoving motor cars and good surfaced roads. Why, he said, we are within a few hours of the City. We have comfortable homes so what more do we want. We are living in a real paradise compared with just a few years ago. All we require now is the electric light and an improved price for our produce and we will not know that we are alive,” he concluded.

The Glenmurray-Rangiriri road is not in the best of condition and motorists should not tackle it unless their cars are equipped with chains. In the summer time this road provides excellent travelling. But this is winter.

FUNCTION AT POKENO. A CHEER-UP EVENING. A most; enjoyable “cheer-up” evening was held in the Pokeno hall recently, there being a very large attendance. Among those present were: — Mrs Elliott, wearing black regaline; Mrs Edwards, beaded crepe de chine; Mrs Kelsall, blue crepe de chine; Mrs Power, lavender satin; Mrs Bourne, pink satin and net; Mrs Garris, lemon georgette: Mrs K. Synois (Vancouver), lemon crepe de chine; Miss M. Kelsall, pink ninon and silver lace; Miss A. Maiden, black floral pompadour satin; Miss J. Pascoe, electric blue georgette; Miss F. Ross, primrose taffeta; Miss B. Lawson, green georgette: Miss B. Parker, green taffeta; Miss D. Rickett, pale blue lace; Miss 0. Mclnnes, lavender satin and gold lame; Miss L. Parris, black satin: Miss A. Bourne, pink lace: Miss E. Lippiatt, old gold and net: Miss L. Lowry, mauve frilled taffeta; Miss M. Pendergrast, green satin: Miss 0. .Tewell, red georgette; Miss I. Power, egg shell blue taffeta; Miss M. Osbourne, pink satin; Miss ,T. Morey, green georgette: Miss M. Lcatham, pink georgette: Miss .T. Crawley (Hawke’s Bay), primrose moire satin: Miss 0. Motlroy, Malburn georgette: Miss E. McGill, rose georgette; Miss R. Workman, apricot taffeta; Miss B. Hay, lemon crepe de chine: Miss W. Stone, mauve crepe de chine: Miss E. Mcllroy, blue georgette: Miss L. Reid, honey satin beaute; Miss N. Gumming, pearl pink georgette; Miss A. Docherty, flame satin; Miss .T. Mackie. blue ninon: Miss A. McTnnes, lemon taffeta: Miss G. McGlay, floral crepe de chine.

ONEWHERO NOTES. Mr W. Richie is confined to his home suffering from an attack of pleurisy. Mr IT. Rapson’s little daughter was admitted to the Auckland hospital on Monday to undergo an operation for appendicitis.

Mrs W. Flint and Miss D. Flint left yesterday on a visit to Mr and Mrs W. Eagle, Waimana.

Miss N. Walter, who has been appointed to a school in the Nelson education district, left last week to take up her duties. Mr J. Cathcart, Mr Les. Cathcart, of Pukekawa, Mrs S. Cronin and Mr and Mrs J. Cathcart, have left on a motor tour for Rotorua, Napier and New Plymouth. By exercising care, motorists may safely travel over the unmetalled portions of Kauri road. In several places the road is quite boggy and in others very greasy.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers’ association takes place next week. The length of road recently reconstructed near Messrs Cameron Bros.’ property has now quite a good surface.