AWATUNA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 29 May 1919, Page 4

AWATUNA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Mr and Mrs Chas. A. Voullaire were entertained at the Awatuna Hall the other evening, and were made the recipients of a presentation from the Awatuna settlers on the occasion of their leaving the district to take up their residence in Manaia. Eulogistic references were made by Messrs W. Lind and Arthur Collins of the many good qualities of the departing guests, especially in the interests of sport. Although the hall was packed, dancing was kept up.till the early hours of the morning. Mr A. Collins' orchestra supplied the music, and Mr Lind supplied the supper. The local Glee Club is making great strides, and has now quite 20 mixed voices, with a very promising orchestra. Much interest is being taken by members in the practises, and great credit is due to the conductor, Mr J. K. Silby. Our popular smithy, Mr Rod Walker, is closing up shop, and i?' soon about to leave us to take up farming, having purchased Mr Bradford's farm on Rama road. The result will be a great loss to our town, as we will have to do without our "village blacksmith," and the local farmers are wondering what to do for next season, but it is to be hoped that such an opportunity for another enterprising smith will not go begging for long. We are also told that Mr S. R. Farquhar, chairman of the local dairy company, is about to resign his position with a view of* taking a trip to the Old Country. This will undoubtedly be a great loss to the dairy company and to the community. It will also deprive us of our only J.P. There has been a great deal of farm selling going on out this way lately, and good prices are realised. Quite a number of fresh settlers are coming this way, mos% from" South Taranaki. The local factory has paid out Is 6d per lb. for butter-fat to the end of April, and the supply of milk is now falling off rapidly.