Makomako

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7032, 16 December 1932, Page 11

Makomako

From Our Own Correspondent. Makomako is situated on tlic eastern side and nestling closely to the foot of the Tararua rangos. It is approximately eight miles from Fakiatua and 17 miles from Palmerston North. Though its population is small (slightly over 100) it has various interests and activities. These include a Women’s Institute with a membership of 52, a miniature rifle club, a defence club of fairly recent formation and a tennis club. The bush-clad heights of the Tararuas provide an excellent hunting ground for wild pigs and also deer and opossum in season. What might bp called tho scenic gem of the district may' bo found in tho Matarua caves which border Mrs. H. Sowry’s property, “The Bluff,” and run down between it and the school grounds. By day, particularly in the heat of summer, tho cool afforded by these caves with thoir streaming, moss-grown wails, hung round by limestone stalactites and roofed with evergreen trees provide a welcome retreat, and by night, more especially in tho late cummer and autumn, theso same walls sparkling with millions of minute lamps placed there by tiny glow worms, transforming it into a veritable fairyland. Though they are but miniature caves they never "fail to interest visitois to tho district. Trout fishing is indulged in by some members of the community and the Matarua and Mangahao streams are found to bo happy hunting grounds for followers of the rod, as arc also tho n: re distant Mangatainoka and Manawatu rivers. Owing to the close piuximity of the Tangos 1 the rainf: l is fair!} high. During November US!) points of rain fell, making a total of 47.83 inches for tho ten mouths since February I, 1932. The corresponding figures last year were respectively 724 points and 54.C6 incrcs. At tho local school there are now 19 pupils on tho roll. Tho annual examinations have just been completed, all tho children passing into their higher standards, quite a number doing excolleuuy. There wero no candidates for the proficiency examination this year. Tho children are at present busy preparing items for their Christmas tree party to be held on Friday evening, and the gardens are now' being put in order for the coming vacation. The plot of grasses of various varieties sown during November is now well established and should prove of great interest and of much value to tho children. The school committco has recently erected a fence to protect tho young trees on tho north sido of tho school. It is pleasing to report that Gavin Callender, Form 111. A, Education Department Correspondence school, gained special mention for his agricultural experimental work and also obtained 89 per cent, in mathematics besides doing credibly in his other subjects. This lad received instruction during the year from Mr. F. Graham, the local schoolmaster.

Routine work on tho farms .is progressing apaco and so far thero has been little spare timo for amusements. However, cropping, shearing, etc., are, thanks to favourable weather condition- well advanced and residents may look forward to a certain amount of leisure for recreation after Christmas. In tho gardens ono sees a riot of glorious bloom for this has been a season of vigorous growth, and, with the exception of tho last week or two we have escaped the rather trying winds wo often experience during spring and early summer. Mrs. A. F. Sowry and Mrs. Cuff, of Feilding, who havo been tho guests of Mrs. H. Sowry, “Rose Farm,” returned homo this week. Tho friends of Mr. Ernest Groves will uo pleased to learn that ho is steadily improving after nis prolonged illness.