MANGONUI AND ORURU.

Northern Advocate, 23 April 1915, Page 2

MANGONUI AND ORURU.

The district has provided a fair share of recruits for the Expeditionary Force. Volunteers for the 6th Reinforcement comprised the following residents of this district, nearly all trained Territorials:—Messrs - P. Francis, F. Braithwaite, J. McLeary, A. Stanton, W. Thompson, F.Silva and H. Jackson. A farewell dance was held in the Oruru Hall on the night previous to their departure.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS. Considerable works of renovation and addition have lately ne'en in hand at the Mangonui school. The painters have just finished their task of painting the school and are now, engaged on the teacher's residence. In addition a new,shelter shed has been erected. It will be a boon for the youngsters in the winter season.

ROLLER SKATING. Last winter roller skating on Saturday nights was a very popular amusoment in the Oruru Public Hall and has again commenced. It is proposed to hold a skating carnival about the middle of the season. ACCIDENTS. There have been several accidents in the district of late following Mr Frank Silva's shooting accident. Mr Albert Maria's little boy who was unfortunate enough to cut off three fingers of one hand while playing with a disc plough, is making satisfactory progress. The first motor accident in the county happened near Mangonui, a motor car colliding with Mr Snowden, of Kaeo, who was riding a motor bicycle. Mr Snowden was severely injured, breaking three ribs, but under the circumstances he is making satisfactory progress. ROAD MENDING. The County Council are making preparations for the winter by patching the main roads. Messrs A. Berghau and R. Foster are metalling on the main road between Oruru and the Peria River. RECENT RAINS. The recent rains have made a wonderful difference to the.comt.ry. The bare brown hills of a few weeks ago on each side of the Oruru valley are now a brilliant emerald greon. The rainfall recorded in Mangonui for the month of March was no less than 5.31 inches, whereas the average fall for this .month has been for the last six years is 3,69 inches, no month since August, 1913, has had such a heavy rainfall to its credit.

BETTER BUTTER. Mr Valentine, Government Dairy Inspector, was lately in this district. It is satisfactory to note that this gentleman reports a vast improvement of the quality of butter turns.] out by the Northern dairy factories, due no doubt -largely to the compulsory grading system instituted by mutual

agreement by all Northern factories .for the first time this season.

The Oruru-Fairburn factory in spile Of the ary spell has put up splendid results. The output at the end of March, 1914, was for that season 9S tons. This season for the same period the output is 97% toas. Slightly different indeed considering the weather.

SPORTS. The Oruru Athletic Sports Cluh held their annual meeting in Mr John Garton's fine Kainamu paddock on Easter Monday under the auspices of the Northern Union. The surroundings, were ideal, the track waß iix splendid condition and the meeting was most successful. The arrangement's were good and the racing well contested. Mr Stuart McKay, the hard-working secretary, was well assisted by Mr John Dawson. Mr Harris was a prompt starter and Mr John Pearson showed neither fear nor favour in framing the handicaps. The close finishes proved that his work was well done. The Oruru club is in a flourishing condition having a membership of over 50 and besides their families and friends over 300 spectators paid at the gate fof admission. In the evening a successful dance was held in the Oruru Public Hall the music being provided by a circus brass band. V

(District News continued on <page 3)