RUAKAKA NEWS

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1932, Page 8

RUAKAKA NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Weather and Farming,

The unsettled weather of the past fortnight has caused a delay In two most important works of the farming community, that of shearing and haymaking. Both are at present in full swing and many crops of hay would have been in by now had the weather kept line. However, now that the skies have cleared probably the weather will be perfect during the holidays, to the advantage of the numerous campers, who have already made their appearances on our beaches. From the farmer’s point of view the season has been an exceptionally productive one; feed was never more abundant, cream cans and lorries taxed' to the uttermost limit. The only anxiety is the price, -which barely pays expenses.

The Whangarei shops are exceedingly attractive this Christmas, and prices of goods lower than for many years; if only cheques were a little larger, it would be a pleasure to do the necessary shopping for the festive season. Many farmers have been obliged to go to other works already to get more cash to meet their liabilities. Relief Work. The local relief workers are now doing full-time work on the drainage works at Marsden Point, so will bo in a better position than some months previously. Unfortunately, the few single men in the district have been excluded from these works, and have had to seek work further afield. Road Metalling. The metalling of the road connecting One Tree Point with Marsden Point roads has been let and will be proceeded with after the holidays. When people come in contact with real hard limes, holidays will be curtailed, as in England, where work goes on as usual on New Year’s Day; indeed they work with added zest as turning a new page. School Picnic. The eagerly anticipated school picnic was hold oil Thursday, December 15, on the eve of the breaking up for the annual summer holidays. The weather was all that could be desired, with bright sunshine and .iust enough breeze to keep one moderately cool. The race track on the hard sand of the ocean beach was rather exposed to the hot lays of the sun, but the refreshment corner, under the old willow tree, where old identities picnicked 30 years ago, was beautifully cool and restful.

There were quite a nice number of parents and friends present w r ho enjoyed the- pleasure of the happy children, waiting for the teacher, Mr Crane, and the members of the School Committee to present the prizes, first

to the winners of the various races and then to all other children present. After that there was a happy scramble amongst the lupins for oranges and bags of lollies, then three cheers for teacher and helpers and all started for homo after a jolly, but tiring day. The list of prize winners is as follows:

Girls, 6 and under 7 years.—V. Antonovich 1, M. Paton 2. Boys: W, Pearson I, X. Pearce 2.

■Girls, 7 —S. —June Cosgrave I, U, Patterson 2. Boys: D. Crompton I, E Pilbrow 2,

Girls, S—9. —Doreen Latimer 1, Laura Harvey 2. Girls, 9 —lo.—L. Eussek 1, Olive Bradley 2. Boys: Peter Antonovich 3, Leslie McCathie 2. v Girls, 10 —11. —Esme Harvey 1, Georgie Lyons 2. Boys; Stanley Cpsgravo 1, Victor Visco 2.

Girls, 12—13. —Evelyn Bradley 1, Lily Beasley 2. Boys: Bruce Alison 1, E, Pearce 2. Girls, 13—14. —Edna Cosgrave 1, Kathleen Prescott 2. Boys: Henry McGrath 1, Leslie Latimer 2,

Under school age.—Girls, D. Antonovich 1, D. Tonner 2. Boys, U. Pearce 3, Guy Pilbrow 2. Wheelbarrow race. —Girls under 10, Laura Harvey 1, G. Lyons 2; over 10, Edna Cosgrave 1, Lily Beasley 2. Boys, Les. McCathie 1, P, Antonovich 2. Over 10, Bruce Alison I, Henry McGrath 2.

■Sack Eaee.—Boys under .8, IST. Pearce 1, Pred Antonovich 2. Under 10, Victor Visco 1, Les McCathio 2. Over .10, Cliff Pearce 1, Stanley Cosgrave 2.

Three-legged race. —McGrath and partner 1, Latimer a'nd partner 2. Egg and spoon race. —Una Eussek 1, L. Eussek 2.

Threading needle race.—Edna Cosgrave 1, E. Bradley 2.

High jump.—Boys under 10, P. Antonovich 1, O. Bradley 2. Over 10, H. McGrath and Pearce I, Bradley 2. Sack Pace. —Girls, up to 8 years, June Cosgrave 1, Ailsa McCathie 2; S to 10, L. Eussek 1, Olive Bradley 2; .10 and. over, J. Crompton 1, Edna Cosgrave 2,

Single ladies’ race.—Miss J. Salle 1, Miss Irene Pearce 2,

Single men’s race,—Cliff Pearce 1, Crane 2.

Married men.—Mr Shepherd 1, Mr Hodley 2.

General,

The year 1932 is rapidly drawing to its close, and the fortunate few arc already planning their holiday destination, routes, and outfits. The various beaches are attracting the usual crowds, and motor trafiic seems to bo much as usual at the holiday season. As a consequence of the very low prices being paid out for butterfat at present, dairy heifers fetched a

very low price at a clearing sale at Waipu recently. The position is so serious that many have been obliged to take on other work to keep up their farm payments. A rather surprising feature of the butterfat question is the price we pay for our butter. While the factory pays us eightpence Halfpenny per lb, we pay thirteen pence at the store, and one shilling per lb at the factory. If we could get our butter for tenpence per lb we would be able to afford to use more. Many families would use more butter if it was sold at a fair price, and that in itself would help to keep the .price up. The local unemployed are now working at the draining of the swamp near Marsden Point. They hope tho work will continue all summer, as the gum industry seems to have fallen flat again, and no buyers are coming forward.

Truck loads of timber and other building material continue to be carried along the One Tree Pbint road, which shows that someone has faith in the future and hopes for better times.

The local tennis club continues to practise on the newly renovated courts, although most players have to leave early on account of the eternal milking.

On some farms haymaking is already in full swing. Others are making ensilage for winter use. Mr and Mrs Patteson and family, from the South Island, have now permanently settled on their section on Marsden Point Eoad and will be building shortly.