DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 28 February 1911, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents). OAOXUI. | The annual school picnic took place in the school grounds on Friday last, and as. the day was beautifully fine, there was a large attendance of both children and grown-ups. Early in the day Mr. Young (chairman) distributed the prizes, every child receiving one. The rest of the day was spent'in games and races. In the evening a social was held in the hall, and was a great success. Mr. Cannell supplied the music in his usual excellent style. ( 0n Monday the gentle patter of rain on the roof did much to gladden tht hearts of everybody, as well as to put out the fires which have been burning all along the coast for the last week or so. The milk supply at the local factory is decreasing daily, owing to the recent droughts. 1 think the farms alongside the beach suffered most, but those who were fortunate enough to have good crops of maize are now reaping the benefit of it. It is satisfactory to note that the tests are going up stoadily as the milk decreases. We are pleased to see that tenders arc being called for improvements to the local hall . It is intended to make it as up-to-date as possible, and to have it in readiness for the coming winter. •Mrs. Billing, who has been seriously ill in New Plymouth for the past two months, returned home last week.

URENTI. The school children's annual picnic was held ori Friday in Mr. R. Pigott's paddock, and was a success in every way. The attendance of parents and children was large, there being between 100 and 2(10 children. The usual games and races were got off for prizes, such as toys, books, etc. A "hobble skirt" race caused great amusement. Mr. Pope (the headmaster), Miss Henderson (assistant) and Miss Julian (pupil teacher) worked hard to make the affair a success. They were Able assisted by the committee. Mr. Halcombc (the chairman) was unavoidably absent. The weather was cloudy, but the rain kept off. Refreshments were laid out on the grass, having been provided by the ladies, and ample justice was done to them. What a change from over fifty years ago, when we used to go in a bullock cart to picnics at Waitara, where 'Wi Kingi reigned supreme before the.war.

I hear that Mr. W. Sangster has sold his lease of Mr. Telfar's farm back to the owner. We shall all be sorry to lose "Kiri," as -we call him, as he is a rare old sport and even now is always ready for a kick-off or to handle the willow. In his younger days he was noted as a prominent footballer. The country here is becoming the color of brown paper, and rain is now badly wanted. Smoke is still about. Last Monday was the first wet day for 30 days, but very little rain fell. We want plenty so as to give the pastures a start for the winter. Later. Splendid rain fell on Friday night and it will do an immense amount (if good to, the country v

«f WAREA. Mrs. Thompson and her two sons, Archie and George, are on a short visit to this district. The milk supply at the local factory is decreasing considerably with the hot .dry weather. ' The local athletic club hold their fifth annual sports in the Keereation Grounds next Wednesday, and providing we havo a fine day, a good meeting should result. The nominations are not as good as last year's. The committee has decided to procure the chopping blocks themselves, so as to keep the expenses down. The Egmont County Council's stone crusher arrived at the' Warea river last week, and will start crushing soon. The Church of England held their thanksgiving service in the hall last Sunday evening, and the sale of fruit and produce wad held on Monday night in the form of a social. The night was fine, but the attendance was very poor, owing to the Warea road people being unable to leave their homes because oi the bush fires, but, in spite of all, those present enjoyed themselves. The sale of the produce took place early in the evening, and realised a fair amount. Mr. T. E. Larking acted as auctioneer. About midnight supper was handed round and much appreciated. The long dry spell of fine weather broke up on Monday, when rain started to fall in the morning, and continued all day. Although the rain was light it did a good deal of good. The sun came out afterwards'as hot and as dry as ever, until Friday night, when rain again set in, and fell all night and all next day without ceasing. Sunday was a miserable day. The bush lires are now just about out, there being only odd logs that are left smouldering, and all danger is now over for this year. One could not believe the damage the fires have done on the Warea, Newall, Carrington and[ Punilio roads if he had not been to look after the fire had swept the district. Not a blade of grass is to be seen on some of the farms, nor is there a fence left standing anywhere, and the whole country is in ruins. "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," however. The waggons have] been coming out of New Plymouth late-1 ly loaded with bags of grass seed. I

TJIK HORTICULTURAL SHOW. T)ic Cape Egmont Horticultural Society this year received more special prizes than ever before, ami gave a points prize of 10s (id in cadi section throughout the catalogue, besides other special prizes. The following are the winners of the point* and special prizes:— Section 1. Pot plants: Mr. J. Burgess' prize 10s Cd, B. A. Layard. Section 2. Cut blooms: Mr. F. Calgher's prize 10s Cd, J. Burgess. Section 3. Vegetables: Mr. W. Little's prize 10s Od, J. Burgess. . Section 4. Fruit: Mr. F. Calgher's prize 10s 6d, J. Burgess. Section 4. Preserves, etc: Herald and Budget prize ss, Mrs. J. B. Groom. Section 7. Mr. Newton King's prize 1001b Hour, .Mrs. C. Parker. Section 8. Bouquets and floral designs: Mr. J. Burges.s' prize 10s Od, Mrs. S. Wells. Section 9. Miscellaneous: Mr. W. Lind's prize ss, Mrs. ,'J. B. (Iroom. The following are the winners of the special prizes and tile classes for which the prizes were given: Dahlias, best general collection.—B. A. La-yard's special ss, J. Burgess. Best collection Tcgetables.—Mr. J. Rotllerv's special ss, Messrs. Parker and Co. Cut blooms, collection.—Dr. Walker's . special ss, B. A. Layard. Best collection farm produce.—Mr. S. Clarke's tmiilk (strainer valued (is, J r Burgess. Potatoes, six varieties.—-Mr. j. Colmcr's set horse shoes, J. Burgess. Potatoes, twelve varieties.—Mr. W. Howe's special ss, J. Burgess. Potatoes, best variety in show.—Mr. I J. S. Fox's box of tea, J. Burgess. Fruit, best collection. —Messrs. Hohnor and Clairk's special ss, J. Burgess.

| Preserved fruit.—Mr. W. Little's [ special ss, Mrs. Larking. | Jam, collection.—Mr. W. Little's special ss, Mrs. T. Collins. Cake, best for family use.—Mr. A. J. Richards' special ss, Mrs. W, Taylor. Bread, home-made.—Messrs. Burgess ■ Fraser and I'o.'s box of tea, Mrs. F. West. Hand bouquet, girls under 14 years.— Mr. W. Revell's special ss, Miss Teresa Tobin. Bridal bouquet. —Herbert's (Up-to-Date) special ss, Miss Annie Tobin. Table decorations.—Mrs. H. Corbett's special ss, Mrs. S. Wells. Decorated mantelpiece, Herbert's (Up-to-Uate) special ss. Mrs. S. Wells. Decorated bicycle.—E. Reynolds an« C'o.'s special 10s, Miss C. Parker. The sheep that was won by Mr. J. Millar in the weight-guessing competition was .kindly given to the society by Mr. Alex, Alexander, of New Plymouth, and the society has to thank him for the donatio!!. It is expected that the show will be a success financially.