DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

| PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent) Tho question of improving the Punjfarehu Public Hall has been a burning one for many years. Thanks to some of the district Indies a forward move has at length been made. A meeting, convened by Mrs E. D. Mathews, for tho purpose of discussing and arranging various entertainments throughoiU the winter months, the proceeds to co towards forming a special Improvement fund, was held in the hall on Saturday afternoon last. Mrs. Mathews presided, and thoso ladles present formed themselves into what is called "The Punjjarehu Ladies' Improvement Committee " Tho alterations aimed nt are the removal of the porch, extending the front so as to provide for two dmsin? rooms and enlarging the supper room by taking hi part of the ladles' dressing room, which with the provision feeing made at the front of tho hall will no longer be necessary. To pive the fund a start it was decided to hold a series of social functions, the first taking the form of a fancy drees ball, will bo held on Tuesday evening, .Tune 2. Particulars of each function will he advertised in the Dally News. The outbreak of influenza appears to have been slightly checked, as far as tho coastal districts are concerned, the number of new cases reported being comparatively small.

The Rev. C Aker, who has been appointed Methodist minister in tho Cape Egmont circuit, In succession to the Rev E. D. M. King, now retired, lias arrived and taken up his duties. Ren-. Alter conducted the local servico on Sunday last.

The imany friends of Mr. and Mrs. Hamiil will he pleased to learn that their young boy is progressing favorably. The boy underwent aai operation for an abscess on the front of tho leg above' the ankle caused by coining in contart with a post while riding from school. For the storage of benzine and kerosene, etc., the local factory directors have just had erected a suitable building of galvanised iron for this purpose at the rear of the new general store. A much felt want lias been filled by tills additional storage room. The timber has also arrived on tho site upon which the new blacksmith's shop is to ba erected. This will be commenced immediately, as the district Is at present without a blacksmith.

From all accounts the number of cow 3 to be milked in this and surrounding districts during the coming season will show a largo Increase on former years. Several new milking plants are likely to bo installed to assist in reducing tho labor attachable to dairying a largo herd of cows. Cow testing is gaining in favor with the sunpliers to the Cape ISgmont Dairy Factory, and there has been an appreciable increase In tho number of those who aro availing themselves of tho assistance given by the department in this respect. Tho social and dance under the auspices of the Pungarehu Candidate Committee eventuated on Tuesday night/last. Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was poor. The music for the dance was provided by Mr. J. Orbell. Mr. J, Dennis acted as M C.

Sereral sports from Pungarehu and other parts journeyed to Hawera on Wednesday to assist at the .Tockey Club's meeting, and some of them had the pleasure of collecting. The protest by the Auckland women against the continued high post of the necessaries of life will perhaps ho the origin of a New Zealand wide movement designed to reduce the prices of certain commodities. It Is hoped (hat enncerled action will make itself felt in the commercial world when there Is more than a suspicion that an unfair advantage Is being taken of the purchaser. The wholesaler brings It heme daily to the retailer that he ts cut for an ever-Increasing percentage of profit, and the retailer, in passing on to the consumer the increase, adds a bit more for himseif. In neither case Is Iho whole increase justified by trade exigencies, but advantage is taken of tile chaotic condition prevailing, and the lamb liko demeanour of the public. Most people possess proof that this is being done, and a measure of organised resistance will therefore not come amiss. The Idea of an organised protest and action is not: by any means a new one to the general public of New Zealand, moro particularly since the war ended.

Sickness in various forms is prevalent amongst the school children, and in this connection the local committee decided to c.lope the school until Monday morning, the 17th. Inst. The weather took a decidedly wintry turn on Tuesday morning last. The cold sou'*eait

! find plerefofe sliowots were anything but pleasant for those obliged to be out of doors. Unlike sou'-easters in the past, our visitor thought better or his threat, as the following day turned out beautifully fine for the races. In view of augmenting tho funds of tho Pungarehu candidate, the committee who are working In her interests have arranged another social and dance to take place hero at an early date. Dancing will be itept up from 8 p.m. till 2 am., and . the music will De supplied by Messrs. Parker mid Norris In common with other nails of Taranakt, Pungarehu has experienijod during tho past few weeks or so a decided touch of whiter that will undoubtedly retard the autumn growth of feed, which, up to the present, has been very satisfactory. At t)ie meeting of ladles of the Fungarfnu district last Saturday week, when the question or tho necessity for the improvement, of ilio hall was under discussion, the chairwoman said that tho remark has been expressed by a visitor to this locality that the hall in its present condlton was a disgraco to the district. Undoubtedly the hall has long become out of dale, and an eyesore to the progressive spirits of the district, and it was only, natural that they should take this very important matter of improvements in. hand. It is very desirable that visiting patrons to the local functions should have proper accommodation offered them, and it is J® 1)6 hoped the present movement towards this end. which foncerns everyone, will meet with generous support.