DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. {From Our Own Correspondent.) Were was :i large attendance in the schoolroom on Friday evening last, on the occasion of Mr. Gould's usual fortnightly visit. The competition for the recital of the Ten Commandments by the children was brought to a Glial stage, when each of those present repeated the whole of them, and, it may be said, they acquitted themselves most creditably. At Its conclusion, Mr. Gould gave an interesting explanation o£ the Commandments, and announced that on Friday evening nest a social evening would be spent and ttc prizes awarded as promised at the commencement of the competition some few months ago. Several hymns were sung during the evening, Miss Phillips, as usual, presiding at the organ.

The Wai-tol-toi Dairy Company this month paid out 2b per lb tot butter-fat, being on advance of Cd on the amount distributed during the earlier portion of the season. Mr. J. P. Phillips (chairman of tbe Wai-to-toi Dairy Company), in his report of his visit to the conference of employers, held at Hawera recently, mentioned that he thought the scale of wages paid by the company to Its employees was scarcely as high as that paid In other parts, and, on his suggestion, an all-round increase in the amount paid to the stall was made. It is pleasing to note that at the meeting of the local dairy company, held on" Wednesday last, tfce directors (Messrs, ,T. F. Phillips and P. Spurr) appointed to interview the suppliers on the matter of taking steps to ensurt the efficient cooling of mjlk, were able to report most favorably on the matter, all those Interested recognising the advantages to be derived from adopting this course. Up to tho present the weather has been all In favor of the condition of milk, but in a few weeks' time, when the fulJ heat of the summer is experienced, cooling will be a very important factor in the quality of the article manufactured, and will not only bpneM the suppliers individually and collectively, but will also save the manager and stall an endless amount of worry In trying to secure high result from Inferior imllk. During the past winter the dairy company went to considerable expense to secure an efficient drainage system, with the result that all waste from the factory is now emptied through a first-class drain Into the sea, half a mile or so distant. To ensure the drain being kept in order, it was decided, at a meeting last week, to take steps for letting a contract for this purpose. The local school grounds presented quite a busy appearance last week, when a large number of pupils equipped with slashers, etc., were to be seen hard at work cutting the furze and blackberry. The result of their labors is to be seen In the improved appearance of the premises. Mr, J. Casino has also levelled off the lawn in front of the school and laid it down in suitable grass. The Injector (Mr. Dempsey) has forwarded his report on the recent examination of tte school, and the teacher (Miss Nolan) is to be complimented upon its excellence. After dealing with the satisfactory manner in which the pupils acquitted tlnmeselves in the various pass subjects, Mr. Dempsey made mention of the difficulties under which Miss Nolan had conducted her duties during the past few months, and referred in most pleasing terms to tl-e manner In which she had carried them out. Tbe first round of the Thursday cricket competition was brought to a conclusion on Thursday, and the Urenui team Is to be congratulated on having won each of the three matches played, thus placing them first on the list so far. In view of the forthcoming representative matches, it Is to be toped the team wlil Tetaln the good fonm already shown, a fact which, will no doubt be taken due notice of by the sole selector *Mr. D. Clegg). Several of the batsmen have made good scores, and T. O'Neill's bowline average should read fairly decent.

Mr. B. Wilson is at present staying at Wai-tol-tol, and !s engaged in the survey of various blocks of land in the district. Hooping cough has been very prevalent In Uruti recently, and has necessitated tho closing of the school temporarily. Tferci is to be seen at the Wal-toi-tol factory a «ry handsome doll (dressed in knitted woollen garments) together with a most serviceable "lady's companion." Both these articles l ave been forwarded by Mrs Bayly (who is always to the fore in any good object) to Mr. Jas. Ross (the manager), and are to be raffled in the district, the proceeds being devoted to the Girls' Ho«tel fund. As the hostel Is to be most fittingly dedicated as a memorial to the memory of the late Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke), and will be of great benefit to country girls, no doubt a large number of tickets will be sold. The report appearing in your columns last week on the proposed ralJway route from Wfiltara to Awakino, wtieh was published I at the request of our member (Mr. W. T i Jennings}, makes very interesting reading' despite tho fact that the estimates of the* coat aro some eight years old. Even if they are up-o-date, it would seem, judging by the j sentiments expressed on new railway con- ! structlon recently by the Minister of Rail, ways, that our chance of reaching New F!y- 1 mouth by train is about as remote as that of ' the renowned Buckley. I