DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1921, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAR|HU. | (From Our Own Correspondent.) In arranging a series of socials for the raising of funds to be devoted to the improvement of ti e local hall, the Pungr.rehu Ladies’ Improvement Committee will no doubt have the solid support of the local residents. Although the committee have made recent improvements there are quite a number of facilities yet which will have to be provided, which, besides improving the appearance of the hall, should provide the public with a smart djall for their gatherings. Towards this end a and dance will be held here on Friday night, March 4, to augment the funds, and this social should prove a very popular one. What would otherwise have been one of the most successful functions yet held in Bahotu on Wednesday evening, February 23, was marred somewhat by the failure of the lights, after the first part of the dancing programme had been gone through. There is every indication that the sports that are to be held in the Wurea Domain on Wednesday, March 2, will be a successful gathering. A good committee has the different sections of the programme in hand. The programme .as advertised should make really attractive sports for young and old. Post entries will be received for all events, and nominal entry fees have been fixed. At night there will be a concert and dance, the whole of the proceeds being in aid of the hall funds. A young ladies’ tennis team has been formed locally, which will shortly try conclusions with Warea. It is probable if prospects are satisfactory that steps may be taken to inaugurate a tennis club.

Mr. C. H. Mojre, architect of the Taranaki Education Board, visited Pungarehu on Friday last in conection with school matters. The local store, Hughson’s, Ltd., will observe Saturday as the weekly half-holiday as from March 1. Up to the present, Wednesday has been observed as the half-holiday in the Egmont County.

A few Rugby devotees are talking of making a vigorous attempt to arouse enthusiasm in the game in tills locality at an early date. It is hoped they will meet with encouraging support, especially from the younger players.

The Horticultural Society’s Show at New Plymouth last week was, according to visitors from the coast, a good all-round show. The fall of snow on Mount Egmont recently was followed by one or two cold nights, and the climatic conditions for this season of the year have been exceptional.

For nearly five years the stream of industry was diverted into the channels of war, and now that It should be directed to restoring the war’s ravages a spirit of unrest has arisen that is seriously interfering with the work of reconstruction and the reversion to normality. The war altered many things, revealed marvellous possibilities theretofore veiled in obscurity, opened out new avenues of occupation, increased the cost of living, and left a colossal legacy of debt the payment of which, and the interest thereon, will be a millstone around the necks of the nations. Even if the people of all the heavily burdened countries stood With their coats off ready to do their utmost towards repairing this war wastage, the task would be gigantic. This, of course, is the spirit in which the problem should be faced, but the war upset all standards of value and altered the moral outlook of millions. We look for super-efforts in production and for economy in expenditure. Search as we may, these two great factors are conspicuous by their absence. Instead there are

Only to be found industrial unrest, with its goglow policy and extravagance of a pronounced type. WAi-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. F. Purchas, of Urenui, who was on Wednesday last taken to New Plymouth for medical attendance owing to a poisoned hand, is progressing favorably. Mr. Gerald Pigott, who is also in the hospital with a broken leg, is making satisfactory progress, though it will be some three weeks before he is able to return home. A daughter of Mr. P. Darke, of Okoke, was conveyed to the New Plymouth Hospital during the week, suffering from a severe attack of pleurisy, but is recovering rapidly. On Saturday last the youngest son of Mr. Ci as. Musker, of Wai-toi-toi, had to be taken to New Plymouth, having become ill suddenly during the previous evening. Though nothing definite is known as to the cause, it is stated that the symptoms indicate gastric influenza. Considerable interest is being evinced in the forthcoming chopping contest between Green (who performed so well at the Urenui Sports i last year) and Shewry (the world’s champion). A deposit l?as been made, and the match will i be for £5O a-slde, to take place at Urenui in i a few weeks’ time. It is stated that prabably I a few other events, comprising chopping, saw- [ ing, tug-of-war, etc., will be arranged during 1 the day, so that no doubt there will be a ! large attendance of the public.

Mr. Sam Topless was a most successful exhibitor at the New Plymouth Horticultural Society’s show last week. I understand Mr. Topless is endeavoring to establish a lucerne paddock in the valley below his residence at Moerangl. The situation is most suitable, and it is to be hoped the experiment will prove successful. Amongst tl:e many reasons advanced as to the difficulty in growing lucerne on the higher levels in this district is that in many cases the sandstone, which is very often struck at no very considerable depth below the surface, checks the growffr, and it is wellknown that in favorable localities the roots continue to strike down till water is reached, the vitality of the plant being thus sustained, and a vigorous growth promoted. This would seem fairly feasible, as past experience has proved that splendid “strikes” have been obtained, and a fairly good growth shown the first season, after which no very satisfactory results are gained, and in some Instances the lucerne disappears altogether. Many people argue (amongst them being Government experts) that if the weeds are kept thoroughly in check for a season or so no fears need be entertained as to the ultimate result, but it would seem that without the proper class of soil below the surface the weeds invariably gain the ascendancy.

Another interesting cricket match between teams representing Urenui juniors and Wai-toi-toi took place on the ground of the former last week, and proved as enjoyable as the previous games played. Urenui went first to the wickets and knocked up 89 runs, the highest scorers being J. Fitzgerald (24), Giles (22), and J. O'Neill (14). P. Spurr, C. Solden, Rikiana and A. Spurr each took wickets for the visitors, and the fielding showed a big improvement on the former games, most of the chances being accepted. Wai-toi-toi succeeded in compiling 131, chiefly through the efforts of C. Wilson (28), Des Forges (12), P. Spurr (42), ant Stevens (42), whilst the extras amounted to 17. W. Fuller and J. Fitzgerald were the most successful bowlers for the losers.

A well-attended meeting of the Ate Awa troop of Frontiersmen was held in the Urenui Hall on Saturday evening last, tie troop leader, Jas. Ross, presiding. Frontiersmen from Uruti, Okoke and New, Plymouth were present, and it might be mentioned that during the evening nine applications for enrolment were received. The movement is taking on well in this locality, and there is every prospect of a large 'membership during the present year. As the district in and around Urenui becomes more closely settled, the necessity for increased accommodatioii at the Urenui Hall is becoming more apparent every year, and this was most noticeable at the annual ball of the Urenui Sports Club on Thursday evening last. The attendance was so large that many who would have liked to have been present were almost unable to obtain admission, and it may be said that this is generally the case when any function of importance takes place, and the overcrowded state of the room makes dancing far from pleasant. Although the shortage of tiunber makes any improvement in the matter of increasing the size of the hall a matter of some little difficulty, no doubt in the near future some effort will be made to remedy matters.