DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TOKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday evening, October 20, a very enjoyable evening was spent at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Were. The function was held in the new addition prior to the erection of the partition. Dancing was Indulged in, the space being large enough to accommodate about 15 couples. Although the weather was very boisterous, a goodly number assembled. Thanks to the efforts of the hostess and her helpers quite an enjoyable evening was spent, terminating at about 1 a.m. Although the weather this month has been very disagreeable, it has nevertheless proved very beneficial to the land, which is at present looking very fresh and green. We are pleased to be able to report that both Mr. Chainey and Mr. Coffey, residents of this district, who have been inmates of the Stratford Hospital for soane time, are well on the road to recovery, and we hope to have them amongst us again very soon. Mrs. MaDavitt, of Wanganui, with her little daughter, is at present on a visit to her mother, Mrs. Maxwell. I believe there are to be pictures held here every Saturday night. These should be well patronised and prove of great interest, especially to the younger folk. WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Frontiersmen are reminded that the customary monthly meeting of the Atiawa troop will be held In the Urenui Library on Friday evening next, 28th Inst. Mr. Griffin, of the Taranaki Education Board, was present at the Mirni School on Thursday last for the purpose of conducting the customary annual examination of the pupils, who it is understood acquitted themselves unost creditably. The Mimi School surroundings are beginning to present quite a neat appearance, as the blackberry and furze are being grubbed and the fences reconstructed and repaired. The trees, which were planted shortly after the school was built, are growing rapidly, and in a few years’ time will have a most ‘picturesque effect. Anyone who predicted eignt or nine years ago that Wai-toi-toi would be in the possession of an up-to-date four-vat factory and a school capable of accommodating upwards of fifty pupils, together with several new residences, would have been called more than optimistic, but nevertheless, such has been the rapid advance of the dairying industry that these and many other improvements have taken place within that

Owing to the extremely boisterous weatter or. Friday last, Sergeant-Major Bell, together with the mounted troopers, adjourned to the Urenui Town Hall, where instruction was given in elementary onusketry. The semaphore code was also explained, and proved most interesting. On days like these the advantage of a commodious drill-hall would be appreciated, and it is to be hoped that the erection of such a building on the Recreation Ground will soon become an accomplished fact.

In connection with the reception of Lord Jellicoe at Waitara on Saturday next, it is stated that some fourteen mounted men from the Urenui contingent will be present to give assistance. Extensive preparations are being made to accord the Governor-General a fitting welcome, and should the weather prove a little more propitious than at present a anost successful function may safely be anticipated.

The mangold and carrot-growing competition for boys and girls inaugurated by the Fanners’ Union, is an object which should receive every encouragement. As the boy of to-day will be the farmer of the future, the more knowledge gained in this respect when young will help later on in enabling him to achieve success. The Minister for Education, Mr. Parr, in a recent speech in Hawera, specially stressed the importance of these competitions, stating they were equally as necessary as any other technical subjects. There are nine entrants in Wai-toi-toi, and it is understood that the seeds and manure, which are supplied by the promoters, have been railed from Hawera and should be available almost immediately. The weather during the past fortnight has not been conducive to the working up of ground, but no doubt as soon as it improves the various plots will be prepared, and the youthful competitors able to get to work, the area allotted to each being one-fortieth of an acre. One of the main factors towards success is the absolute necessity for keeping the plots free from weeds, and carefully thinning out the plants, whether carrots or mangolds. No matter how good the original "strike" may prove, without constant attention in this respect there will be little hope of a prizewinning crop.

Urenui settlers are reminded that Messrs. Uren and Page, of the State Forestry Department, will be present in the township on Wednesday evening, when the latter will give an address on tree-planting and other matters connected with forestry. They will also be in Wai-toi-toi on Thursday evening for the same purpose, and it is to be hoped that both localities will be well represented. Mr. Page has been accorded warm receptions In the southern portion of Taranaki, his lectures having been listened to with .great interest, and as the matter of present and future timber shortage affects all sections of the community, every support should be accorded to the representatives of the department.

Although the weather during the past fortnight has been more In favor of duck shooting than cricket, the local club have already made a start and are endeavoring to get In form, for the coming competitions. It is expected they will be represented by both a senior and junior eleven, and if success Is to be attained by either it will be most necessary to get in as much practice ‘as possible, this being more especially the case in regard to the younger players.

Although it would seem as though the treasure introduced by the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Coates) for taking over the main arterial roads of the Dominion will scarcely see finality, if some of' the opponents of the scheme had to travel from Uruti to Awakino once or twice a week, incidentally having a prolonged wait at the antiquated ferry service serving as a means of crossing the Mokau river, they might alter their opinion on the scheme and view the matter in the same light as the Clifton and Awakino County Councils, both of which bodies can see a happy release from many difficulties in the adoption of Mr. Coates’ proposal.

The Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company last month advanced is 3d' per lb. for butter-fat, and in view of the unsettled state of the Home market it would seem good business on the part of dairy factories who are consigning this season’s make to keep well within reasonable limits in the matter of monthly payments until something definite is known as to prices likely to be realised. In the meantime every care should be taken to produce the best possible article, whether cheese or butter, as it is only to be expected that consumers will favor the higher class makes.

The necessity for keeping ragwort in check was exemplified the other day in this district. An ancient native who possessed a rather valuable stallion, out of which he made a welcome addition to his income every season, was asked what had become of his horse. The reply was: "By korry, he komate. He eat too many tagwort.” It is said that the excessive consumption of this weed by stock tas the effect of withering the liver.

It is expected that a fair number of residents will journey to New Plymouth for the purpose of attending the Citizens’ Ball, to be given in honor of Lord and Lady Jellicoe on the occasion of their visit during the present week. From all accounts the ball should b? one of the most successful functions of the kind ever held in town, and one w»ll worth a visit.

WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There is a new complaint making itself felt in these parts at present; it takes the form of a bottle famine. Father wants a bottle to give that sick cow a drench, but there is not one to be found. The local school has been in need of a new lawn-mower for some time, so the teacher and children organised a bottle drive, and in a few days dose on 900 bottles were collected and sold. So now on certain days ttere can be heard the rattle of a mower on the school lawns. Guise & numbar of the young men of tbl*

district are in a sort of quandary as to what is wrong with their knees. Some wonder if old age is creping on, or whether it is rheumatism, while others again are afraid that it is housemaid’s knee or some similar complaint. The reason of all these aches and pains can easily be explained when it is learned that quite a number of evenings during the last few weeks have been spent in planing and sand-papering the floor of the new hall. Theii efforts have been handsomely rewarded, foi those who were at the dance on Friday night all remarked that the floor was as good as any they had danced upon.

The next event of interest in this vicinity is the official opening of the new hall, which is to take place on Friday next, October 28. A full orchestra and some of the leading talent of the surrounding districts have been engaged for the concert, which promises to bf the best ever held here. Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra is to supply the music for the dance after the concert. Supper arrangements art in the hands of a strong ladies' committee, sc visitors may feel assured that this part ol the programme will be up to the usual Wharehuia standard.

With all the warm rains and the ahunda.net of feed, this season promises to be one of tt< best the farmers have had for quite a number of years. The milk supply at the Joca creamery is considerably in advance of wba it was this time last year, while at the .Mid hirst factory, of which the local creamery is a branch, they are now making more buttei than they were during the flush of last sea

While attending to his milking machine om day last week, Mr. Kerrisk, sent., met witl rather a painful accident, medical advice hav ing to be obtained, when it. was learned, tha he had dislocated his elbow. Mr. Kerrisk is progressing as well as can ge expected.

Mrs. E. A. Richmond, writing by the last mail, states that ste is having a glorious time in the Old Country, where she is at present visiting relations. Besides visiting all thd places of interest in and around London, Mrs. Richmond also had the pleasure of attending the luncheon given to Mr. and Mrs. Massey at the Hotel Victoria prior to their leaving for New Zealand. Mrs. Richmond expects to sail for New Zealand via Panama about December 1.

After spending several weeks in hospital, Miss Ruby Chard has sufficiently recovered tc return to her home.

Mr. and Mrs. V. Hosking and family arrived from England last week, per the s.s. Tainui, and intend taking up farming on the Stanley Road. Mr. Hosking is a brother of Mr. W. V. Hosking, who has resided In this district for a number of years.