DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

vVAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) During the recent spell of dry weather (lasting some three weeks) farmers have been enabled to get a considerable amount of necessary outside work accomplished, such as ploughing, fencing, top-dressing, etc. Probably had the price of butter-fat for the season been a little more satisfactory there would have been a larger area than is at present being attended to that would have received an application of slag or other artificial manure, but nevertheless there have been a fair number of consignments of lime, slag, etc., brought into the district during the past few weeks, and there should be a decent amount of spring feed available in the course of a few weeks. If we are to get the maximum amount of production, it is equally as necessary to provide extensiye quantities of succulent feed suitable . for mrlk-producing purposes, as it is that _'wd should improve the quality of the herds, as no matter how well bred an animal may be she will never give the best results without sufficient nourishment, and many a really 1 good herd has been condemned as inferior simply because they have been half starved/ Feeding out has also now become general* and. as there are large quantities of hay, ensilage, mango-ids, carrots, etc., available, the cows should come into profit in first-class condition. This is also a matter in which farmers are every year making greater provision, it being found that if cows are allowed to get into low condition during the period in which not -being milked, they gen-? erally put the results of good feed in the spring and summer months on to their bodies instead of into the milk pail, and poor bat-ter-fat returns for the season are generally the result.

It is stated that -the Uruti Valley Dairy Company's new factory is fast approaching completion, and it is expected to be ready in good time for the coining season’s operations. The building is to be installed with both butter and cheese plants, and when finished will be a most up-to-date and thoroughly equipped structure. It is to be hoped the settlers in that district will be rewarded for their enterprise by receiving good prices for their produce during the coming year. During the week a number of volunteers have been busy with grubbers and slashers in the Urenui cemetery, and the results of their efforts are being shown in the much improved appearance of the section. No doubt now that the spare portions >.of the cemetery have been cleaned up, the private plots wfll receive (where required) some attention, and thus add to the general effect. A suggestion has been made that it would be a good Idea to plant a few pungahs at the rear of the handsome memorial column, wtyicli has been erected to the memory of those who fell in the late war belonging to this district. It. is to be hoped this will be carried into effect, as it would be both emblematic and form a most effective background for the stone, and greatly improve the view from the main road’. The thanks of those present are due to Mrs. A. Gibson for kindly providing refreshments. It is reported that the annual Inspection of schools by the board’s inspector will take place in this district during the coming week, and no doubt during the next few days the pupils will have a strenuous time preparing for the ordeal. Mr. F. R. Spurr, of Wai-toi-toi, has been appointed an honorary ranger under the State Forests Department in this district. Similar appointments are being made In other portions of Taranaki, with a view to render-' ing some assistance to the officers in charge of their somewhat extensive duties. Abortion amongst dairy herds has unfortunately been rather prevalent in the Urequt and surrounding districts during the past week or so, some farmers having as many as seven or eight cows affected. There was a muster of some thirty-four (members of C Squadron (2nd Queen Alexandra's) W.W.C.M.R. on the opening day of the week's drill at Urenui on Thursday last. Sergeant-Major Bell, of New Plymouth, was in command, assisted by Sergeant-Major Stevens, whilst Captain Ilayhurst will also be present. The usual course of mounted drill will be gone through, and it is proposed to have a day on the Wai-toi-toi beach, when target practice will be indulged in. Another interesting feature of the proceedings will be the presence of Lieutenant. Andrews, V.C., who will give the trainees an exposition of bayonet practice as, carried out. by the ■ Expeditionary Force. This will probably De held in Mr. C. Rumbal’s paddock on Wednesday. Lieutenant Andrews will also give an interesting address on poisonous gas. which, no doubt, will be well worth hearing. It is also possible that Colonel Melville will pay a visit to Urenui during the week. Altogether, a very interesting and instructive programme has been arranged, and it is most satisfactory that such a large number of troopers are attending, more especially when it. is remembered that many of them have a considerable distance to travel. It might also bo mentioned that this district has made quite a name for itstelf in the matter of attending parades, and quite recently Caplain Bremner stated that it compared most favorably with other portions of Taranaki in this and other respects. As a suitable ending to the week's work it has been arranged to hold a grand military ball on the evening of the last day (Thursday, July 6), and as will be seen in our advertising columns, the services of the 4th Battalion Regimental Band from New Plymouth have been arranged for, when, besides parading and playing selections before the commencement of the

ball, they will supply the necessary dance music during rhe evening. All members of the troop will appear in uniform, and a number of officers will lie present from Now Piymoutli, Waitara, and Hawera. I have been, requested to mention that any members of the Legion of Frontiersmen who wish to be present may also attend in uniform. Extensive preparations are also being' made in the matter of decorations, which will consist of nikau palms, ferns, flowers, flags, etc., whilst for the supper a commodious marquee will be erected at the rear of the hall. The matter is being eagerly taken up by members of the troop, who wish to make the function worthy of the occasion, and it is almost a certainty there will be a large attendance from both New Plymouth and Waitara, to say nothing of the surrounding districts, which are sure to provide a large From latest accounts it is satisfactory to J-’arn that Mi's. J. S. O’Neill, of the Urenui Hotel, is making such good progress towards recovery that she will shortly be enabled to leave the New Plymouth Hospital and return home to Urenui. A matter which has been considerably dis-r cussed during’ the past few months by those interested is the necessity for increased accommodation as regards a supper room in the Urenui hall. With a view to ascertaining if some steps cannot lie taken in this direction ,it has been decided to hold a public meeting on Monday evening, July 10, to confer with the trustees on the matter. No doubt this is the most suitable course to adopt, and it is to be hoped there will be a large and representative attendance of the public, as the matter is one of urgency, and if some workable scheme is brought forward support should not be lacking to carry it into effect. The customary monthly meeting of the Ati Awa troop of Frontiersmen was held in Urenui on Friday evening last, Troop-Leader .1. S. O’Neill presiding over a large attendance of members. Amongst other business the report of the recent conference held in New Plymouth during the recent encampment was read. It was also mentioned that any comrade wishing to attend the forthcoming military hail in Urenui was .at liberty tn appear in uniform, and it is to be hoped that as many as possible will do so, and thus add to the general effect, as it. has been decided that the troopers will wear their uniforms | in honor of the occasion. It might be mentioned that the Urenui football juniors, though credited with a defeat tn their recent match against Clifton, were realy the winners, having won the game by 3 points to nil. The team are to be congratulated upon their success, as it is their first win of the season, and they thoroughly deserve it for the plucky manner in which they have kept their engagements. Now that they have made a start, it should encourage them to ■ keep on training, and before the competition is finished they may have •sveral more victories to their credit.

-jroKAU—AWAKIN O. (From Our Own Correspondent.); On account of rain setting in, the football match, Mahoenui v. Maoris, was postponed. The Awakino Football Club Intend holding a ball in the near future. Baring the evening the MacMillan Shield will be presented to the Tongapumtu team, thia club being the fortunate winners this season. The gold medals and other trophies generously donated by several gentlemen of Awakino and Taranaki will also be presented! to the most improved players for the season. Quite • a,, sensational incident occurred the o/iier afternoon, when i weary steed, suddenly reared up and felt 'hack dead under its 1 rider. Whether the “weary one" was really of life, or whether it was overcome at the horsemanship of its owner, and its heart either could or would not recover the shock, of finding that he (the owner) really coulcl ride at last, will never be known on this the “Great Divide." Beit as it may, the steed departed as in a breath, and a.; post mortem held on thn “corse" divulged the fact of “sudden heart failure, -ftte Transit Pegasus!"