DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1922, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.)' A large and attentive audience accorded Mr. Hawken, M.P., a good reception and an attentive hearing in the local hall on Wednesday evening, November 15. The gathering, which included a fair number of ladies, proved very impartial listeners to Mr. Hawken’s address, and although the speaker had nothing new to put before us, he touched briefly on several items of importance both local and general. He went to no little trouble to place before his hearers the chief planks of the Massey Government, of which be is a very staunch supporter. The meeting was ■ presided over by Mr. M. Fleming, and | after a brief introductory speech, Mr. I Hawken took the floor. He spoke m ■! defence of the soldier settlement as carried on by his party, State shipping, the railways, State Banking, the meat control board, and the dairy pool, and throughout his somewhat lengthy speech, while not departing one whit from the Massey platform, he was certainly not bitter in his criticism of the Liberals. Mr. Hawken impresses one as being possessed of shrewd common sense, though a young politician, and while not a fluent speaker, he appears to be a man of very sound judgment. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Fleming asked a few questions re the soldier settlement of Parihaka, and gave as the opinion of a practical farmer of forty years’ standing that. the boys might have made a living if tney .had each been granted 100 acres, with all necessary buildings and stock and a bonus 'to go on to the land, to which Mr. Hawken replied that he would pass Mr. Fleming’s opinion on to those in charge. Several other questions were asked by soldier settlers, and votes -of thanks were passed to the chairman and the M.P. A number of soldier settlors waited later on Mr. Hawken to discuss matters of interest to themselves, and dur- i ing the day Mr. C. Forrester escorted | flie gentleman all round the block, so | that he might judge for himself the capabilities of Parihaka as a dairying i district. On Friday, 17th. Mr. Astbury, the j Liberal-Labor candidate, was with us. I a.nd he also had a full house. His ] speech, as was expected, was a denun- / ciation of most measures of the Government, especially the expenditure, his strictures being particularly severe in connection with the High Commissioner’s office and the soldier settlement. Mr. Astbury is a. fluent speaker, and clearly and explicitly explained the political position to his hearers, who were very favorably impressed. The meeting was orderly, and although an occasional rally of mirth was indulged in there was an entire absence of heckling. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Astbury and Mr. Guild for chairing the meeting. On Sunday, 19th, the presence of Te Rangi Mewhata at the native village drew a crowd of Maoris, who were very favorably impressed with the address of this candidate for the Western Maori electorate, and I am informed that Mewhata is considered to be a good and clever man, but too late in the field. He was greeted in the usual Maori fashion, and during his lengthy speech the natives listened attentively, and no one attempted to contradict the statements he made. At last summer has put in an appearance and the two past days have been simply glorious. How long the dainty lady will favor us with her presence’ is hard to fortell, hut the turnips seem likely to bo got. in this fine spell and teams are kept, going early and late. I Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have returned • home to Kabul Road, after a fortnight in Pungarebu. Mr. P. Grenfell is spending a few days here prior to going on to Auckland to his now work in the Customs. Mrs. A. Raynor and her infant son have returned home. Airs. Herbert Shaw, of Parihaka, who has been making a lengthy stay with friends in New Plymouth, is expected home this week. Miss E. Marshall and Masters Ted Olliver and Rayjnond Marshall were the local candidates for confirmation nn Sunday last, when the Bishop of the diocese was in the district for the annual confirmation service. Miss Morecraft has returned from sick leave and resumed teaching on the 20th. Mr. Simmons, principal keeper of Cape Egmont lighthouse, is the fortunate possessor of a small patch of strawberries, which have yielded an unusually heavy crop of luscious fruit, and are still giving great promise of plenty more. The blight has put in an appearance in some gardens, and some fine patches of potatoes have fallen victims to this ‘'fatal fire.” RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Although not a very fine day sale day. visitors to Rahotu could not fail to notice the words ‘‘Dr. Barnado s Mart” in large white letters on a large board over one of Mr. Hughson’s stores, and with a stall outside and tea-tables inside, the organisers (Mesdames Dawson. T. Hughson, senr., and W. R. Wright, assisted by Mesdames Field. Morrow and others) had reason to feel pleased, with the success attending their efforts in selling all sorts of gift goods and providing afternoon tea for the public. Over one hundred competitors tried, but only one (Mrs. Wells) succeeded in • guessino’ the exact weight of Mrs. M. i R. Wright’s Christmas cake, viz., 9 lb I 3 oz. Little Miss Morrow kindly coli lected a fair amount on the cake, while j. ; the doll, whose name , was “Kathleen.” Kitty being the nearest. >’■ as taken around by little Miss Keitha .Clarke, > ■ and guessed by little Miss Rene MorI row. Misses Dawson and Hughson (2) made / | a house to house collection also. The ’ ! dav’s takings were over £l7, and the ‘ subscription lists, which are not in yr’, i’ will largely increase the amount for the ; orphans. . ' The supper room of the hall on Fri- ;■ day night’ was well filled to make arrangements for the opening of the memorial gates,next Sunday afternoon. 26th. [Mr. A. Chapman was chairman. A ladies’ committee was set up to prepare ! afternoon tea and entertain visitors. A meeting of bowlers was held, when the secretary presented a statement of accounts showing the club to be in a very satisfactory position. Arrange- - ments were made to play for Mr. Cam- ! cron’s medals. Ilio competition to close is on April 14, 1923, 9 [Bishop Averill preached to a large

congregation at St. Nicholas' Church. Archdeacon Evans and Rev. Coleman were also present. The public school is arranging to hold their annual concert soon, whilst the Sunday school will also hold their anniversary concert. OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At last rain has grown tired of falling, and with the advent of fine weather a number of visitors assemble on the beach every Sunday to enjoy the cool sea breezes. The end of the Wairau road sometimes resembles a taxi stand with the number of cars drawn up in line, whilst the beach itself is filled with pleasure seekers of all ages, from the toddler stage to the oldest. Amongst the num- ; her are seen the Maoris collecting musi seis and carrying them home in sugar ' bags and kits. Week-end trips aown the coast are also helping to give the district quite a busy appearance. Four candidates from Oakura- school presented themselves for profiu'eney at West, End school on Thursday, November 11, and, of these, three were ful, the fourth being awarded competency. Our congratulations are extended to Miss A. Fleming, who has been successful in securing her teacher’s certificate at the examination held recently in New Plymouth. Now that the most trying part of the year’s school work is over the children are working with might and main to make their concert oni the 39th a great success. Tn order to increase the takings some of the parents are supplying a large part of the supper, and to them our best thanks are due. Tickets are being snapped up in all directions, and granted a fine evening everything pronrises well. The usual dance will take place after the concert. RATAPIKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) [ Some time ago when we held the ani nual school concert, it turned out such a i success that, the teachers decided to 1 hold another concert, and after a few weeks’ practice with the children, l brought about the most successful con- | cert and dance ever held here, and the I teachers are again to be highly congratulated, not forgetting other young ; ladies who journeyed to the school every day and helped to get up the most enjoyable programme that Ratapiko has ever had. In years gone by when the attendance at the school was nearly double we were unable to submit such a programme as was given last. Friday night, November 17. People- came from Inglewood and Taranaki in crowds. About nine motor cars were parked at the school, this being the largest numuer ever seen hero at one time. The night turned out beautifully fine, and in consequence the school was not large enough to hold the people. The school funds will benefit to the extent of about £l4, which speaks well for such a small district as ours, and it is high time that the promised public hall is gone on with. However, <it is no good rushing things till times get better. The programme, an exceedingly long one, as given below, was commenced sharp at 8 p.m., and did not finish till well on to eleven o’clock. After supper the school was cleared for dancing, which was commenced about 12 o’clock and kept going until daylight. As a result. the cowspankers got no sleep. Mt. E. A. Grigg again acted a<s M.C. in his usual good style. The floor was in excellent order, thanks to the good old candle which was freely used. One thing I must not forget is the excellent music which the Tariki Road orchestra supplier. This combination of musicians is second to none in New Zealand for dance music, and the 2s 6d is well spent to hear the music alone. The players also supply the music free, so we are in luck’s way at last. Following is the programme: Overture, Miss Vera Wilson; opening address, Percy Hatcher; song, “The Fox,” senior boys and girls: recitation, “Countryman and the Ass,” Len Dravitski; song, Mr. L. Sutherland (encored); cantata. “Goot and the Fairies,” school children: recitation, “Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night,” Violet Jacobsen: song. Mrs. Hatcher; dialogue, ‘•“False Teeth,” Violet Jacobsen, Wilfred Mills, Ben.

Buckley. Torn. Bilski: recitation. “The Bride.” Jean Dravitski; song. Mr. Darlow (encored); monologue. “Essay on Girls.” Ben. Buckley: song, Airs. Farris (encored); song, “Red, White and Blue,” school children; recitation, “Dad’s Bath,” W.®Alilfs; “Afaypole.” senior boys and girls; recitation, “ATy Baby Brother.” Grace Mills; song. Air. Smith; dialogue, “The Hired Alan,” senior boys; awing osng, girls (encored) ; song, Air. T. Casey; dialogue, “The Alissionary,” Violet Jacobson and Roy Therkleson; “The .Juvenile Jonah.” P. Hatcher; song, “Please Give Me a Penny,” Grace Mills; songs, Mrs. Farris; fancy dancing, senior boys and girls (encored); closing item, “Good-night,” junior girls and boys, this item being repeated several times, at the request of the audience. Thus endeth the school concerts as far as 1922 goes. Owing to the constant wet weather which we experienced during: the last three weeks, all outdoor work, such as cropping, shearing and road-making, have, had a set-back and turnip crops will be late this season. There are good prospects of some heavy crops of hay this year, as the grass is coming away splendidly, and the cockles are smiling. The milk yield is not quite up to last year at this time, owing to the continued cold weather, but most of tJie herds around here are looking well, and may produce more milk later on. There are throe cream companies operating in this district owing to the factory closing down—The Algoriland, Wanganui Frosh Food Co., and the Aloa Dairy Company. The last-named company is still holding its own in spite of the opposition. It. is a very good thing to have a little’opposition, as the farmers get mere money to work on, insteaa o,f having to wait till the returns com? to hand at the end of the season. The Fresh Food and Alaoriland easily top the list with their pays-out for butterfat. > The wandering stock nuisance on our public roads is still rife in this district, and any day in the week may be seen mobs of calves, pigs, horses, cows and working bullocks gaily grazing on the roads. Pigs especially are doing a vast amount of damage, and it is to the in- • terest of those farmers concerned to I keep the stock in fheir paddocks, as if ; an accident were to happen, who would I pay the costs? The contractors for the Afana Road land Ratapiko Road metalling are slowly plodding along, and when sufficient metal Jias been got out, the county : council’* plant will proceed to thi«? loicallty, but. according to latest reports, jit may be this year, next year, never. ; We are pleased to hear that the Gqv-

eminent is shortly going to make a revaluation of all the soldier settlers’ farms, and this will greatly help to relieve some of the struggling soldier farmers, who are trying to do the right thing under difficulties, and it is really up to the Government to get to work soon as possiple, as most of the farms here were bought on the great land boom. Messrs. Tannaway and Lee, of the Ratapiko soldier settlement, have now completed the building of a most up-to-date cowshed, some forty chains from their frontage, this having become necessary owing to the. lay of the farm, and they have been busy transferring the milking plant, which is an up-to-date one, and no doubt they will be well paid for their enterprise. Election time is drawing near, but you don’t hear very much about politics, as the farmers are too bu?y talking butter-fat. Mr. J. B. Hine addressed the electors here on the 20th. There were about 40 present, and he received a hearty vote of thanks.