DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1925, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

OKAIAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Okaiawa footballers held a euchre party and dance on Wednesday, June 18, which was a great success. Mrs. Penny won the ladies’ prize for the euchre and Mr. Simon Lee for the men. Much interest was shown in the waltzing competition, as it was the first of its kind held for a long while. In the final Mr. Martin and Mr. Purvis and Mr. MacDonald and Miss Tilly Clarke tied,the former winning. The judges said it was very hard to decide the winners as they were very close. Dancing was indulged in until the early hours of the morning to excellent music supplied by Mt. K. Sharpe (piano) and Mr. Hackett (violin). Miss Mona Houlahan, of Okaiawa, who has been on the Rahotu exchange for some time past, has been transferred to Hawera.

One of our local footballers, Mr. Murray Clarke, is away with the All Blacks on a holiday. Mr. \V. Sewell, of Waikato, is spending a few days with his sister, Mrs. Jack Shearer.

MATAPU. ('From Our Own Correspondent.) As was expected the Farmers’ Union social and dance that was held in the Matapu Hall on Friday evening last was a pronounced success in every way. This annual event is looked for by one and all, and this year’s function was easily on a par with those held previously. Strong committees had all the details well in hand, but a word of praise is due to the energetic secretary of the •union’s branch (Mr. R. C. Treweek), for he had to bear the burden of the work. The main part of the evening was devoted to dancing, but for the non-dancers there were other attractions. Musical and elocutionary items were supplied by the following ladies and gentlemen, t'heir efforts being very much appreciated by the large crowd present: —-Mrs. Carter, Misses Merle Hooker, Williams (of Okaiawa), Messrs. McQuin (Hawera), J. Hessel (Hawera), and Carson (Eltham). The music for the dance was supplied by Mr. Ken. Sharpe’s orchestra, and as usual was all that could be desired. Extras were supplied by Mrs. Gordon Harrison, Misses Allen, Mabel Guy. Messrs. R. Hooker and L. Preece, the M.C.’s, carried out their duties in a very efficient manner. A break was made during the evening in order that the prizes won during the year in the various competitions might be presented. Mr. R. H. Free (president- of the branch) said he was very pleased to see so many present. He then introduced Messrs. W. J. Deem, Glasson and Johnston, of the Agricultural Department, who had been invited to make the various presentations. On behalf of the union he had much pleasure in congratulating Mr. W. A. Guy on winning the Sutton Cup for mangolds. Mr. Deem hoped that the cup would be held in Matapu during the coming year. It was a, very valuable trophy. Mr. Dakers, of Manaia, was the first winner, and this gentleman had sent congratulations to Mr. Guy on his win. Mr. Deem also gave high praise to Mr. Hosken for the excellent crop of carrots that had been grown. He felt sure that it was a record for Taranaki. Mr. J. O'Sullivan, the runner-up for the cup for two years in succession, congratulated Mr. Guy, and also paid a fine tribute to Mr. Deem (the judge). There could be no fairer judge, and he felt sure that the whole of Taranaki appreciated Mr. Deem’s work and his interest in the farmers’ functions. The following is a list of the prizewinners in the adult section:— Mangolds.—lst, W. A. Guy (Loan and Mercantile's special half-ton manure), weight 9*B tons 13c wt, points 215; 2nd, Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Messrs. Hodder and Tolley’s .special £2 worth seed), weight ■94 tons 3cwts, points 206; 3rd, Mr. F. Hosken (Cooper’s Ltd. special £1 Is worth seed), weight 72 tons 14cwt, points, 161. A special prize was awarded to Mr. F. Hosken of £1 for his outstanding crop of carrots. Carrots.—lst (cash prize £3), Mr. F. Hosken, weight 68 tons I'Vcwt 2qrs, points 175; 2nd (Mr. F. Gillanders’ special, £2 cash), Mr. H. Giddy, weight 56 tons 9cwt Iqr, points 130; 3rd, Mr. C. Willis (Messrs. Borthwick’s Ltd. 2cwt manure and 10s cash), weight 46 tons, points 106. Swedes.—lst, Mr. O. Robertson (Messrs. Wright, Stephenson’s special half-ton manure), weight 49 tons, points 113; 2nd, Mr. H. Sharpe (Mr. C. Wilkinson’s special value- £2), weight 44 tons 17cwt; 3rd, Mr. F. Hosken (cash prize £1 Is), weight 44 tons 14 cwt. The cup was then presented to Mr. Guy, who suitably replied. Mr. Free thanked all those who had contributed musical items and tlso those gentlemen who had been present to present the prizes. Mr. Glasson said he was very pleased to know that the branch was taking such a keen interest in the boys’ and girls’ cubs, in that they had given such a number of prizes as an incentive to the pupils to carry on the agricultural work. He was, however, very sorry to see that there was a falling off of the entries, and he hoped that next year there would be many more entrants. The prizes in the children's section were as follows:

Mangolds.—Norman Hoeken 1, Ada Downey 2, Sarah Keighley 3, Florice Seed 4, Alec Seed 5. Carrots. Norman Hocken Sarah : Keighley 2. Mr. Johnson, of Stratford, presented the prizes to the children for the calfrearing competitions. The following prizes were awarded:— Jersey-Ayrshire class.—lst, Ethel Keighley, ISO points; 2nd, Sarah Keighley, 16’0 points; 3rd, Florice Seed, 143} points. * Shorthorn-Friesian class.—lst, Bessie Seed, 185% points; 2nd, Alee Seed, 152 points. Dairy type.—Jersey-Ayrshire: Ist, Ethel Keighley; 2nd, 'Sarah Keighley; 3rd, Floriee Seed. Short-IFriesian: Ist, Bessie Seed; 2nd, Alec Seed.