DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1926, Page 10

DISTRICT NEWS.

LOWER MANGOREI. (From Our Own Correspondent.-) Our branch president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Mr. W. G, Stanton) has been arranging for root-grow-ing competitions, and Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Department of Agriculture, has warmly come at the proposal by placing for acceptance guiding information. Talks with the Hurford branch have resulted in a mutual competitive scheme. Useful charts recording details of previous competitions are with the presidents of the branches (Messrs. Stanton and F. Baker), also entry forms, which are available to any settler within the districts. The minimum area for the respective plots will be: Swedes, one acre, and carrots or mangolds, one quarter acre. One or all may be entered for, and the management thereof will ‘be left to competitors, to encourage initiative effort, whilst access to the charts referred to will be' helpful. Recent seasons’ general operations and results disclose inestimable benefits derivable from the introduction of this competitive work. Its influence is farreaching and abiding, periodical inspection of advancing crops being arranged for, and a culminating strong field day fixture at judging time, when comparisons may be made and opinions and impressions exchanged among visitors, the judging being undertaken by an officer of the department, in conjunction with one appointed by the union branches. It is arranged that the trophy of the North Taranaki Sutton Cup for mangolds may be competed ■ for by those duly entering. A district juvenile school competition is also provided, controlled by-the Education Board and the department officers, of which school teachers have information to impart. « The Consolidated Mangorei school is now becoming a strong and progressive institution. The head teacher (Mr. Goldsbury), with influential and effective blending of disciplinary methods, and kindly demeanour, is doing much to form and build good character in the pupils. It is this that really Counts as a force; without it mere “cramming” is likely to be but an evanescent quantity. The committee, in co-operation with teachers, are soon to arrange a specially attractive finale to a continuous scries of euchre parties, interspersed with socials and concerts, which must already have augmented the school' funds. Another result has been to bring about much sound social amenity in the neighbourhood; and now that the new reading along by the school has connected what was hitherto a dislocated highway, neighbours on the road are linked up with the school as a centre for community interests. The school grounds are showing results of good stewardship and husbandry. Gardens are well on the way, and plantation works, decorative and protective, are being carried out. Divine service has been commenced, many attending each Sabbath to derive benefits from Methodist evangelism.

Reverting to farmers’ union affairs, supplemental to previous addresses and demonstrations imparted by willing experts from the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Gorringe is to lecture on swine husbandry at the Hurford Hall on the evening of the 20th inst. The Hurford and Mangorei branches are uniting for a grand ball to be held in the Hurworth Hall on Wednesday next,, 13th inst. A special ladies’ committee is now organising for good and graceful purposes of ministrations These events will be duly advertised.

Mr. C. H. Weston has kindly granted the use of a small paddock fronting the tMangorei Road, adjacent to the junction Road, for top-dressing treatment under the supervision of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture. Four chain-wide swaths have been taken through from the frontage to the hack, each treated with a different artificial manure. These are crossed by two swaths, each again with different man*ures. One swath has been left without manurial treatment. The grass has just been “shut up.” Soon results will be manifest, and before long there will be great interest taken in the paddock. Hay will be made therefrom in due time and inspections from time to time will be officially undertaken and records kept.

PUKENGAHU. ('From Our Own Correspondent.) Dairying is in full swing and the district is looking forward to a good year. Although the prices for produce are not as promising as last year, with a better spring and pastures looking better than for some years, it is expected that the herds individually will do better. The Wingrove Road cheese factory is making some twelve cheeses a day, and Waihapa factory thirty cheeses. The district has practically all got electric power, including the hall and factories. Many of the settlers have installed the motor in their sheds, and being so well satisfied with the results, have expressed that they would not like to go back to the oil engine. hall, since the opening in May, has been a great asset to the district. Thanks to our energetic secretary, Mr. Harper, and a good working committee, there is very little debt left on the hall. Quite a number of successful balls have been held during the season, besides our fortnightly euchre parties and dances, including the Gaiety Club, football club and social club.

The final of the euchre parties and dances, held under the auspices of the Social Club, was held last month after a. very successful year. The points prize for the euchre tournament for the season was won by: Ladies, Mrs. Harper first, and Mrs. Old second; men, J. Thompson first, D. Old second. A special prize donated by Mrs. Harper for the youngest player was won by Master Joffre O’Neill. The results of the guessing competitions for the hall funds were as follow: A ham, which realised £8 17s, was won by Mr. B. Schwieters, and a box of chocolates, donated by Mr. Vinsen, was won by Mrs. Old. The people of the district arc very pleased to hear that Mr. Harris is well on the way to recovery after his illness, also Mrs, Coffey, who was in the Stratford hospital for some weeks. We regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Harris, senr. She was very highly respected and her services in the early days were much appreciated by all who knew her.

HURWORTH NEWS. The one subject of conversation in the Mangorei, Carrington and Fraekley districts is the grand annual Farmers Union ball, which is to take place in the Hurworth hall on Monday next. Tins year the two branches of the union have decided to hold one ball between tnem

and to make the occasion one to be remembered, so with this end in view the fence committee are working very hard. To provide a complete change of music, Boulton’s orchestra has been engaged from Stratford. Lovers of dancing can be quite sure of a good time as far as the floor and music are concerned, and an entertainment committee has been appointed to look after the visitors. Two ’buses have been engaged to leave Gibson’s garage at 7.30, and are to be free to passengers.