DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1926, Page 12

DISTRICT NEWS.

LEPPERTON. (■From Our Own Correspondent.) Sunday was the Anniversary Day of the .Sentry Hill Sunday school. Owing to there being no hall or church at Sentry Hill, the services were held in the Lepperton Methodist Church. The afternoon service was conducted by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell and Dr. Laws. The school children and choir ceontributed a programme of beautfiul anthems, solos, duets, quartettes and hymns, after which Dr. Laws presented several diplomas. The first was to Annie Harvey for five years’ attendance. Each one of the clcass received a prize. Dr. Laws delivered an interesting address. The Rev. R. B. Gosnell mentioned that there were two young fellows of the congregation who had enlisted for the Ministry and Home Missionary work, and that they would make a start in their life’s work from the pulpit on Sunday afternoon.

At 7.30 p.m. the Methodist Church was almost packed again to hear the fine singing of the children and choir. Rev. R. B. Gosnell conducted the service, giving an address to the children and another for the adults. At the close all the children were conveyed by cars to their respective homes. On Monday evening the Sentry Hill Sunday .School held their anniversary concert in the Lepperton Hall. Owing to the rough night a few without motor cars had to remain home, but nevertheless the hall was filled. At 8.15 the curtains were drawn. The programme was as follows: —Welcome speech, Jack Foreman; chorus, “Patch of Blue”; pianoforte duet, Olive Nicol and Lloyd Palmer; quartette, “It’s a Gay Old World,” Mesdames French and Jarvis, Mr. Thompson and Rev. Gosnell; recitation, Robert Anderson; dialogue, “The Little Kittens,” children; pianoforte solo, Miss Larking; imitation, Joan Anderson; action song, “Little Nurses,” children; recitation, Noel Gosnell: solo, Lola Limmer; reading, Mrs. Jarvis; daisy chain drill, children; musical monologue, Annie Harvey; quartette, “Speak. Gently Misses French and Harvey, Mr. Thompson and Rev. Gosnell; dialogue, “The Lost Thimble,” children; song, “Little Tots,” children; recitation, Veiva Gosnell; solo, and chorus, Charley Ma-t-angi; recitation. Mrs. French; solo, Rev. Gosnell; recitation, Claude Vile; dialogue, “Uncle Jack,” children; duet, Rev. and Mi's. Gosnell; God .Save the King.' Mrs. C. B. Thompson and Master Lloyd Palmer acted as accompanists. At the close of the concert the chairman thanked all who had come out on such a night and made the concert such a success, also thanking Mrs. C. B. Thompson and her staff for the work she had done in the past twelve months and in arranging the concert. . He called for three hearty cheers for Mrs.—Thompson, the staff and Sunday School, which were freely given. The Sunday school children and choir gave three hearty cheers for the Lepperton people and visitors. The proceedings ended with the singing of the National Anthem. OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Something in the nature of a peaceful invasion during last week-end was experienced, when 26 members of the New Plymouth Girl Citizens’ Senior Club encamped in the hall. The weather being wonderfully favourable, the visitors were able to spend a great part of their time out of doors, on the beach and in the bush reserve above the township. They were royally entertained by Mrs. Mills and IMiss Mills at their charming home, where they had an afternoon’s tennis, with music and afternoon tea on the lawn. On Friday night, while Mr. Gorringe held sway in the hall, they paid a visit at the home of Mrs. Harris, who was duly elected camp step-mother. Saturday night was the occasion of a thoroughly fearsome Hallowe’en party, when a few Oakura residents had the hardihood to accept invitations to witness the revels. They were admitted after weird rappings and mutterings, amid the rattle of chains and ghostly wails and shrieks, and found within a charming medley of figures in fancy costumes, dancing round the orthodox pumpkin lamp. A delightful entertainment followed, although apart from one or two impersonators in fancy dress, there was no male society. On Sunday, visitors from town came out iu the afternoon, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. T. C. List and Dr. and Mrs. Davie. Tn the evening the Girl Citizens made a camp-fire on the beach, with ceremonial kindling by six of their number, and fireside songs and stories by the company. And so, on Monday, home again to town. Wild and broken weather is keeping back the work in the paddocks, but the grass is growing apace, and the cows are. having a much better chance this year than they had last. DOUGLAS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Douglas Hall Committee was held on October 26, when a fair number of people interested were present. The balance-sheet showed that the debit balance is steadily decreasing. During the past year some improvements have been carried out, perhaps the most noticeable being the new seats which are much appreciated by all patrons. A vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee and a recommendation was made to the incoming committee to pay off the debt in the forthcoming year. The outgoing committee wish to express then’ thanks to Mr. Allan for auditing books, and to the Ladies’ Ball Committee for donations of Tl 12s lid. The following were elected a committee: Messrs Gichard (chairman). Walter, C. Wilmshurst, Mrs. Wills and Miss Westimp (secretary and treasurer).

On Sunday Archdeacon Evans held a service in the loeal church. The many friends of Mr. Eric Jacobsen will be sorry to hear that he is a patient of the Stratford Hospital. KOHURATAI-U. (From our Own Correspondent.) The weather for the past few weeks has been good for the farmers. Bright, , sunny days with occasional warm show- ’ ers, have caused an abundant growth of grass. The yield of cream is in excess of that for the same period of last year. Docking operation have been completed on most farms, and there are good percentages of lambs reported. Some sheep have already been shornThe 'benedicts ball, which was held in the Kohuratahi public hall, on Friday evening, was a great success. The floor was in first rate order for dancing and the hall was artistically decorated with spring bulbs, lilac and yellow blossoms. Visitors journeyed from Whangamomona and Tangarakau and returned in the early hours of the morning after thoroughly enjoying themselves. The music was supplied by Boulton’s orchestra, extras llieing played by Mesdames Connor and Slinsen and Mr. C. Hill. Mr. J. Law ably carried out the duties of M.C. Messrs. D. Nees, L. Cooper and J. Hodder are at present engaged erecting a cream receiving station at Kohnratahi. With regret we have to report that damage has been done to the Forestry Department’s plot at the Kohuratahi Falls by straying cattle, Ibut the county council Is now taking steps to rectify matters. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt late on Saturday evening. Mr. N- R. Cleland, who has been away on a business trip, returned on Friday. Mrs. T. Trask, who has been in Eltham, returned on Saturday. Mr. Danials is at present paying a visit to the district. Mr. D. Nees spent the week-end in Eltham. Mrs- L. T. Gill, has returned with her infant daughter. Mr. B- Oglevie, who has been in the district for the past three months, leJ't on Friday. Mr. J. Smithies was awav for Labour Day. Miss Cleland left for a short holiday on Saturday. Air. A. G. Laurens, lately in the employ of the Whangamomona County Council, has left for Auckland. Miss E. Saddlier, of Aotuhia, has been a holiday with friends in New Plymouth. Miss Al. Wilton has returned to Whangamomona after spending an enjoyable holiday with relatives in Wanganui. Mr. J. Alpine has now much improved in health. Mrs. W. Pope journeyed to Stratford last week with her young son Jack on account of an injury to his eye. He is now much improved. Mr. A. Pepperil, of the Forestry Department, spent the week in Ivohuratahi, and attended the. Labour Day sports at the Flat. Miss E. Hedgman spent the weekend with her parents in Bell Miss .Kopke spent Labour week-end at Makahu. Mr. and Airs. Hunt had some friends to billiards last week. Air. C. Collins, of Kaponga, who has been spending a holiday with relatives in the district, returned last week. Quite a number of Kohuratahi folk journeyed to Tangarakau on Monday to the sports, some of whom remained to the dance in the evening. PUKEHO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The fortnightly euchre party was held in the school on October 29, when the usual good crowd attended. Miss Eva Askew won the ladies’ prize and Master Hunter Paterson the men’s. After the euchre supper was handed round. Friday fortnight will be the last of the euchre, and that night will see the presentation of the points prize. Airs. 8. E. Loveridge, New Plymouth, was the guest of Air. S. George last week-end. Miss Rosie Burr, of Inglewood, was a visitor in this district last week. Air. and Airs. Bocock and Mr. and Airs. A. Raynor, of New Plymouth, were the guests.of Air. and Mrs. Harry George last week. The weather at present is very unsuitable for shearing operations. Mr. IF. Bevins, who has 'been ill, is now able to get about again. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith’s little boy Hayden, who is in the hospital. Mrs. Harry George has arrived home with her son from Inglewood. Airs. J. Askew is' now visiting her parents in Auckland. . There is a very bad wash-out on the main road in this district near the Alessrs. O'Reilly's house, and visiting motorists and conveyances should take warning as the washout is not noticeable until one is very near it. DURHAM ROAD. , (From Our Own Correspondent.) Weather conditions have for a considerable period now ‘been of the aggravating nature, rain, perhaps, predominating in preventing the ploughing, harrowing etc., of ground. The northerly winds experienced this year, so far, have been a topic of much speculation. The excessive rainfall, also, has been another, and the price of butter, the Control Board, the pot-holing of the lower part of the road following in importance. However, we farmers have to take just what’s doled out to us, whether it’s the weather, the factory pay-out, <rr the prices of our necessaries, and. seemingly, in many certain quarters there’s

strong objection to our (as farmers) attempting to get any relief from many things which we know are handicaps to us. Of course, it is well recognised that the farmers are too careless regarding the value of combination—at all events close around Inglewood they are and’ have in the past been satisfied to leave agitation for a few enthusiasts to work on. The attendance at the recent lecture given by Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Amicultural Department, is simply a case in point. Admitting that the' weather conditions were none of the best. I make bold to state tiiat I have seen worse weather which did not prevent the road residents from attending euchre parties in the school. I have seen it raining the proverbial “pitchforks,” yet those°who found it “too rough” to attend a most instructive lecture .were amongst the first barrackers to “get at” people who stopped home from “the dance.” Of course, in the case under notice there were several instances where all cars went out of commission all at once fatvarious reasons, but before the arrival of the car we were content to walk our 14 or two miles, or harness up the neddy, ’ if over that distance, to get to a meeting of any description in the school. The old timer wasn’t afraid of “Shank’s pony” up •to four miles, but nowadays it has to be fine weather and the use of a car, if over half a mile. Yes, times have changed—and suddenly! As to the boy and girl competitions in calf rearing and for roots, there lias been a considerable increase in entries for the former, but as to the latter there does not seem the same enthusiasm, though 1 should think, after Mr. Smith’s lecture, that the valuable information there given would act as a- fillip to the young fry. I hardly think there’s the ghost of a chance shifting the old stager though “one never knows.” and the right bug may after all o-et a hearing. Generally speaking, I was both surprised and pleased at the excellence of the address given by Mr. Smith, the mass of information as to the results of root competitions in other parts of Taranaki, backed tip by screen photographs, gives incontestable proof of what other farmers are doing. The tabulated information as to ploughing dates, seed quantities, manure mixtures, cultivating methods, etc., were placed,’ as it were, right before the audience by the lecturer per screen photos. It is a most comprehensive way of showing the laggards, be it of Inglewood district or anywhere else, that the time is now that they must get in line with progress as evidenced by the work of farmers in other parts. Granted that the Press are doing wonderfully well in searching out and printing valuable data for farmers’ information, nothing equals in value the plan as carried out by the Agricultural Department per its instructor, Air. J. AL Smith.