OKATO NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1929, Page 2

OKATO NEWS

FARMERS’ UNION. The executive of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union met on Saturday night, Mr. L. D. Hickford presiding. Also present were: Messrs. Paul, O’Sullivan, Bridgeman, Carey, Gibson, Corbett, and C. G. Cock sedge, secretary. The chief business was a discussion on the scheme for apprenticing boys to farmers. While most members were in favour of the principle of the scheme, there was a decided difference of opinion as to settling the lads on the pumice country. It was felt that this land has not yet been sufficiently tested to warrant placing young farmer on it without there being some guarantee that they would obtain redress in the event of the land, not being suitable for the small holdings advocated. GENERAL. With the advent of warmer weather, interest in the baths has revived, and during the week many a set of togs has been examined for the ravages of the moth, and put in readiness for the coming season. At a meeting held on Saturday night the club decided to organise a final working bee to carry out certain improvements. The annual meeting is to be held this month, when the date of the opening will be decided.

The county council is busy re-coating the Kaihihi Road ’ preparatory to tarsealing. The local telephone exchange is steadily growing, and it is hoped to soon have over 100 subscribers, when a further extension of hours will be available. On Thursday evening the central vestry of St. Paul’s Anglican Church held their quarterly meeting at the vicarage. Rev. J. Adams occupied the chair. Messrs. Gibson and Bulter (Rahotu), Luekin (Tumahu), Corbett (Warea), Bell and Cooke (Puniho), Morris (Oakura), Blakely (Koru), and E. B. Corbett (secretary) were also present. Owing to illness Mr. Ballanger and Honeyfield (Tataraimaka) were unable to attend. The vicar reported the formation of a new sub-district at Koru, which is functioning excellently. He also gave details of the temporary amalgamation of Rahotu and Pungarehu, and expressed t the hope that the step taken will relieve . the position of Pungarehu, and be productive of mutual good. The matter of forming a sub-committee at Okato, and the appointment of tivo members to the central vestry, was left the the vicar to take action. Further general business was transacted, after which Mr. Adams kindly entertained the vestry to supper. The ping pong club finalised the year’s work at their meeting during the week. A loss of 16s on the year must be considered very satisfactory, as there was an abnormal lot of sickness among local people during the winter, and the chib, being newly established, had also to procure all new equipment. On Monday a very enjoyable evening ■was spent by about 25 local gentlemen at the residence of Mr. L. O’Sullivan. The function was the old established one of house warming, and the hope was expressed that it would be a preliminary to a similar affair at a later date. The controversy of "Q.D.” and “H.P.” is quite a burning one locally, and youiown wonders if it is a compliment to Okato that it should receive such attention from the sponsors of this wonderful act of philanthropy!' PERSONAL.

Mrs. Heycock, our very efficient postmistress, is away on annual leave. Mr. Whitelaw is the relieving officer. After six weeks’ holiday in Auckland and the Waikato, Miss Alma Corbett has returned home. Mr. Walter Julian is still confined to hospital as a result of his football accident, and general regret is felt at his slow progress.