COUNTRY NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12465, 25 January 1904, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

PUNGABEHU. (b'rona Our Own Correspondent.) The Domain Board met on Saturday evening. The secretary -reported that the Governor's consent to the lease of the reserve had beeri obtained. It was decided to call for tenders for a seven years' lease of the section, ihe tenant to fence, plough, and lay down section in permanent grass ; access to be i given to the public at all times after !thc section has been grassed. i It, is now nearly two years since the Government promised to erect a Post Office in the township, and we are still as we were. Apparently there is very little prospect of its being built for some time. The present !ittle shanty, half-a-mile from the township, is quite unfit for the purpose. Pungjrehu has always given a strong vote for the Government, but many of the electors are beginning to think that there must be some truth in the statements of the Government, that the promise to ijuild the new post office was only [given to catch votes before the last election. WAREA. I _«— — j fFrom O»»v Own Correspondent.) ' The social organised by the young ladies of Warea in aid of the bazaar [funds came off on Thursday, 14th inst., and proved, as was anticipated, a great treat. The music for the dancing was provided by Mrs J. Ducker, with Messrs J. and A. Ducker, and was, as usual, most inspiriting. j Several songs were given; those from Misses Taylor and Corbett, two young ! lady visitors in the district, were especially enjoyed. After the usual bountiful supper, the heat and cows caused an early break up. Mr Percy Julian acted efficiently as M.C.. The amount realised will help the bazaar Committee which desires to record its thanks to the promoters. The 'continued hot, dry weather is causing many anxious looks at the horizon and speculation as to probable rain. There are some good plants of early sown turnips, but most late crops have had to be resown, with every prospect of even another drilling being required. Very few paddocks ot oats arc free from rust, and fewer well grown and headed. The birds are having 1 a gay time, and are far more numerous than ever before. The little silvcreye has put in an appearance, and any but the greenest fruit is subject to its depredations, while the blackbirds and thrushes are as common as sparrows. OKATO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday last a cricket match was played between Warea and Okato on the ground of the latter, resulting in a win for the visitors by eight runs, after which a friendly scratch match was played from teams pickea on the ground from both clubs, when some of the batsmen showed really good form, the most prominent being Cwigg, Barnslcy, Taft, and Boyce. '■fill also played a fine game, hitting: all round the wicket, and carrying his bat for the nice score of 26.

On Friday evening the Okato Club held a special meeting, the President in^the chair, to see if the Club could, aoi be placed on a more satisfactory footing. Mr Fox and Mr Boyce addressed the members at some length, throwing out some very useful suggestions, which members will do well to note. The selection committee hav-. ing now five members instead of three as heretofore, and as there is a second eleven, I hope to see the club work more smoothly and without friction.

The contractors for the Okato Hall are progressing with the work, the tirst portion being hoisted into position on Tuesday amidst great jubilation. Mr Gill was in attendance photographing the same, whilst in course of erection. The committee are also holding a meeting to-night arranging the preliminaries for the opening ceremony, which will be a fancy dress ball.

The members of the Okato Sports Committee are well on their way with the working up of their annual fixture, when it is expected the meeting' will be a record, one, particularly so in the chopping events. We are havings a very long spell of dry weather, many farmers getting excellent burns ; but rain is greatly accdt" 1 for turnips. The 4 j^ is proving very destructive this season. The milk supply is also greatly diminishing, and m some cases the tests are down ac:ordingJv. TARIKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Attention is drawn to an adverti-<o-inent in another part of the paper about the opening of new additions to the Tnrifci Hall. The Hall has been considerably enlarged, a new and jommodious bUigc erected, also a hide room with h're place which will be used for Commit ten meetings, etc., nnd vvijl Be available as a ladies' dressing room when conceits and balls arc being hold. A handsome poivh hat> been added to the front of tho building. v The concert on Wednesday niffht oromisus to be an exceptionally good >nc, the programme consisting of orchestral selecti<^n.s. character dancing, solos, plantation quartettes, etc. A young lady singer from Wellington whose voice was favourably commented upon by ]V2hs Ada Crossley has 'vindly consent orl to sing. A brilliant uiniiitst from TViildinij will lilay a solo, and the loiiilpv of llio Nelson Harmonic Sorifty will ploy a ■* iolin solo. The huli^M of the district are sujM)lyiuw a particularly toothsome suppor. Good music; has been so<"ii*fd, (he lloor is in pxcollent order, so it onl.y needs n line night and n large atlendnnco of tlie ; public to make the afl'air a huge siioI ','CSS. Important* (<> youug liidirn aivi Ijjontiemeu, ii. IT. Purkor's tiodz of I engiigemcnt rings, wdiling rings. i xvntchps, chains niui all kinrb of ; jewellery is iho fineb( nn the V.Vsf ; Coast of Now Zealand, and prices 10 | per cent, lower than in the larger Icon (res. Can-fully note the address: ■J. TJ. Parker, jeweller. <!t<:., J'ext Kail. way Crossing. Dovon-sli"? :-(. fVntrnl Gew Plymouth.*