MAKIRIKIRI NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 June 1947, Page 2

MAKIRIKIRI NOTES

QUEEN CARNIVAL AT UPOKONGARO (0.C.) Makirikiri, June 11. What promises to be the outstanding event o' the year, wilt take place at Makirik.tt on Saturday night, when the Upokonga.o Queen Carnival will be opened. This is the first time that a carnival has been held in the district and judging by the tremendous interest being taken by all the residents, there is no doubt that the success of the venture is assured. The Hall Co er. itten is to be congratulated on its enterprise and initiative. A Central Cummhtee has been tormed with Mr. V. 11. > rocks as chairman and Mr. P. V. Mr • r.onald as hnn secretary and live numbers, Messrs. L. J. Williams, W. J. Scanlon, W. Penn and P. L. Wickham. The three cht rraing young candidates seleited arc Parapara Princess, Margaret Farley (blue), ValleyPrincess, Aroha Scott (gold), Upokongaro Village Princess, Louise Williams (red). Strong committees have been set up to support each candidate and a programme o£ entertainments has already been arranged. A barometer will be erected at Upokongaro, and from time to time, the progress of each candidate will be recorded. The opening ceremony on Saturday night, will be of a spectacular nature, those undertaking this important part -of the programme having spared no efforts in their endeavours to make this an enjoyable performance. There will also be dancing, games, competitions, auction and cleverly thought-out novelties, etc. All the main entertainments run in connection with the carnival will be advertised. The proceeds will be used later by the Hall Committee in some scheme for a better and more modern hall. UPOKONGARO VILLAGE. Time and enterprise have brougiiL about many changes in this old-estab-lished settlement. Trees planted along the riverbank some years ago by members of the Women s Institute have grown up and have added to the delightful view of the river from the tar-sealed highway. St. Mary’s Upokongaro. with its quaint needlepointed spire and priceless old windows, makes a striking contrast to the modern red-tiled infants' school nearby. An up-to-date swimming bath and tennis courts in the schoolground have given much pleasure to the young people. It is hoped that in due course, the bowling r: tx in the hotel grounds will be an accomplished fact. Civic pride is being encouraged, judging by well-trimmed ’awns on the roadside and rubbish tins for waste paper, etc, placed at each end o£ the village. The loss some years age, of the old Upokongaro Ferry is- still felt byresidents, as it was their only means of contact with friends across Lie river. THE BY-ROADS. Keen disappointment is being felt by users of the Kaiwhaiki Road that the County Council has not made a start at doing away with the ‘‘Deathtrap.’’ It was understood that this menace to the travelling public was to be taken in hand on an early date. Although the surfaces of the by-roads are in good order at present, concern is being felt about the ever-increasing growth of road-side fjorre. As a go. al proportion of the gorse is growing on county frontages, it is difficult I. know whose responsibility it is to remove this troublesome weed. With overhanging high gorse on each side of two local roads, it is alm.'.-t impossible for two cars to pass. A bulldozer would soon make short work of this unwanted roadside growth..