OTOROHANGA.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17786, 10 August 1929, Page 10

OTOROHANGA.

< district happenings. f. TOPICS OF THE MOMENT. ";|4 I (Our Resident Representative.) Among Otorohanga and district iettlers who will shortly be returning from a prolonged trip to the Homeland are Mr John Budge, senr. (Kio Kio), Mr A. C. Smith (Whawharua), and Mr Robert Green (Otorohanga). Mr Thomas Campbell (Kio Kio), an aarly settler of the district, has decided to remain at Home, and proposes spending the evening of a strenuous ; life in his hoimi city, Belfast, Ire- ! land. , Mr James Dailey, one of the overseers at Flock House Training Farm, Marton, is visiting Otorohanga, where he has landed interests. Mr Dailey speaks highly of the lads under his charge at Flock House, and considers > ‘ that the great majority of them are the makings of good settlers, being willing and eager to learn all about farm work. He considers that the Institution is doing splendid work at a

the Otorohanga County is open for public inspection at the County Council offices. The striking feature of the new valuations is the drastic reduction made in the value of backcountry lands.

Earthquake Dance. A private dance, which was organised for the Earthquake Relief Fund, eventuated at Otorohanga, when there was a capacity attendance. The building had been nicely decorated and the flooi specially prepared. Miss R. Hogan (piano), Captain Stanley (violin), C. Anderson, Cairns, and Miss Phyllis Rhodes provided the music. The spot dance competition w'as won by Miss M. Harwell and partner, whilst the same lady was successful in annexing the prize for best pierette dress. Mr Eric Rhodes was the capable M.C., while Mr and Mrs Vernon Stagg acted as host and hostess- The supper arrangements were excellently handled by Mrs H. W. Atkinson, and the w'hole function left a pleasing memory. Over £8 was earned for the cause.

Otorohanga’s activities so far have raised £132 13s lid for the benefit of the earthquake sufferers.

New School. Cabinet has authorised the erection of a modern school on the site recnetly acquired by the Education Department at Otewa. Wintry Weather. The weather has again taken a wintry turn, yesterday being an exceedingly wet and stormy day. Building Activity. There is renewed activity in the building trade in Olorohanga and its immediate district. One builder has seven building contracts in hand, while other builders have work ahead for several months. The large contract of re-modelling the Town Hall structure and the erection of a Plunket Rest-room alongside, has been commenced by the contractor. An improved demand has set in for business and residential sites, and several sales have been completed during the past week. ,

; minimum cost for overhead charges. I Miss Lily Copplestone, who recently i endeavoured to swim Cook Strait and ■ who has been responsible for similar acquatic feats in New Zealand waters, is a visitor to this district, where she and her mother are the guests of Mr and Mrs T. Vicary. i Major IT. 11. S. Westmacott, 0.8. E., a prominent settler of the Otewa district for over 20 years, who is in . charge of “C” Company, Waikato ' Regiment, has been appointed second in command of the battalion. The Major was among the first settlers who took up virgin bush-clad country in the eastern hinterland of the Otewa distriot, which he has in course of years converted from a forest wilderness into a mixed farm of stock-rais-ing and dairying activities. A cheese manufacturing plant on the property deals with the milk of a large herd of

cows. f‘ Mr J. McLean, one of the earliei group of business men of Otorohanga, has returned here, after a lapse of many years. Mr Harold Woods, of Hawera, is a visitor to the King Country, where he - is the guest of his aunt, Mrs 11. M. Quin, Otorohanga. f Mr F. 0. R. Phillips, the prominent I pedigree Jersey breeder of Otorohanga, is standing as a candidate for the

A Good Herd.' 1 Among the outstanding dairy herd of the Otorohanga district is that o Mr George Richmond, of Pirongia'road The herd-testing returns for the; las season disclose that his herd of 8i cows averaged 335.8‘J1bs . of butter fat in 271 days. The cattle are mostly grade Jerseys and are fed on gener ously top-dressed pastures, withou the aid of root crops. Mr Richmonc does not believe in turnips as a fOQc for dairying cattle, but pins his faith tc top-dressing the pastures regularly. District dairy farmers who have sustained their cattle during the winter months on a diet of ensilage, mangolds and hay speak highly of this food combination as a well-balanced ration for dry cow's. Drainage Operations. Settlers whose holdings abut on the Waipa river north-west of Otorohanga, arc concerned with the large drainage operations about to be completed along the Mangapu river valley, between Otorohanga and Hangatiki. They fear that the heavy drainage operations will have the effect of flooding low-lying areas of their farms when the whole volume of water, released by tne operations under rcviqw, reaches the

vacancy, caused by the retirement of Mr T. C. Blackett, on the Board of Directors of the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd. Mr D. W. Seibie, for many years on the factory staff at Otorohanga of the • N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Association, Ltd., is severing his connection with the manufacturing part of the dairy'•ing industry to engage in butter-fat production on a farm on the Kio Kio road. High School Operetta. Over 250 seats have already been booked for the production on Monday of the operetta “My Spanish Sweetheart” by the pupils of the local District High School. 't New County Valuation. Tbs revised district valuation for.

Waipa river, where the Mangapu enters it at Otorohanga. It is considered that on account of the Waipa river being infested with willow growth along both its banks, the released waters will be retarded by the obstruction of the willow-trees long enough to do damage to areas of pasture lands.

Snow on the Ranges. Another cold snap has been experienced during the past forty-eight hours. On Thursday morning a heavy fall of snow on the Rangitoto Ranges had a detrimental effect on the sheep holdings where lambing is in progress. /

Heavy mortality among the young lambs of the higher peaks is reported. On the level lands towards the Main Trunk Railway, the mortality among the lambing flocks was very slight, and the percentage born promises to be well up to the averages of the best seasons of former years. Twins are reported to be numerous and several cases of triplets have been observed. Lambing is now iat Hts maximum among the larger flocks.

Tho Pig Market. The keen demand for store pigs was again in evidence at the auctions, all yarded being cleared at prices highly satisfactory to the vendors. Light porkers made 37s 6d to 455; medium size stores, 31s to 375; small stores, 27s to 30s; slips, 21s to 255; good weaners, 15s to 20s; small and weedy weaners, 7s 6d to 11s. There was again an unsatisfied demand.

“ All Quiet on the Western Front.” Remarque’s much-discussed book, “ All quiet on the Western Front,” is not yet banned at the Otorohanga Public Library. There is, in that institution, a very long waiting list for its perusal.

Farewell “Smoko.” A send-off social a«d smoke concert was tendered to Mr Ben Lawson and Mr Victor Hall, in the, bandroom at Otorohanga, when there w’as a large gathering of friends, to say farewell to the popular young men, who are leaving the district after a very long residence. Mr G. 11. Boles presided, and after the usual toasts had been honoured, a most pleasant evening was spent in music, song and story. Wade’s orchestra assisted greatly. On behalf of the gathering the guests of the evening the recipients of valuable wallets, the presentations being made by Mr Boles. Mr Lawson is leaving to take up a position with an auctioneering firm in the Northland, whilst Mr Hall will make his new home in the Bay of Plenty.

Golf. The following is the golf team selected to play for the King Country ladies’ championship at Te Kuiti next w'eek: —Mrs Godfrey, Mrs Richter, Mrs Faire, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Seaton, Miss McPherson. Emergencies: Miss Montgomerie and Miss Hughes.

Maoris and Asiatics. The leading natives of this territory are making representations to the Te Akarana Maori Association, Auckland, regarding the effects of young Maori girls associating with peoples of the Asiatic race. The matter w'as first brought before the notice of the

Maori Association by Mr T. Hotu, a member of the Maniapoto organisation, on a recent visit to Auckland. Mr Hotu gave definite instances of the association of Maori girls and Indians, and stated that his people w r ere most anxious to remedy the Asiatic influence among- their girls. The association has taken a leading part in showing the results of Maori-Asiatic mingling, and it intends to co-operate with the Maniapoto Council. Whilst it is generally admitted that many of the Asiatics are w T cll-behaved and industrious, it is not deemed advisable that Maori girls should marry such foreigners in preference to young men of their ow : n race.

Pierrette Club's Dance. Tho Pierette Club gave an enjoyable dance, when there was a full hall of dancers. The decorative scheme w f as effectively carried out. Visitors were present from Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Waitomo Hostel, and Te Kuiti. Miss Darvell and Mr Claude Hartwell, of Te Kuiti, were successful in the principal competition. About 160 guests responded to the invitation of the club, which had promoted the evening’s entertainment for the benefit of the sufferers from the earthquake. Excellent dance music w r as provided by Miss R. Hogan (piano) and Captain Stanley '(violin).

The cause will benefit to the extent of some £lO 10s as a result of the endeavour.

Hard Winter for Some. During the winter months the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board has distributed in the Waitomo district £45, as relief to people in poverty.