DISTRICT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS

1 FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS. S & S? upp.v.mzas

PIRONGIA. Re-opening of Gymnasium. With long nights again approaching the young men and hoys of the district are ready to spend their evenings in practising the art of boxing and wrestlong. On Wednesday evening the gymnasium was re-opened. Although Mr Baker, the popular boxing coa-ch, was unable to be present, he sent a good substitute in Clarie Craig, who was kept busy. ' Mr C. Woolston' had a busy time also as w 7 restling coach. Boys from as far distant as Kawhia came to learn something from this popular instructor. Improvements. Very notable improvements have been made during the last few years to the weed-infested land of Pirongia, due in no small part to the activity of the Pirongia Lands Committee. At least that is the opinion of a visitor who knew Pirongia before Mr Buchanan brought in the Church Hill from , a wilderness of blackberry to a state of good pasture. Mr E. Adler’s work on a block just opposite, which had defied the efforts of a former owner, this year provided two splendid crops of clover and grass from tidy, well-fenced paddocks. In other pants of the township area the late Mr D. Sterritt’s property, and also the late Mr Dixon’s, show what Pirongia land is capable of under proper management. That the Pirongia Absentee Lands . Committee has had something to do with all this may not he very wide of the mark. In any case interest has been fully awakened here as well as in the Lands Department of the Government, and the Pirongia Absentee Lands Committee has been wholly responsible for that awakening. Frosts in IVlarch. Another remarkable change in the weather of this most remarkable season was experienced during the week when three fairly sharp frosts were experienced. Many of the plants susceptible to frosts, including a considerable area of kumi-kumis, have been cut down. Sale of Goods. There was a good attendance at the Methodist Hall when the gift goods of the harvest festival were sold. About £ls was realised. Visitors from the surrounding district and Te Awamutu were present. Grader at Work. Good progress has been made by the Raglan County grader in the Pirongia West district, Sainsbury’s and the Mountain Road having been reformed during the good weather prevailing and setLlers generally will regard the approach of winter with a good deal more equanimity in consequence than was possible before this work was done. Social Evening. A very pleasant evening was spent in the library when one of a series of social evenings in aid of the Anglican

Church maintenance fund was held. Mesdames Beet, snr., G. West and G. W. Owen presided as hostesses, and, as is the custom, provided the prizes for the games and competitions. The results were that Mrs W. H. Bell secured first prize for ladies, Mr H. West annexed the men’s first prize, and Mrs E. Beet and Mr T. Steel came in for the booby prizes. TE PUNINGA. Football. The Te Puninga Football Glub’s credit balance for last season was very encouraging and the attendance at the annual meeting showed the keen interest locally. The officers elected for the coming year were:—Patron, Mr P. H. Saxton; president, Mr T. G. Roach; vice-presidents, Messrs E. C. Old, J. W. Dakers, D. J. Wright, J. Patterson and D. FlAVatsen; secretary and treasurer, Mr M. Watson; committee, Messrs H. Skifilngton, E. Wells and T. Lynch; coach and delegate to union, Mr H. Skifilngton. It was decided to affiliate with Tatuanui, and it is believed that there- are good prospects ahead as the local club has plenty of players available. Welcome Rain. Although the pastures were not unduly di’ied up the rain was very welcome. Harvest Thanksgiving. A harvest thanksgiving service was held in the Te Puninga Hall. A nice lot of fruit, vegetables, etc., was donated by the congregation. TE AKAU.

A Farewell. At the residence of Mr T. Morton tho young folk of the district bade farewell to one of their young friends, Keith Henry, who leaves on Tuesday for a trip to England. Dancing was indulged in until the small hours of the morning, and at midnight a delightful supper was served by the ladies. After supper Mr Fyffe Clemett asked the guest of honour to accept a small token to remind him on Ills journey of his friends in the district. Mr Henry suitably responded. Later a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” WHATAWHATA. Farmers’ Union. A 1 meeting of the Farmers’ Union branch was held in the Whatawhata I Hall, a fair number of farmers attend- j ing. Mr D. Robertson was in tho chair. Mr S. Lye gave an interesting ad- J dress on cuil cows and hobby calves. | A vote of thanks was passed to Air ' Lye. by the chairman. IVlounteds. Some 40 boys belonging to the

“Mounteds” passed through Whataj whata on their way to Hopu Hopu Gamp for their annual ten days’ training. Personal. Friends of Mrs T. Walmsley will be pleased to know she is progressing favourably after an operation. Mr Tom Kempthorne is well on the way to recovery after an operation. Mrs Scott is the guest of her sister, Mrs A. -Livingstone. The sympathy of the district is extended to Miss N. Gallagher, of the school staff, in the recent loss of her father. Air W. Bowman is holidaymaking in Rotorua. Miss O’Hara, of Auckland, is the guest of Mrs F. G. Sutton.

WAITERIMU—M ATAHURU. Bridge Tournament. The bridge tournament came off in the hall, the takings being in aid of the library fund. Airs L. Zank organised the affair, which was very successful. Aliss AVailace, of Waipuna, won the first lady’s prize, Aliss Ansley, of Wa-i----terimu, the second, and Mrs East, of Waiterimu, the third. The winners of the men’s prizes were Messrs F. Begbie, Newton and J. T. Grundy. Golf. The Golf Club will open its season with a meeting in the hall on the 29th. Autumn Show. Exhibits are being booked up for the Huntly Autumn Horticultural Show. TE KAWA. Farewell Party. Airs S. G. Broadbent gave an enjoyable party for Airs J. 11. Alurcott, who is leaving shortly for England. Musical items and a competition entertained the guests, the competition being won by Mrs Al. R. Ashton, who handed the prize to the guest of honour.

Mrs Broadbent received her guests in a floral patterned silk frock, and Mrs Alurcott wore navy silk georgette with lemon bat. Those present were Mesdames Broadbent, AlcLean, Smart, Henderson, Ashton, Plewman, G. Alexted, R. Afexted, Mureott, Stewart, Ilowcroft, Burton, and Misses Jones, Chapman, E. Howcroft, Al. Ilowcroft, McLean, Burton, Hutton, Henderson, and McPhee. Obstetrical Appeal. Local collectors for the Obstetrical Chair fund have met with gratifying responses, in many cases most generous donations being offered. Personal. Airs Clark, of The Mount, Tauranga, was the guest of Airs 11. Henderson for a few days. Aliss Burton has returned from the south. Aliss Ellicott is the guest of Airs 0. M. Coverdale. Cricket. The local cricket team will have a practice match in preparation for the

impending match on Saturday, High School and Paterangi combined being the opponents.

MATAMATA,

! A Friesian Breeder. Mr L. Russell, Tongola, Victoria, a member of ihc Australian farmers’ j party, paid a special visit to Matamata j during the week to inspect Mr E. C. Banks’ herd sire, Rosevale Inka Sylvia Posch. This bull was the sire of the champion Australian black and white cow which gave 8591 b of butterfat in nine months. Current Cash. The members of the Putaruru Dramatic Club presented the drama “Current Cash” at Alatamata on Tuesday evening. The attendance was not very large. The proceeds are to he | divided between the Alatamata and ] Pularuru High Schools. Those who | attended spent, a pleasant two hours, j and the members of the club are to ho j congratulated on their performance. ' Frost. Four decimal five degrees of frost were registered in Alatamata on Thursday morning. Croquet. A team of Alatamata la-dies visited Te Poi on Tuesday, and spent an enjoyable day. Results of the games were as follows, -Matamata players mentioned first:—Mesdames Buckley and Findlater v. Aliss Cobham and Airs Lans-downe, 26—23; Mesdames ■McKerrow and Oates v. Mesdames Cobham and Goodwin, 26 —23; Aresdames Findlater and Barton v- Mesdames Reid and Whytcross, 26—13. Garden Fete. A very successful garden fete was held at the residence of ATr and Airs R. \V. Stevens, in aid of the proposed “rest-room” in Matamata. The afternoon proved most pleasant for the large assemblage. The performing dwarf, ten little nigger boys, spriles, and rial let dancers, chocolate rolldoxvn, a stall, -and afternoon lea provided entertainment for all. ■ Mrs ! Maiiigan provided the music for Hie various items. A sum of approximately £2O was collected to augment the fund as a result of the effort. Personal. Mr and Mrs J. AL Fitness have left on a trip to Australia. Miss A. Oliver, of Auckland, is trio guest of Mrs S. Stanley. Airs R. Turnbull, of Epsom, is visiting Airs L. Flower. Airs ,T. Banks, of Christchurch, lias been on a visit, to Mr and Mrs E. G. Banks. Air and Airs ,T. Ileskelh, of Rotorua, have been, visiting friends in Alabama la. Mr and Airs G. 11. Seed, of Taihoa, who have been louring Taranaki, returned during the week. Air and Airs A. Stewart have left for a trip to North Auckland. Aliss Cummings, of Alount Eden, is visiting her sister at Aratamatn. Airs Torrens, of Auckland, has left Alatamata after visiting her sister Airs A. J. Tong. -Airs J. Price has returned to Alatamata from Auckland and Thames. Misses G. Vosper and W. Banks are leaving on a trip to Taranaki.

MOKAI

i Dance. I A dance was held at the Ongaroto ! School last Saturday. Several parties motored from Mokai, and an enjoyable evening was spent. Picnic. A large lorry full of Mokai residents motored to the Waikato Bridge last Sunday. Swimming was indulged in and thoroughly enjoyed. . The trout were biting well, and the anglers had a successful catch. The outing was very much enjoyed by all. Cricket. Last week the Mokai cricket team travelled to Reporoa, 'the game again resulting in a draw 7 . This week-end the Putaruru team is visiting Mokai. Football. On Friday night the* Football Club held their first meeting of the season to arrange future competitions. Last year the Mokai Club had its most successful season, winning the Shield and Banner from Taupo and Tokaanu Clubs, and also the local cup. Tennis. The school children are busy practising tennis for their forthcoming matches with Taupo school children. Concert. The school children are hard at work arranging for their concert to be held shortly. Croquet. The local ladies are very keen at croquet, and some close games - have been played lately. The Weather. Winter has started already, and promises to be severe. For the last week there has been a hard frost every morning, and the evenings are very cold. Personal. Mr and Mrs Taylor have returned home from their holidays. a Mr A. K. Booth is back from a motoring trip. Mr T. Bourkc is back at work after liis recent accident. Mr J. Murrell had the misfortune to severely rick his ankle while playing football. • Miss Jean Clark is home on sick leave.