DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4449, 4 August 1922, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

NGATEA. CONCERT AND PRESENTATION. Seldom has the Ngatea Public Hail held such a large number of local - residents as when the Ngatea school children held a very successful concert on Wednesday evening. Opportunity was also taken to make presentations to Miss E. Jones, who shortly leaves for America. The programme, which consisted . almost entirely of items from the children, was a bright one, and many of the numbers were quite original. Each turn was well received by the audience, and quite a number encored. Perhaps one of the best items by the young ones was a Hawaiian song and dance by Bertha and James Thompson. The windmill song and swing song also drew rounds of applause from a delighted audience, whOe the famous “ Ten little Nigger boys ” proved themselves again popular. The children who gave individual items and those whp took the leading parts in others were Clarice Vowles, Stella Manktelow, Bertha Thompson, Clare Hendren, Laura Nicholson, Pauline Norcott, Gertrude Thompson, Esme.McDuff, Myrtle Davidson, Gordon Taylor, Alan Wheeler, James Thompson, George Clark, Royce Carr, David Dudding ,Gregory Hendren, Alan Green, Fred Dudding, and Charlie Rountree. The children’s admirable efforts were interspersed with adult talent,

and chief among which wero two songs beautifully rendered by Mrs "'Clark,' and a musical item by Mis Hendren. Mr Powley amused the audience with humorous stories, and Mr R E. Jamieson gave a song. During the dapce which followed Miss E. Jones sang by special request. Miss R. Hillford played the accompanin ents during the concert. The programme concluded by the whole of the school children, nearly 106, singing a patriotic song and the National Anthem, the audience joining ir. the latter. It was then that the presentations to Miss Jones wete made. Miss L. Nicholson read an address on behalf of the school children and presented their teacher with a gold wristlet watch. Mr W. McDuff, on behalf of the

residents and settlers, presented her with a substantial cheque, at the same time saying that during the two years Miss Jones had been teaching at the local school she had helped ‘greatly in the social and. moral wel-

faie of the chidren ,who were ho-v losing .a good friend. “Miss Jones

intends corning back to Ngatea,” ne concluded, “provided nothing happens in America.” (Laughter and applause.)

Miss Jones, in a few brief words, exnre’sed her gratitude, saying that while she had been in the district she had met nothing but kindness on all sides, and that she could not forget. She regretted leaving the children with whom she had been associated so long. She promised she would return to Ngatea, and amintaine.l that “nothing would happen in America.” Mrs Potter played the music for a dance, which followed supper. The proceeds from the concert totalled about £ll, and will be devote 1 to the hall funds. VALEDICTORY. In honour of her approaching marriage Miss G. Clare was given a gift afternoon on Saturday by the Ladies’ Bazaar Committee. Many serviceable gifts were presented. Miss Clare was married in Paeroa to Mi R. Black on Tuesday, and will Jive near Taumarunui. TURUA. FANCY DRESS BALL. Liberally bedecked with decorations of greenery, and paper streamers, and gay with many fancily-attired figures, the interior- of the Victoria Hall, Turua, presented an animated appear-, ance last evening, the occasion of a plain and fancy dress ball, held by the Hauraki Plains Athletic and Sports Club. The floor was all too small to comfortably accommodate the. large crowd of dancers, who hailed from Thames, and all parts of the Hauraki Plains. The {junction was a most successful one, and the club’s dance committee, of which Mn F. Goedtell is hon. secretary, is tp be congratulated on their fine efforts. The floor was in perfect order, and 11 goed supper was ’served, while on sever al. occasions between the dances refreshing fruit was handed round. Many of the fancy costumes presented were very original, and denoted that great care had been taken in the “make-up." Perhaps the most amusing was Mr S, Bradley as a baby boy—only 6ft 2in, and a dear -little chap still supplied with a soother. Mr Titch’ener, with horns and a three-pronged fork, was rather grotesque in appearance, representing the man who keeps the fire burning "down below.” Dr. Bathgate,had he not been so well known, may have been mistaken for a lady, so good was ;his presentation as a nurse. Many of the ladies’ dressesi were very pretty, some being clad in sombre costumes and others in gaudy fjabrics. The judges, Mesdames T. Bell and E. Flaveli (for the ladies) and Messrs „F. Stephens and E. B. Hill (for the men), had no easy task in deciding the winners. Eventually the prizes were awarded as follows: Ladies: Miss Gemming (Folly) 1, Miss PorI eons (Black Cat) 2. Gentlemen : Dr. Bathgate (Nurse) 1, Mr S. Bradley (Baby Boy) 2. Messrs Bagnall Bros.. G. Gray, T. H. "White, and G. Spencer donated the prizes.

-Among those in fancy costume were Mesdames E. B. Hill (Swiss lady), W. Beck (Belgian), J. Flynn (Spanish dancer), J. Schmidt (Waitress), Potter (Daffodil), F. Loader (Nurse), Misses K. Mules (Folly), N. Darby (Japanese), K. Miller (Dutch girl), M. McConnell (Gypsy), D. Faulkner (Gypsy), I. McKay (Billiards), Candy (Night), R. Schmidt (Arabian girl), Gemming (Jazz), Kerby (Peasant girl).

Messrs C. K. Fox (Cowboy), Titchener (Mephistopheles), Walker (Pierrot), Banks (Pierrot), N. Honis (Skeleton), Martin (Sky-pilot), J. Mules (Old-man Jazz), J. Green

(Bachelor), 0. McMillan (Tennis), J. L. Brownlee (Tennis), G. White (Chinaman). Mr A. Williams’ orchestra rendered perfect dance music throughout the evening, and extras played by Mesdames Potter, Goodsell, and Mules were greatly appreciated. Messrs J. McConnell and W. Clark were M’s.C. Mr F. Olsen was in charge of the lighting arrangements, which he gave free. HALL TOO ! SMALL. The congested state of tne floor at the Sports Chib’s ball last night exemplified more than ever the urgent necessity for a more commodious hall. The very limited dancing space was the only drawback to the evening’s enjoyment. By no means a.ll who were present were dancing at the same time, yet the couples moved round only with difficulty, and then not without colliding with others at frequent intervals. During the square dances it was almost dangerous to swing. With a decent-isized (hall the local sports chib's annual ball couil be ranked among the most popular fixtures on the Plains. There have been rumours of another hall being built. If that is correct the social functions at Turua can in future attract very large numbers from ah the neighbouring districts.

KEREPEEHL ADDITIONAL SCHOOL GROUND. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Auckland Education Board it was decided to renew application for grants in connection with the desired acquisition or lease bf two additional acres at the Kerepeehi school. NETHERTON. DANCE AND EUCHRE TOURNAMENT. A successful dance and euchre -tournament was held at Netherton or, Wednesday of last week, when about 35 couples werp present. The prizes for the euchre, were presented by JTurnbull and Co., of Otahuhu, the lady’s prize being won by Miss Harins and the gentleman’s prize by Mr W. Richmond. Miss Sarjant supplied tbe music, extras being played by Miss Heappey. Mr T. Johnson ably carried cut the duties of M.C. The proceeds are to be devoted to the hall funds. SOCIAL EVENING. A very enjoyable time was spent in the Netherton Hall bn Wednesday last, when the residents of Netherton and surrounding districts were entertained by Mr and Mrs R H. Heappey on the occasion of the marriage of their daughter toi Mr G. Sarijant. About 200 people were present. A fine musical programme was rendered, those contributing items being Mrs Is. Smith, Miss V. Heappey, Mr J. Tompkins, Mr J. Wright, and Mr Maude. Dancing was also indulged in, the music being supplied by Miss A. Sarjant extras beipg played by Miss E. Heappey, Miss Taylor, Mrs Maude, and Miss L. Sarjant. Mr L. Killgcur ably carried out the duties of M.C.

During the supper interval Mr B. Johnson, on behalf of the visitors, heartily thanked Mr and Mrs Heappey for the most enjoyable evening spent, and wished the married couple health, wealth, and prosperity in their married life. Mr Heappey suitably replied.