DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4477, 9 October 1922, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

KEREPEEHI. MASQUERADE BALL. Even the most optimistic could not have wished for any greater success than that which attended the plain and fancy dress masquerade ball hekl at Kerepiehi on Friday evening in aid of fuJ. ds for the purchase of a hospital site. The hall was totally inadequate to comfortably hold the large number of guests, who totalled about 200, and on occasions it was found necessary to divide the dancers into two sections, one lot dancing while the others were resting. The visitors came from near and far, the free launch up the river being well patronised. The committee had chosen an artistic decorative scheme, blue and gold paper streamers terminating in a shade round three electric bulbs proving very effective. Greenery was also liberally displayed round the walls and on the stage. A striking feature was the number ol orgina'ily attired and masked figures, but it was a matter for regret that several discarded their fancy costumes before the judging commenced. For instance, Darby and Joan appeared in the grand march hut afterwards were among the missing and their identity for ever lost. It was no easy task to select the winners, and the committee was certainly wise to delegate to its guests the problem of cl cosing the best costumes. Miss M. I’. Smith made a first-class cowboy, and won the lady’s prize. C Fawcett's harelip fires* was weight up, while Miss E. Woods (balloon girl) and Miss Whelan (rainbow) looked very dainty. Miss Clark’s cos- ' tume of Messrs A. J. Entrican’s labels was welt worked. Two little girls, Bertha and Elly Thompson, 1 were prettily attired. Mr V. E. Seniors cowboy rig-out was perfect, and won him the first prize, while Mr R. Fawcett caused some amusement as the missing link, which' he alleged, per medium of a placard on his back “Research Rewarded. Unearthed at Kerepeehi today.” Mr C. Fawcett as a stalwart Sihk made an imposing

figure. ' ‘ . The following is a lis.t of the fancy dresses taken at the time of the judging : Mesdames Chatfield (Servian lady), C. Fawcett (hard times), Kidd (Folly). Potter (Albanian peasant), York (China lady); Misses Isaacs (American flag), Bratlie (Norwegian), V. McDuff (Persian princess), McClarey (nurse), E. Fisher. (Herald), M. P. Smith (cowboy), Nicholson (night), Clark (labels), Cantrell (Dutch girl), Branch (Peggy O’Neil), Murray (cpwgirl), K. Miller (Dutch girl), Thompson (Egyptian), Adams (Dutch girl), M. Johnson (tamborine dancer), Crosbie (butterfly), Bertha Thompson (Hawaiian), Elly Thompson (Gold, tip cigarettes); Messrs SNicholson (court gentleman), S. Potter (pierrot), J. R. Nicholson (Elyzabethian courier,), C. Nicholson (jester), T. Majury (pierrot), Green (bachelor gay), V, Senior (cowboy) D. Murray (cowboy), N. Nicholson (pirate), R. Fawcett (missing link), G. Masters (jazz Pierrot), Titchene r (jester), H. Kerby (pierrot), C. Faw-, cett (Sihk), Steedman (lady), Cahill (jazz pierrpt). The balloon dance and confetti dance proved to be popular items both for the dancers and the onlookers. The balloon dance was amusing until in a limited space it resolved itself into a contest between threo couples, Miss Johnson and Mr Badgen winning because ,they had the most highly inflated balloon. The music was ably renered by the Kerepeehi orchestra and - Davies’ orchestra Messrs Fisher and Kerby obliging with extras. Messrs. J. JJenkins and G. Masters proved to be capable M’s.C. At an appropriate interval Mr A. Chatfield expressed his gratification at seeing such a large number present. He thanked Mr Kerby for the free launch,'the musicians for their services, and Mr a'nd Mrs Innis for the use of .the stall, from which the committee otbained the.proceeds. Thanks are also due to Mr R Con-,-nor, who donated a ham, Mr A. JInnis for the use of the engine for lighting, and Mr G. A. Avey for benzine. Special commendation is also due to the efforts of Mr J. M. Thompson in organising such a successful function. NGATEA. DANGEROUS DRAINS. Carts falling into the. wide drains in the township of Ngatea is now becoming almost a common occurrence. On Saturday a greengrocer’s cart dacked into the drain opposite the old post office, and some trouble was experienced in extricating it. It is apparent that some covering should be put over the drains in the township, as the load there is very narrow indeed. PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION. Mr R. Rush, physical/instructor, paid a visit- to the Ngatea school on Thursday last, and introduced a number of new games and exercises. TURUA. SCHOOL GROUNDS. In order to raise funds for improvements to the school grounds a very successful dance was held in the Victoria Hall on Thursday evening. Mrs H. Brown and Mr Hill were responsible for the music while Mr JSchmidt officiated as M.C. WAITAKARURU. LAUNCH AND MAILS. No arrangements have yet been made for a direct daily launch service from Waitakaruru to Thames to replace the tri-weekly service which ceased, at the ejid of last. week. The mails have now jo be sent via Pipiroa and carried from Pipiroa to Waitakaruru. This service, however, has its advantages, as the mail now arrives daily instead of three times a week.