DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4703, 26 May 1924, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

Mi ATKA. STREET LIGHTING. The mailer of providing the funds necessary to maintain the Ngatei street lights was discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday evening last. Mr J. Bratlie presided over an attendance of .about 20. Mr E. Walton explained (hat during the past year the lighting and Um replacement of globes had cost £3O fs tid. Towards this the Mutual Improvement Society had raised £H ttls, an I the balance had either been e<mtributed by residents of the. township or way .HliH due to the power board. He suggested that to provide a sure revenue in the future the residents of the townshiii be asked contribute, say, £t a year, and the residents of the surrounding district a minimum of 10s a year. In addition social functions could be organised. The suggestion, was adopted, and the township area was defined as that, area between .McClean’s corner and the river, and. between Hie factory an.l the County Council property. Messrs W. J. Clare, J. Darlington, J. Bratlie, and E'. Walton were appointed a' committee- to- control- the whole of the- street lighting. It was suggested' that the number qf lights should be increased, and the mattci was left to the coinmittec to arrange according to the support received from the various areas. VETERINARY CLUB. The executive of the Farmers’ Veterinary Club-met at Ngatea on Tues- . day last, the vice-president, Mr G. T Davidson, presiding. Four new members were enrolled. It was decided to instruct the surgeon to tender a report monthly of all cases attended and the results obtained, and also that the club desired the rule that no professional, attention be given non-members be rigidly adhered to. HOCKEY- CLUB BALL. There eventuated . at Ngatea on Monday last one of the most successful social functions yet held in the Public Hall, when the ladies of the Ngatea Hockey Club gave a ball for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of hockey sticks. It was inter,ded to be a leap-year ball, but the prevailing custom could not be so easily set aside, and was reverted io at about 10 p.m„ and from then nn all wen merrily. Excellent ij’ance music was supplied by the Morrinsyille Jazz Band, and extras were played by local ladies. The decorations t-.were- of paper streamers, masses of native foliage,, and lights enclosed in Chinese lanterns. The floor was ■good as the Ngatea Hall floor could ‘be, and though there were about eighty couples present it was not unduly crowded. The supper arrange-

meats were particularly good, and the abundance of home-made dainties reflected careful thought and systematic Work on the part bf the organisers. In fact, the organisation was good all through, ami the club is .to be congratulated on the successful initial function. The gross takings totalled about £3O, and the profit should be sufficient to effectively equip the club. KEREPEEHI. RURAL MAIL SERVICE. A rural mail delivery service from (ho Kerepcehi post office to the settlers on Pcknpekii Road and Kero-ponlil-Nellierton Rond has been authorised by the Postal Department., and will commence -within a few days. RIVER WORKS. A Lands Dopnrtiiii'iit dredge Ju nt present engaged In excavating a channel below Ihe Kerepiiehl wharf, where it is the Dopartmeut's intention to have a slipway orcclod to enable boats and pontoons to be drawn up for inspection and repair. Thslipway will extend from the bed ol Um river to about IMI feel back from the* water's edge, and will be of sufficient size ami strength to hold any of the Department's floating dredges. •' Tlie second American-type steam (lipper dredge, which is being erected at the Department’s Kerepcehi wharf, is now practically completed, only a very little work remaining to be done. The road across the Kerepcehi block from-the township to the Ngarua wharf has now been metalled and bljidcd. The Kaihcrc r.oad is metalled for nine or ton chains, and the work is progressing at the rate of a chain a day when not interrupted by adverse weather.

The erection of the bridge over the Avaiti canal is still hung co owing to the indecision as to the site of the railway bridge., FANCY DRESS BALL.

The plain ami fancy dress bad which was given in the Kerepcehi Hall r on Wednesday evening last by the members of the Church of England in an effort to raise funds for the erection of a church v. - as one of the most enjoyable that hits been held in Kerepeehi. The hall was very effectively decorated with paper streamers and the many coloured flags <"-f the international code of signals adorning the walls were relieved -by the white window curtains. The electric lights were enclosed in Chinese lanterns, and the huge centre were also hidden in a dome of crepe paner and different coloured streamers.

Of the sixty-odd couples who were present about three-quarters were m fancy dress. Tire floor was in, splendid order, but, despite the fact that many preferred to watch from the gallery or the stage, it was so crowded that none of the couples was able to exploit the “light fantastic’’ at will.

Dancing was continued with vim un- i til an early hour, again and again the of applause being answered .xyjtli an encore. An. excellent dance programme was rendered by- a local | party of ‘‘nigger minstrals," compi’is- ‘ ing Mrs Hudson (piano), J. Troughear (emmet), M. McMillan and J. Thompson (violins). H. Hoff (drums etc.), and J. Thompson (mandolin). During the grand march Mrs F. Bell, and the Rev. Beaufort judged the fancy dresses, choosing Miss Masters i (Queen of Sheba) and Mr J. Adlum ' (Maori Chief) the first and Mrs E. J. i limes (Britannia) and Mr G. Blylh j (Swagger) the second prizewinners. Among the others in fancy costume | were : Mrs J. Kidd, Belgian Peasant: , Mrs 11. Booth, Crochet Patterns ; Mis N. wdiek, Folly ; Mrs Hudson, Topsy ; | Mrs W. Kidd, Jazz Pierettc; Mrs lla'ids, Domino ; Mrs Hoff, Butterfly ; Mrs. Loudon, Costerwoman; Miss H. Thompson, Egyptian ; Miss D. Lyons, Vanity ; Miss E. Thompson. House Llii.t Jack built; Miss P. Frecklington, Queen of Hearts ; Miss Brockle-liur-st, Butterfly ; Miss T. Carr, Gipsy - Mins M. Thompson, Merry-go-round ; Miss Taylor, Gipsy; Mrs Fawcett, Witch ; Mrs Adlum. Maori Chieflillness ; Mrs Steedman, Pierettc ; Mrs Burnbropk, Luck ; Mrs J. Mclntosh, Pojmy ; Messrs B. Lyons, Buck Jones-; B. Loudon, Coster; A. Nicholson. Cook ; 11. Hoff. J. Troughear. and M. McMillan, Niggers; L. Masters, Guards Officer; P. Innes, Clown; M. Troughton, Cowboys; G, Crisp, Blacii Cat; L. Masters, Jockey ; W. Thompson, Cook ; Dibble, Spanish Brigand ; J. Lyons, Sergt.-Major; T. Reneta, Maori Chief; S. Lyons and W. Kidd,. Dad and Mum from the Waybacks. A word of commendation is due to all those associated with the organisation and management of the ball, which was in every respect an outstanding success. Is Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.