DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5193, 19 October 1927, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

NGATEA. BENEFIT CONCERT. A very fine concert, was presented in the Ngatea Hall on Monday evening by the Turua Concert Party as a benefit to Mr Leo. Cotter, a Ngatea footballer, at present in the Auckland Hospital on account of (having had his leg broken while playing in a r&presqntative match. The concert was arranged by the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union, and there was a large attendance.

Generally, the concert followed the lines,of the Turua Party’s previous entertainments at Turua, Waitakaruru and Kerepeehi ,but there were several new vocalists and many items which had not been given before, and the audience showed its appreciation of the various numbers by unstinted applause, which must have, been very gratifying to the visiting amateurs, who look upon Ngatea audiences as the most critical in the district. Commencing with a rousing opening chorus in which the ten ladies and six gentlemen of the party sang “How do you do ?” to everyone in general and then to some few in particular, there followed in quick succession amusing items by Messrs Owens and Muller and Mrs A. Walker and JH. Johnston, four players whose injured tones of voice, serio-comic expressions, and absurd disguises provoked roars of laughter whenever they appeared. Associated with them in other items were Messrs A. Hill and A. Walker. No small part in the success of the evening was due to the Rev. W. W. Averill, whose fine voice and versatile manner earned him numerous recalls. The fine voice of Mrs W. Clark was heard in two numbers, and songs were also contributed by Mi A. Walkey. Mrs Mules played the accompaniments. The whole of the second part of the programme was occupied with the presentation of t,hat very funny farce “Freezing a Mother-in-Law,” by Messrs Muller, Owens, Averill, Miss Schmidt, add Mrs Walker. On behalf of the Rugby Union Mr C. S. Foster thanked the Concert Party for providing the benefit entertainment, and on behalf of the audience expressed appreciation of the fare provided. The Party was then entertained at supper, kindly donated by Messrs W- and V. Montgomery, and the floor was cleared for dancing, Messrs A. E. Ludlow and J. King providing the music. WAITAKABURU, TENNIS CLUB. The. Waitakaruru Tennis Club held its annual meeting last week, Mr A. H. McClean presiding over a fair attendance. The balance sheet showed a small credit balance on tjie year's workings, a large sum having been handed over to the Domain board, on whose land the courts are situated. Officers appointed were as f fllows :— President, Mr A. H. McClean; secretary Mr D. Molesworth; delegate to the Hauraki Plains Tennis Association, Mr A- H. McClean; committee, Messrsi G. L. Griffiths, R. McKay, W. Morgan, A. Otter, andjthe officers; ladies’ committee, Mesdam e s Olsen, Elliott .Hunter, and Miss U. Thompson. No decision wsa reached in regard to the method to be adopted this season by the Tennis Association for its inter-club competitions, but the club was. of opinion that t,he number of matches should be. reduced so as to encourage those members who were not in the teams. Affiliation With the newly formed Thames Valley Tennis Association was favoured. It was decided to have one of the clay courts treated yvith Coldfix bitumen, and to bring thei chip courts into good order. November sth was fixed as the official opening day. HOPAI. TENNIS CLUB. The Hopai Tennis Club ’held its annual meeting last weeik and appointed the following officers 1 : President, Mr A. R. Vowles ; vice-pr<esident, Mr A- H Wade; secretary, Mr W. Murphy; match committee, Messrs Vowles, Wade, and Murphy; delegate to Hauraki Plains Association, Mr A. R. Vowles. “ t Instructions were given the delegate to oppose the 'advances of the newly formed Thames Valley Tennis Association, which would mean breaking away from the .Aucklandi Lawn Tennis Association. The club supported the knock-out system of playing the association’s competitions on the suggestion being made that those teams which were defeated could commence an eliminating round for the Howell Williams Memorial Shield. There had been practically no competition for this trophy of recent years on account of the lack of available days for matches. November 12 was adapted as opening day.