COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 393, 6 September 1911, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

0 (Own Correspondents). Marokopi*.. The chief event of the week was a football match between Teharoa and Marokopa, which resulted in a victory for the visitors., Tuharoa, by IS points to 3. As this was the first match the Marokopa club had played this season, our boys were certainly at a disadvantage. However they made the game fairly fast, especially during the second spell. Mr P. W. Bel! was in charge of the whistle and fulfilled his difficult position with credit. Tries were scored for Taharoa by Percy Moke. Tupu and Charlie Maikuku. Kupa converted on three occasions, in spite of the strong wind which was blowing "big guns" during the first spell. George Richards scored a try for Marokopa, but failed to convert. It was generally admitted that our boys would have altered the score had they been in the same training as the visitors, and been able to follow up their successes. Captain Barlow of the local tea." is endeavouring to get his men in training for the return match which will be fought out on Taharoa ground at an early date.

Two of the noblest attributes of manhood are gratitude and chivalry. It is pleasing to note that our young bachelors possess these manly qualities, as they intend giving a bachelor's balls here on Friday, 14th September. The married folk have on all occasions shown hospitality to all, especially to those who possess no homes, therefore all the bachelors should he ready to support at least annually so worthy a movement. But there is often a fly in the ointment, or shall I say a haunting conscience? Quite a number of bachelors, some of several years standing in the place, complain that no public meeting was called and that they were thus debarred from assisting so worthy a project. They realise that if the function be not of the best it reflects on the bachelors as a body. Therefore, "that which touches all should be agreed to by all." In this saying, coined by Edward 1., is embodied the great principle Englishmen learned and practised while a race of hunters dressed in the skins of animals. Where ever the Britisher is and has gone, he has carried this principle with him and forced its application if necessary as demonstrated by the execution of an English King, the Amercian War of Independence, and the Boer War, etc. It is only fair to the promoters of the ball to add that at some of these back block places it has sometimes been a custom for a few to act for and on behalf of the many. But now that this district lias reached its recent position of dignity it is time such antiquated or may I say non English methods were left behind in the march of progress just as bush tracks, nikau vvhares, Sunday meeting, and other institutions suggestive of early pioneering are becoming little more than memories of what were once in the good old days when necessity knew no law or custom.

Otorohanga. The Angilcan ladies' guild held a most successful Conversazione in Turner's hall on Wednesday, 30th August, A packed house was treated jto a first class entertainment. The first part consisted of a short concert, as follows: —Overture, instrumental trio, "My Polly," by Messrs Hosking, Matthews and Foy; song, "The Skippers of St. Ives," Mr Lee; recitation, "The Test Match," Mr Cook; duet, "Pulaski's Banner," Messrs Wilde and Hosking; song, "Faith and Hope," Miss Ross; song, "The Admiral's Broom," Mr Foster; and as an encore, "The Tin Gee Gee"; recitation, "For Her Sake," Mr Ogle; song, "Good-bye," Mr Wilde, encore, "Tu Anthea;" song, "Sincerity," Mr Parker; comic recitation, Mr Burns; song, "O Rest in the Lord," Miss Handyside; song, "Big Ben," Mr Lee; song, "Tell Her I Love Her So," Mr Wiide. Next came a ten minutes interval for friendly conversation, after which the farce, "My Turn Next" wag presented. The caste was as follows; — Mr Teraxicum Twitters, (a nervous Apothecary) Mr H. P. Burns; Tom Teup (a commercial traveller) Mr T. G. Hoskin; Tim Bolus (assistant to Twitters (Mr Elliott; Farmer Wheatear, Mr Figgott; Mrs T, Twitters, nee Mis Brown, Mrs Spencer; Cicely (her sister), Miss Yicary; Peggy Twitters' Housekeeper, etc., Miss Caulier. All the characters were well sustained and the whole play went with force and swim from start to finish. At the conclusion the performers had to come on and how to vocifeous applause. They then led in Finding the National Anthem. Afterwards supper was handed round and the people all seemed to enjoy this part too. A short programme of seven dances terminated this very enjoyable evening. Mrs Hoi den, Mr Thompson and Mr Jacobson provided the music. The amount of £l4 wa3 taken, and aa admission was fixed at the very moderate sum of Is Gd, it was easily seen that the hail was well filled. Rev. E. S. Wayne, just before supper, called on the audience to proclaim thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who had worked so hard to make the evening a success. This was given by acclamation. fionikiwi. Now that the lambing season is on us again farmers have been very busy in seeing after their flocks. Up to the present the weather has been very good on the whole, and a bit exceptional for this time of the year. Now that the frosts are over the grass is coming away splendidly, and with the advent of September feed should once again be plentiful iri all parts of the district. During the last few weeks a decided change can be noticed. Fields that a month ago were quite brown and bare, are now clothed as it were in their bright and fresh green garments. Some of the farmers are increasing their stock which is a good sign of a more abundant supply of feed than formerly.

Bush falling is going on apace. Several largo areas in different part? of the district, being clown. Many of the farmers also are also having fresh parts of their sections ploughed up ready for turnips later on. Mr liargreaves a well-known settler oi the district has started a fresh piece of about 50 acres.

A very enjoyable dance was hold in Mr Dasseler's new separator shed on Tuesday night last. The building was prettily decorated and the Hour was in first-class condition. Dancing was kept up till the small hours of morning, and then most of the young people were sorry to leave. Mr W. Buddc made an efficient M.G., and after the last dance in a neat little speech thanked the host and hostess for the very enjoyable tinu all had had. As matters in the social line have been very quiet this winter for various reasons, our earnest, hope is that this enjoyable evening will soon be followed by another.

On Wednesday, August 23rd, at Auckland, Miss" A. West, second daughter of Mr C. West of this district was married to Mr 11. Cameron, also a settler of the district. On Thursday night after the happy couple's return from town, a number of the young people of the district assembled at Mr Cameron's home to commemorate this auspicious occasion. Mr Parkinson, on behalf of the visitors, expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr and Mrs Cameron back again in their new home. He wished them every success in their new life. Mr Cameron suitably responded. A dance interspersed with musical items was then held. With the singing of "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow,'' and three cheers for the newly married couple, the visitors dispersed to their homes after a very enjoyable evening.

Mapara. The Telegraphic Department is establishing a telephone office at Mr Hallrnond's house, which will be a great benefit to settlers, and Mr Hallmond is to act as telephonist.

Ploughing and getting ready for crops is the order of the day at present. The most of the settlors find they will not have, enough grass to milk cows for the supply of the Pio Pio butter factory this season, but I should say that if they get a fair burn this next summer, there should be about 300 cows milked in the following season, as there has been a fair amount of bush felled this winter.

It is to be hoped that the Education Board will soon make a start to have the school built as the present school is too much at one end of the settlement for the largest 'portion of children to attend at present, There are about ten chains of the road very bad at present for the want of a bit of metal and water tables cleaned out.