TOKO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 178, 4 July 1900, Page 2

TOKO.

(from our own correspondent.) Toko was more or less en fete on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 27th, the occasion being the marriage of Mr. E. Hine, of Waiwiri Road, to Miss Annie Bain, second daughter of Mr. James Bain, storekeeper, Toko. They were man it d in the church by the Rev. W. B. Hutson. After the ceremony the guests assembled on the lawn, and the party was photographed by Mr. Olark. Shortly after tea the tin-can brigade made their appearance, and, after a spirited overture, Mr. Hine came on to tlio verandah and made a little speech. He thanked them for their music, which he had listened to with pleasure, as it was distinctly Wagnerian, and some parts reminded him of "Tannlmuser" and some of " Parnifal." Of course, he said, it was notperfeet,asforinstancu the man who had the ker-.iseue tin with the stones in it was not in strict harmony with tho man who had the bullock bull, and the musician who was blowing down the bottle with tiro end oft' was half a bar ahead of the man whobe'aboured the cracked teapot. But these were minor faults, and he | felt sure that with a little more prac-1 t.ice and better instruments they would be a credit to the town, and, in the meantime, if they would go into tho store, Mr. D. Bain would fill them up in a satisfactory manner with refreshments. The last part of the speech was received with loud applause, and they stood, not upon the order of their going, but went at once, and I hear that the refreshments were eminently satisfactory. When Mr. and Mrs Hine drove off to their home on the Waiwiri Road theywere loudly cheered. I understand that the presents weie numerous and costly. We are now having winter, and the East Road, between Toko and Stratford, ia very bad. The wet weather camo on before the re-metalling was completed, and about half a-mile of road is positively dangerous. Mr. W. L. Kennedy has bought Mr. Henley's property on the Taihore Road, 400 acres, for six hundred pounds. The farmers are now getting a much needed re it, and are prepiring for the busy season that comes with the spring.

Although rathor late, a few lines will be of interest regarding our annuil schoul concert, which was held ou the 15th June, and was a great success. There were three members of the Baard of Education on the platform, viz, Messrs. Hignett, Kennedy, and All-:-worth, and the hull was packed. A feature of the eveniug was a presentation to Mr. Allsworth by the chiUren of the Toko School for the kind interest Iho has always tiken in and for their welfare. Mr. Hignett created a favourable impression by a brief speech. The children had been prepared for their various pioies by Mr. Clark, head teacher, and I may say here that he has the happy knack of selecting the children best suited for the characters they have to take. A sketchfsbowing the humorous aspect of eervant-galism, was presented by May Wiakham, M. Leydon, Gladys Header, Florrie George, Ivy Coleman, and Annie Maxwell, atd created great amusement. A nigger piece, by Vincent West and Allan Maxwell, created roars of laughter. The distribution of prizes tojk up considerable timo, but I have nor. space to givo the names. Mr. J. Taylor, chairman of the Committee, was the leading spirit, and receive! quite au ovation when he made, his sp'oech, as the public are fully alive to the fact that the advancad position of the Toko School is in a great measure due to his energy and management.