Whangamomona.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 74, 31 March 1904, Page 4

Whangamomona.

w (From Our Correspondent.) ' During our bqicf summer thii veor ■V we have had more finejflays than usual. We have also had gre.it burets of rain, causing much ii;juny to the roads. Messrs Brooking- and Black have, however, made good progress with their metalling con- . tracts, and it is to, bp hoped tiiey will be able to finish before winter. This will be a great boon to the milk suppliers, who have been heavily handicapped hitherto. I am sorry to find that a great exodus of settlers wfth large famil- . ies is going on this summer. The cause is mainly the #ost of living. Mr Gate left early in the year ; Mr Groves has sold out and will leave . shortly. The sawmill which has besh here for over four years is closing before winter, having exhausted most of the timber Convenient. The proprietor, ■ Mr F. Brooking, has sustained heavy r losses by floods, which swept away his tramways. The schools were examined on .March 9, and the children paused well, notwithstanding heavy draw-

backs. The majority of the children attend less than half-time, owing < Chiefly to the state of the roads. They also suffer from want of punctuality owing to the dairy industry. On St. Patrick's Day the settlers _ held a picnic in the grounds of Mv E. McLaughlin. A large number attended, and a very enjoyable time wag spent. There was a dance at the Kohuaatahi Hall in the evening. *•:, The annual St. Patrick's Day sports wire held on the 24th iiist., ,* In the grounds of Mr E. Jennings. Owing to the exertions of an ?!!ITgetic committee, a good programme was provided, and the whole proceedings went like elockwork until sunset. Conspicuous for their energy and efficiency were Mr Curie * (chairman), Mr Wildermoth (secretary), Mr Ryan (treasurer), Mr Grant officer), Messrs E. McCluggage and Gaunt as judges, and . others. Messrs Thomas (starter), . juid Groves (handicapper) gave general satisfaction ; while Mr Grey, as clerk of the course, was a worthy successor of our old friend Tom Spelman 4 This refreshment booth in ehasge of Mr and Mrs Reggie wuj well patronised, and there was a good table. Comstable Bradley was prwemt, but there was no occasion for his professional services. . The events and their results were as follows Maiden Race, 100yds—Irvine 1, Sullivan 3, Hoddet 3. Half-mile Handicap.—Darin l, TurK> B. Egg and Spoon Race.—Wilson 1, Willis 2. Hop, Step, and .Jump.—Schan 1, Dombuack 2. Girls under 13.—Elsie Izelt 1 Fan- > ny Hill 2. Heavy Weight Wrestling.—Knhtu L St. Patrick's Handicai>. lOOvds.— White 1, Irvine 3, Hill y. Girls over 12.—Ruby Dombusch 1. Ethel Terry 2, Leah llodder 3. Obstacle Race.—Grey 1, ]loilire v St. Patrick's Handicap, 820 yds—- . 1, White 2, Davit B&ys under 12.—Curie 1, (Irani 2, R. Grant 3. Old Mot's Race.—Grant 1, Couolly . 2, Crofts 3. ; Visftors' Race.—Evans 1, Cato S, j Wilson 3. This was a magnificent race. About a dozen Stratfordites entered. There were all sorts and conditins of men : fat, thin, long, short, broad: bankers, editors, auctioneers, saddlers, drapers, ironmongers, ete. The running was equally but beautifully varied. Some came to the goal like while some have not reached it yet. Some fell, Bonn; collided, and some held their luck. High Jump.—Scharr 1, Joe Davis 2. St. Patrick's Handicap, 440 yds—- . 1, Archer 2, Irvine 3. As a result of thi> three heats White and Archer tied, anil agreed to divide tl»e prizes. Davis mine next. Girls tinder 12.—Fanny Hill l, Florence Groves 2, Rnli.v lioiiibusch Married Women's Rate.—Mrs Join; Muir 1, Mrs W. Hallet 2, Mrs P. .J. White 3. Boys over 12.—McCiitchmi I. I-Var-on 2, Orove* 3. Settlers' Race, Cup given bj- S. Ward and Co.—C. McCutchaii 1. I!. Archer 2. Q. Hodtfer 3. Light Weight Wrestling, Cup by F. Calgher.—Goodman 1. Consolation Rare.—Pombuseh 1. Hodder 2, Scharr 3. The sports day ended with u well- j attended dance in the Whangu.no- ! mona Hall. I