PROVINCIAL NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 25 March 1907, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS

(From Our Own CoixT^pondentci.) RAHOTU. Another competition for the trophy was tired on Saturday at the lliiio Club's range, wlien Mr A. Phillips, who has lately returned from Trentham, proved successful in obtaining a leg-in, (Subjoined are the scores:— 200 300 licp. tl. A. Phillips .. ... SI 20 I) 03 J. A. L'olmer ... 31 27 scr o;S .T. Guy .. ~ 20 27 scr 50 E. Taylor .... ~. 28 20 a 51 11. Bilker ... 27 22 E. Harrison retired 21 3 24 A travelling company readied Rahotu on Wednesday and were to have played in the hall in the evening but owing to want of advertising and poor billing tile show was not widely known, and consequently [there a yery poor j audience and the company did not perform. i

Messrs C'olmcr and Phillips, who have been at Trentham, returned last week, whilst the Rev. Fostou and Mr T. I*. llughson, who have been at Chl'istcliureli attending the Methodist Conference, returned to-day. It was understood that the Rev. Foston lull been transferred to Itelensville, lii:- place being taken here by -Rev. R. E. Evans, lint I am informed that the matter si not yet settled. Mr Hopkins, of the Tipoko road, met with a serious loss yesterday, a large rttack of oats being burnt to the ground. Mr Garry, who was in charge o£ Mr

Colmcr's blacksmith's shop during the latter's absence, met with a painful accident last week. lie was passing behind a horse when it iinacocmilably kicked out and caught him just about the knee. As a result ho has been confined to ms bed, but will, it is expected, bo about in a few days. Rahotu sports wero much in evidence at Wavea yesterday, several prizes coming this way. In our last Opunake notes by mistake a paragraph or two 'of Rahotu notes got inserted, and, as a result, the Opunake school gardens got the credit of growing a cucumber 20 ijnehefe long, which should liave been given to tlie Rahotu school gardens. Since then Mr Campbell informs me the local school gardens have turned out cucumbers over 23 inches long.

During last week bush fires were prevalent, and settlers on the roads lcaidng of the mountain had an anxious time protecting their properties. Several times on Tuesday night houses and sheds on the lCalmi road caught alight but careful watching kept the fires under. Fortunately on Wednesday night heavy rain fell, and put the lires under.

The harvest festival in connection with the Salvation Army was held on Sunday. Captain Jenkins conducted the services. It was intended to hold the sale; of (produce on Monday, but| owing to the weather had to be postponed until Thursday night. The barracks were crowded, and a good programme was gone through, in which the following took part:—-Recitations, Misses Corkin (2), Captain 'Jenkins; violin solo, Mr G. Huglison; organ golo, Miss Huglison; phonograph selections, Mr Cramer; address, Mrs Drake. The sale was then conducted in the form of a Dutch auction by Mr A. Phillips, who acted in a lirst-class manner. Good prices seemed to be obtained for most of the prodcue. At the conclusion, an excellent supper was handed round. A meeting to wind up matters in connection with the recent sports meeting was held on Thursday night, Mr Jas. Gareia presiding. The balancel sheet showed that there would be a credit balance of £8 over the recent sportj, leaving a balance of £25 in the bank. This was considered very satisfactory, being the first meeting that has shown a credit for four years. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the painstaking secretary, Mr W. C. Green, for his untiring work in connection with the sports, and it was decided to vote him a bonus of £5. This, however, be refused to accept, preferring! to donate his services to the club. In connection with the mile racff, as the winner, W. 11. Stephens, could not sign a declaration as asked by the committee, it was resolved to award first money to J. Rothery, who finished second. It was decided to hold a social in connection with the club ,and Messrs Garcia, Chapman, D. Rothery, J. Rothery, and H. Phillips were elected a committee to arrange .details. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and secretary for their services concluded the meeting. At a meeting of the social commit tee held immediately after it was resolved to hold the social on Wednesday, April 17,

OPUNAKE. The local cadets were early ostir on Wednesday morning to catch the 5 o'clock coach for llawera/so as to connect with Die special train carrying the Taranaki ea.de (jj to Christchiircji jpx-J hibitlon. Fifteen cadets, under Captain (irey, left here, a very creditable muster for Opunake. The annual football meeting takes place on Saturday evening, A good attendance is expected, as some important business is to be brought ujj. A footballer to play for Opunake lias to ' be an enthusiast indeed, as many of the players to play a home match have to travel 17 miles and back, i.e., 34 miles each match. When the matches are | .played away from home, the aicaresfc match entails an additional 38 miles travelling, so that by the end of the season in Cup matches alone some of our players tr.Tvel over 050 miles per horse, 'boggy or coacli. If a player} is fortunate enough to get representative honors honors trial matches mean au aditional 150 miles of so. The f-.s. Muritai was here last week and unloaded a consignment of Australian hardwood to the order of Messrs Robertson and Cave, bridge contractors.

Early last, week the town was enveloped in smoke i'rom bush tires, and it was reported that serious damage had been done. Fortunately, however, the damage was very slight, and the rain which fell on Wednesday night relieved all anxiety.

The Manaia bowlers played a threerink match at Opunake on Wednesday and were defeated rather easily after an enjoyable game. Mr A. O'lirien, who has been a resident of Optmako' for jnany years, is' Waving hero shortly .'for jWhakaitane.j where he has been appointed county clerk etc. WAKE A.

Tlif concert and dance held after the *por(s on Wednesday proved most successful. The hall was packed as full as it. could lie. Tiie programine was good, performers coining from all pails of the district. The concert was one of the best that lias been held liere for some lint", and was appreciated bv Hie audience. The takings at Hie door amount - ed to about UlO. and odd lor Ihe dance. The following was Hie pro«;r.imine: InMrumental s(dectioii. by. the, Din-ken familv; >oug. ••Fiona." .Mr.-. F. ]>innie; song,' "Mighty Mr. Cordon; song (comic), "McFcc," "Mr. I). (encored): song, "True till l)ea(l), Mr W. Larking; duet (comic). "Yes. of Course,'' .Me srs. J). Paters.>n and Cordon (encored); song (comic). MY. Cordon (encored): song. Mrs. F. liinnie: song (eoniiei. "Can't lie take my word," Mr. Dave Patersnn (encored). Miss Fiamis phyed all (lie accompaniments. At the conclusion of the concert the room was cleared for dancing, which was kepi, goiiur until about ~ a.m. on Thursday, in spite (T the crowded hull. The imiric was supplied by Mr. Dave Pater-oii. a lid Mr. dames Kcog'i aei *d MY'. About midnight supper was Innded round by the committee. Mr. 11. CnibeH :icieii ;is eh.'ir;n:<n for (he CO!l----e"rl. The boolh at !!:• -■liorts wacniidueied iiy Mr. M. Me;!',!), ot ipnii.'ike, who supplied all excellent, dinner. IJain fell here on Friday afternoon, find euniinii'-d t hromrh ! nr> niuliL