PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 September 1907, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) OKATO. Oka to lias lost another old and respected resident in the person of the late .Mr. William Digby IlaiTut!, who died at 8 a.m. on the 21st at iliss Baker's private hospital, Nciv J'lymouth, after a short illness of three days, following an operation. The funeral took place an the 23rd, and there was a large attendance. Ilis remains were laid to rest in I the local cemetery, the Rev. Fisher per- [ forming the burial service. The deceased gentleman came to New Zealand in ISOii, landing at Lyttelton. Alter living there for a few months lie removed to Dunedin. It w«3 only about a year after arriving in the colony that he decided to come to Taranaki and join the .Military Settlers, lie then took up his residence in Okato, in which place he had lived and followed various pursuits—principally that oT farmer—up till the time of his death. For a number of years he acted as clerk of the Okato Koad Board. He was also a brother to Mr. Ilarrod ('deceased), founder of Harrod's Stores, Ltd., London. Upon the breaking up of the Military Settlers the Government made him a grant of an acre section in the township aud fifty acres oil the Oxford load, which property he retained right up to the last. Ilis bequests amongst local residents who had acted in the capacity of friends amount to several hundreds of pounds, but the bulk of in- propcrty is willed to his brother m Winchester, England. Deceased has no near relatives in the colon}'. Be was tiJ years of age and unmarried. ilr. W. liibberd takes over the management of the Oxford-road creamery on the lirst of next month.

The annual social held by the Druids took place in llempton Hull on the evening of September Pub. and was a decided notwithstanding thai th.' alteration was wry wel. The Okato iiK'iiibeis, with eleven visiting members Jrom the Saw l'lynmuth Lodge, turned out in lull regalia, and, lonning a torchlight procession, marched through the township and baek. About thirty-six coupler took the lioor at the social. During the evening Ibu. li.iyce introduced i)i-,iricL President llobbs and llrund President <;ilbvrl, ami each »ave a short address, strongly pointing out the desirability of young men joining a bt ii'-lit society and the good results derived in times of sickness About midnight supper was handed around, and dancing was then continued until the end of a splendid programme, which liui>hed at -.30 a.m. The special feature oi the night was the excellent music supplied by Mr. Kountree's orchestra. Extras were nicely played by Misses Rcid (Oakum) and Putt (Omata). A song was also contributed by Dro. G!roombridge (New Plymolrth). Bros. \V. Des J'orges, \V. Lind, jind W. Powell eiliciently carried out the duties of M.C.'s. OAKURA.

A ball given by the bachelors was held in the hall on the evening at September •21th, and in face of drizzling and threatening weather, was very well attended. '1 here were about thirty-lour couple dancing, with ;i few extra gentlemen always waiting for a partner. The iloor was good, and each and all seemed tu enjoy themselves thoroughly. Well oil in the evening a very nice supper was handed around. After supper more dancing was indulged in until after 2 o'clock, when, the night being hot, the ladies seemed inclined "for home.'' The music was Supplied by Mr. Good (piano) ami Mr. Tunbridge {New Plymouth). Kxtras were well played by Misses lleid, Oxeuham, and Mr. Mace. The duties | of M.C. were capably carried out by I Messrs. Morris and Aulum. I Dominion Day was commemorated here by l lie local residents turning out i and funning a working bee for the pnrpuse of making a tennis court on a 1 small portion of the school-ground, permission having been given by the Education Board. The court should be ready for opening in about a month. A very refreshing afternoon tea was provided by the ladies The officers aud committee appointed to carry out the work consist of the following: —President, Mrs. droves; lion, secretary, Mr. F. J. Morris; committee, Mesdames F. .7. Morris, T. Corkill, and Staite, the Misses JJartlett, and Messrs. T. Corkill and )<\ •J. Morris.