DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 308, 24 December 1908, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAIT ABA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The s.s. lvaipara sailed for Lyttclt->'i last Friday morning with the following cargo from this port:—37s7 quarters beef, 2077 carcases mutton, 1738 careases lamb, 717 boxes frozen sundries, 81 casks oleo, 10 casks pelts, 1519 bales wool, 6 bundles leather, and 10 bundles hides. The s.s. Devon, belonging to the S'liire line, is expected in the roadstead n Tuesday to take in frozen meat and other products for West of England j ports. There will be about seven barge loads. Mr. C. R. Stead, senior clerk of Mr. Wilkes' office, was successful in passing

the second section of the solicitor's linal examination. The Waitiira School boys won the school inspector's challenge cup for the tidiest tent for the week during the re-

cent encampment. Mr. 11. Spurdle, while working with an adze on a piece of hard wood last Saturday, had t'he. misfortune to cut his I foot badly through the adze slipping I and striking just below the ankle. Dr. Claridge promptly attended to the injury. i Deep sympathy was felt in Waitara on Sunday when it became known that the young man named Sydney Lewis Rhodes bad been drowned in the Waitara river. The. unfortunate fellow, j whose mother resides here, was about ) 25 years of age.

iiaiioti;. Another contest for the trophy presented .Ijy the Rahotu ilille Club took place on the local range on Saturday, i There was a fair attendance of memt bers. The conditions were seven shots 3 each at 200 and 300 yards. The winner turned up in .1. Rothery, who seoreil l 69 (with a handicap of Hi), and thus * obtained his lirst leg-in. Subjoined are - the scores:

The annual concert in connection witli the HaHiotu Public School took place in the local hall on Friday night. There was a good attendance of parents and friends of the children, who with the recollection of .previous school concerts came expecting a capital evening's enjoyment. Nor were the.y disappointed, as the various items rendered by the children showed that they had been most attentive to the training of their teachers, Mr. Campbell and Hiss Lewis, who had evidently taken great pains to bring them to such perfection. Mr. T. P. Hughson presided, and -Mr. Adlam, member of the Board, was also present. The following programme was rendered by the children: —il'ianoforte duet, . "Dancing fairy lledowa," Miss and Master Hood; nigger dialogue by boys in character, with chorus,; "The Old • Banjo"; physical exercise, junior pupils; ' song, "Sea Dream.'' pupils; dialogue, • "The Patchwork," by little Hisses May I'ortcous and Mina .Morrow and Master i .Jim Fleming (the best item of the even- ■ ing); tableau, athletic girls, senior ! pupils; recitation (in character), "It's , 110 Joke to lie a llabv," by seven little « tots; chorus, "Xursery Rhymes," junior 1 pupils; pianoforte solo. Miss Mary liughsoii; dialogue, "The Three Shoe--1 makers,'' Masters S. Baker, M. Lawn. 5 anil <!. McGregor, with "Rap-a-tap" , chorus by children; .barbell exercises by I senior pupils; tableau, ''School Games," '■> junior pupils; soil, "Flag of Britain," - senior pupils. Mr. Kelly, our popular s local singer, who was in fine voice, gave s two songs, whilst Mr. Acklom, a newcomer, proved himself an inimitable comic singer. A sword dance by Miss and Master Rookes also received we'.l- , deserved recognition. 'Mr. Adlalil then \ presented the prizes, every child receiving a prize. The following special prizes were also awarded: Standard VI., I Maggie Fleming, prize presented by Mr. ' T. I*. Hugllison for pupil making most | progress during the year, this pupil having risen from the fourth to the sixth standard during the year. Standard V.. Kathleen Campbell (prize presented "by Miss Eustace) and Gordon McGregor (prize, presented by Air. Campbell). Standard IV., Hilda Wright (prize presented by Mrs. Cramer). Standard 111., Mabel Hughson (prize presented by Mr. Willoughbv). Standard 11.. "Mabel Phillips (prize presented by Mr. Cramer). Mr. Adlam spoke of the troubles the Education Board had in connection with baekbloi'ks schools anil the dilliculty of finding teachers for them. In fact, unless a settler's daughter was capable of taking the school, it was impossible to open some of the schools. Messrs, llughson and Cramer also spoke. Ilia liking all present. The children then sang "Good-night." Supper, provided by the wives of the committeemen and other ladies, was' handed round, after which the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in. Messrs. Cramer and Porteous made capable M.C.'s. The music was supplied liv Mr. Knowlcs, whilst the accompaniments for the concert were played by Miss Lewis and Mr. Knowlcs.' Ov<>,r £8 was taken at the concert. On Monday night a farewell "social" was tendered to Mr., Mrs., and Miss Bleakley. The hall had been very prettily decorated by the committee. There.' was a very good attendance, showing the esteem in which the guests of the evening were held by the settlers of the district. The evening was plcasi antly passed with dancing, interspersed with singing, tlic following excellent I programme being rendered: Song, "Nazareth," Mr. AVilloughby; song, "What would yon do, Love?" Mrs. Knowlcs, and in response to an encore, "Love's Old Sweet Song": song, "A Tar of the King," Mr. Kelly; comic song. "I was Born on a Friday." Air. Acklom (encored), and "What do you want to talk about it fov?'':Tlighland fling. Master Rookes; song. "Tell her I love her 1 so." Mr. Kelly (encored), and "Because I love her." Slipper was then handed ! I'onnd and thoroughly appreciated. Mr. A. J. Porteous in a very happy speech [ stated that the gathering was to show in a slight way the esteem in which ' Mr. Bleakley and family were held in the district. He had known Mr. Bleakley for over six years, and had always found him straightforward, energetic, and honest. As chairman of (lie Farmers' Union and, a member of the local school committee and Oaonui Dairy Factory he. had done his share of work on local and public bodies. He then presented Air. Bleakley with a silvermounted umbrella, .Mrs. Bleakley with silver-mounted butter-dishes, and Miss Bleakley with a set of serviette rings. Mr. A. Phillips also .spoke, referring particularly to tile help Airs, and Miss I'.leaklev had always rendered at any function. Mr. Wright spoke of several kindly acts that Mr. Bleakley had performed, and stated that the district was losing a good settler. Air. Bleakley came to Rahotu about fifteen years ago. practically a neweliuni, but was by no means a liewehum now. Air. Bleakley, who was taken by surprise, thanked all the speakers and Chose present, after which the whole, audience sang "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow." Dancing was then resumed and carried on with vigor until nearly daylight. Music was provided by Messrs. Knowlcs (piano). I'M! in (piccolo), and Fischer (cornet). Ale-sis. Fielder and .T. Rotlierv were M.C.'s. The committee who were responsible for the admirable arrangements were Messrs. A. Phillips, J. Phillips. H. Phillips, and Jurd, whilst Air. A. J. Porteous as chairman and secretary performed his arduous duties in a manner that left nothing to be desired. Afr. Bleakley and family left for Eltliani on Tuesday. Aliss Flanagan, who has been a resident of "Rahotu for the past two and ahalf years, has left, to reside in Auckland. During her stay here Aliss Flanagan took an active pari in nil local dances and entertainments. As the festive season is now almost upon us, I must wish yourself, Mr. Editor, and stall' ; i Merry Christmas and I a Happy Xew Year.

200 300 l-lq>. Tl. >). Kuthery 'AS 25 10 — 0!) .1. Christian 32 30 0 — 1)2 1[. ]larrett 27 28 7 — 02 .). J". Shepherd. 30 25 G — til 1). Kothery :!1 20 10 — 01 11. liiiker 28 27 5 — 00 (!. Hughsou 23 20 10 — SO •1. Colmer 31 20 0 — 57 XV. A. Tyler .. 23 20 10 — 53 •J. Guy .. 27 ltd 2 — 2!)