DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 89, 11 May 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents),

TAIUTA. The annual social gathering given by the congregation 'of the Presbyterian Church was held in the hall on Thursday evening last. Unfortunately the weather was very bad—rain fell all day, making the roads almost impassable—so the Ciiurch Committee were in despair. Tea was delayed ior naif an Hour, yet there were mauy vacant chairs round the tables. Taratu does not boast of a bakery, yet anyone .having the pleasure 01 partaking of tlie good things at that function must have concluded that Tarata can boast of hundreds of excellent bakers.

After ttai the weather cleared up, and it was a treat to see the energetic secretary, Mr. Wilson, and the equally energetic treasurer, Mr, Swan, sailing gracefully from one end of the hall to Ihe other welcoming the visitors, and at the same time looking out for any pickings which might be of use to the church funds.

Notwithstanding the rain, several of the performers, including the Rev. -Mr. Richards, came all the way from Jnglewood.

The hull began to fill, and the rev. chairman opened the concert. A capiLal programme was rendered. At the eonelusion of the concert the chairman said he had seldom presided at so excellent a concert, that each item was very good, and that the programme as a wiiob was worthy of a city and was a credit to little Tarata. lie singled out Miss Rice's pianoforte items and Master Dougal I'ater.son's singing as "worthy of special praise. Your correspondent quite agrees with thi' chairman as to Master Paterson's singing. .1. would very much like to hear a musical Xpert's opinion of his voice; I think he has a glorious, one. Mr. Currie's recitations were particularly good, and the singing of the ladies and gentlemen from Jnglewood was a treat. Mr. Richardson is to be congratulated on possessing such a splendid graphoplione. The graphophone items were very much enjoyed. Nothing gave «o much amusement as the trio, "Thr .e Old Maids of Lee." In the first place only two of them appeared. Next, t'.ie two who did turu up had a hearty laugh before beginning, as well as when they were half-way through; and, finally, when Miuy turned round on singing the last verse, their comical faces and general make-up fairly convulsed the audience. Mr. Drummoml's Gaelic recitation caused some discussion. The parson said it was a love song; the secretary thought he recognised swear words; and the audience generally did not know what to think,

After the concert we all sat down to supper. You will see on the programme the names of Cook, Currie and Rice. Now it happened that Mr. Rice took a scat between Mrs. Cook and Mr. Currie, remarking that ho required " to do so. Mr. Currie responded thaMie would "rice" to the occasion, and'handed some of the good things; while Mrs. Cook welcomed the gentlemen, as she rquired both ingredients for next day's Hunch. Mips ,Pickle, 'handing me an orange, murmured something about being mixed. That orange took up all my attention, and the sweetness of the subsequent conversation was lost °n me. 1 was glad to hear that the elmreh committee had come out of the double function on the credit side.

TTIvOEANGL The funeral of the late Mr*- J. S. Cole was attended by a very large number of relative* and friends who took this last opportunity of showing their respect ami esteem for the deceived lady. Great sympathy is felt for tlie bereaved husband and the family of live wlm are left to mourn their loss. Mr. W. Young has resigned his post as manager of the local factory. It is reported that Messrs Armstrong and Allen are about to iustal a milking ■ machine, to be ready for the coming reason.

The annual concert iu aid of the library fumls is fixed for the 27th inst,. and. should the weather be favorable. a x full house is sure to reward the coinmittcp for their exertion*. The threatened lawsuit, Sarten versus Clifton County Council, has been settled-. The Council now agrees to pay Mr. Sarten his legal costs, survey i'ees, the value of two cow>» drowned, and also undertakes to abate the nuisance complained of by lowering the culvert. The whole business has been the subject of much adverse comment, for it will be remembered that when the trouble first arose Mr. Sarten very generously offered to waive any daim for damages if the Council would lower the culvert sulliciently to let oil' the water dammed back on his property. To the great astonishment of most people this extremely liberal oiler was rejected a"«nl (he CouwilV> obstinate disregard of the legal position is solely responsible for the extra expenses whie,li ratepayers are now called on to provide for.