DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 247, 24 November 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

OAKURA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) For the last few weeks the weather has been first-class. All along the coast everything looks fresh and green—grass in any abundance, cows milking well and smiling fanners everywhere. In fact, Opunake would be an eye-opener to anyone who has not seen this part of Taranaki at its best before. Even the famous Wnimatc Plains cannot boast of better feed at this time of litis year. The last few days have been somewhat stormy, but nothing to be alarmed at. On Sunday we had a steady down-pour of rain nearly all day until evening, when it cleared up. Last Thursday week we had a visit from the Guards, when a match was fired against the Kaitake and Okato 1! tiles', resulting in a win for the visitors. A social was held in the evening, but was not a success, as most of the young ladies about here were more interested in the "Bachelor's Honeymoon," which was staged in New Plymouth that night, and as they were bent on going to see it of course a lot of the youig bachelors' had to go to escort them thither and home again.

On Saturday night a meeting of the members of the Sports Club was held, when a large committee was formed and it was decided to get to work and put the ground in order at once and to hold the meeting in the early part of •March. The young people also held a meeting of the Tennis Club which resulted, sad to relate, to use a vulgar phrase, in a complete "bust up." The result is that at present we have no tennis club and the late secretary (Mr. F. Morris) has impounded all the tennis requisites, until the members have calmed down sufficiently to hold another meeting and fix things uii again. | The long looked forward to school concert and dance was held in the hall on Thursday night last. The night before heavy rain fell and the youngsters' and their teachers' hearts sank within them, but the nmrning broke fairly .clear ami before noon had up and a fine evening was assured. Visitors were here from all round the district, ami the hall was simply pack-l some time before the ti.iv! of commrrccment had arrived. Vouigit>rs *n<ilir.g and gaily decked for the occasion were strutting- proudly lbout, while the school ciiininittec and lonclk"\s were busy putting the final touches !o evFrything. No one went aw.iy di-:ipr»ni."?t,vl, for from start to finish e\v,' V:i'» went oft' first-class. The ehiklr.,-a ;-ul through their performance ivitlioi!, a "liteli ai'.l the adult singing was ai-io very g> .;■•!. Song* were rendered dut'iag th .'evening by Mr. Ashev (New Plymouth), Mr. Brown and Afr. Sumn» v , whos? nnvc | songs were well. rcc>i'«.l and nicnci! .each lime. After the conclusion o: lie children's performane?,? t)vi dialogue, j "Hoaxed and Coaxed," wai iucl | caused much merriment. The following are those who took part in it:—"Mrs. , llnionie. (lie lamlhuly," Miss Montgomery: "Mr. Noodle,"'Mr. Frank Anw; '"Mary." Miss West; "Mr. Tipp," Mr. L Morris; "Mr. Snooks," Mr. A. Loomy; ,"Mis* .Snnnks," Miss Adlajm. Supper ! was served at about twelve o'clock, and Itlie hall was then cleared for dancing 'which was kept up both young and oni until about, half-past three in the mornI ing. Croat credit is due to Miss Montgomery for the manner in which the children performed their parts.

Last Saturday the Kaitake and Okato rille clubs repaired to the Wai\"nkailio range, and fired a return match asiin-l the Guards and were beaten by sevn points. The visitors led at the 200 an.l 500 yarils ranges.', but were her'en on the (100. After the match was over !>'c visitors were entertained to di-aer at the Imperial Hotel by the Guards.