DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 269, 21 December 1909, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

PUNI'HO.

The Puniho school broke up on Friday for the Christmas holidays, mid in 'the evening all the children "and their parents, besides a number from Warea, assembled in the little schoolroom, where a concert programme was gone through and afterwards the prizes were given out. The concert programme was very good and the items were much appreciated by the audience, a compliment !not only a credit .to the children but als'o to tfieir teacher, Mr. Thomas. Mr. 'A. Wells occupied the chair. The following was the programme: "A fareVeil to study," children; "Jack and Ned," children; '; Woodland Stream," " Gipsy's Warning," " Wont go home till morning," children; "Bailiff's daughter," S'Bingen on the Rhine," "Twinkle, 'twinkle little star," "Birdie," "Massa'e in the cold, cold (ground," children; "Ked Wing," Miss Rita Hill; "Maori Song," Maori boys; "When I was a kid," Master >W. Barr; "Maori Kong," Masters Barr; "Jack and Jill," children. On Ibehalf of the committee Mr. Wellß 'thanked the, audience for their attendance, and spoke a few words in praise of Mr. Thomas. He also referred to the gymnastic appliances in tlhe school ground and said he was very pleased to see them there, as he thought they ought to be in every school ground. He then presented the prizes, congratulating Mr. Thomas on the fine selection of useful and good reading books he had procured. The room was then cleared for dancing, and although the floor space *as limited, owing to the desks being fixed, three sets occupied what space left, Tho music was supplied by various musicians of the district, and Mr. Gibbons acted as MX!. : Mr. W. A. Thomas started his contract on the Dover Road, Okato, last Monday, of carting, crushing, and de-

livery on the road of about three thousand yards of stone. This is a fairly large contract, and will take some time to complete. STRATEORD. | The Christmas cheques for the various dairy factories have been distributed in ' and around Stratford and total over 1 £30,000. Add £BOOO paid out by the (Public Works for tine December pay, and there should be some cash put into circulation in this district. ; Parliament is nearly over, and it must come as a blessed relief to all concerned. The unseemly wrangling that has taken place this session does not read isvell for the reflection of the people. The chief sinners are led by the "Pukeikohe luminary," but a sojourn at" the Holvita Ostrich Farm, where the future policy of the Reform Party is hatched, Mil no doubt lead to better behaviour next session.

The Borough Counc.il is busy metalling the various streets in preparation for the coming winter. It is a long way off, but it is better to have everything in readiness.

i The local band ha« been resurrected, and played to an appreciative audience in Broadway on Saturday night. The two special detectives who came to secure convictions for 6ly-grogging came and saw and went back to whence they came. Rumor says' their swags Were branded outside 0.P.5.0!.

Mr. Dyson, assistant-engineer to the Public Works Department, left on his annual holiday on Monday. His intentions arc to bring back an assistant of the petticoat order. It will be better than batching, anyhow.

(Mr. McAllister's famous photograph of Mount Egmont reflection is a special feature of the Auckland Weekly News this week, and reflects great credit on the artist. ; The Acclimatisation Society is liberating some 80,000 to 00,000 fisil this week in the various streams. Rainbow trout (ire making good progress in our district. The break-up of the District High School was marred by bad weather, but the school committee had made good ■provision for the entertainment of the ischool children, and they had a good time under the direction of the headtoaster, Mr. Tyrer. The main sports •prizes will be run for on the occasion of the annual seaside picnic. Talking of picnics, I notice the Oddfellows intend making Anniversary Day the object for their centenary "shivoo" at the breakwater.