DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 272, 23 December 1909, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

(l'rom Our Own Correspondents.) POHOKLTU. A most successful gathering «•#»• held "ere to-day in the «ay uf a uiniic and sports for the children attending the public school, it being the first annual picnic ever held here. The public subscriptions amounted to over Uj which went towards buying prizes aim catering for the children'and the public, and also pnyhig the winners of the races. The weather was cvervthin" that could be desired, and tiiere was a large attendance of parents and children, and I am sure everybody thoroughly enjoyed himself or herself. Mr. Calvert, of Strathmore, did the catering, which was excellent, everybody being satisfied. Every child received' a present, some ol the books costing as much as 5s 6d. Messrs. J. Masters and Son, of Stratford, sent along three costly books to be raced for, which the committee much appreciated. The winners were Edith Hiekford, Eveline llickford, and William Kenney. The committee desire to thank the Public Works Department for the loan of tents, etc. The committee consisted of Messrs. D. Hiekford, K. Campbell, K. Newing, and Whitten. Mr. E. Wilcock acted as chairman, and Mr. R. J. Speck as lion, secretary and treasurer, and 1 must say they all worked hard to make the affair "a success. Messrs. E. Wilcocks' and E. Campbell acted as handicappers, and they got off some good races , Messrs. Hiekford 'and Whitten being judges. . A little over twelve months ago this school was reopened by the Education j Department after being closed for eighteen months on account of no children being in the district to attend, but when Messrs. Hiekford and Speck arrived in the district with seven children the Board reopened the school, and now there arc twenty-eight pupils attending the school, and more are to come. Mrs. P. Clark is the local teacher, and great credit is due to her for the way in which she is bringing the children along, but there are rumors that she will be leaving us next March.

UPLAND KOAD. | Farmers are busy just now getting in their turnips. Grass is plentiful, and oats, wheat, and other crops are looking well after the rain, There a ro Some nice fields of wheat about. On the 7th the Euchre Party Committee held their last party for the season. The ladies' prizes were won by Miss 11. Martin (first) and Miss E. Street (second). Mr. J, Copestake was' first in the gentlemen's class, and Messrs. E. Marsh and 11. Copestake tied for seeond place, the latter winning in the play-off. On the 14th the seliool-children held their concert. The schoolroom was packed. Ihe following programme was presented:—Piano duet, Misses P. and R. Greeinvay; opening speech, Mr. P. Class; piano solo, "Jewels," Miss C. Bishop; action song, children; reading, Mr, 15. Rogers; dialogue, "Laborers Out of Work," boys; piano solo, "We'd Better Bide a Wee," Miss M. Street; song, "Dollys Birthday," girls! duct, "Good Luck Galop," -Misses IM. Giddy and C. Bisllop; recitation, "Pussy's Parliament," bovs; piano solo, "Sweet Forget-me-not," Miss I!, Green way; recitation, "Hopeless Wish," C. Moss"; song, "The Gift," Mrs. Bates; song, "Pinafore," girls; piano solo, PI Greonwiiy; dialogue, "Yours Ever," children; piano duet, "Witches' Flight," Misses Bates and Giddy; "Fairy Friends from Over the Sea,' five children; dialogue, "Troubles of a Baby," C. Bishop and 11. ITurK'tone; duet, "Come o'er the Moonlit Sea," Mrs. Bates and Miss Giddy; dialogue, "Worm and Snail," C. Moss 'tml I!. Bishop; song, "Merry Little liipstes," girls; recitation, "Wliieh*" C. Bishop; song. "Three Old Maidfi of Lea," .Mrs. .Bates; recitation, "Confns- , liiMN of a Teapot," M. Street; song, "Kazoo .Bund," children; recitation. Mr. E. Rogers. Miss 0. Giddv played '.he accompaniments for the 'children. Mr. F. Bishop (chairman of the school •oimnittee) presided.