DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 273, 24 December 1909, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents.) AGAKAHU. On Friday evening, 10th December, Ngakahu was all' gaiety and excitement, the occasion being a concert and dance held in the schoolroom. People came from far. and near, and one and all pronounced it a decided success. The programme opened with a pianoforte duet by Mesdames S. Brewer and T, R. Mounsey. The first part consisted of songs, action songs, and recitations by the school-children, who acted their part thoroughly, reflecting great credit on their teacher, Mrs. S. Cameron. This part concluded with the singing of a few of the old nursery rhymes, which "brought down the house." After an interval the second part opened with a pianoforte duct by Misses Cameron and Theresa Ford. The second part was arranged by Mrs.- S. Brewer, and songs were rendered by Mrs. S. Brewer and Miss Nalley, Messrs. Costle, Cox, R. Mounsey, G. Noble, T. Foley, and 0. Costle. T. Foley as Harry Lauder and G. Noble as Mrs. Hawkins "brought down the house." Misses Nalley, Walker, and Morris gave a splendid rendering of "The Three Old Maids' of Lee." A violin duet by Miss Walker and Mr. Bailey was greatly appreciated. At the conclusion of the second part thanks were returned to all helpers t>y the chairman, Mf. R. Mounsey, special mention being made of Mesdames S. Brewer and S. Cameron, who provided most of the refreshments. Refreshmen 9 were afterwards handed round, the room cleared, and dancing indulged in until long after midnight. Mrs. S. Cameron kindly lent the piano and played for the dance. Mr. G. Noble made an efficient M.C.

PUKEHO. The first annual picnic of our school took place on Friday las't, when the : weather was perfect. It was originally ; fixed for Thursday, but as it was raining the committee wisely postponed it. There was a very good attendance of children and their parents and friends. It was quite a gaia day for the children who indulged in races and various games) every child being presented wit. 1 * a toy of some description. The committee, Messrs'. H. Lambert (chairman), Mackie, Burr, and Watt (secretary), were indefatigable in their efforts to ensure the children's enjoyment. The wants of the inner child and man were ably attended to by the ladies of the district. During the afternoon t"ie prizes were presented by the chairman as follows:—Special, prizes for general merit (presented- by Miss Finnerty, schoolmistress) Lily Simons 1, Vslie Cole 2, Nellie Dempster 3. M"r' iiupular child in school (vote:! for by children) —Girl, Daisy Simons; uoy, Herman Burr. Sewing—Mary Maekie. Special prizes for attendance (making full attendances) Olive Watt, Bertha Burr. Miriam Burr, Mary Mackie, Harold Cole, David Burr, Max Watt, Leslie Watt, Jack Mackie (missed one day), Herman Burr. Special prize (picture presented by Mr. Mackay). for best attendance from a long distance —Arthur George. At the conclusion cheers were given for the teacher (Miss Finnerty) and the headmaster (Mr. Lambert). The country is at present looking very well and there is plenty of grass. A good proportion of the ploughable land : is e,ither already ploughed or being 1 ploughed, with a view to sowing turnips for winter feed.

Shearing is now just about finished n this district. Everyone seems well satisfied, with this season's clip, and if satis-1 factory prices are realised the sheepfarmer will be able to smile again. Our district still progresses. After the New Year a post office is to bo opened near the school. As our name, Pukcho, is somewhat similar to that of another post office in the Dominion, and might caus'e confusion, it is understood that the name of the new office is to be called Taramauku, after a local stream. We are not yet to have a telephone office, but everything comes in time, though it is hard to see why a telephone could not be installed at once, as the expense would be very little, the Purarigi wire passing right by.