DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 379, 3 May 1910, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents.) MAKAHU. The annual farmers' picnic and sports •were held at Mr. Brewer's homestead on April 21st, and being favored as usual with a nice sunny day, visitors came from far and near, Stratford being well represented. The energetic secretary (Mr, G. E. Noble) set the ball in motion about 1 p.m., and good sport and close finishes were the order of the day, lor which we have to congratulate the handicapper and starter (Mr. S. Martin). The first event, which drew a goodly crowd, was a loilies cramble, which both old and young indulged in, the sweets being donated by the vice-president (Mr. W. LJ. Malone), who also acted as haudicapper and starter for the children's events, assisted by Mr. T. E. Mounsey, but whether they or the sorter out of the prizes had the worse time of it, it is hard to say, as the club's president (Mr. W. Webster) brought out his very generous collection of toys, which meant a prize for all starters. Afternoon tea was handed round about 2.30 p.m., in charge of Mrs. Cameron, who attended to the cooking of the hams, etc., Mcsdanies Newman (2), Windleburn, Mounsey, and Misses Ford, Morris and P. Cameron ably assisting. Messrs Walker, G. Gooch. .j. O'Connor and Windleburn also lent valuable assistance. After the repast was over, the secretary (who is always a favorite with the ladies) invited the ladies to get ready for the ladies' riding competition, which attracted three competitors. The judges were Messrs F. Gooch and G. Smith, both of Stratford. Miss Coleman, in divided ski)d, proved the winner, on Mr. T. R. Mounsey's mare Commission; Mrs. R. Mounsey second, in riding habit, on her black gelding Wvnotte;' Miss Cameron, in divided skirt, on Miss Ford's Amy Bock, a close third. The first prize was an English double-reined bridle complete, and the second a lady's riding whip. Miss Coleman also* won the ladies' egg and spoon race, Miss Franks second. Mrs. Williams, Huiakama, won the married ladies' nail-driving and Miss Bennett the single ladies' driving, both teaching at Huiakama. The needlethreading" was won by Miss Manning, Miss Cameron .being second. An exhibition on the horizotal bar by Mr. Urquhart, of Toko, was greatly appreciated, as could be seen by the frequent applause he received. The other events were:—

100 yds Open Handicap—A. Walker 1, A, Manning 2. 100 yds, Married—A. Xewman 1, G. liargreaves 2. 220yds—S. White 1, W. Foley 2. High Jump—F. Foley 1. Hunters' Competition—("J. Peterson's Seldom Fed 1. Chain-stepping —.l. Jackson 1. R. Mounsey 2. Tilting in the Ring—C. Goocli 1. Sheep-guessing—Mr. Perry, 114 : ;/,lbs (llli'/jjlbs exact weight) ]. The judges (Messrs Walker ( and Fookes) gave every satisfaction in the running events. After the sports, which were kept going till dusk, the dancing members journey to the school, where dancing was enjoyed until 1 a.m., the only break being for supper at 11.15 p.m. Mrs. Cameron supplied the music, extras being played by her neice (Miss Cameron). The singing of ''Auld Lang Syne" brought the enjoyable meeting of 1910 to a.close, for which the secretary and committee deserve great .praise. 'Mr. Brewer, who underwent, a slidit operation to his leg, is, I am pleased to say, home again and improving lyThe "'nigger minstrels" are at practice again, so the neighbors had better keep count of their poultry.

WAKE A. The animal meeting of the Wavea Defence Club was held in the library trn Saturday night, there being a fair attendance. Mr. W. H. .Julian .presided. The balance-sheet was read and showed receipts to be £1(1 lis (kl and expenditure £lO 8s (id. The ammunition bal-ance-sheet showed a credit balance of £6 Os Od. Both were adopted. Mr. H. A. Mills' trophy, for the best average for the rear, was won by Mr. Fred Jenkins. The following oflicers were elected:—President. Mr. W. B. Clarke; vice-presidents, Messrs J. "Burgess, G. P. Jones, T. R. Julian, W. G. Malone, H. Corbett, W. Taylor; club captain, Mr. W. H. Julian; vice-captain, Mr. W. B. Smith; secretary, Mr. Fred. Jenkins (reelected); general committee. Messrs W. IT. Julian, W. B. Smith. R. Julian, C. W. Corbett. T. R. Julian, W. I>. Clarke, and F. Jenkins; selection committee, Messrs W. B. Clarke, W. H. Jenkins and Fred! Jenkins (handicapper). It was decided to try a new system of handicapping, and to have 32 limit at the 200 yds. 300 •yds and 500 yds ranges, and 30 at the 600 yds, the handicap to lie made up on the average of the previous three days' shoots. The next trophy to lie fired for will be a second part of Mr. F. M. (iravling's trophy. The conditions are that it is to be 'won three times at intervals or three times in succession, and a second prize will also be given, the conditions being the same as for the first prize, but in the event of a tie the winner will be declared at the next shoot. A vote of thanks was passed to the late handicapper, Mr. H. Corbett, for His services during the past year. It was divided to hold a sweepstake shoot on Empire Day, 24th May, and a social will be heid in the hall in tile evening. It was decided to help the Tvahotu Club in trying to net the .Tune 3rd match going and Air. Fred. Jenkins was appointed delegate.