DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 217, 22 December 1910, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

V.'AITARA ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday last the annual school concei't took place in the Huirangi Hall, and although the weather was not of the best, the attendance was fair, the amount taken at the door being £4 14s. The following contributed to the programme:—Pianoforte solo, Mr. 11. J oil; sing, "Kiss me, 'Mother." school children; song. "The Saftest o' the Fainilv," Mr. A. Thompson; wand drill, school boys; song,' "Street Musician," •'-Mr. '.Farmer (encore, "Toodle-la-oo"); "recitation, Ireen Surrey a«d Nelson. Andrews; song, "Pansy Faces," Miss Jones (encored); hoop drill, school girls; song, "Queen of the Earth," Mr. Beckbessinger; recitation, Bertha Palmer and Allen Old; song, "Alice, where art Thou?" Miss Turnbull; action song, ''The Band," school children; reading, "Tragedy at Sloan's," Mr. Brown; wand drill, school girls; song, ''Early in the Morning," Mr. A. Thompson; 'recitation, "Vacation Fun," school children; song, "The .Grass Widower/' Mr. Dick Giddy; song, "The Old Madrid," Mr. Beckbessinger; song, Dulcie Surrey and Phyllis Nicoll; song, "Listen to me and I'll prove that I'm right" (encore, "The blow almost killed father"), Mr. Farmer; round, "Good-night," children. Mr. J. H. Smith occupied the chair and moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who -had assisted to make the evening's programme such a success, and to the teacher of the school, Mr. Bullians, for the able manner in which be had got up the children's items in so short a time; also a special tribute to Mr. H. Joll, of Waitara, who had played the accompaniments for the various performers during the evening. As usual, tlie ladies provided a first-class supper, after which dancing was kept up till about 3 a.m. On Friday afternoon at the Huirangi School the breaking-up ceremony and distribution of prizes took place, rind despite the showery weather nearly all the' children and a fair number of parents turned out. After inspecting some of the children's work during the year, which on the whole was very creditable to the scholars, and reflected great credit on .tlie teacher, Mr. Bullians, the prizes were presented by the chairman of the Committee (Mr. J. H. 'Smith), every child getting a prize. Special prizes were awarded as follows: —Best map of New Zealand, Standards V .and VI., Rjrtha Palmer; Standards 11. and IV. Stanley Loveridge; best exercise book, Standards V. and VI., Harold Herriek; Standards 111. and IV. Vita Nicoll; Standard 11., Laurence Loveridge; Standard 1., Everen Loveridge; best spelling, Standards V. and VI., Allen Old; Standards 111. and IV., Dulcie Surrey; 11. and I. (girls), Irene and Elsie 'Surrey (equal); bov, Roy Old; Primer 111., Percy Surrey and "Earlston Rowe (equal); Prinior 11. Leonard Pine; best attendance in Maori children, Albert Rangi; best drawing in Stanlard. IL, Phyllis Nicoll; Standard 1., Ronald Sarten; special prizes for drawing, Irene Rowe and Melba Loveridge. Three hearty cheers were given by the children for the master and the committee, after which afternoon tea was handed round. The work of the school was at an end, for another year. The master, addressing the children, wished them all a merry Christmas/ and a happy and prosperous New Year. Only two children in Standard VI. went up for examination at Waitara, and both gained certificates of proficiency. The children were Bertha Palmer arid Harold Herriek. Mr, W. Hall, of Sentry Hill, well known as a breeder of Ayrshire cattle, must be complimented on his successes at the New Plymouth and Stratford shows. In the class for bulls of four years and; over, Little Jim, by Young Bruce—Bessie, took first and champion 'two years in succession at New Plymouth, also first and champion at Stratford, these being the only times the bull has heen exhibited. In the cow class,-

four years and over his cow, Tiny V., by Wee McGregor—Tiny IV., took third prize at New Plymouth. In two-year-old heifers, second at New Plymouth; in yearling heifers, first and second at New Plymouth and Stratford; pen of two heifers, first at New Plymouth and Stratford. I may state that all above-named prize-winners (with the exception of the aged cow), are by his champion bull,, "Little Jim," and which no doubt would be hard to beat in any show ring. The hay crop is particularly good this year arid several crops are already down. The early crops of oats are very heavy, and some good returns can be looked for. I can see some good crops both in barley and wheat. Cfrass is plentiful and the factory has a record supply of milk, and everything promises well for a very prosperous year. "VVAIONGONA. (From Our Own Correspondent). On Thursday last the school picnic was held in the school .grounds. The weather was unfavorable, but a good number of parents and children were present, and a really enjoyable time was spent. In the ievening a dance was held, the festivities closing at 1 a.m. •Haymaking has commenced, and has, in some cases, been interrupted by in-, auspicious weather. Mr. Drozdowski's house is rapidly nearing completion. The roof and weatherboards are on, and the interior will be finished soon after Christmas. It is .probable that the creamery dam will require to be raised two or three feet to insure having an adequate supply of water in the dry season.