DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 275, 11 April 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

[(Prom Our Own Correspondents.) PUXIHO. ' _ A "liasket social," in aid of the school improvement fund, was held in the local schoolroom on Friday night, and the weather being line an overcrowded house, from all parts of the surrounding districts, assembled. The social, took the form of a dance, followed by a euchre party. The men's first prize (a fountain pen) was won by Mr. M. Hill, and the ladies' (half a dozen cups and saucers) bv Miss D. Hill. A spelling competition drew a large number of entrants, Miss H. Lander, who spelt ten words correctly out of eleven, being successful. The married ladies' nail-driving competition was well contested, being won by Miss M. D. Rogers. The com guessing competition was won by Miss K. Hill, who guessed 2<io, the exact number being 2G4. The single ladies' nail-driving competition caused a considerable amount of interest, and was won by Miss Maud Gibbons by only a few blows. The gents' nail-driving competition was won by Mr. W. Gibbons, and the youths',by Master Leo Rodgers. At about midnight the ladies' baskets were put up for safe, and the majority of them realised it fairly high figure, the two highest being Miss Maud Gibbons', which brought 14s fid, and Miss K. Gibbons' (12s (id). Very few were sold under five shillings. The first prize for the best dressed basket was won.; b\\.Miss M w (jibbon?, and .the setoiid by Miss K. Hill, Mr. J. A/Thomas (having a permit) auctioned the baskets in an able manner. The school fund will benefit considerably by the social, and the committee deserve a word of praise for the way in which they conducted the affair, particularly Mr. J. A. Thomas, the schoolmaster, who worked very hard. Rangi lie Mati, a Maori (commonly known as "Flash Rangi"), who was well known all along the coast, died at his residence on the Puniho road on April 1. A tangi was held for a week, it being the largest tangi that has ever, been held in Puniho; in fact, some say it was nearly as large as that of Charlie Waitara, held at Parihaka. A number of Waikato natives came down for the feast. "Flash Rangi," in the first place, eame from Waikato to this district A large marquee was hired from Xew Pymouth for the event. Rangi will be greatly missed amongst the Maoris, as he was always the leader of the travelling football teams; wherever there was any sport Rangi was there.

LEPPERTOX. '-'Oiff united Lepperton-Sentry Hill picnic' Thursday was, one and all 11 rs the most successful yet held. Me licit vy gliower which fell, just as folk w ® re getting home no doubt prevented nfeiry frbm attending the social held in tfie luill during the evening. Even as it wis, there was a very good attendance. Messrs. X. Sampson and F. Giddy, acting as M'S'.C'., kept the "ball rolling," with the assistance of Miss O. Giddy (piano), Mr. Tunbridge (piccolo), and Mr. e! Hellier (violin). A strong committee of ladies and gentlemen attended to the handing round of supper. During the evening Bongs were rendered by Miss Kenwood* and Messrs. Heppel, Henwood, and Fowler.

The following are the names of the children who made full attendance at the local, school during last quarter:— Eaton Roberts, H. Rickard, C. Hellier, J. Wallace, P. Atkinson, W. Clark, E. Hellier, V. Hamblyn, C. Culpitt, M. Atkinson, L. Leech, 11. Feakins, Wm. Paton, W. Jjt Paton, X. Wright, Ruth Iloskin, B. Leech, O. Copestake, M. Crofskev, M. Leech, I. Openshaw, E. Cartwright, B. Giddy, M. Harrold, E. Giddy, O. Iloskin, M. Cartwright, K. Crofskey! On Saturday evening the annual library meeting'was held, Mr. F. W. Atkinson in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £2 ss, and the. treasurer announced that the Government subsidy for this year amounted to £fl lfis Bd. .Messrs. Brown and Crowe were thanked for their services as librarians,, and appointed for a further term. The following committee were appointed: Messrs. Hellier, Openshaw, Atkinson (chairman), W. Roberts, and A. Roberts. The purchase of books was left to the librarians, and they will he pleased if subscribers would send in, without delay, lists of books that they wish added to the library.

This meeting was immediately followed by the annual meeting of those interested in the public hall. The balancesheet showed tliat the overdraft had been reduced to £47 15s during the year. On the motion of Mr. Atkinson, it was resolved that the guaranteed overdraft at tlie bank be reduced from £BO to £SO. A hearty vote of t]i;vjt)ka was accorded the executive for year. The following commiit9e. was then elected: Messrs. F. W. Atkinson (president), F. Crowe (secretary), A. Roberts (treasurer), X'. Sampson,' C. Munro, A. Sampson, W. Cartwright, jun., and F. Giddy. The meeting agreed that the committee be requested to arrange a concert at an early date for the benefit of the cemcterv funds.

A third meeting was then held to consider the affairs of the Social Club. It was decided to continue it, and the following were appointed a committee: Messrs. Hellier (president), T. Giddy (vice-president), W. Tuson (secretary and treasurer), C. Lepper, Baker, Crofskey, Wright, and A. Sampson. The first meeting of the club is to be, held on April 22.