DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 290, 2 May 1911, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) KORITO. A complimentary social was tendered Mrs. J. Henderson in the Albert road schoolroom on Friday evening, April 21st. Mrs. Henderson has been sole teacher of the above school for seven years, and having only recently relinquished charge of same, the parents and friends in the district turned out in large numbers to show their appreciation of the good work done by Mrs. Henderson in the school and district generally. During the evening, Mr. J. Hall, on "behalf of a large number of friends, presented Mrs. Henderson with a handsome tea and coffee service. In speaking of the excellent qualities of Mrs. Henderson as a teacher, Mr. Hall mentioned how lucky they had been in always securing the services of firstclass teachers at the school. Local talent rendered an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental items.

MAKETAWA. Exceptionally heavy rain fell on Thursday and Friday last, and the road:.' are showing the effect of the downpour. The Durham road west is getting into a very bad state, and requires the immediate attention of the road board's foreman. The weather at time of writing has taken a decided change for the better and promises to continue. But "you never know!" The Makctawa factory is running every other day, and I understand the Durham road creamery will follow suit next week.

Captain Young, veterinary surgeon, of the Agricultural Department, will lecture in the Durham road school, under the auspices of the newly-formed Farmers' Club, on Tuesday, May 9, at 8 p.m. The subject of the lecture, "Cows in health and disease," is bound to be both instructive and interesting, and, given a fine night, farmers will roll up in force, as they will have the opportunity of asking for advice ! anent complaints that are at present troubling their stock. At the householders' meeting held to elect a school committee last week, a resolution was carried asking the Technical Advisory Board to try and get an alteration of the hovirs at present fixed (2 to 4 p.m.) at which the children are asked to attend the school. It is to be hoped an alteration can be made, as children coming a long distance are handicapped seriously, and unless nn earlier time is arranged the efforts of ,tho outlying schools in supporting the Technical School will lie nullified. It must be apparent that children leaving Inglewood at 4 p.m. in winter time anil having six to ten miles io travel, and roads none too good at that, are not going to put in a very regular attendance, and might just as well stay at home.

Mr. J. Dwnbroski, of Durham road, who put in a fortnight at Rotorua baths, has returned home, and speaks very enthusiastically as to the benefit to be gained by sufferers of rheumatism by a course of treatment at the sanatorium—but, from a farmer's point of view, there's no place like Taranaki. Mr. J. A. Bridgeman, of Durham road, has been nominated for the Moa Road Board, and having sat on the board some years ago should, combined with his long resilience in the district, be able to look ofter the interests of ratepayers in all parts. WAREA. A thunder storm with heavy vain parsed over Die district on Thursday morning. The rain continued all day. * The harbor board election did not seem to cause much excitement here on Wednesday. The milk supply at the local factory is still decreasing and another hand is to be dismissed. It has beon decided to continue cheese-making for another two months yet, as a good price has been received for the cheese for that period. Mr. Alex. Alexander is cutting up bis VVarea beach {arm of ISOO acres, offering it for sale in June. This land is really the best in the district. / The local rifle club, which has been moribund for some time, has wakened up again, and its annual meeting was called for Saturday.

OKATO A farewell social was tendered to Miss Bartlett, the assistant school teacher, on Friday night. The night was fairly fine and there was a good attendance of friends to bid her ''goodbye." The little township has been well off for plays during the past week. On I uesdfty night Jones' buck-jumping show was here and Jiad a very good audience. On Wednesday night we had something fresh, namely. Barton's circus, and afthougli the night was wet and dark the large tent was crowded.

EGMONT VILLAGE The first ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society was> held on Thursday evening, when Mr. -A. Morton presdied over a good attendance of members. .Miss S. Carter and D. Egarr were elected new members of the society. The committee reported having drawn up a programme for the session. The business of the evening impromptu speaking, was then proceeded with. 'The first question, "Is a war between England and Germany within the next ten years probable?" was ably opened by Mr. M. Marsh, but seemed too large for the majority of the members. Only a few spoke to it. Aflirmative 5. negative 10. '"Which has the greater influence for good—town or country life?" next claimed the attention of members. Mr. G. F Dewhir.st opened in favor of tlie country. Perhaps owing to the lovaltv of the country resident to his own particular mode of living, the country claimed the larae majority of to 3on the voting I lie next question found the farmer in element: "Is the Jersey breed of cattle the best for dairying'purposes'" 15y a happy chance, Mr." A. Morton was sheeted lie ballot to open the .bbate, which lie did in u most interestinir manner, although somewhat to tile" detriment of the Jersey's reputation, yea-h----all the members present spoke on the subject nll <i :i spirited nrjninient wa* tlio ie-ult. the Jerseys losing the argument by 4 to 11. This concluded a most successful evenin._'._:i»d the next question raised was (lie usrlijcct tor the next eveniim's debate. I~ Strattont the best point of junction f< r the proposed Opunake railway?'' was dicdeil on. Mr. A. Morton volimtcerin" to take the allirmative ami Mr. G. Foster the negative. The meeting then terminated.

Mr. and Mrs. Goo. Marsh returned from Wellington, where tliev have been spending a short holiday, 'on Monday evening.

The shooting season is with us attain, ami I suppose a fairly extensive ran«c of country will lie 'shot over before the first week is out. Preparations have been poin? on strenuously durin" the last few days licvo. Messrs Perey nri'l Harold Marsh went up north on Wednesday ni?iit to put in a week or so amongst the dueks, while several

|'others nre trvintr thoir luck nearer I home. Sporting dogs of nnv description { are at a premium, and will remain so i for some time. 1 The first annual school sports were ■ I hold on Friday afternoon in the school : grounds. Although a heavy .shower fell, the afternoon was otherwise very pleasant. Tea was provided during the afternoon and was greatly appreciated by young and old. The thanks of the committee are due to those ladies who so willingly assisted at the tables. A large, assortment of toys had been purchased for ; the children, who were im iAon=ely "made up" with their re3pec!;:ve trophies. Appended are the result? of the various competitions:—Girls' race: Maud Smith 1, I. Earp 2, M. Sinclair 3. Roys' race: R. Mcßeth 1 ~T. Morton 2, W. Oakley 3. Girls' race: Mary Marsh 1, Ethel Rudd 2, Ida Martin 3. 100 yards sweepstake— First heat: Orr 1, Egarr 2. Taylor 3. Second heat: Gopperth 1, G. ?vlarsh 2, 7/ilson 3. Fina': Kgirr 1. (ljr 2, Taylor 3. Inches separated the placed men. Boys' race: A. Jordan 1, Fred Chard 2, A. Sinclair 3. Girls' race: M. Swan 1, O. Heal 2, J. Magee 3. Boys' race: Ida Martin 1, Ida Chard 2, Madge

Olson 3. Sack race: D. Price and S. Carter divided. Stepping chain: Ladie? Miss Goppertli; gents, A. A. Ycates. •220 vanls sweepstake: (J. 11. Marsh 1, W. Orr 2. 75 yards sweepstake: ,S. Carter 1, R. G. Marsh 2.. Committee men's rice: R. Burrows 1, E. Davis 2, H. Olson 3. Ladies' race: Mrs. W. Olson 1, Mrs. V. George 2. In the evening a concert was held ill the local hall, Mr. A. Morton occupying the chair. There was a large attendance and the various items were well received, although owing to the length of the programme no encores were permissible. The following was the programme:—Orchestral selection, Mr. G. Marsh, orchestra; song, Mr. H. C. F&nton; song, Mrs. (leorge; 'cello solo, Mr. R. G. Marsh; ■song, Mrs. Mcßeth; piccolo solo, Mr. L. Egarr; song, Mr. A. Chong; song, Mr. Schicker; mandoline solo, Mr. G. H. Marsh; song, Miss B. Hill; song, Mr. G. F. Dew,hirst; song, Mrs. W. Olson; pianoforte duet, Misses A. Smith and Mr. Rudd; song, Mr. TI. Fenton; reading, Mr. A. Morton; selection, Mr. G. Marsh's orchestra; gramophone solo, Mr. E. Davis; song, Mr. R. Burrows; song, Mrs. Mcßeth; song, Mr. .Schicker; mandoline solo, Mr. G. H. Marsh; song, Miss Hill; pianoforte solo, Mrs. Matthews. During the. evening Mr. A. Morton, on behalf of the school children, presented Mr. H. C. Fenton, who for the past fifteen months lias been assistant at the local school and is now leaving the district, with a handsome travelling bag, speaking in eulogistic terms of Mr. Fenton's good work and influence nt the school. Mr. Fenton modestly replied. At the conclusion of the concert a supper was handed round, after which the floor was cleared and dancing indulged in, ill', (ico, Marsh's orchestra supplied the music and }lr, A, Chong acted as M.C. The whole affair Wis & pronounced success, and the committee, who worked hard throughout and had attended to every detail of the arrangements, arc to be congratulated on their efforts. The total takings were £l3 12s, which will leave a very acceptable nest egg for next year's meeting. WAIONGONA. A most, successful social and dance was held in the schoolroom last Friday evening. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. T. Suttie and L. Henwood. and Miss H. Dodd. Mr. Bert Luke gave a recitation. Mpsic dancing was supplied by Mr." L. an& Miss M. Henwood and Miss Dodd. Mrs. W. L. Hughes supplied accompaniments. There is some talk of building a hall for the _ requirements of the district; and it i.s likely the matter will be brought up at the puwic meeting in connection with library and other matters next Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Henwood are at present away on a holiday trip to Dunedin. Their daughters, Miss A. and Miss B. Henwood, will accompany them on their return home in a week or so. Messrs. 11. and E. Clough are building a permanent residence on their farm on the Mountain Road. It is not safe to predict what this portends.