DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 69, 12 September 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

j {Fr( m Our Own Correspondents). 1 OMATA. A meeting of the school committee was held on the Bth of August. All the members were present except Mr. Pearson, from whom an apology was received. and Mr. E. George, who was absent from Omata. The chairman submitted the inspector's report. This was considered highly satisfactory, and it was unanimously agreed to congratulate Mr. Meyenberg on the result of his work as expressed therein. It was resolved that the chairman get 10 gallons of tar, one iron gate, timber for gateways, one coil of wire, and three pounds of staples, also two enamelled mugs. It was also resolved that the schedule of duties for the caretaker drawn up by the chairman he approved, and that the chairman submit the same to the caretaker. One or two cases of measles havi*g been reported, it was resolved that should the epidemic increase the chairman should, [at his discretion, close the school. Accounts to the amount of £ll .were passed for payment. Mr. C. Oliver has removed to Westown. Mrs; Oliver' underwent an operation at the residence oJ her mother, Fitzroy, last week. Her friends will be glad to know that she is. progressing as well as can be expected. Mr. and Mrs. Glemow are away on a visit to' Auckland. ' 1

'Sir. Millar and family are leaving for England next month. We are, sorry to .have to record the death of Mr. 'lluse, sen., who passed away on .Friday night at the l'ipe age of 77 years. •

. TARATA. , . . I The Tarata settlers held their annual ball on Thursday last. The function, as usual, was well .supported by residents of the district, and visitors were present from Kaimata, lngle-wood and Matau. Mr. John Paterson, as hon. secretary, proved himself equal to the occasion, amd, with the assistance of members of the committee, made all the necessary preparations for an enjoyable evening. To Mrs. Drummond the committee are deeply, indebted) for taking the management of the catering arrangements. In this important department she was ably assisted by Mesdames 1. Crowe, John Pater son, R. Paterson, sen., F. M. Standish, and J. S. Wilson, whose combined efforts helped in no small degree to make t>he Tarata settlers' annual ball of 1911 one of the most sociable and enjoyable yet held. The music, supplied by local-talent (Mrs. ■Litchwark, piano, and Messrs. Litclnvark and T. Waite, violins), gave general satisfaction. Extras 'were kindly played by the Misses V. -t'ougcre, C. Paterson and Mrs. C. Weston. The hall iloor was in perfect order, and the M's.C., Messrs. J. Drummond and T: Vile, With a. popular programme and Strict attention to their duties, kept dalidiig going merrily until about 3 a.m. ■on Friday] whdn thoughts of the more "SerMus duties : of the : day and time ot yfcar'liftd-16 take precedence of pleasure 'tnifl 'th^-'fest!\jit«e»'were brought to a ■ The Jiefr -gentlemen's dressingroftm, wffi fireplace, •'erected during the yeaj : , "made'eC jeOo*j r - place'for a game of cards, and was' much appreciated by the •fibh-dancing-members of -the sterner sex. ■ 'Thg local I 'dairy-' factory is -working with only it mWlerate supply of milk as yfet, Intt as the Season goes on it is ex'pected .that the. Supply -will be equal to tfie" average" of' former years. A good 'S-'St'rfh 'rain % now- baddy needed for-pas-tures;

F .hear thatHhe season's output of butter has Jjeen sold /at a very satisfactory Ifgjirt'. Mr. A.' Corney continues the niaif,ii;einent, which is a sufficient guarantee that the quality of the buttei wifi'"f)C J cltf a' hi'.'h grade.

| Young lambs jive very much in evi-t-deftte" 'ih a tKia - : iHslHi;t 'just now, and, prp's'cnt appearances, the persliottM': be-' satisfactory. Although graW : is shorter than usual at 'fliSj .of fe&rj- the 'mves are, gener(nUy 'lopk'lng' well A good pcr'cenfafge .(ji 'lambs'' anda good clip of wool 'will 'lie 'a Welcome' asset for the right side of tlie ledger, as T am afraid that rvvfen , tlie' spring mustering takes place it will''be fgiincl'that the percentage of l&sps on.youiig stock, both calves and . hoggets/Svill.luu-t! been unusually heavy. Variki.;

" lliif (Aureh'of'England social on the SStli Hn.sit, • drew a big crowd, and the ! efnmih iar'e to be congratulated ol\ the 1 excellent programme provided.: Mr. A. A. Ward, in the course of''a .short address, remarked that he w'as "glad to say that financially the church affairs were, in a flourishing state, and he. also'thought in spiritual matters tliey were advancing. He had much pleasure in introducing the Rev. C.' l-foucheji. the' Home Missioner, who had travelled a long.'way that day to be present' with. them. (Applause.) Sir. 'l^ouchen,. in a short speech, thanked the audience for the cordial welcome aceprd.ed him, and expressed the pleasure it ga.ve him to be present. ITe explained that owing to the extent ol the district under his charge it was impossible to "visit Tariki often, but he intended looking them up whenever he had the opportunity. (Applause.) The r'r.v. .gentleman gave an amusing account of a,n experience in the hack blocks, and altogether made a very .favorable impression on those present. The programme was as follows:—Song, Sirs. Rudlaii; song, Mr. Hancock; duet, Mesdajnes Kudkin and Young; recitation, ''The Owl Critic.,'' 3.11*. I'. Ran ford, who, as usual, was a prime favorite, and, on. being' recalled, gave "The Tack," which created uproarious mirth; song, Mr. Tichbourne (encored). The' iirst. part was concluded by an amusing farce, entitled "The White. I [at.* ■which was capitally staged. The cast was asi follows: "Marmaduke Nixon." air. R. 'Hancock; "Mr. Dumps," Mr. C. Young; Charlie Korister, Mr. Chapman; "Matilda," Mr. D. Jones; "'Mrs. Dumps,' 1 Mrs. Rudkin; "Annabella," Mrs. IT. Judd. The. acting was uniformly good, and tlie faults so often noticeable in amateur performances —nervousness and indistinct, 'e'riu Aviation—were conspicuous - by their absence..' Mr. Hancock perhaps deserves special mention, having the most to do and Jillimg the part to perfection, though all the performers merit every praise for the way in which they acted then respective parts. Second part.—Song,, Mr. Tichbourne (encored); recitation, Mr. Taylor; song, ".lust. Someone," Mr. Young (encored); recitation, .51 rs. F. Ranford: Scotch reel. Master W. Todd, Misses Todd and R. and R. Meaton; piper, Mr. -T. iMackay; song, Mr. Taylor. Miss ('. Todd gave a very attractive display of Highland dancing, to the .piping of Mr. Mackay. Another farce. "Dr. Diaculnm," in which Messrs. Tichbourne, IT. Stratford, W. Ward and IT. 11. Judd took part, followed. The plot, though rather obtuse, afforded every opportunity for the lively quartet to display their undeniable histrionic ability, and the power thev put i into the action parts would also denote I thev were not novices at the football giinie. However, all played a solid gaime, the "tackling" especially being deadly at times, and the audience were "fairly j tickled to death." A hearty rendering of the National Anthem concluded the programme, after

I which the floor was cleared, and. a very , enjoyable dance ended one of the most lenjoyaibJe socials yet held here. The i gross takings amounted to £0 15s. •,Mr. Barnett, owing to a sudden indisposi- ' tion, was unable to attend. The comImittee were fortunate in securing the (services of Mr. M. Fowler, of Inglewood, Whose playing both in the accompani- I jncnts and dances, was much admired.