DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 6 May 1912, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

(Fri m Our Own Correspondents). TNGLEWOOD. A meeting of the officials of the Primitive Methodist Church was held this week to consider the advisability of closing the local church and uniting with the Wesleyans. This step has been considered advisable, in view of the early amalgamation of the two churches throughout New Zealand.

In connection with church matters, the Wesleyans this week celebrated their church anniversary on Sunday, and on Wednesday evening a welcome social was i given to the Rev. C. Griffin. Everyone will be interested in Councillor Tarplee's motion at the Council meeting on Wednesday evening last. He said that if the Town Hall scheme was altered to include the necessary borough chambers and offices, and was again placed before the ratepayers, it would be carried by a large majority. In view of this he moved: "That the opinion of the Municipal Association's solicitor be obtained as to the legality of again placing the matter before the ratepayers." The motion was carried. Should the matter be brought forward again there is no doubt that the polling will be far heavier than before. It may be safely asserted, too, that the result will be in a very large measure influenced by what design is laid before the voters. KAIMIRO. On Friday night, despite the inclement weather, the parents, pupils and expupils assembled en masse to say goodbye to Miss F. Smith, who has so ably ! conducted the school for the past three : years, during which time she has endeared herself to both pupils and parents, as few are able. Officially, she was the teacher, and in this respect raised the efficiency and tone of the school to a state of the highest excellence, but practically it is hard to say where her duties began or ended. Whether in skilfully doctoring the juvenile ailments of the district, or playing!"Dcerfoot" on a Saturday to the delighted bands of young braves, anywhere between the radius line and Humphrey's Castle, or leading them along the thorny paths of knowledge. , she ever gained their love and respect, and made their school days something to look back on as a joy for ever. Striking evidence of the manner in which Miss Smith's work for the district has been appreciated was evinced by the numerous gifts from the committee, the parents, and the children. These included a silver tea-service, a silver toilet table set, a pearl and tourmaline pendant and , chain, a crocodile hand-bag and a silver 1 trinket case. On learning her intention of returning to her friends and studies in Wellington a determined but unsuccessful effort was made to try and retain her services. We can only say their gain is our loss, and look forward, like the children, to seeing her with us for many a visit in the future. I notice a remark in Wednesday's paper referring to the neglected state of the school residence. Considering that this cottage has had an excellent tenant, and that the school grounds were runners-up for the Tisch Shield, being three marks behind the best-kept school grounds in Taranaki, the remark seems curious. The district smiles, and wonders why ? There is likewise a broad smile of satisfaction on most Kaimiro faces at present, probably due to the reinstatement of several of the old members of the School Committee. We could ill afford to lose the services of members like Messrs. Shoemark, Taylor and F. Mundt, who have done such yeoman service in the past; and the feelings with which we heard, a year ago, of the utter change in the personnel of the committee were sorrowful indeed, and not to be appeased - until a packed meeting 'this year had evinced the real feeling of the district with regard to their worth. We congratulate them very heartily, and likewise Mr. F. Fletcher, whose generosity to the school is proverbial. ALBERT ROAD. A much-esteemed resident of this road, 'in the person of Mr. Robert Bielby, passed away at the New Plymouth Hospital recently. Deceased, who was of a genial nature, always took a leading part in helping, financially or otherwise, any deserving cause throughout the district. The late Mr. Bielby, with his family, arrived in New Plymouth from Yorkshire about the year 1885, and shortly afterwards took to farming on Albert Road, where he brought up a large family, several of whom are now married. That the sympathy of a very large circle of friends is- extended to the widow and family goes without saying. HURFORD ROAD. In common with other districts, we are experiencing very cold, boisterous weather, which has caused the cows to slacken their supply of milk considerably. The factory is now only receiving milk on alternate days. The householders' meeting caused no great excitement on this road. The number that attended did not reach double figures. The committee elected has already been published; therefore theTO is no need for further comment. I A number of young men found a sudden change of programme on Friday night on reaching the local schoolroom to attend a dance which was to 'have been held there, for, owing to the cold westerly showers, there was a scarcity of the fair sex, so some good bouts with the boxing gloves were indulged in. The postponed dance on Tuesday night was again treated with vile weather. A good number of young men, including several from Koru and Oakura, put iu an appearance, but had to return to their homes a bit disappointed, as there were only three ladies in attendance. It is to he hoped that the promoters may be treated with more favorable weather and a better attendance next time.

The men engaged on the structure of tlie cement piers for the new bridge have been, delayed somewhat lately through the rough weather, hut the end of next week should see the completion of the work.