DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 261, 27 March 1913, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

Oil AT A. (From Our Own Correspondents). So far this month has been an uneventful one. but it is as well to keep you posted with regard to what has happened, though not of sufficient importance to stir the whole province to any extent.

I At the recent conference of the MetliI odist Church as now constituted it was I decided to work the New Plymouth dis- ] trict with three ministers instead of j four, as formerly, and the Rev. J. Char- ■ teris (who has held the appointment at ! Fitzrov for the past twelve months) ] was offered a two years' course of train-' J ing at the Theological Institute at • Auckland. lie preached his ■ farewell I sermon here on the 2nd inst., in the I evening, to a crowded congregation. On the following Tuesday evening a social; was held to 'bid him good-bye, and after a few musical items and short addresses, the Rev. K. J. Liddell (who acted as chairman) presented him, on behalf of the congregation, with a leather travelling bag. Mr. Charteris. in thanking the members of the-Chureh-for the gift, expressed his regret at leaving, and said that no matter where he might be there would always 'be a warm place in his heart for the people of Omata. On the 7th inst. the annual picnic in connection with the public school took place at the East End bathing reserve, and, being a fine day,, everybody enjoyed themselves and spent a happy,time there.

On tlio 15th inst.-the 'piicnjcvin connection with thij:Church-.qs! ; Eivgland Sunday School was held in the "round of Mr. W. J. Honeyfi'eld, at Omata Park, and a most enjoyable time was spent. On Sunday, the 16th inst., the anniversary services in connection with the Methodist Sunday School were held. Special hymns were sung 'l)y the children, and solos were sung by Misses Mace and Penwaiden. The Rev. E. J. Liddell preached in the afternoon and Mr. Asher in the evening.

On the following Tuesday afternoon tthe annual picnic and tea meeting were held. Addresses were delivered in the evening by the Revs. Liddell and Peat, and prizes were distributed by the forI mer.

During the month .the, road roller has been scarifying a good stretch of the 1 road between the hill and the store, and new metal has been put on the same—, certainly not before it was wanted, as the metal was worn through in many places. The Omata hill is just receiving its finishing touches, and I am sure the improvements effected there are appreciated by those using the, road, but the complaint made at a recent meeting of the County Council of the insufficient eaniiber on the road is. well founded. URUTI. The social given in aid of the Lruti cottage hospital on Wednesday, the 19th inst., was a great success. Earlv in the evening large parties might have been seen riding in from every direction. The weather was beautifully, fine, the supper (provided by the ladies of the district) was ail excellent one. and Hie floor for dancing was in perfect condition. Altogether, the function was a thoroughly enjoyable .one. Almost ■every item on the prograirtnie was heartily encored. Mrs. Kelly's artistic rendering of ''The Scouts" (an incident of the Boor war) and "The Mingy Cockatoo" (our local M.P.'s favorite piece) was greatly enjoyed, while Mr. "R. Aroa's comic pieces, delivered in his inimitable style, fairly brought down the house. The programme was as follows: —Piano' solo. Miss Mouatt; song. "Xancy Lee," Mr. C. Musher: song, "In the Twilight," Miss Mandcsley; recitation, "The Scouts," Mrs. Kelly; duet. "Whispering Hope." Mesdamos C. Musker and Larsen: song. "Room," Miss Richardson; song, Mrs. .Tolly; song, "Bunch of Golden Wattle." Miss Mouatt; song, Miss Jury; song, "Twickenham Ferry." Mi'. 11. Larsen; piano duet, Misses Min'rav: duet, "Very Suspicious." Mr. and Mrs.' Larson; song, Miss Johnston: recitation. "The Mingy Cockatoo," Mrs. Kelly; song, "Rose Time," Miss Mouatt; song, Mr. Yaile; -recitation, "Mo no Savee" and "I was a Plea," Mr. R. Aroa. The accompanists 1 were Mcsdames Wells, Jolly and Larsen and Miss Mouatt.