DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 191, 11 February 1914, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

I urcirrt. (From Our Own Correspondent). On the Ctli inst. a concert was given in tlie hall in aid of llic nursing cottage. The liigU was line and the hall was filled to overflowing 1 . The following was the programme:--I'iano duet, 'Missus M. and W. Krasor; songs, Messrs Johnston, Erough. I°ai(|Uahar, Muskcr, Mandsley and 11. Larseu and Miss ■Mandsley; recitations. Messrs Area and fioliiswo'rthy (New Plymouth): fan dance and chorus. Misses Kicliardson, Fraser, Musker, Marsh and Murray; piano solo. Mis* Kiehardson: farce, "Your Turn Next," Mrs. 1!. A. Kelly, Misses Clarke and Richardson, and Messrs Aroa, Johnstone and llurrows. The farce abounded in local hits and witticisms, and all the performers acted .well, the star parts especially being very effectively filled. The chairman of the Nursing Committoo, Mr. W. Old, presided. 'After the •performance was over, Mrt Old, in a •neat speech, returned thanks to the ■performers for their hard work, and to the audience for their attendance, lie asked the people present to attend' the formal opening of the cottage on Tuesday, 17th inst., at i p".m.. and thc.i called for three cheers for Mrs. 1!. A. Kelly, who had been a secretary of the Association for some time, and who was now •leaving' the district. The re>ponsc w.is very hearty, and the concert concluded •with Oie singing of "For she's a jolly good fellow." After supper, dancing was indulged in till 3 a.m. purine. Though we rarely encroach on your columns, it must not be supposed Puniho has not its social entertainments. Here we lead the strenuous lifn.

On the 22nd we had onr usual picnic. The weather was. perfect, and a happy day was spent. In the evening a farewell social was given to our local schoolmaster. Mr. Thomas, ere his departure for Tuna. A large number assembled, including settlers from Okato, Warea, and surrounding district. A school of mixed races such as Punilio is of all sebpols the most difficult from which to r«ap success, so that Mr. Thomas, having brought the children on in the manner he has cannot be too heartily congratulated. There is now a paucity of teachers. What cbe is to bo I expected? The remuneration they receive, if tendered to a slaughterman, would be met witli contempt, mingled j with obscure allusions to the. circulating fluid of the body. Hut the ''square deal" Government (cynic of cvi.ics. surely « monarch of sarcasnv ninM, have invented this phrase as applicable to the Massey Government) must not be censured for this. They lack the purse of Fortunatus. ItonflueU where chiguot and heidseek How like water, where gold-top corks lay around thick s leaves at Valambrossa. cost money. Mr. Thomas left the school demesne a perfect spot of beauty. I trust it may be maintained in its present glowing picturesqucness. Tuna's gain is indeed Puniho's loss.