DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 255, 26 March 1914, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

WAITAUA PvOAR (From Our Own Correspondent.) A concert in aid of the building fund of the Huirangi hall, was held last Thursday, and, being the last to be held in the hall prior to extensive alterations, there was the largest gathering seen for a long time. Mr, John Andrews occupied the chair. The following programme was submitted:— Quartette, members of the Waitara band; song, "Where did you get that hat?" school children; song, "■My Am Folk." Miss S, Turnbull; comic song, "The cork leg," Mr. Dick Giddy (encore, "Nellie Green"); recitation, "How McDougall topped the score," Mr. Luke (encore, "The man who told you so!"); comic song, "The Message Boy," Mr. Fred Smith (encore "Willie Winks": duet, "Life's Dream is O'er," the Misses Howe; quartette, members of the Waitara band; comic song, "Breakfast in bed on Sunday morning," (encore) Mr. Fred Smith; song. ''Come over the garden wall," Mrs. Thornley; song, "The horse -the Missus dries the clothes on," Mr. Dick Giddy;, duet, "Gathering Flowers," the Misses Mead and Turnbull; song, "Some folks do," school children.

At this stjage the chairman said that as this was the last public meeting to be held in the present building, and as one of the oldest residents in the district, he had been asked to give some particulars of the building. It was erected in 1805 for military settlers, and was used by them for three or four years till they all vanished, when it was used by the settlers at the time of the massacre at the White Cliffs as a rendezvous at night for mutual protection. It was also used for many years as a schoolroom, eventually being purchased by the Education Board for that purpose. It was also usedas a public hall, when all social gatherings, public meetings, and divine service were held for many years. In 1885 the Education Board, having erected a new school, the building was purchased by some of the settlers and removed to its present site, when it has undergone various transformations, and now the proposed new alterations are of such an extensive character that it is felt its identity will be lost.

Mr. T. Wilson, of Brixton, is the contractor for the alterations and additions to the present building, which will run to approximately £2OO, and when finished ought to serve the requirements of ihe district for many years. I forgot to mention that after the concert, supper was provided by the ladies of (lie district, after which dancing was kept up till about 3 a.m. Mrs. L. Sarteu provided the music, and Mr. S. Surten acted as M.C. The proceeds of the evening amounted to £lO 19s Od.

Mr. Henry's lecture on Wednesday evening was not largely attended. The subject was "Food and Feeding." The lecturer impressed on his audience the necessity for growing that food that would supply an abundance of feed during the driest months in the summer and also in the autumn and winter months, and at the same time make up a well balanced ration for dairy cows. At the close of his address he answered a number of questions. Mr. Smith, who presided, in moving a vote of thanks, intimated that the next lecture will be held at the Waitara road factory on Wednesday evening, the 25th inst.