DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 271, 17 April 1914, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

«s» TUNA.

(From Our O'.vn Correspondent). The long spell of fine weather appears to have broken up at last, and the conditions prevailing for the Easter holidays have been the reverse of pleasant. The milking season is noaring its end, and as tho days shorten we are beginning to turn our attention from the strenuous business of dairying to the lighter task of amusement.

The first flutter took place on the 3rd inst, when the annual school picnic was held in the school grounds, and was followed by a concert and dance an the evening. A goodly crowd of residents and friends assembled, among whom were our member,. Mr. Hine, Mrs, and ~ Miss Hine, and Mr. Rogers, member of the Education Board. The fun began about eleven o'clock, and races and other competitions for old and young continued throughout the remainder of the day. Some of the winners were:— Men's 100yds.—Saywell. ' Men's 220 yds—A. Wright. Stepping the Chain.—Wm, Hathaway. Married Ladies' Race.—Mrs. J. Kovaleski

Ladies' Nail-driving.—Mrs. J. B. Hine. In the ladies' tug-of-war the married ladies proved too strong a proposition for their single rivals, while in the men's relay (race Saywell'e team were victorious.

In the children's races the chief winners were: Heber Tristram, 220 yds; A. I Wright, steeplechase, hurdles, 100 yds; Harold Tristram, Elsie Wright, H. Goodwin, and L. Forbes. In the evening the school was crowded dor the concert, the greater of which was taken by the children, the training of whom had been undertaken by Miss Jones and Miss Goodwin, who are to be congratulated on the success of their pupils. A stage had been erected by the committee, and this was very prettily decorated, also the work of Miss Jones, assisted by Miss Plews. A'short address by Mr. Hathaway, chairman of the committee, opened the proceedings, which, included a pianoforte duet by the Misses Kovaleski; song, "A little child I shall lead thorn," Miss K, Goodwin; song, "John Peel," senior hoys; song, "Tying the Leaves," Misses 11. Goodwin and Bessie Hamblyn; recitationl "A Game of Tig," Miss Olive Thomas; duet, "I don't want to play in your yard," Miss A. Kovaleski and Miss L. Plews; song, "Bonnio Charlie," senior .girls; song, "Robinson Crusoe," senior toys; song, "The Ragged Doll," Misses A. Milne and A. Kovaleski, assisted by five school girls; recitation, "The Greedy Mouse,' Master Eric Bloxham; song, "Sleep, Baby, Sleep," A. Kovaleski and J. Vickers; ' song, "Tui Bird," junior i girls; song, "Evening Bells," senior girls; song, "Little Actß of Kindness," Lorna FoTbes; cantata, "The Little Gypsy," the leading parts being taken by Lorna, Forbes (gypsy girl), Heber Tristram (Ike, tho gypsy boy), Miss J. Vickers. Miss K. Wellington, and Masters Roy Vickers and Harold Tristram. The items were well received, and the efforts of the little ones were much appreciated. At this stage the adults continued the programme. I regret that I am not able to particularise the individual items, but all were well applauded. Miss Auld, who was visiting her oli school for the occasion, received numerour encores, as did Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. Goodwin. The concert over, the dance committee were not long in effecting a clearance of school imepdimenta and dancing was maintained with, goodwill to excellent music supplied by Miss Anderson, of Midhirst, until three o'clock in the morning, when all dispersed just in time to get the first downpour which has heralded the coming winter. As n, result of the entertainment the committee's funds have benefited to a considerable extent.

With the approach of winter, we may expect the usual changes in farm property, and the "general post" of residents. Already rumour is busy, but whether the rumours will merge into something more definite remains for the future to tell.

OKATO. (From our Own Correspondent.) In spite of threatening weather for some days previous, Dame Nature donned her best attire for the Easter Monday picnic. The events, especially the tournament and horse, events, were, keenly contested. The exhibitors of lloral decorations deserve to l>e congratulated upon their splendid entries. The clay's amusement has left the Domain Board a considerable surplus, which will be expended almost immediately to assist in the completion of necessary work on the Domain. The winners of various events were:— Floral decorations.—'Vehicles, Mr-> 5 E. 'Shaw; bicycles and go-carts, Miss W. Andrews. Children's Class.— Lois Fox. Football Tournament.-—Oknto beat Okdto juniors: Wnrea beat Rahotu. Final': Okato beat Warou. Horse Events.—Turning competition: R. Cray 1, Newlove 2. Farewell handicap: A. lmrie 1. 100 yds Flnndicap-P. Holmes 1, L. Carey 2. Tiig-of- War—Married ladies 1. Three-legged liace-I'. Holmes ami' K. Andrews 1. Nail-driving— Mrs. Wilson I. Sheep-guessing (sh.-cp presented by Mr. Booker)—P. Chapman guessed the exact weight (Silks). Stepping th<- Chain- I!. !•'. Roebuck and J. Jones.