DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 9 January 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

AWAKIXO. (From Our Own Correspondents.) For a long time the children of Awakino have been looking forward to the advent of Santa Clans and their fancy dress ball, both of which brought much gladness to the hearts of the little ones. The last children's ball, held on the Ist January, fairly eclipses anything yet held in Awakino, already famed for the thoroughness of its social functions. The way the children turned out was really a credit to their parents and all concerned. Too much praise cannot be given to Mesdames McXeiee and Avery for the great pains taken with the children. The grand march was really a pretty and pleasing sight. Half the proceeds are to be devoted towards the Belgian Fund, and although a great number of the residents were in the city "on holiday bent," over £l7 was collected, which goes) to show that although its a long way to Belgium our heart's right there. Towards the end of the ball Mr. W. D. Thomson made a few appropriate remarks, at the conclusion of which a flag was spread on the floor, and, to the strains of the ''Marseillaise," and "God Save the King," over £3 was showered on the flag. Music was supplied by Mrs. McNcice and 'Messrs Leech and Preston. Extras were played by Mesdames Briscoe, Christofl'ensen, and Avery. The following is a list , of the dresses:—

Girls. —M. Black, Gipsy fortune-tel-ler; M. Winfield, Spanish costume; M. Avery, ballad dancer; ft. Carrington, Old England; K. Thomson, Highland lassie; X. Thomson, Girl from Malta; If. Rockill, early Victorian; J. Morten, Japanese girl; U. McXieee, Highland lassie; C. Bnvwell, Japanese costume; M. Hodgen, Stars and Stripes; Vf. Rockill, Red Riding Hood; 0. Carrington, Folly; P. Carrington, Tommy Atkins; D. Whitehead, milkmaid; P. Howard, Bon Bon; V. Howard, Fairy; 0. Mortensen, Blue Bell; B. Ferrill, Shamrock; K. Cowan, Ribbons and Roses; L. Dick, Golden Butterfly; J. Calvin, For-gct-me-not. Boys.—(l. McMillan, Toreador; J. Avery, Indian officer: S. Avery, Belgian officer: A. Hodsrcn, Huntsman; G. Carrington. Footballer; D. MeXeiee. Irishman; C. McKeice, Toy Soldier; J. Morten, Merchant of Venice; A. Rockill, Sailor: W. Cowan, Highland costume; G. Cowan, Maori Chief.

MOKAU. I A sad drowning fatality occurred at i Awakino. at the back of Piri Piri Station, whorebv a youth named John Schofiold Meßobie, "aged 17 years, lost his life ahout 1 p.m. on the Ist. Deceased and Thomas Cummings, son of deceased's employer, were bathing in the Awakino river, and, after swimming across the river once, which is about ten yards wide, deceased was heard to shout ( >. "I am done!" Cummings endeavored 'to assist deceased, but both sank, and it was with difficulty that Gumming got ashore. Mr. John Scott and Piri liatley wore soon on the scene, and by diving and dragging tried to recover the body for some time without success. Constable Flanagan was communicated with, and arrived on the scene, some five miles distant from Mokau, ahout 30 minutes after receiving the message. The body was recovered with grappling irons, after being in the water two and a half hours. ' Deceased had 1 eon employed by Mr. Thos. dimming, farmer, of Awakino, and had been in this district for the past nine months, and his mother, ilrs. Peter Good, resides at Xew Lynn, Auckland. On the 2nd inst. an inoucst was held at the residence of Mr. T. Cumming, on the Valley road, Awakino, before Mr. Charles T.'eech, J.P., Acting-Coroner, and a jury of four, ami the following verdict was returned: "That deceased was accidentally drowned in the Awakino river."' .' The funeral took place on Sunday at 1 Mokau.