DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 1 June 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents) URENUI.

(From a Correspondent.)

The Urenui hall was packed to the doors on May 27th, when Miss .\larlow's concert was held in aid of the Belgians. The Waitara Brass Band was mi iittnmlnnee, and played several stirring selections outside, the hull before the conceit commenced. The band opened the concert with an overture, which was well deserving of the encore it got. The next item was a song by the organiser of the concert, Miss Marlow, "April Morn," which was encored; Mr. Day sang "The Soldiers of the King" in his usual hue style, and received an encore; Misses (!. ltumbal and 11. McCracken played a pretty duet; Jliss F. Trim, who was dressed as a Tommy, sang 'Tommy" in, a charming manner, and got a deserving encore; Mr. I). Tate recited "The Ab-sent-minded Beggar." A collection was taken in aid of the hospital ship, and the audience responded splendidly, £S 8s being taken. '"The Deathless Army" was sung in fine style by 'Mr. Whyte, and received ail encore; Misses Marlow and F. McKenzie phived a pretty duet, "Hungarian Dance"; 'Miss Marlow and: Mr. Day sang a dnet, "A. B. C'.," and as an encore Messrs Day and Whvte gave several splendid humorous ditties, which were loudly applauded; a duct was well played 'oy Misses Nowrv and Shcard. The band played another selection, which was again deservingly encored; Miss Marlow sang "Woman's Recruiting Song" in a stirring manner, to the accompaniment of the bugle band; Misses M. and E. Fraser played a duet "Fairy Stream," well; Mr? Day sang "The Old Brigade" (loudly encored): Miss T. Trim sang a song (encored); a dnet was well played by Misses Marlow and Hunter, "Marc-he"; Mr. Why to sang in style. "Toreador's Song," from 'Carmen (encored). The next item was a humorous sketch, "The Dissenting Doctor." in which the artists, Messrs Dav, Whvte, and Tate, took their parts splendidly. The star turn of the evening was Mr. .1. Campbell (Harry Lauder the second), who sang ."Roaming in the Gloaming,'' and was brought back again and again.

The concert concluded with a number of popular airs by the brass band, and the playing of ''Cod Save the King" brought one of the most enjoyable concerts ever held in Urenui to a close. Mrs. Marlow plaved .the accompaniments in splendid style.'

Just before the conclusion of the concert the Mayor of Waitara (.Mr. Beckbessinger), in a few well-chosc ji words, on behalf of Mrs. and Jliss Marlow, thanked one and all for the wav they had responded, also the artists and Urenui people for their assistance i.n making the evening such a success. After the hall was cleared dancing <vas indulged in until daybreak, the first waltz being played by the band and the rest of the music being played by voluntary players. It is not yet known how much was taken, but [.am sun; the Belgians will benefit by the takings. Mr. Buckler made an excellent M.C., and kept things moving. Much credit is also due to Mrs. and Miss Marlow and the Urenui ladies for the supper provided and tlie hall decorations; also to anyone else who helped in any way to make the evening such a success. OTUNAKE. Tiie people of Opunake, like other centres, gave the local recruits for Tren-_ tham a. warm send-olf on 'Friday night at a "smoker." The gathering was siyiple, and everything was done and saiil in earnest —no Hash speeches, but a, people's gathering, and for that reason it will be memorable. There is one old lady here who deserves special mention, for the reason that she has a family of seven—four buys and three girls. The boys have now enlisted, and their name is MiCook. They have been share-milking during the past season. The eldest son is a sergeant in the reinforcements that are probably on the water at present. All the sons arc brawny fellows Some families in this district are doing more than their share, and have net wealth, to aid them if had luck overtakes them. Mr. 'Roebuck has made a start with the concrete work in connection with the erection of the Opunake Hotel for Mr. T. Knowles. Mr. Coleman is the successful tenderer. Some timber is now on the site, for the County Council building. Mr. Tung expects to make a start in a few days. : The tail end 'of the milking season is hanging out well. l'f it were not for .the excellent prices prevailing for butter many of the farmers would have ''shut up shop" for the season. The weather also lias been favorable in keeping the tail of the season wagging. In consequence of the strong demand for butter cows close up to calving are bringing good prices. Opunake footballers were defeated here on Saturday by nine points (three tries) to nil. Itawera lias a strong team this season. The three reps. (Huberts, Whittington and Coleman) are keeping the team above the average of senior teams this season. llawcra looks a good thing for this division. We are handicapped in our patriotic movements in not having a brass band to play patirotic airs. Nevertheless, recruiting is strong here.

KORU. We live in a very quiet way np here. There is never much doing, not much excitement, or much to write about. Now and then a motor bicycle passes up the road and back again, or a motorcar with a hind agent and a would-be buyer goes humming by. and we all look out and wonder who the fortunate on* is who has a buyer to look over his farm. However, buyers come and go and there are few changes. Our milking season is just about at an end, and, taking prices all round, the farmers have not much to complain about, even if they have to pay a hit higher prices for goods, etc. There were also a few good crops of oats which have, been cut into chaff by Messrs Andrews 'Bros., of Okato. and sold at a good price, most of it realising .Cfi IDs per ton —a real good price for local cliull'. Turnip crops are only fair here this year. Most of them were put in too late to be first-class crops. However, I have heard of one man being offered t!7 per acre for his, so they must be fairly good. Kuril land, if properly worked, will undoubtedly grow root crops. I have seen as good a crop of carrots, mangels and turnips up here as could be grown anywhere in Taranaki. Early this season I saw some very large white turnips tit for any show. The farmers are heginning to find out what valuable food the white turnip is for the milch cow. There is to be a meeting in the hall on Monday night to get up something in aid of the. Belgians. Although we are late milking a start we will try ami not be least and will do all that we possibly can. I congratulate Oakura on the sum raised there this week. It was really ,good for a small district. influenza has been rampant up this way for the la>t month, but only once I saw the doctor's ear up ,i:o any of the patients.