DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 308, 7 June 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

AUROA. (From Our Own Correspondent). The social held on tlie 26th ult. ofl behalf of the hall funds ■was a huge success, and great praise is due to Miss 'Benton for the way she worked in the interests of the fund. The National Anthem was sung at S p.m., after which dancing, singing and reciting were the 'order of the evening. The M.O.'s, Messrs Ross and Anderson, kept the ball rolling throughout the evening, and all pronounced that Auroa is out oil its own for a social evening. A patriotic meeting was held on Wednesday dast in the Town Hall, -when some 50 residents put in an appearance, but 1 am sorry to have to chronicle that several householders were conspicuous 'by their absence. I think that in a case of this sort, where people are not able to attend, they should send an apology or a cheque to show their good faith to help a loyal cause. The meeting derided to bold a novejt.v sports, gift auction and a. basket bail on June 16, and a strong committee was formed to make arrangements for same. A subscription list was handed around tlie room and realised £29 7s, after j which 'Mr. Burgess presented his cocker spaniel to be auctioned on behalf of the fund, and after some very brisk and spirited bidding the dog was sold and reSold 3'(i times, 'Mr. Burgess finally buy- ' ing him in for os, tlie total amount realised being £l3 Is 6d. Tlie catering for the sports was left in the hands of the ladies. The general committee are to meet again on Tuesday evening to make final arrangements. Friends of Mrs. Benton, junr., will be pleased to know that slie is home again and is progressing satisfactorily, as also is Mr."Eeg. with his fractured arnj, Clearing, sales are. beginning to wend j their way around again, wliich, in the | interests of the district, is a very bad ) thing, as people are very unsettled. I

i see the seed tliat was planted for the hall has produced a great crop of posts, and great credit is due to the new Hall Committee for organising tlie working bee that was held for cleaning up the ground round about the hall. I «m told l»v good authority that they intend holding another bee next Wednesday for the purpose of erecting a fence in front and to'paint the building, the ship with the paint aboard, presumably sunk by Germans, having 'been refloated. Now let us hope that 'when the working bee comes together there will be no drones amongst them.

RAHOTU. The- annual meeting of the hall subscribers was held on Wednesday, the 2nd. Only a small number were present. The statement of accounts, showing a credit balance of £lB 19s Bd, was adopted. It was decided to reduce the number of the committee from seven to five. Messrs T. Parsons, F. Baker, W. Hodson, L. Billin,g and A. D. Fielder were elected a committee for the ensuing year, and Mr. J. Schinckle appointed hall custodian. A subsequent meeting appointed Mr. Parsons chairman and Mr, Fielder secretary.

Mr. B. Layard, an old Pungarchv resident, who was very well known here, passed away on Monday gight at his home, Para Para. For years he had been a great sufferer, being just able to move about, but a great deal of his tjine was spent in bed of late. The funeral took place at Opunake cemetery, the Revs. Addenbroke and Stent officiating at the graveside, where a large number assembled, which showed the esteem in which deceased was held. Years ago lie was in the A.C. force, and later 011 was doctor, dentist, and nurse to the people in the district, no one ever asking relief of Mr. Layard in vain if it was in his power to do good. Mrs. and Miss Layard and deceased's son and daughter (Mrs. S. Feaver) will have the sympathy of the district in their sad loss.

I am glad to. report that Mr. Miniera's child, who has been very ill, is now out of danger. By the sound of things on Mondr.y night it seemed as if the local tin band turned out 100 strong to welcome Mr. and Mrs. . Hughson, jun. Mr. W. Morrow, I am sorry to say, is nsw lying dangerously ill at his residence.