PATEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1915, Page 3

PATEA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Saturday, July 21, Wednesday's heavy downfall of rain was the severest for some time, and had a marked effect on the river. The quantity ot timber coming down showed that the rainfall in the Back country had been abnormal. Several good hauls of firewood, have been made by local residents. The new electric lamps in the business portion of the main .street are a con-' siderable improvement, it is a pity the crnncil cannot supply the whole town, especially as some of the streets need additional illumination during this stormy weather. The frozen meat industry is no doubt the most profitable concern in Xew Zealand at the present time. This seasor has been a most successful one, and if the Government had been more farseeing in the matter of shipping space, the output could have been doubled. The local works have been held, up on several occasions through insufficient storage. However, the directors have now to be prepared for a repetition of the past bungling. Xew ferroconcrete chambers are now in course of construction, adjacent to the railway station, and when completed they will meet all requirements for the coming season. Mr. (J. S. Williams, of -the Universal Picture Supplies, was in I'atca on WedI nesday. His firm recently leased the I Town" Hall for twelve months. After transacting his business he left again for j Wellington, accompanied by Mrs. Wil- ' hams, by Thursday's mail train. On Thursday Mrs. Edwards, accompanied by a large portion of those who assisted her in the recent big entertain, ment here, journeyed to Wanganui, where a number of the items were reproduced at the Wanganui Orphans' concert in the Opera House. Wangamiites were elated at the cleverness of little Betty Ja.omb, who received numerous bouquets, chocolates, etc., at the conclusion of her item. The Opera House was I packed, and the concert was a g'-eat success. Mrs. Edwards' company will journey to Hawera on Monday, where they will put on a. performance in aid of the Patriotic Fund. Ilie railway .ball on Friday night was ! a brilliant success. The greatest credit is due to Secretary 'Fari'rs and his assistants for the very complete arrangements. The hall was profusely decorated with bunting, the stage was occupied ibv an orchestra of ten instrumentalists.' under Mrs. J. 11. .Mitchell's direc- ' tion, and the music, was unanimously voted the best ever heard in this town.

A groat crowd occupied the dross circle as onlookers, whilst the floor was graced by over a hundred couples. The supper room was very tastefully decorated, and a magnificent supper 'was provided. The masters of ceremonies, Messrs. Tarrant, (Uenroy, Thompson and Henderson carried out their duties efficiently. The honored guest 0 f the evening was ■Private Claude Fitzwater. After the National Anthem .had been sung. Sir. Fitzwater, with his partner, who was, appropriately enough, garbed as a nurse, headed the grand march. The ladies'" ■prize was a.warded to Sllss Elsie Tanner, whilst .Sir. 0. Fitzwater, by popular vote, was awarded the gentlemen's prize. Dancing was kept up to .') a.m., and the general opinion was that the railway ball of lfll"> will rank as one of Pntea's greatest achievements. The takings, •which will be handed over to the Patriotic League, will considerably augment the Wounded .Soldiers' Fund. The Chamber of Commerce met on Slonday last, the chief business being the recently discovered anomalies in the borough rating system. It was the opinion of the Chamber that the present year's rating should "haive been levied on the valuation made recently by the Government valuer. A motor-car, driven carelessly by a Xative, was the cause of an accident to a lad named Clarkson on Thursday, although not serious and no bones broken. The "lad, however, received a good shaking. The driver did not wait to ascertain the damage, but his number was taken and the authorities should make an example of this tyne of gentlenrnn.nl. as the practice of taking undue t'is'--s is becoming too -prevalent.