DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) OMATA. A most successful fancy dress ball was held here on Thursday evening, when among the numerous fancy costumes were the following:—Misses Johns (Japanese Girl), Swan (Scotch Girl), Sheeny ('Pierrot), Mace (Ballet Girl), Meyers (Poster, Lily Brand Butter), Vickers (England and Prance), Jury (Red Cross Nurse), Aldridge ('Billiard Table), Glee son (Japanese Girl), E. Mace (Red Herring), 0. Wallach (Quaker Girl), Mclsaac (Territorial), George (Scotch Lassie), Mac Donald (Red Cross Nurse), Bayly (Quaker Girl), M. Moore (Scotch Lassie), X. Mode (Indian Girl), C. Mace (Spanish Dancer), IPenwardcn (Dutch Girl), Smith (Black Cat), Blewman (Gipsy Girl), 0. (Quaker Girl), McAllum (Red Cross Noree), Weils (Poster, Pellew's Dressmaking and Millinery); Mesdames Clemow (Gipsy Queen), Smallbone (Hockey Girl); :Messrs Hutehings (Scotch Laddie), SmaHbone (Swagger), Meyenberg (Veteran Cricketer), A. Bayly (Gondolier), J. Honeyfield (Fruit Salad), F. Hutcliens (Cricketer), C. Hutchens (Waiter), Anstis (Cowboy), K. Clemow ((Prince Patchwork), H. Bayly (Mephlstopheles), K. Bayly (Jockey), S. Morris (Judge), R. Penwarden (Cricketer), Williamson (Chinaman), Quickfall (Chinaman), Jenkinson (American Dandy), McKee (Tennis Player). The committee, which consisted or Misses Mace, McAllum, Mac Donald, 0. 'Penwarden, S. Penwarden, K. Mace, H. Jury, Blewnnan, Meyer*, Loveridge,' E. Bayly, and M. Moore", deserve the greatest praise, as also does the bonorary secretary (A. Wells).

■ / ■ i GPUNAKE. The carnival in aid of our wounded soldieus' fund started on Tuesday afternoon. The opening procession through the street was a very creditable affair. Fancy dresses were numerous, the comic element 'being well supplied by darkies and clowns. Two musical bands were called into being for the occasion. The Dark T«wn Brass Band was composed of ex-band players, and the Kelly Street Band embraced players of various instruments, such as aceordeons, mouthorgan and Jew's harp, with side drums and big drum. These bands were the life of the procession, which included about 100 fancy-dressed persons, ladies being more numerous than men. Motorcars -were not so numerous as expected, whilst motor bikes, gigs and traps did not make a strong competition. The prizes were awarded as follows: Decorated motor-car (s.s. Maheno), Mr. Cornreh, 1; Mr. Mildenhall's car (Allies), 2. Miss A. D. Heath (England and France) was awarded first prize for decorated gig. The best ladies' costume was won by Mrs. Hammond in the character of " 'Arriet," Miss Devery as "Baby" taking second prize. In the class for most original dress worn bv a gentleman, G. jr. F. Holmes (Bottle) took first, IV Boss (Chinese Gardener) second, A. Wallis (Sundowner) third. The public scliort children gave a good display of physical exercises. Mr. Burton had charge of the shooting gallery, and a strong committee of ladles managed the "refreshment booth. During the day the donations of miscellaneous articles were auctioned and

realised about £74, the takings for the first day being about £>WO. On Tuesday evening the chief attractions were the nigger minstrels and a Highland Fling by Hiss Peters. Business was good at the various stalls, and a Union Jack auctioned during the evening for the fund realised £37 os. On Wednesday afternoon the juveniles gave a fancy dress entertainment, the principal items being: March in fancy costume by the infants, Maypole by senior girls in red, white, and blue; recitations 'by iMoyra Thompson, Barbara Donnelly, and Nellie Langton; old English dance by three little maids in old English dress. A number of songs were given by the children, one of which, "Ten Little 'Nigger Boys," was particularly good. The fancy costumes were numerous, and the judges had difficulty in choosing the prize-winners. The awards were: —Senior girls: Lizzie Callaghan (Britannia) 1, Helen Markham (Scotch Fishwife) 2. Junior girls: Alma Mildenhall ('Belgium) 1, Annie Markham (Welsh Girl) 2. Boys: Willie Thompson (Indian Chief) 1., Charlie Stronge (Lord Nelson) 2.

The baby show drew large entries. For under six months the prize went to Mrs. Crawford's baby boy; over six months and under twelve months, Joyce Hickman won the first prize and Leslie Stronge the second. Lizzie Calaghan and Helen and Annie Markham redonated their prizes to the fund. The Oaonui school children were brought in by Mr. Mullon's motor bus to view the fancy dresses. The torchlight procession in the evening caused much amusement, there being two bands and additional fancy costumes. •Wednesday's evening's programme was a farce by local amateurs, poi dance by Maori maidens, wire walking and trapeze act by Professor Kamaldhi, and a 'recitation by Mrs. Sylvester. Towards the end of the evening all goods unsold were auctioned by Mr. Morrisy, the Belgian flag realising £(!. The takings for the two day s are expected to reach over £4OO. The various committees deserve great praise for the way everything was carried out. Mr. Rlythe, treasurer, put in . a vast amount of time in working up the entertainments, and was untiring in his efforts for the success of the carnival.

HILLSBOROUGH. Although there were quite a number of counter attractions held on Thursday night, the plain and fancy dress ball at Hillsborough was a great success. It was indeed a very pretty sight to see the children in their fancy costumes promenading in the Grand 'March descriptive of All Nations (that is, of course. Kngland and her allies). The music was supplied by Mrs. George's Orchestra, and was all that could be desired. The refreshments, by no means the least important part of the programme, were supplied by the ladies of the district, and, of course, were first-class. Quite a number of visitors went out from town, and all spoke veiy highly of the firstclass floor in this hall for dancing. Kvorybody was well pleased with tint evening's amusement. Messrs T. Hook, E. C. Locke, and L. N\ Bishop made "capable AI.Cs, and Mrs. Parker efficiently marshalled the children in the grand march. Miss Myrtle Sampson (Belgian girl) collected a large amount during the dance intervals-