DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

TARIKI (From Our Own Correspondents.) A concert and dance got up by the younger members of the community in aid of the hospital ship fund was held on the Bth inst., and was in every way most successful. The programme committee (consisting of the Misses 0. Hogan, M. L&ngman and G. Lawrence) spared no pains in securing the best local and outside talent, with the result that even the most critical of the audience were well satisfied, and efforts of the performers "Were received with hearty applause throughout. A feature of the evening was the number of excellent recitations. Mr. I? Mather, an old Tarilu favorite, was in good form, and seV'ured his usual liberal quota of applause. Mrs. lloskin's stirring recruiting piece was well received. Miss Elsie Riley who gave two recitations, well deserved the applause which greeted her efforts, both items being worthy of the highest praise. Mr. Middlemass, from Inglewood, who is leaving for Trentham on the ISth, also gave several recitations, and was a prime favorite with the audience. Two humorous recitations he contributed are especially worthy of mention. His inmitable style and clear enunciation stamped him as a front-rank- reciter. The following is the full programme:—Overture, Misses Langman and Hogan; recitation, Mr. R. Mather (encored); song, Miss Hogan; song, Miss Richardson (encored); song, Mr. T. Long; trio ("Three Old Maids of Lee"), Mesdames Hoskin and Crossman and Miss Therkleaen (encored); recitation, Miss Klsie Riley (encored); song, Mr. Vale; song and tableau, Misses Therklesen, Riley and Mr. Middlemass (encored); song, Mrs. Crossman; song, Mr Tokin ; piano duet, Misses E. and L. Laurence; recitation, Mis.s E. Riley, song, Mrs. Rudkin; duet, Mesdames Stephenson and Long; recitation, Mrs. Hoskin; song and tableau, Misses I Clarice Langman, Jones, Thompson and Laurence, "Please give me a penny, sir!" (a very pretty item, accompanied by the tinkling of coins showered in by the audience, £l. 5s 7y 2 d).; solo, one-string' violin, Mr. Brooks (encored); recitation, Mr. Middlemass (encored); song and tableau, Misses Hogan'and Thcrkleson; song and chorus, Misses Hogan, Richardson and Therkleson; "God Save the King." The evening was concluded by a very enjoyable dance. ' Miss Riehardson provided the dance music (donating her fee to the funds), and the Misses Foster and Laurence contributed extras, and Mr. Brooks also assisted with his violin. Mr. E. Grossman carried out the duties of M.C. in his usual efficient manner, and Mr. B. Riley attended to the onerous duties of doorkeeper. The net result will be something over £D. At a recent meeting of tlie Patriotic Committee it was decided to canvass the locality for hospital ship funds, and the ladies were empowered to spend £2O in purchasing material for making sheets, etc. The canvass is not yet completed, but I hear tile canvassers are doing well, and the results are likely to l>e very satisfactory.

iPrhate E. James, G. H'ucker, Clenan and Reed brothers (Croydon road) left Tariki by (lie mail train for Trentham on Saturday., Mr. Walter Laurence has received a telegram from the Premier that his son (W. R. Laurence), who wis reported wounded, had been admitted to Branksmere Hospital, Southsea. The menace to the travelling public from motor hogs was recently forcibly illustrated here. Mr. Len Smith, cycling from Waipuku, though well on his side of the road, was run down by a motor car travelling towards Inglewood. Unfortunately he was unable to see the number, and only made out that it, was a large black car. containing three or four passengers. Mr. Smith wan fortunate to escape with an injury to his ankle, but the action of the occupants of the car in speeding on without pulling up to see what damage they had done shows tiiut they are well qualified for the duties that are enforced at New Plymouth's chief boarding establishment.

OKAIAWA. There was a crowded congregation at the Okaiawa Union Church on Sunday evening, when a patriotic service was : held. The National Eeserve and Terri- : torials, under Lieut. Johnson, were pres- ! ent. The Rev. J. W. Butler was the preacher, the subject of the address being "War; What For?" The text, from the Eleventh Book of Kings, chapter 6, verse 16, was, "Fear not, for they that be with U3 are more than they that be with them." After referring to the incident in connection with the text, the preacher said that the moral force in the world was greater than that of any other force. The world was going our wary, not Germany's, and if Germany were to win in the great struggle, which she cannot, she would be beaten in the end, for her will was out of harmony with the present world-will and the coming world-power. He made an appeal to young men to enlist in the cause of freedom, honor, and justice. At the | conclusion of the address, Lieut. Johnson unveiled, a tablet containing a roll of honor of all those who have left the district for the front, The list is not yet available. The choir, under Mr. Penfold, rendered appropriate anthems, and the service was an impressive one. The roll qf honor is contained in a handsome oak case, and is the gift of a member o,f the Presbyterian Church. Messrs Jennings and Hornsby, M'sP., intend holding a series of recruiting meetings commencing this week, and it is expected that they will address meetings at Normanby and Okaiawa. We are having ideal spring weather, ■ and the farmers are in good heart, the frequent warm showers having brought the young grass away splendidly. The Uifited Okaiawa Choir intend assisting in connection with the anniversary services at the Presbyterian Church, Normanby, on Sunday next.