DISTRICT NEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEW.

(From Our Own Correspondents). WAITARA. A further dozen men from Waitara and surrounding district left for Trentham to join the Ninth Reinforcements by S|onday night's train. There was the usual large number of friends to farewell the boys, and the Band was in attendance, playing insipirting music. His Worship the Mayor briefly addressed those present, and congratulated the men on their spirit, expressing a sincere wish that many of the young men would emulate the action oi those who were just departing. On behalf of the residents of Waitara he presented sets of military brushes to Messrs W. Soffe, E, Frost and another recruit. His Worship referred to the fact that one of the departing soldiers from up country was leaving his wife and family and a large farm in order to respond to his country's call. Cheers were given for his Majesty and the reinforcements. One of the men, on being asked to reply for his comrades naively said: "I would like to say something and believe I could, but it is like a lot of the fellows about, a of a long time coming." He then disappeared into the carriage amidst the plaudits of those who heard him. AUROA. The annual meeting of the Tennis and Bowling Club was held last week and was fairly well atended. ' After the business had been gone through, tiie president, Mr. D. A. Poole, presented the prizes kindly donated by himself and Mrs. Poole for the tennis ladder competition, which consisted of a beautiful silver vase and a matchbox, the winners being Mrs. D. Penny and Mr. Wilfrid Brown. The president has also donated four small gold bowls to the Bowling Club for competition this season amongst the local players.

Tlie Tennis Committee are already getting busy for the coming season, and intending members can rest assured that they will be well looked after and coached in the good old Auroa style. The official opening of the tennis court and bowling green will take place on November 10, and the committee members are endeavoring to leave no stone unturned to make the gathering a huge success. I must apologise to some of your readers for not having reported ere this about the Kaupokonui dam having been blown out, and the negligent manner in which their waggon was allowed to stand on the cross roads, a menace to the travelling public. lam given to understand that some of the neighboring farmers are considering the advisability of putting lifebelts on their pigs in the event of the dam again blowing out. Evidently Mr. Jones, our local music teacher, has the interests of the district at heart, for he is now again busy working up an operetta, in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, with our local folk, and his efforts are worthy of the support of all residents of the district.

The local sewing guild are doing good work in a quiet way, and have extended their business to the local factories, in each of which they have placed an appealing epistle, to which is attached a money-box, but judging by its weight it is not being too loyally supported by the patriotic farmer. A send-off social to our local boya last week was largely attended. Sergt. Tait and Troopers Eiddick and Grones were the guests of the evening. Mr. McNeil and Mr. Dunn spoke in glowing terms of Sergt. Tait's sterling qualities and his readiness to assist in all local functions, adding that he would be very much missed from this district. Mr. McNeil, on behalf of the residents, presented Sergt. Tait with a beautiful silver rose bowl and a set of pipes, Troopers Riddick and Grones receiving a safety razor each.

The Italian flag, made by Mrs. Rawcliffe and Miss Mowbray, which has brought in close on £4OO, was kindly presented to our local hall. Mr. (Penny made a stirring speech, and thanked the ladies on behalf of the Hall Committee. -1

Our local thoroughbred has again been at his ferocious work and wrenched the shafts off a resident's trap. Great excitement and interest was taken over the horse race held last Saturday by two sports, and, as predicted by "your own," the Parihaka pony proved his superiority for the distance by a good margin. A large crowd turned up to see the finish, and, while waiting, two mutton-eaters, owned by a roadman, started a hare, which startled a horse attached to a gig, and the horse endeavored to jump the fence and got tangled up in the wire, but was eventually extracted minus some hair and skin, tho trap being still intact..

URENUI. On Monday next, Urenui will be dressed in its best, and tliat for a good object, the gaining of funds for the wounded soldiers. With a right good will all are joining forces for the purpose of demonstrating that when Urenui decides to do so it can, and will, carry out its proposals to a successful issue. Starting with a profession, headed by the Waitara Municipal Band, and brought up with Urenui's rag-time-any-old-sort of band, the interval between the two being a procession worth going a long way to see, from the Triple Entente pony to the—well, go out and see for yourself. You will be provided during the day for both old and young, and a heap of money is sure to be received from the sale of stock donated by settlers all round the district. Already sixty head have been promised, and doubtless there will be considerably more. 'Those responsible for carrying out the arrangements intend it shall constitute a record for Urenui, and as Waitara is declaring a full holiday on the occasion, and New Plymouth a half-day, doubtless, given fine weather, a visit to pretty Urenui will be enjoyed by many.