DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1915, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAITARA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The strong winds which predominated last evening levelled a few large trees in the vicinity of the town. Messrs Ballantyne and Whetter completed their annual inspection of the public school yesterday. The results attained by the pupils are higher than those of previous years, and great credit is due to their instructors, On Thursday, 28th' inst., the old "Sunflower Minstrels," now reorganised and known as the "Sunflower Entertainers," will give the first of a series of concerts. Although the company is not as strong as hitherto, owing to some of the members having gone to the front, the remainder are endeavoring to make the opening performance as bright and breezy as any of those in the past. The first half of the programme will be taken up by minstrelsy, and will be followed by a farce—comprising eight characters —entitled, "The Wrong Flat." The net proceeds of all concerts are to go to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, and it is hoped the public will show their patriotism by warmly supporting the minstrels.

OARURA. (From a Correspondent.) On Thursday evening, October 14, a "Hard-up Dance" in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund was held in the Oakura Hall. The dance, which was arranged by a committee of ladies, proved a great success. Miss Birdie Gower, who received the prize for the hardeßt-up lady, requested that it might be auctioned: this was done, and it realised 10s. Mr. Roy Morris was the hardest-up gentleman. During the evening, some schoolgirls sold button-holes donated by Mcsdamcs. T. Ponw,arden and Bell and Captain Mace, adding 14s to the fund. A "hardup" supper, provided by a dozen local ladies, was done full justice to. Splendid music was supplied by Messrs. Good (piano), F. Morris (violin), and Frost (piccolo). Some of the local gentlemen kindly assisted during the evening by supervising and acting as M.C.'s. There was euchre for the non-dancers, Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson winning the prizes. In the early part of the week four schoolgirls—Eileen Mace, Flora Cameron, Vera Morris and Doreen Smart —canvassed the district, collecting £0 19s 3y 2 d, and selling tickets to the value of £2 Is. At the close of the dance a vote of thanks and three hearty cheers were accorded Messrs. F. Morris and Frost, who kindly assisted with delightful free music which, being quite unexpected, was a greater treat. The company unanimously joined in singing "For They are Jolly Good Fellows." Mr. Roebuck kindly carried supper, etc., free of charge. Following are the proceeds of dance, collection etc.:—Collected by school children, £G ISs 3'/j,d; school money-box, 3s 2 ] /id; tickets sold by school children, £2 Is; tickets sold by Mr. C. Mace, 14s Cd; tickets sold by Mr. E. Meredith, 13s; tickets sold by Mrs. Smart, 7s; Miss Gowcr's price, 10s; buttonholes (14s), sundries (15s), £1 9s; door takings, £3 ss; total, £l6 2s; expenses, music (piona) and lights, 15s; balance, £ls 7s.