DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 November 1915, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

j (Prom Our Own Correspondents.) TARATA. The eleventh annual meeting of shareholders of the Tarata Hall and Public Library Company was held in the Tarata liall on Saturday, October 30, when there were present: Messrs A. Corkill (chairman and lion, secretary), M. Standish, M. King, John Paterson, W Topping, E. Moray, li. Stewart, E. Mackie, and Crowe. The report was read by the chairman and showed that the hail and surroundings were sadly neglected and out of repair when the present committee took office. During the year the hall had been painted, and also match-lined and varnished inside to a height of five feet. New locks and fastenings had been placed on the doors, two new lamps installed in the hall, and the piano repaired. Outside, the hall had been painted and the fences had been renewed and painted. Over 30 yards of metal had also been placed on the approaches to the hall. Two working bees had been organised, the settlers turning up well on both occasions and doing good work. The balance-sheet showed receipts to have been £SO lis fid, the principal items being: Hall hire £ll 19s, subs, per A. Corkill £9 9s, per H. Sander £4 Ss, guessing and concert £9 15s, series euchres and socials £9 10s Od, new share capital £B, sale surplus paint £2 2s. Expenditure amounted to £45 6s Id, principal items being: Hall painting £5 1 Ss, lining £0 7s sd, varnish, oils, etc., £2 9s 3d, Burnis and Co. £8 2s (id, Hardware Co. £3 0 (id, ,T. Paterson £4 0s 4d, rates, interest, share book, insurance, etc., £5 14s 3d, euchre prizes £3 10s. With cash in hand, £1 4s 7d at the beginning of the year, there was left a credit balance of £6 10s, which reduced the overdraft from £lB 5s to £ll 15s. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to the auditor (Mr. R. Stuart), caretaker (Mr. M. King), Messrs Eggleton and Fcnton for assistance given at entertainments, the settlers for assistance given, both by free labor and subscriptions, the ladies for providing assistance on numerous occasions, and the committee for the support they had given him in carrying out his duties as their chairman and lion, secretary. This was duly seconded and carricdr Messrs Standish, Stuart, and Morey complimented the committee on the very successful year.

Messrs A. Corkill, J, Paterson, M, King, and J. Crowe were appointed a committee for the eimiing year, with power to elect one more. The remainder of those present considered that they lived too far away to be of much assistance on the committee. Mr. R. Stuart was appointed hon. auditor. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. A. Corkill was elected chairman and hon. secretary, Mr. J. Crowe vice-chairman and treasurer, and Mr. M. King caretaker.

NORMANBY. Normanby, Yesterday. The Territorials intend holding a farewell supper to Mr. David Free, who leaves for Trentham on Tuesday, 15th inst. The farewell will take place on Thursday in the Town Hall supper rooms. The Presbyterians are holding a floral fete and bazaar on Wednesday next, and part of the proceeds will be devoted to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. A special feature of the fete will be a flower show, and being the first function of its kind held here this is sure to be well attended. Mr. R. J. Linn, of Normanby, was again successful in winning the championship for his Jersey bull at the Palmerston Show. Mr. Hadler also secured a first for a Jersey heifer. Both of these local breeders intend exhibiting at Hawera. The agitation for an afternoon delivery of letters still continues. If this is not possible, surely an afternoon delivery of letters over the counter could be arranged. It is expected that an interesting discussion will take place at the next Town Board meeting over the action of the Board's sanitary inspector in closing the latrines at the local school, which necessitated the school being closed for several days. The Education Board, at its last meeting, received a report from its own foreman of works, who Stated that the action of the Town Board was unwarranted 'and quite unnecessary. It is quite expected that the Town Board will support the action of its sanitary inspector, and will insist upon some drastic alterations being carried out. The Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister for Education, recently visited several schools in this district, and after being shown some up-to-date school buildings and flower gardens, was loud in his piWsc of the work of the Wanganui Education Board. It is a pity, however, that the Minister was not invited to visit the Normanby School and see for himself the wretched buildings and the disabilities under which the children are receiving their education. The Presbyterian Sunday scholars were invited to bring gifts of chocolate for our soldiers at a special service held last Sunday, with the result that over £2 worth of chocolate is being sent forward to the boys. The weather still continues cold and wet, and it has given a check to the grass, as well as playing havoc with the flowers and fruit. The inspector's report in connection with the local school has been received, and is highly satisfactory.