DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) NORMANBY. It was an ideal day for the tlora! fete and bazaar organised by the Presbyterians on Wednesday. In the afternoon a procession of decorated bicycles, prams, etc., marched through the streets to the hall, followed by a large crowd of people. The exhibitors were then grouped 011 the stage, and the proceedings commenced by the singing of the National Anthem. The teams of decorated children presented a pretty sight as they marched through the streets, led by a team of five tiny flower girls. The Rev. J. W. Butler declared the fete open, and said that as part of the proceeds were to be devoted to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund he felt sure that good business would be done by the various stalls. Miss Evelyn Butler secured the first prize for children's decorated team, the children being prettily dressed as "BoPeep." Mrs. Butler's teams secured second and third, the children representing "Fairies" and "Flower Girls" respectively The decorated bicycle and rider produced a good entry, all the Allied nations being represented. Miss Alma .Sawerby secured first and special for a Belgian girl, and she well deserved special menI tion, the representation being a splendid I one. In the evening the children took part in the Allies' flag march, which concluded with a tableau of "Britannia," in which 30 children took part. In this scene Britannia (Miss Barbara Forbes) was surrounded by representatives of the Entente nations, and 011 each side of her ! stood a nurse (Miss E. Butler) and a trooper (Private Jenkin, who recently returned from the Dardanelles), also a wee lad in kilts bearing the Union Jack. The tableau was very pretty, and, assisted by colored lights, made an effective scene. Items were also rendered by Dolly Pollock and Dora Butler (duet), Ruby Stackhouse and Mr. E. .Penfold (solos). The maypole dance by the young ladies was splendidly carried out, and some of the sets were quite new here. Altogether the fete was a very great success, and it is to be hoped that it will be made an annual function. The following were in charge of the various stalls: —Plain stall, Mesdames Kilvington 1, Eileen Johns 2, llanu fancy stall, Misses Oughton and D. Johnstone and Mesdames D. Stewart and A. Hayward; handkerchiefs, Misses B. Fookes and Flora Stewart; lollies, Mrs. Tippett and Miss E. Linn; produce, Mrs. Archibald; refreshments, Mesdames Linn, Bevan, Balsillie and Head; art gallery, Mr. J. Archibald; competitions, Mrs. Antrobus, Misses A. Linn, G. Summers, .A. Sawerby, E. Butler, E. and V Antrobus and Messrs D. Stewart and G. W. Mitchelf. The following is the prize-list in the flower sections. Mrs. Lovell, o5 Hawera, being the judge and Mrs. D. Stewart steward:—Floral bouquet: Uena Kilvington 1, Eileen Johns 2, Manu Johnny 3. Vase: Nena Kilvington 1, Maida Mitchell 2, Eva Abdul 3. Floral team: 80-Peep 1, Flower Girls 2, Fairies 3. Decorated bicycle: Alma Sawerby 1 and special, Gladys Cummers 2, May Lawrent 3. Pram: Ivy Paislow 1, Cleater Cleaver 2. Mantelpiece: Miss E. Stringer !. Table: Miss M. Stringer 1. Bouquet: Miss M. Stringer 1. Collection of roses: Miss E. Stringer 1, T. Innes 2, Mrs. G. W. Mitchell 3. Champion rose: Mrs. G. W. Mitchell 1. Collection of roses: Mrs. G. W. Mitchell 1. Great praise is due to Mrs. and Miss Butler for training the children and to a great extent the success of the fete and the highly satisfactory financial resultswere due in a great measure to thescl ladies. The duties of secretary were iiJ the efficient hands of Mr. G. W. Mitchel Miss Eva. Edwards and Miss Evelyn Bui ler played the various accompaniments. iThe Maori Land Court commenced hei on Thursday morning, and the town i full of natives, most of whom are aceorn modated at the Horticultural Society' large hall. The sitting is expected t< last for at least a fortnight. Some strong opposition to the remova of the Court to Norman'by was expres: ed in certain quarters, but the native were unanimous in their desire to hoi the Court here instead of Hawera. Mr. George Hadler again secured first prize at Wanganui for his yearlin Jersey heifer, whose sire is Lord Twj lisli j bred by Mr. H. E. E. Watson, Tai Tapu, ChrLatchureh, and now the propert of Mr. R. J. Linn, Nonnanby. I.or Tw.vlish has only been beaten oh on occasion at Sydney, and has held th championship for some years in New Zea land. Mr. Hadler again intends exhibit ing at Hawera next month. J RAHOTU. The patriotic entertainment in aid 0 the Wounded Soldiers' Fund was liel on Tuesday night, a large number, coi sidering the state of the weather, as sembling. The dccoratiori of the stag wa3 very pretty, representing a fores clearing, with the fallen trunks lajin around. The concert was opened wit a pianoforte and eornct item by Messr Parker and Bradley. A large red doo on the stage, representing the cover 0 the story book, was opened and shut b; the three Brownies (Masters Sheplmrd Anglesea and Miss M, Frye), and a intervals the children entered, represent ing the different stories, such as "Doll; and Dick" (Ivy Newport and C. Looney) "Robin Hood" (D. Looney), "Motlie Goose" (M. Dawson), "Robinson Crusoe' (Leslie Ward), "Little Eva" (ClanP Minnea), "Tom Brown" (Gordon Hughson), "Alice in Wonderland" (E. Hughson), H Toni Sawyer" (B. Chapman), "Little Women" (Misses Ward, William, son and Tylee), "Undo Remus" (A, Looney), "Lord Fauntleroy" (Gladys McLean), "Cinderella" (Myrtle Chapman), "Peter Pan" (Muriel Wililams), and Mrs. Illingswol'tli, lastly, as the "Printer Man." Tlie Maori poi dance, rendered hv Maori girls, was next, being considered the gem of the evening, and was recalled three times, and then the audience was not satisfied, Their soft musical voices, singing "It's a long way to Tipperary," as an encore, was greatly applauded. The haka by six young Maori men was encored. Sings were song by Mr. D. Anglesea ("Lads ill Navy Blue" and "Please Give me a IPenny," which resulted in a considerable amount of coin being thrown on the stage); gleo by Messrs Illingswol'tli, Manning, Evans, Fielder and Hughson, "Torpedo and the Whale" (encored); recitation by Miss D. Anglesea; "Careless Jim," Mr. Illingswprth and a dialogue, "Querrel Scene," Mrs. Iliingsworth and Mr. M. Hughson. All the items were woll received, and the function was declared to be one of the best held in the hall. Mr. Hughson returned thanks to all who had done so much to make the concert a success, especially mentioning Mrs. Iliingsworth, to whom great praise is due for the trouble and time she had taken in preparing the children. The concert was concluded by the singing of "God Save the King." With the tea, concert and dance it is expected that between £lB g,nd £2O will be added to the funds. The

sum of £ll 12s was collected for the tea and dance, Misses Morrow and Mrs. A. Phillips (both second time) and Mesdaincs F. Rothery and Annis finding the refreshments. A meeting of the public is to tako place 011 Wednesday evening for the purpose of trying to form a committee, which will undertake to arrange farewells for those leaving to join the reinforcements. In the past it has been the practice for their special friends to farewell them, but it is now considered to be the duty of the general public. Mr. Saunders, of the Kahui road, has sold his town property and residence to Mr. L. Fisher. Mr. A. D. Fielder, our local plumber, lias disposed of his business to Mr. C. Beaumont. AUROA. The inclemency of the weather during the past month has caused much incon-' venience to the farming community The local contractors have only managed to get. nine days' crushing done during the period. Mrs. Jos. McCarthy, feeling it her duty to do something again for the wounded, made a Christmas cake and raffled it, and handed over to the secretary of the Ladies' Sewing Guild, the sum of £8 10s. Diphtheria has made its appearance in the district, two school children (girls) having fallen victims to the disease. Consequently the school is closed for two weeks. Fumigating operations are being carried out at the school, etc. The official opening of the Tennis and Bowling Club took place last week under very fair weather conditions. The gathering was not so large a.s in previous years, but those present pronounced themselves as having spent a most enjoyable afternoon. The following clubs were represented: Tennis, Otakeho and Pihama; bowling. Manaia, Pihama, Opunake, and Hawera. The president (Mr. D. A. Poole), extended a most cordial welcome to all. Mr. C. Sorrenson, of Opunake, thanked the club on behalf of the visitors for the hospitality extended to them, and called for cheers for the club and the ladies. The district wag favored with a visit, from a Comedy Company about tnree weeks ago, and, after getting a good hearing, the elub decided to pay a return visit last week, when they struck a lot of lads in a rather mischievous and destructive mood, for they rolled up well, armed with crackers and bombs, and used them in no mean fashion, much to the disgust of those who want their money's worth of enjoyment. The crackers, etc., became exhausted, and. the larrikins attacked, the van (in which the company travel), and, harnessing themselves up, gave it a rather quick passage down the road, and planted it in the creek. This is the sort of nonsense that gets the district a bad name, and should be put a stop to. Mr. E. Davies sprained his ankle while marching at May Morn. In consequence he took a run up to Taranaki to see his friends. The managers of the local factories inform me that there is not the scarcity of labor in the factories as was anticipated, young fellows dropping in almost every week seeking employment. Friends of Mrs A. Sadler will join with your own in wishing her a speedy recovery from her sudden illness. Mr. M. Duggan info"r|ied me that Ms wife is improving wonderfully under medical treatment in New Plymouth. <icn lowS!-^^^^ VICE-PRESIDENT'S TEAM^^ Mn. 300 500 000 Tl. O. Spurdle ....v.;... 34 28 29 91 ' H. Hall 31 25 25 81 W. Spurdle 30 24 20 80 C. Hall 25 27 26 78 J, Bennett 20 29 21 70 Repeat lowest score .. 20 29 21 70 Total 482 PRESIDENT'S TEAM. Taylor, Pres 34 30 20 90 W. Martin ■ 20 29 29 S4 J. Frewin 27 31 20 S4 Baker 23 27 28 78 W. Robinson 27 22 27 70 Henwood .................. 27 23 18 08 Total 480