DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1915, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Uun Correspondent.) KAPONCA. The annua) meeting of Llio Kuponga Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on Friday, December ;i. Superintendent Ward presided. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of 4s Od. Superintendent Ward made a few remarks on the year's working, and showed that there had been only two calls for defective chimneys. He also feelingly spoke of those comrades who had answered the call and wished them God's speed and a safe return. The members are Firemen W. Fault, H. Faull and W. Cran, The election of officers resulted, Superintendent, W. Ward (re-elected); Deputy Superintendent, A. Melville (re-elected); First Foreman, Fireman Betts; Second Forefnan, Fireman Des Forges; first and second Hydrant, Firemen Wickham and Bertie; Secretary, Fireman H. McCarthy (re-elected); Treasurer, Fireman P. Horn (re-elected); first and second Branchmen, Firemen Booth and Preece; Auditor, Mr. Bennie (re-elected). Superintendent Ward presented the following with three years' certificates: Firemen Death, Horn, Betts, King and Williapis, and absent comrades, Faull Bros. RAHOTU. A meeting of those interested in a public farewell for the boys now leaving for the front took place last week, but, owing to the wet evening, only a very few attended. A representative committee was appointed, with Mr. Hughson as Chairman and Mr. T. Featherstone Secretarv.

A wedding was solemnised in St. Nicholas' Church on Wednesday afternoon, the contracting parties being Miss Constance E. Prosser, sixth daughter of Mrs. Rowlands, of Manihi Road, and Mr. Fleming, manager of the Arawata Road factory. The bride was attired in white and wore the usual veil, and was attended by her neice, Miss B. Newman, who wore a pretty white dress and a white hat. Mr. H. Newman, brother-in-law of the bride, gave her away. The Rev. Addenbrooke was the officiating minister. After the ceremony the guests attended a reception at the residence of Mrs. Rowlands.

The tea given last Tuesday realised about £f>, and was provided by Mesdames Baker, Fisher, Ward (all the second time), and Mouldy. The -public send-off to Priva'te J. Knowles and Private W. Peters was held on Thursday night, when a pleasant evening was spent, the Ilall being almost packed. A splendid programme was gone through, the Maori girls again favoring us with the poi dance, which was splendidly rendered. Mr. T. P. Huglison presided. Mr. Gibson and Mr. W. R. Wright, in appropriate speeches, wished the boys good luck and'a safe return, and they were then each presented with a small gift of pipes and a fountain pen. Supper was provided by the ladies. During the evening the Ladies' Patriotic Committee asked for suggestions from the meeting re the distribution of the money (about £100) that is in hand. The general feeling was in favour of some of it being sent to the Y.M.C.A. in Egypt, but it was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the ladies to deal with.

A lecturer (Mr. H. Foston) formerly Methodist minister in the district kindly donated £1 to the fund, which was thankfully accepted. He also gave an entertainment in the Hall on Tuesday evening and it was very well patronised.

PUKEARAUIIE. A meeting tlic ratepayers was held in the Pukearulie School room last Wednesday evening to discuss the loan of £I,OOO, which was raised from the Advances to Settlers Department for the purpose of metalling the portions of unmetalled road between the Mimi and Pukearuhe. There wore present Messrs, W. F. Freeth, C. Rowe, A. Sorenson, J, W. H. Martin, G, Wells, W, J, Bowman, A. R. Davis and H. Wells. Mr. Martin was voted to the chair. After considerable discussion concerning the procuring of metal and road formation work it was unanimously resolved to expend the whole of the loan money plu3 the £7OO grant from the Government, £3OO of which was passed on the Supplementary Estimates. A deputation consisting of Messrs. Martin, Freeth, Davis, Bowman and A. Sorenson, was appointed to wait on the Council at their next meeting with the view of pushing on the road work and other matters connected 'therewith. The trustees, Messrs A. Sorenson and A. R. Davis, who were appointed by j the Pukearuhe-Mimi Sports Club Committee, have decided to withdraw from the Savings Bank the trust money, amounting to about £ll, and allocate two thirds of the amount to the Pukearuke District Piano Fund and the balance to 'the Mimi. On the motion of Mr. H. ells, and seconded by Mr. A. R. Davis, it was decided to hand over the whole of the Pukearuhe Patriotic proceeds, in connection with Urenui Gala Day, to the Belgian Fund. OMATA, A very successful social was held in the Omata Hall on Thursday night, to bid farewell to departing troopers who were home on final leave. Some time ago a committee was formed to take In hand the matter of arranging fitting recognition of those who are going at their country's call, and, judging by Thursday night, their work has been well done. The guests of the evening were Privates S. Quickfall, C. and H. Gatton, and R. Spenee, Unfortunately Private S. Woods could not be present. During the evening Mr. D. J. Hughes, on behalf of the residents of the Omata district, addressed a few well-chosen remarks to the departing men, expressing appreciation of their action in playing a man's part in the hour of their country's need. Mr. E. R. Bayly made the following presentations: To S. Quickfall, a safety razor, and to C. Gatton, TT. Gatton, and R. Spence, a wristlet watch each. In wishing the guests "God-speed'' and a safe return, Mr. Bavl.v stated that it was the committee's intention to give one and all who loft the district a hearty leave-taking, and a suitable present as a small token of regard from their fellow settlers. While it was necessary to give them a send-off, this was a small thing compared to the weleopie home which awaited them on their return. The recipients suitably replied, expressing tha hope that they, may do their "little bit," and not disgrace Omata. After a plentiful supper had been handed round, dancing was resumed, and was kept going till nearly "peep o' day." During the evening vocal items were contributed by Misses Penwarden and Blewman, and Messrs F. and G. Hutehins, J. Lovell, Cole', and McAllum. Music was supplied by Messrs Pierce (piano) and Murphy (violin). Mr, Pierce also played the accompaniments, IJiss Meuat gave ft recitation.

A word of praise must be given to the ladies lor the excellent supper provided for. ho large a gathering. Indeed, the great success which attended the social was mainly, if not entirely, due to their efforts. Fannin# operations are in full swing; j>rass is fairly plentiful, and cultivation is being pushed on with. The drill has been at work in most of the fields, and farmers are hoping for a good "strike." f. hear that in some districts turnips liuve had to be re-sown. There seems to be a shortage of artificial manures, and farmers will ha wpU advised to make early arrangements for their swede crops.