DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TARAKI. f'Frorn Our Own Correspondent.) We have had quite a. chapter of accidents within the last week or two. The first was a little boy of Mr. A. Cowley's accidentally breaking his collar bone at school. lie was removed to tlie New Plymouth hospital, but it now home again and is progressing favourably. Then Mr. Cowley broke a rib, but is doing well. Mr. Butler also had an experience which might have been more serious. He and his little boy were logging up, and while manipulating a log with the horse, through some unforseen circumstance, the log got away and having no help he was placed so that the log would have trapped him, but the softness of the ground saved the position and allowed him time to get free. On Tuesday evening November 30, a somke concert was tendered to Private Stephenson, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force by the Tariki Rifle Club in the Tariki Hotel. After the toast of "The King," President Therkleson proposed the health of the guest, Private Stephenson. He dwelt 011 the many good qualities of Private Stephenson as a citizen. His work on the School Committee, as chairman of the Patriotic Committee, as a member of the Horticultural Society, and as representing the press had all been in the interests of his fellow settlers and the district generally. He was also an enthusiastic rifleman, and better still, a good shot, and now he had vacated the civil for military, taking up his rifle for home, King, and country. The President then presented Private Stephenson, on behalf of the Club, with a pair of field glasses. Private Stephenson thanked the club for their beautiful token of friendship and bond of brotherhood, and stated they could not have given him anything more suitable, and he hoped to use it to advantage when reaching the firing line.

Mr. C. Young proposed the health of the Tariki Patriotic Society, and Mr; Eason, in responding, spoke of the great assistance as given by the ladies, also the public generally who have so generously responded to" the call of duty with regard to funds.

Rifleman Crossman proposed the toast "New Zealand Expeditionary Force," drawing attention to the fact that Tariki ia endeavouring to give of her best, both married and single, and will continue to do so until our united efforts are crowned with success.

Private Stephenson, replying, said he felt proud to belong to that body and was quite sure, that the boys of Tariki who have volunteered would give a good account of themselves when they got to the Front. Mr. Hamerton proposed the toast, Tariki Rifle Club, and in a humorour way drew comparisons of the old time rifle shooting with that of to-day. He also complimented the club on its 'success from its inception many years ago, and it was a pleasure to be present that evening and a honor to be able to propose the toast of the club. Vice-President Hancock thanked Mr. Hammond for coupling his name with the toast, also for his good wishes for the club. The speaker said he had always tried to help the club and its members as much as he could, and he was quite sure they would continue to keep themselves in training when ammunition is again available.

The Press, proposed by Mr. Knowles, and replied to by -Mi'. Hamerton {Record) and Mr. Robinson (Daily News). The host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Steele) proposed by the President, Mr. Mills replying.

Songs were contributed by Messrs. Ling and Hancock in their usual good style, after which the singing of God Save the King and Auld Lang Syne brought to a close a fitting farewell to a comrade and friend.

On the Thursday evening following a farewell social and concert was given to the boys of the nth, Private Stephenson, Sergeant Lawrence. Privates Smith, Middlemiss, Julian and C. Thompson. Programme: God Save the King; recitation, Frank Laurence; song, Mrs. Gernhoeper; recitation, P. Mather; song, Mr. Riley; song, Miss Hoganj song, Mr. Hancock j song, Mrs. Pirler; recitation, Mrs. Hoskin; song, Miss Richardson; recitation, Mr. Mills.

During the recess Mr. Therkleson, on behalf of Tariki, presented Private Stephenson with a case of pipes, and Sergeant Laurence and the other privates with a gold mounted cigarette holder and case. The Chairman, in bidding' them good-bye, said Tariki would always remember them and would continually pray for their safe and speedy return.

Private Stephenson returned thanks 011 behalf of himself and comrades.

The second part of the programme concluded with the ''Allies," which has certainly improved since its first staging, and the performers are to be commended. A valuable horse of Mr. Edwin the other day got staked, also one of Mr. Butler's got badly cut on the wire. They were both treated by Mr. Mills, our local vet. and have recovered.

We have had a nice rain again, breaking the drought of some three days and it is hoped the elements will now favour us with a few fine days for drilling purposes.