DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1915, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) HUIRANGI. The children of the Huirangi School this year decided' to forego their prizes, and give the proceeds of their annual concert to the Belgium Relief Fund. On Tuesday evening they gave their concert to a fair audience in the hall. The following programme was given:—Song, "The Boys of the Old Brigade"; recitation, Teddy Rowe; song, ''Let's All go Down the Strand"; song, "When There's Love at Home"; Highland schottischc, girls; recitation, Douglas Purdie; song, "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly V"; song, "You Shan't Play in Our Yard," Irene Surrey and Laura Smith; song, "Sleigh Ride." Mr. Fred Smith contributed a song in his usual style, and received an encore, and the programme concluded with a farce, "Nigger Court," by six hoys. The ladies provided a first-class supper, after which dancing was kept up till 1.30 a.m. Miss Carr provided the music and Mr. Sid Osborne acted as M.C. Mrs. F. Andrews donated a cake which was disposed of the evening, and (die net proceeds amounted to £l4 (WDuring the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Sarten on Saturday last, their house was entered, and jewellery and other valuables were taken the value pf about £'2o. Thanks to the prompt action of Constable La Pouple and Act-ing-Detective'Fitzgibbons, they had little difficulty in discovering the wanted person, and recovered the whole of the goods intact.

Hay-making will soon be in full swing; one or two stacks are already to be seen. The crops are likely to be fairly heavy this year. The birds are playing havoc with the early oat crops, and to save some of them it is likely that farmers will have to cut on the green side..

• Mr. Robert Wells, who has been in indifferent health for some little time, returned home from the hospital last Monday, oil the road, we hope, to complete ; recovery from his painful trouble. TATARAIMAIKA. It must be that the abnormal weather we have been lately experiencing is the method chosen by nature to mirk her stern disapproval of "the ways -of the Hun." Certainly, to take no higher view of things, it seems an outrage on our fair earth that large portions of her surface should be fittingly described as being "dotted with dead bodies." I suppose it was the immortal William who said "the wheels of God grind slowly, but tliey grind exceeding small," and "God's way are not as our way," is, I think, a quotation from scripture. Farming operations have been dragging slowly along in a rather intermittent fashion, but, like other Britons. I presume we shall muddle through, more particularly seeing the weather has been on the mend.

Mr. Barnett's concert in aid of tlie good cause came off on Friday evening, with great eclat. This function makes the fifth consecutive effort Tataramaika has got up oil behalf of our wounded heroes. Mr. Harnett deserves "great credit for the Inanner in which he lias trained his pupils. The presence of (lie Okato Glee C'iuh lent additional ehnnn to the evening's amusement, and Hie items which they rendered left nothing to be desired. This was their first visit as a club to Tataramaika, and T hope it will not be theii? last, as their welcome is assured. The ladies provided a daiiltv supper which was served by Mesdanies Collins, Dougherty, C. Honeyfield, Jury, Linn, and Moss, assisted by Messrs Mos«, Butcher, and Cowling. _ The viands were handed round by Mr. Barnett's pupils. The inspectors' reports of the local school examination are very pleasant reading—high marks for most subjects, and the highest possible for local subjects. The past year has been a trying one for the teachers, who have worked- hard. 'Much sympathy is felt for the assistant-teacher, Miss Gibson, in the loss ,of' her brother.

OPUNAKE. 'Private farewells have bean si c-:i to Nurse Kelly during the week. The district nurse leave?) Opunake on Tuesday for Wellington. The annual meeting of the Egmont Patriotic League lapsed on Monday event through lack of interest on the part of the people of the district. Seeing that farmers are very busy at this time-of the year, it is quite up to the Opunake people to show a little patriotic! spirit by attending an important patriotic meeting. Very little business, was done at the last meeting of the Opunake Town Board. The foreman reported that during the month .he had carried out his usual duties of drain-cleaning, patching footpaths, etc. The Methodist Clmreh members on Wednesday evening celebrated their 2.jth anniversary in a very qiuet manner with a social evening. The Ilughson family and Mr. Illingworth provided the musical programme. Rev. Mr. Tinsley presided over the meeting. The Methodist church has now been erected 25 years, but is is 33 years since the Methodists commenced services in this district. A sudden death took place here on Tuesday afternoon. Mrs, Cubbins, a woll-known resident, was found dead in her home by a neighbor who made a. call. Deceased was apparently in the act of doing her usual household duties, when it is surmised she died in an epileptic fit. Deceased leaves a husband, two grown-up sons, and a daughter about 14 years old. A branch of the School Committees' Association was formed here on Thursday evening last. Visiting members (Rev, Chappell, Messrs. Smith and Dolby), from New Plymouth were present and spoke of the*benefit3 to be obtained by forming a branch of the Association here. On the motion of Messrs Chambers (Opunake) and Coombridge (Mangahume), a brunch was formed. Oaonui and 'Kim road representatives opposed the motion.