ASSISTING THE WOUNDED.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 3

ASSISTING THE WOUNDED.

!* * • JVAIHI DISTRICT'S EFFORT. • A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.' In no nave of the Tarano!:; j,rovi:ice have greater efforts been made to assist the various patriotic funds than in North Taranaki proper—that is the area embracing the Waitara township and north thereof. Almost every week some function is held, resulting in a i considerable sum of money being raised. The latent function eventuated at Waihi I yesterday, and most successful it proved. It is estimated that, after some live stock donated has been auctioned at the next Urenui sale, the proceeds will reach over £2OO, a very successful effort when it is recollected that the district is not a large one, and is sandwiched between Urenui and Waitara, where similar functions have recently been held. The organisation of yesterday's fete was very good. There was not a dull moment, and favored by fine weather the large attendance (including many (Visitors from Waitara and New Plymouth), enjoyed the varied,, programme, and responded well to the "wiles of the bevy of young ladies who had cushions, etc., to dispose of, and to the more forceful persuasive prowess of the sheepguessing and chain-stepping gentlemen. The school ground adapted itself admirably to the purpose and the arrangements were perfect. Some fine spectacular events there were, all deserving the hearty applause with which they were greeted. The first item wasSwedish Drill by 40 of the Waihi school children, under Mr. Bullians, and the little ones gave a fine performance. Then followed an exhibition of physical drill by 50 boys of the New Plymouth High School, who were in charge of Mr. Ryder. Sergt. Eyre put them through in fine style and the precision with which they went through their movements and their general bearing on the ground evoked general admiration. A squad of 24 Central School girls, under Miss Dempsey, gave the Rainbow drill very prettily, the intricate evolutions being well executed. A club-swinging exhibition by a squad of Waihi School girls, under Miss Whitehead, faultlessly carried qjjt, concluded this portion of' the programme.

' '■ THE SPORTS. A fine programme of sports was gone through, the officials being:—Marshall, Mr. Bullians; children's sports, J. Hayden, W. Cole, E. N. Skelton; adults, W. Topless, C. Marsh, H. Adlam; horse events, J. B. Mabin, T. Buchanan. The judges were Messrs J. Whitehead and R. 0. Ellis, whilst for the horse events, which were run in a paddock loaned by Mr. T. N. Skelton, the judges were Messrs L. Jennins and J. Foreman. Results:— . Tug-of-War.—W. MeKenzie's team of Maoris beat K. Topless' team. Sheep Guessing (actual weight, 126Ibs).—T. McKenzie 125 Jibs. Lamb (actual weight 001b). —A. Haparona, 901bs, 1. Stepping the Chain.—S. Knuekey, one inch short, 1. 37 entries. Tossing the Sheaf.—W. McKenzie 1, A. Roberts 2. 24 entries. Relay Race.—High School (McHardy, Horner, Sarten, Hutchen) 1, Waitara (D. Telfar, B. Whitmore, F. Skelton, S. Mercer 2. Also started Waihi and Tikorangi. Medals for this race were presented by the Kgamotu Foreshore Committee. Small girls' race.—Edna Bailey 1, Grace Farquhar 2. Big girls' race.—Alma Cole 1, Hannah Edwin 2. Small boys' race.—Jas. Northcott and C. Marsh dead-heat 1, Geo. Farquhar 2. Big boys' race—A. Cole 1, Oswald McHardy 2. Thfee-legged race, girls. Mona Mason and Nora Skelton 1; boys, L. Skelton and A. Cole 1. Young ladies' race.—Miss Nellie Lovey 1, Miss Mason 2. Egg and Spoon race, girls'.—Lily Overdon 1, Hannah Edwin 2. Boys', Max Jones 1, H. Bailey 2. Potato Race.—Girls, Mona Mason 1, Lily Ovendon 2. Boys', A. Cole 1, T. Rona 2. Three-legged races. Girls, Mona Mason and Nora Skelton 1, Lily Ovendon and Hannah Edwin 2. Boys', A. Cole and L. Skelton 1.

Camel race.—F. Skelton and E. Hammond 1. Small girls' race.—C. Northcolt I, Ij. Ovendon 2. Girls' race.—L. Ovendon 1. Small boys'.—A. Cole 1, H. Skelton 2. Big boys' race.—F. Skelton 1, T. Bailey 2. Big girls' race.—Mona Mason 1, Nora Skelton 2. ' I HORSE EVENTS, Open Jump.—L, George's Red Hazard 1, W. McKenzie's Nellie 2. Nine entries. Maiden Jump.—A. Woods' Patronale 1, W. McKenzie's Nellie 2. Ten entries. Victoria Cross.—N. Pepperell's Red Wing 1, A. Woods' Patronale '2. Eight entries. Tent Pegging.—L. Jennins 1. Thirteen entries. Tug-of-war, on horseback.—Urenui (W. McKenzie, Pukere, T. Pepperell and N. Pepperell) defeated Wailu (A. Crawford, J. B. Mabin, C. Topless and L. George), THE FAIR. Meanwhile the fair went on merrily; the various stall all did good business, whilst the ladies in charge of the guessing competition were kept busy. The stall-holders were:—Produce: Mesdames Whitehead and Graham. Sweets: Mesdames Harris, Beckbessinger, Misses O'Rorkc, Purdic, aud Clare, lee cream and soft drinks: Misses A. Graham, J. 'Gray, Eileen Ovenden and Mrs Andrews. The luncheon, which was donated by the residents of the district and cooked by the. ladies, was an evidence of the productivity of the district and also of the i culinary powers of the housewives. Mrs. Davidson had charge of this department, and with her were associated Mesdames H. M. IPurdie, Ovendon, C. Gray, J. Robinson, Trim, W. Clare, J. Cole, T. McKenzie, Collins, G. Foreman, J. McKenzie, Botham, Misses Topliss, R. Whitehead, D. Whitehead, Jonas, Foreman (2), F,. Whitehead, and Messrs W. Harris, J. Robinson, and T. McKenzie. Side shows did good business. The coeoanut shy was in charge of Mr. Ij. 0. Hoffmann, and Mr. R. J. Deare had charge of the shooting gallery. Mr. J. Whitehead and Mr. Wray superintended the sheep and lamb guessing respectively, and other guessing competitions were in charge of Mesdames G. Foreman, Stockman, McKenzie, Miss Rook, Messrs. J. Purdie and S. Topliss. The winners up to tea-time were:—Fire-screen, Mrs. J. H. Allen; watch, T. Northeott; cushion, Mrs. G. McKenzie; cakes^ J. H. Hawkins, Mrs. F. Knuckey. The 'takings up til! then amounted to about £l2O, the principal items being: gate £l9 4s 3d, dinner and afternoon tea £lB 16s 3d, lamb and sheep £8 2s, guessing competitions £23 6s (with other amounts to come), bran tub £2 10s, sports £1 10s, cocoanuU £3 Ss, saootipg gallerj, £2,

sweet stall £lO, produce "£lO. lolly £7 10s. The crowded concert in the evening would considerably augment the fund. The committee responsible were Messrs H. M. Pin-die (chairman), J. Whitehead, W. Topliss, C. Marsh, IT. Adlam, W. Cole, junr., G. N. Skelton, .T. I!. Mabin, W. Harris, W. Clare, (J. Wray, C. Graham and A. Bullians. The latter as secretary proved'the right man in the right place, having provided for every detail, and with the committee he deserves to. be complimented on the successful issue. Mr. Were, secretary of the North Taranaki Patriotic League, was present and rendered valuable assistance. During the afternoon n progressive croquet tournament, organised l>y the Waitara Croquet Club, eventuated, but the result was not available last evening.