DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

tEPPERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At a meeting held on Saturday evening, the local Patriotic Committee presented the balance sheet of the Gift Auction Sale held on Thursday, March IU. As a result, the funds of the North Taranaki Patriotic League benefited to the extent of £244 odd. This makes a total of £373 raised in this district within the last five months for the Wounded Soldiers' and Belgian Funds. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Clifford, for the use of his grounds, to the newspaper proprietors for their generosity in advertising/ to the auctioneers (Messrs. Matthews and Fairbrother), and to Mr. H. B. Lepper, the chairman of the committee.

| On Sunday, a service to the memory of the late Lieutenant Harper M. Lepper and Privates G. Payne and Robert Paul was held in St. Mark's Anglican Church, the Eev. C. K. Harrison, assisted by Messrs Aeklnnd and Messenger, lay readers, officiating. Despite most adverse weather conditions, the church wis crowded with people of all denominations, who wished to show their appreciation of those to whom we owe it that the ''mad dogs of Europe" are not at our throats, and to show sympathy with the bereaved families. The sermon preached by the vicar bore eloquent testimony to the esteem in which the dead soldiers were held.

On Friday evening, a welcome social to the rt?v. and Mrs. Hinton was held in the Methodist Church, and a most en-, joyable time was spent by the large number present. Speeches were delivered by Messrs. W. Roberts and T. West (Tfkorangi), circuit stewards, welcoming the new minister, to Which'lie made suitable response. A number of Hujrangi Methodists were also present at the function.

On Easter .Monday, Miss Tuson, teacher at Matau, was married in St. Mark's Church to Mr. Buchanan, of Mahoe. Afterwards the guests were entertained in the public hall by Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Openshaw. The happy couple left on their honeymoon tour for Auckland the same afternoon.

At the annual meting of library subscribers, the librarians were instructed to try to arrange exchanges of books with other country libraries. The withdrawal of the usual government subsidy to librfiries"liits country libraries particularly, but we are not complaining. Books are, after all, a luxury; at 'any rate novels are, and that is what 99.9 per cent, of the patrons of the average library take out.

KAPONGA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The sports carnival organised for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, that was held hero on Thursday last, proved most successful. Favored with a perfect day everything went with a swing from start to finish, the events being got off in good order. The novelty programme submitted consisted of athletic events, tilting in the ring on motor cycle, slow motor cycle race, apple bobbing, obstacle race, etc. The several side shows also attracted considerable attention, and did good business. The baby show brought out almost twenty entries, and created a lot of amusement. Bakers Bros' circus was also on the ground, having agreed to donate half of the takings to the fund. The luncheon booth and fruit and lollie stalls, managed by the ladies, did excellent business, and they ore to be congratulated on the result. Pne whole committee worked nard. The bund was also in attendance, and under' tha able conductorship of Mr. F. Woods, rendered a good selection of music (luring the day. The pictures and dance in the evening were also well patronised. The total takings for the day and night were almost £l5O. During the evening the prizes were distributed to the winners' by the president, Mr. Jtf. J. Power, who also made feeling reference to the sad death of Mrs. Walker, for whom, as a mark of respect, all the officials wore a black ribbon, Mrs. 'Walker having been secretary (not chairwoman, as previously reported), to the Ladies' Committee.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Walker was very largely attended on Sundav afternoon. The band, of which Mr. Walker is a member, headed the procession and played the .Dead March, and also rendered at the close of the-burial service "The Last Post." The Oddfellows, of which body Mr. Walker is a member, attended in regalia, and the Rev. Mr. Stent assisted' by the Rev. Mr. Page, of Manaia, officiated at the service in the church, and also at the grave. Much-sympathy is felt for Mr. Walker in his sad bereavement.