DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

OMATA. ■ ,'From a Correspondent.')' From what was expected would be just a, small band uf -workers, quite a large sewing guild has been formed at Omata, and although several members have lately left the distriet, the number on the roll is still sixty, the majority being keenly interested in their association. This month a nice, consignment of hospital necessaries and garments has been despatched to the town depot, besides a quantity of muslin shirts for men in the trenches. This work lias been done chiefly by Mesdames Holmes, Roulston, Quickfall, i'rumlett, Moore, Penwarden, Hooker, Cowling, Kendal, Prior, Duke, Were, Spenee, H. Loveridge, W. Loveridge, Edwin George, iPoingdestre and Misses July, K. Penwarden, George, Vickers, Gray, Cissy Holmes, Edna Sugden, Doris Sugden and Lena Graham. All the cutting out of hospital garments is splendidly done by Mrs. Moore, who gives ungrudgingly of her time in this connection. Mrs. Hooker is now undertaking the work of attending to the clothing for Belgian women and children, and the guild hopes to have a good collection of these garmets ready shortly, one of the drawbacks to contend A-itli in the country is the want of I sewing machines, but through the kindness of Mrs. Gray, Mr 3. Hooker, Mrs. Clemow, Mrs. Prior, Mrs. Roulston, Miss George, Mrs. Cowling, Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Spenee, this difficulty has been overcome. Others are not able to help much in the actual work, but contribute regularly towards the funds. These are Mesdames A, Mace, MeAllum, Matthews, B. Honeyfield, Clemow, E. Bayly, Ramsbottam, W. Mace, Knapman, Shrimpton, tiniest George, Warren, Erlandson, Graham, Henchman,-Simson, Woolridge, O'Dowda, McKee, Waller, State, Inch, Bremer, J. Honeylield, SmnUbone, McLean, and Misses McDonald, Crockett and Johns. Thanks arc- due to Mesdames E. Bayly, Clemow'. J. Honeyfield. Mrs. ■'6" and ''Comforts" for extra donations for food comforts, and to Mesdames Spenee, Holmes, Clemow, Moore, H. Loveridge, W. Loveridge, Quickfall, Bayly, Hooker, Matthews, J. Honeyfield, Small-bone, Cowling, George, Warren and Misses Spenee, George, Mason and Johnstone for gifts of handkerchiefs, soldiers' writing companions, girdles, old linen, books, cup and basin covers, face cloths, mitts, and bed-socks. Mesdames W. Loveridge, H. Loveridge, W. Jury, and Waller (Spotswood) knit bed-socks for the guild, and the latter lady in particular has divided much of her time to this good object ever since its establishment. For some months a newspaper postage fund has been maintained, and several papers are mailed each week to hospitals and men on active service. Altogether this little association is doing its best to help in every direction possible, and intends to continue each month its usual gift of six hold-all cases and bags, etc., to the depot to be filled and presented to the men leaving for Trentham, and the donation of £2 which entitles the members to sixteen parcels of soldiers' comforts. Whenever circumstances permit, a sum of money is also donated towards food comforts for Xo. 1 Stationary Hospital. To enable them to help more in various directions, such as an occasional gift to the Y.M.C.A. or the Nurses' Fund, or to any other deserving object, the members have decided to make an energetic effort to raise funds by moans of a sock social, and have engaged the Omata hall for August 10th for that purpose. TARATA. (From our own Correspondent.) Our district has been experiencing very patchy weather lately, but one must expect it at this time of the year. A very strong Patriotic Committee has been formed with Mr. J. Ible as chairman, Mr. G. A. Smith treasurer, and Mr. F. J. Eggleton secretary, for the purpose of collecting more funds for the Wounded Soldiers Fund. Our last effort realised £l2B 18s lOd, and by the way everyone is working our present effort promises to be a record for our district. August 10 is the date selected for the concert and dance, and a record night is anticipated. The ladies are giving valuable assistance as before, and everything is well in hand. Mr. H. Dowman. driver for Mr. R. Paterson, senr., Tarata, met with a very painful accident last Wednesday morning, but, 'i am pleased to state, he is now progressing favorably. One and all will be very pleased to see him back handling the reins again. Mr. Sergei, agricultural lecturer, gave a lecture on ''Pastures" in the Tarata Hall. List Thursday night. There were 25 present, and a lot of useful information was gained. He was accorded a vote of thanks. Farmers will look forward to Mr. Sergei's return. The Tarata school children collected £6 12s on Children's Day for the Belgian children. The sum of £« has been forwarded to the secretary of the Education Board to be sent on to the proper quarter; the 12s has been kept till it grows into 2l)s, and that won't be very long, as the little ones are hard toilers. They ave to be congratulated upon their splendid efforts. A working bee at the Tarata school last Thursday week repaired the fences. The Tarata Hall committee are holding a euchre party and dance next Thursday night. The funds are to go towards improving the ladies' dressing room. The newly-appointed factory managei is to commence his duties on August 1. Things will soon be on the move foi the commencement of another season.