DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

OKATO. A SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. Ever since the outbreak of war the energies of the settlers of Okato—as elsfcwhere in Taranaki and throughout the Dominion—have been devoted to the raising of funds for patriotic purposes, and every local entertainment held has been for that end. The result is thai local institutions, such as hall funds, etc., which in the past have depended to a Lrge extent on monies raised by periodic entertainments, have been in straitened finances. Such was the case at Okato, and it is pleasing to note that, despite the numerous patriotic appeals, tiie claims of the hall fund were recognised by a crowded attendance at Tuesday's concert organised by Mrs. Walter Clark, assisted by Miss Sterry, on behalf of the funds. An excellent programme had been arranged, every item finding favor with the audience, the various action songs and dialogues by the children particularly so. Mr C. Andrews, who presided, in a short speech, referred to the fact that the hall finances were considerably straitened, and he urged on the younger men to take more interest in the management of the hall, which must be run on business lines if it were to pay. Some people had expressed the opinion that the hall should be given free for all patriotic purposes, but lib pointed out that the hall committee had considerable liabilities to meet.

The following was the programme:— Pianoforte duet, Misse s Clark and McMillan; chorus, "Two Little Girls in Blue," by school girls, Misses Phyllis and Olive Street filling the title toIc; recitation, "Little Romp," Miss Iveitlia Wooldridge; song, "My Rosary," Miss Aroa; p ; anoforte solo, Miss Maud Bird; dialogue "The Dolly Show," Misses Dorothy Fox, Phyllis Corbett, Olga Aroa, Clara Gorbett, Phyllis Street, Isabel Sole and Chrissie C'lark; song, "The Admiral's Eroom," Mr. Manning, who gave : n response to an uridcniable encore "Keep the Home Fires Burning"; song, "Ten Little Niggers," small boys; recitation, "The Thankful Parson," Miss Bertha Wadsworth; comic song, "They were very good to me," Mr. Willis, who had to respond to an andeniable encore and gave "A Diamond Ring"; pianoforte solo, Mr. R. B. Barnett; action song, "Knitting," scliocl girls, Miss Dorothy Fox taking the solo part; recitation, "Santa Claus and the Mouse," Len Waisworth; song, "Oh! Promise Me," Mrs. L. Wells; comic song, "I'm the softest of the family," Mr. Willis, who fairly brought down the house and gave as an encore "The Reason Why"; recitation, "The Old Farmhouse," Miss Hilda Pearcc; song, "Queen of the Earth," Mr. Franks; dialogue, "The Days of the week," school girls; recitation, "A Hindu's Paradise," Mr. Manning, who gave as an encore "Epitaphs"; song, "Two Little Playmates,' Misses Phyllis Corbett and Olga Aroa, with chorus by the school girls. Mrs. W. Clark and Mr. R. B. Barnett played the accompaniments.'

At the conclusion Mr. C. Andrews expressed the thanks of the hall committee to all the performers and also to Jlrs. W. Clark and Miss Stcrry, who had gone 'o considerable trouble in organising the concert. The hall was then cleared, and two or three hours were devoted to dancing, excellent music being provided by Mr. R. B. Barnett, Mrs. W. Clark playing extras. Mr. P. Covbctt made an efficient M.C. During an interval a bountiful supper was handed round. As the result of the concert and dance, it is expected the ball fund will benefit to the extent of about £lO.