DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1917, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

TATAKAIMAKAj ' (From Our Own CorresßonMt.J'" Okato and Tataraimaka are joining hearts and hands in a supreme effort« behalf of ovr bovs and our Allies. £k< iWdaj wi'u De a red-letter day in tne dif> u ri«t, wt I 'believe every one of lis will strain a point to give wwft we csgj spare in mat a righteous cause. Already Mcsdames Gyde, W. C. Honeyfield baj* received many promises, and mu&f encouragement—pigs and poultry, vege-t tables and flowers, cash and cheque*, ' cakes and scones, and even a hammock! (made in England) are being freeljj given. Mrs. Burgess, accompanied bjj two lady friends, came out to assist ini giving the Red Cross ball»a good kick-" off., I hope we shall have plenty of buyers of our stuff, for there will be lotq of givers. When one thinks for a moment of the amount of chloroform re« quired by the Red Cross—not to mention its price—it ought to make us pay, pay, pay.

At the social given to the two boys who were the last of the Tataraimaka volunteers, many patriotic songs were rendered, and when "God Save the was being sung I was struck with tha scene. The appropriate background of flags, the two young soldiers standing at attention in the centre of the room, and the large audience joining in the'ainging, with pride and sympathy visible on every face, A pretty picture for au artist to paint, but although there were numerous artists present, none of them were portrait painters. Mr. McAllum ' presided, and made the presentation, after an appreciative speech, to which both our men in khaki responded. The supper was handed round by the young < ladies of the district, and they were kept busy seeing no one was forgotten or overlooked. New 'Plymouth talent, aided by Okato talent, was largely responsible for the record audience who were gath-' cred in the local school, although fully one-third of those preaeno were unable to find room inside; tho Patriotic Committee ought to feel, satisfied, eeemg their effoiU were B o well appreciated. During the evening songs were sung by MesdamesC. Honeyfield, Street, Vincent, and by Messrs Asher, Goldsworthy, Loveli, Murdoch, Joll, and Rev. Addenbrooko. Mr. Goldsworthy'a recitations ■ wore quite a feature in the evening's entertainment. Mr. Lovell's character songs were heartily applauded, the eni cores being peremptory. Mr. Thompson played a cornet solo, and Mr. Barnett, aa pianist and accompanist, lsft nothing to be desired. Mr. T. Morris proved a most painstaking and successful M.C. Mr. W.- ' Honeyfield moved a hearty vote' 98 thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who, coming from New Plymouth and Okato, so very largely assisted in making the evening such a success. Messrs Gyde and Dougherty were presented with wristlet- watches. Miss Gibson fastened on Mr. Dougherty's watch, wMM Mr. Gydes was fastened on by Miss Collins. I suppose the 24th, to uhicb, they belong, will shortly be leaving for the front. * " '

The sinking of the steamer with such! enormous quantities of Taranaki pro. duce on board will bring more than anything else, vividly home to most people Hie true Rightfulness of the war. Surely its eftect will bo lasting enough to banislr bridge-playing from civilised homes " and horse racing from the country. As Bishop Julius aptly phrased it, "It is au insult to our men at the front." Imagin* a man all but dead in the trenches with cold, hunger, and fatigue, be!u«'re■galed with the spectacle of some grinning idiots .watching a race! To finish up, I trust all Tataraimaka and Okattf wijl dp their duty on Saturday. ■ ■■.(, , MAHOE. , ~ V > (From Our Own Correspondent.). ; Our Harvest Thanksgiving was held on Sunday, the services being conducted by Rev. C. Blair. There was a largo congregation at both services. The sale of produce toot place on Monday evening, when the hall wan again crowded. There was a fine display of vegetables, jams, sauces, grape* cheese, and mutton. Great credit is due to Messrs. L. Taylor, Cook, WMttington, Penwarden, Freeman, and Anderson woo all worked so hard to make the sale a success. A cake, which was kindly given by Mrs. Whittington for weightguessing was won by Messrs. H. Cossey, and 11. Brown, the weight being 51b 4oz. i here was a splendid supper, the food being kmdly provided by the ladles ol the district. The ladies in charge of the supper-room were Mesdames Whitting. ton, Townsend, Riley, and the Misses Kemp and Rileys. The takings for the evening amounted to over £25. The welcome rain has done a consider- ■ able amount of good to tho district. The grass is still looking a& gTe en as ever, i and the farmers are busy feeding out soft turnips. • b Our local factory i, separating the milk and making casein with skim milk. Hie farmers are wondering whether it is going to pay better than cheese We are all .pleased to hear that the boys ati tip f,ont are all .well in spite ot the wetraad snow. Taw »re aJLJjjW . ',