WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1917, Page 3

WAITARA.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

Mr. A. .T. Arms, the newly appointed Town Clerk, has taken over the reins of office. All wish him a successful term.

Baby still dominates everything in the district as well as the town. Go where you will it is "baby, baby, baby." Practically all the branches of the Patriotic League are what the boys call "donkey deep" into the affair. Concerts, socials, dances, euchre parties, raffles, football matches, and what not is taking up the I time and attention of those interested jjj the welfare of the boys at the front.

There is great rivalry as to which n f the four babies will be the nltim'tr winner. Just now the country north baby is favorite, but as the Maori says, "tailioa," wait till the finish. The last may be first, etc. However, in each place c-verv effort- is being put forth to catch the nimble shilling, and it is pleasing to hear from all sides that a good response is being made. In the town the committees are particularly busy almost every day. Two or three nights each week there is something on for the baby. Time and money seem no object with the very active members of the committee. On Saturday afternoon the "freezers" held a fancy dress football match, and the dresses were quaint and very original in some cases. From the doctor and nurse to the man carrying the billy and blanket, parsons, etc., made a motley group. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and altogether the day was a good one for the cause. In the evening a troupe of Maoris, mounted on a lorry, kept the big crowd assembled outside the room in good humor. Money was plentiful and response was good. The business committee were also hard at work, and, not content with trying out the people of the town, they made a descent on New Plymouth with a pony they are raffling, and good business resulted. At their depot they were kept busy attending to the wants of the many anxious to become owners of many of the valuable

prizes thev are offering for raffles. Altogether the work being carried out by -the various committees is deserving of the highest praise, for nothing reasonable will be wanting on their parts to bring the object to a most successful issue.

There is a rift in the lute in connection with the Patriotic League. At the meeting of the demonstration committee held during the week a statement was made that members of one of the coun-

mittees connected with the Baby Contest wero repeatedly asked "What becomes of the money subscribed!" The statement sounded like a want of confidence in the existing committee, and they have resigned. The president is calling a meeting of the public for the purpose of hearing what the public have to say, and it will then be for those who are responsible for making the statements referred to to subtantinte any charge of omission they have to make. The meeting will be interesting. The New Plymouth Pierrots should have a good day on Saturday, when a "surprise packet" day is being held. The public accord the most generous support to all patriotic movements here, and there is no doubt that the results will be most satisfactory to all concerned. Music lovers will be pleased to hear that the New Plymouth Male Choir have decided to assist the partiotic movement by giving one of their now famous concerts in Waitara on September '27. Judging by the eneoniums passed at alt the evenings they have already given there should be no difficulty in filling the Theatre Royal on the date mentioned. Although the seating accommodation it some COO, it is questionable if there will be room in the house.