DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

MOK AU--AWA K1 NO ( 1' i inn A O'orre 'ptindeiit). A concert, followed !y :t >-nppcr i'rnl dunce, \\iii given by our school children, assist; 1 '! by local talent, in the Auakino Ha|l, cm Friday. December -1. 'i'herc was a big and appreciative audience, and the whole ailair v.as a ;;reat succc.-.5,, reflecting great credit on the organisers (their teacher, Miss i)rader, tilid Mrs. J. McXeice) who, with the little time at their disposal, really did wonders with the "young idea'' of our district. The (ir.- ! t item on the programme was a pianoforte solo by Mrs. McNeice,' played with her usual taste and skill; un.l, in passing, I may say that it was a pily that lady did not favor the assemblage with one of her vocal items, as a song from her is always appreciated. The next item was the opening chorus by the school children, well and ably given. Then came club swinging by some of the pupils, viz: Jeannic Morton, Olive C'arrington, Jack and Cedrie Avery, Joek Morton, Harry Wolfe and Cyril McNeiee. This was one of the many gems o t the evening. Then followed a vocal duet, "O May'st Thou Dream of Me." by Mr. Wolfe and Miss H. Wolfe. This was much appreciated. After this a pianoforte solo by Miss Xorah Thompson, another gem, charmingly executed. Then a song and chorus, "Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon," was sung by Minnie Wolfe. Tlie chorus (in character) consisted of Eita Whitehead, England; Olive Carrington, Ireland; Jean Morton, Scotland; Arnold Hodgen, America; Jock Morton, China and Harry Wolfe, "Coon," ;i very effective tableau was formed by the chorus singers, which was rendered most amusingly by the Coon (H. Wolfe) turning a somersault on to the stage at the end of each chorus. Mr. Geo. MacMilian was the next aown for u. song, but owing to bis unavoidable absence this item had to be cancellee. Mrs. Cliristofferson, in her character-sketch, "A Candidate for Parliamentary Honois," had some very good local hits, one of which will very wol": bear repeating: "Why is Constable McGregor like, a wizard? Bcciwse he can take a bottle of whiskey and make a case of it!" Then followed what was indeed a. gem, a song "Sotil Mine," by a young lady visitor to our district. This item was deservedly encored, mm v.'e only hope to olten see this young lady's pieasant face and hear her charming voice again. Then came a very able address from the popular chairman of our school committee, Mr. K olte. The first part of the programme then concluded with a verypretty item, "The Queen Anne Fan ■Song," which the little singeis, Jean Galvin, Jean Morton, Emma Lake, Olive Carrington, Winnie Howard, Phyllis Howard, and Joan-Galvin, executed a very graceful dance, !oO:;ing very fascinating in their pretty dresses and manipulating their fans with much skill. Alter an interval oi' ten minutes, a song and chorus, '"Bad: Home in Tennessee," was sung in enaracter by Miss If. Wolfe, \\lio looked charming in her pretty "cow-girl" costume. Her chorus of little coons also looked very elTective arranged in groups on the stage. Master Harry Wolfe and his coon chorus ne\ I followed with the song and chorus. "By Water Melon Vine." Little Olive Carrington, as a "Coon Lady" and Jean Galvin (who, by-the-by«?. is a very clever little girl) as her "Sweetheart' Coon" sans,' the "Coon's Serenade." This was a very preetv item, in which a pretty dance also took place. Another coon item, "rour Little Curly Headed Coons" by Ccdric Avery. Harry Wolfe, Jean Galvin, Cyril McNeicc. The four coons, Jean Morton. Winnie Howard, Emma .Lake, and Joan-Gaivin (chorus) were encored to the echo. In fact, all these coon items "took on" immensely with the audience. Miss Spillane then favored the audience with another gem "Sincerity," and received another vociferous encore, *nd was presented with a very handsome bouquet. Olive Carrington was also the. leeipient of a very pretty bouquet. After : this came a comic song, "Who's Your Laijy Friend?" .by Master W. Terrill. This was this young gentleman's first appearance in public, and came as rather n surprise to the audience, who demanded ar. encore, but he did not respond, ranch to their disappointment, tout they hope to have the pleasure of hearing him on another occasion. The next item was a very laughable farce in which came feme more very £ood local hits. This was entitled "Buying a Horse," and kept ! ;he audience Jn roars of laughter. Master Harry Wolfe was especially good a3 the office boy. The other characters were "Proprietor," Mrs. Cliristofferson; horse-owner, Jock Morton: officer-in-eharge of the horse, Cyril MeNeice; paper boy, Jack Avery. The song "Whistle It," was then very ably rendered by little Jean Galvin and chorus, after which the concert concluded with a very sparkling and musical finale by way of a closing chorus by all Hie children. Then came the National Anthem, after which supper was handed round, the floor was cleared, and dancing was soon in full swing and en joyed till about 3 a.m., when everyone went home fully satisfied with the evening's entertainment. The accompanists for the consort programme were Mesdames McNeiee, Wanklvn, and Christofferson, while the music for the dance was supplied by Mesdames McNeiee. Gilliek and Ohristofferson. The concert, which was in aid of our Red Cross anA the Awakino sehool fund, should yield a good return, and iboth objects ought to, benefit largely thereby, and we hope toJ see another jusb as good lfStct year. The new school at Awakino i& now* finished and ready for use. Not Before it was wanted either. The fiaxmfll, which was cloa«d downs for t-lie holidays, has again started. Tiie tourist traffic ha.s been very heavy this Christmas, so far numbers of -mo-' tor cars passing through daily, some of their occupants stopping long enou'gli to -enjoy a trio up our beautiful Mo lam ■River, which should certainly not be missed by anyone.

There i s some hope of our river 'being soon cleared, for traffic, which will be productive of mueli good to the district, as our coalmine may then he opened up again.

Both ub Mokau and Awakino lately tho ports have been busy with the Mahoe, Tiikua. and Marokopa, our miniature 'Home liners, calling in for cargxiea of wool, butter, cheese, etc.. and ouj- wsrtfev harbor master (Mr. MacOonaM), has been kept, busy all the time.

?vow, Mr. Editor, wishing you and yow 1 staff a vnrv prosperous New Year, I will ■close—(a. wish whioh is eordial'v red- 1 prorated 'by the editor and staff).