DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent). Last Thursday evening Mr- W, R. Wright lent his residence to friends and neighbors for the purpose of giving a farewell evening to Miss Dew and her intended husband, I'rivate llarrop The house was crowded. Songs were sung by Mrs. i.». Hopkins, Misses Mason, Howlands and Willeox and also Mr Groom and .Mr. Cooper, Mr Cooper's song being most appropriate, and causing roars of laughter. Master R. .Hughson contribute ■ed a humorous reading. Speeches were given by Mr. Guild (representing Pungarelin). Messrs Hughson, Wright and Tyrell spoke of the good qualities of the guest, especially of Miss Dew. Mr Hughson then presented Miss Dew with a wristlet watch and Private llarrop w:t"ii a wallet, pipe and air cushion, wishing them health and every happiness and trusting Private Harrop would return home safely and well. The soldier very suitably responded Hie pictures were on the same evening, so that at times our littlo township is not so quiet. On Wednesday quite a chapter of accidents happened. Cecil Looncy was diving in Pomona dam and struck a stone, rendering him unconscious. About the same time Mrs. Field's little girl fell oil' a tree at the school into a Darned wire fence, cutting her chin. Mrs. Groom rendered first aid. Mrs. Groom is one in a thousand, being always ready to help in times of sickness. What the district would do without her we do not know. A wedding which caused considerable inl crest, being for one thing the lirst military wedding in the district, was that of .Miss Dew and Private llarrop T'lie church was beautifully decorated by friends of the bride, Misses Morrow and Mrs. Groom. A large arch of flowers was arranged in the church. Rev Addcn'urokc was the officiating minister and Mrs. ,T. ]}. Groom presided at the organ. Miss Dew is the eldest daughter of Mrs. Dew Tipoka road and Pri-. vate D. llarrop the second fon or jfr llarrop, of Pihama. The bride was attired in a cream silk costume with a large sailor collar and black hat. with white ostrich feather anrt carried a bouquet of white flowers. The <• bridesmaid, Miss Harrop. curried fluivors and looked very nice in white. The nieces of the bride, the Misses Clarke, carried baskets of flowers and were robed in white. Mr Harrop, brother of the groom, was best man, and Mr. A. Laird groomsman. Mr. S Clarke, step-hrotlier of the bride, gave her away. The elmreh was packed with visitors and relations of the very happy couple. Mr. Groom of Pomona, made all the bouquets and arranged the baskets, which were very pretty. The bride and bridegroom loft the church by ear for Hawera, amidst showers of rice and the good wishes of their many friends.

CARDIFF. (From Our Own Correspondent). On Friday night, despite the Inclement weather, a fair crowd assembled in the Cardiff sehool-room to publicly welcome Private W. C- Belcher, who has returned after over two years' service at the front. The welcome took the form of a social and dance, and several performers from Stratford contributed vocal items. Mr. T. Wilson's rendering of the song "Roses" was encored, so lie responded with "When The Boys Say Will You?" Miss Sheehan nicely sang "Thcro's a Big Lot of Sunshine." and, being recalled, gave "There's A Ship Bound for Blighty." Mr. T. Uanford contributed the sons'. "The King is Coming," and as an encore responded witTi the song, "A*Mate of Mine " Miss Sullivan was encored for her rendering of the song "For the Green," ! and gave "Tennessee" as an encore number. . The next item on the programme was the welcome to Private Belcher, the guest of the evening, and also to Privates Clemow and Sheehan. Mr. J. \v. Rogers, after apologising for the absence of the chairman (Mr. W. Richards), conveyed the sympathy of tl.e public with the guest's present and past sufferings, their pride 'for the noble way in which so many Cardiff boys had and are upholding the cause of freedom, and their joy at the return of any of the bovs who have fought and suffered for the Empire. He asked Private Belabor to accept an illuminated address as a memento of the district's regard for his services, and hoped that time would restore his health.

Private Belcher thanked them for their tfrlen of esteem, and modestlf added that he only did a little bit anil was sorry that, he could not help his mates at 11-e front to finish so that all should return together- ;i-