DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAI'. (From Our Own Correspondent). J lie Matiin s.'tilers held their annual picnic this year on .March 27th, in Mr. Ivaltes wflolslied paddock. Tin! weather was gloriously line, and I lie people ol the district appeared in full lorce. Visitors were present from the neighboring districts, and Stratford and Inglewood. Alter lunch in the school the committee offered a programme calculated to suit old and young. Races for children, men's and ladies' races, chopping, sawing, nail driving and various horse event:; were all got off in good time. The prizes were mostly trophies, many of them donated by business firms in .Stratford and New Plymouth, and as everybody was out for a. day's enjoyment (lie entries were numerous in all events.

The committee have always tried to make the day aa pleasant ns possible for everyone on the ground, and to thi3 end are always ready to put any new event on their programme, so when that fi'enial Stratford sport, Mr. W. H. Hewitt, oflered to provide a prize for Hie best babv on the ground, they promptly arranged a. baby show. Mrs McLaren, of Toko, and Mr. S. ,1. Kensington, of Matau North, knidly consented to act as judges, and their task was no light one. In class T, babies from six to twelve months, prizes donated by Mr; W H Hewitt and Mr. TV. IT. Tf.' Young, baby ■Tim Wallace was adjudged first and baby Tom Pcarce second. Tn class II babies under six months—prizes donated by Mr. Hewitt and Mrs McLarenbaby Oliver Dowman was first and after a lengthy consultation the judges placed w-liies Harry Harrison, Dug Ilollcy and W alter Dowman equal, agreeing with Mr. Hewitt that they were a very' even line. A dance was held in the school in the evening, and although there is a scarcity of young men in the district, was very well attended indeed. The thanks of the committee are due to Mrs Evans and the ladies who worked so hard with Itor ill preparing tea for the picnic during the day and the dance In the evening.

J In' following is a list of the various events and the prize winners:— Boys' Race. 14 years.—B. Ralfe 1 T> Chapman 2, W. T!. Smellie 3. Boys' Race, 12 years.—Sandy Smollie 1, v-ynl Wallace 2. Willie Ralfe .I. Little Boys.—Xoel Ross 1, Watty Ross, 2, A. McCalmont 3. Girls' Race, 14 years.—Hazel TTolley 1, .Ldna Ayres 2, Rosy Evai>s 3. Girls' Race, 12 years.--Jlilda Ayres 1, Doris Jensen 2, Ivy Holley .1. Little Girls' Race.—Violet Wallace I, Mercia Norman 2, D. Rawlinson 3. Roys' Race, open.—Willie Jlalfe 1, R, Chapman 2. Watty v ßoss 3. Ladies' Potato'Race—Miss Hill (Mr. Hopkins tea sot) Ist, Hiss Simpson 2nd, Miss Round 3rd. tadios' Race.—Miss Simons (Mr. McNeill's prize) Ist. Voung Men's Race.—Fred Ralfo I, Larsen 2, Amnion 3. , Mamcd Men's Race.—J. p. Ritchie and -•v. Gregg- 1 (equal). Tn the rim off Mr. ; Gregg won by inches, after a. splendid race, securing Mr Hewitt's box of tea. Married Ladies' Race.—Mrs. Jensen (Bcllringer Bros.' silver butter dish) 1, Mrs. Geo. Young 2, Mrs. Ayera 3. Veiling Ladies' Race.—Miss Hill (Mr. Moon s picture) 1, Miss Simpson 2. ' Potato Race, on horseback.—S. D. Holley (Mr. King's sot of shoes) Ist, Les. Chapman 2nd, A. Chapman 3rd. Horse Jumping, Hunters' style.—S. DHolley Ist Lionel Hamilton 2nd, A. P. Williams 3rd;

Tilting at Ring.—Messrs Dick Monnsey and P. Johnston tied, and divided Ist and 2nd prizes. Stockwhip Event.—A. Cliapman Ist, Gunner C'lemow 2nd, and A. McMullian 3rd. Nail Driving.—Mrs Jensen (Taranak! Hardware Co's jam dish) Ist, Mrs Ayers 2, Mrs Stocklcy 3. l j inch Chop.—Walter Dowman scr. Ist, George Jensen 3 sec. 2nd, and 0. Dowman 3 sec. 3rd. 1"> inch Double Handed Sawing.— Simons and Jensen Ist, 0. and W. Dowman 2nd. McCoard and Larsen 3rd. Sheep Guessing.—Harvey Gregg, nett weight 120i/Übs. Ist. Stepping the Chain.—Mr. J. Ernie CG feet, 1 still'. W. .T. McCoard Vindly donated a, prize of one guinea for the competitor scoring most points during the day. and this was tied for bv D. Hollev, Jensen and. M- Hill, with six points each, and the prize was accordingly divided-