DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOK A (J - A \ V A K i M (). (l-'rom Our Dun Correspondent.) A concert, followed by at suiter and duniu in aid of our Mounded soldiers, was given by tlie ".Merry, Musical .Maoris' in the Awakino Hal), oil J'Tiday, April ID. The audience was large and appreciative, and the fum lion was a distinct succe.-.s, some £1)1 being tlie result. So much was it appreciated that they were requested to repeat it in Mokau, wiiit'ii they did 011 Thursday, 2oth, and again scored a success, the takings there being something over £lO. Nearly every item was encored, and tlie ilaori cliornses and poi dances were much enjoyed, tlie girls looking verv "fetching" in their pretty costumes. In fact, the whole company showed great taste in this respect, their colors being appropriate to the occasion red. white, and blue. There are some very line voices among them, especially Miss L. Martin ami .Mr. Rangi Bailey. Mr. doe TO3S excelled himself with his comic songs, which fairly brought down the house. The poi dances were really the ••star'', items, and brought about a regular deluge of coin for the good of the cause. At- the close of the programme Mr- W. Hunt made a neat little speech, thanking those .present for their generous attendance and appreciation, after which the floor was speedily cleared; and dancing commenced, and was kept up with real "vim" till nearly daylight, j when everyone went home "well plea-sod wifiii the "jolly good time"_ they they had had. The'supper was "just it," and excellent music was provided for the dance hv Mesdames M'Xicee, Christolferison, and Miss Shell, Mrs. Christoflcrson acting as accompanist for the concert. I Great credit, is due to the Maoris for the splendid way in which the whole tiling was organised and carried out, especially to Miss L. Martin, Messrs J. Toss, T.' White, W. Kaipo. Rangi Bailey, also to the Ladies Supper Committee, eltijded bv Mrs. George Lake, and also to those' who so tastefully decorated the hall. It is 110 small matter to carry through successfully these functions that hcli so much to enliven the monotony of cur life in the baekbloeks. The programme consisted of:--Maori chorus by the company, "Takapuha"; Maori canoe poi dance; "song "Cheer Up, Mother," Miss Rawinia Matene; "Acting Fishing ill the Olden Days," company; duet by Mil a Matetu and Mr. J. Toss; Maori haka; comic song, "Clot a Long Way to Go," .Mr. J. Toss; Maori chorus, "Pokfcrekareai," company;, song, "No One Knows," ill-. W. Hunt; single poi dance; duet by Rangi Taitoko and Tame Waiti; Maori chorus, "Milii mea he manu an," company; comic song, Mr. J. Toss ; double poi dance; duet by Miss Martin and Mr. Rangi Bailey; final chorus, "Arohunui," the company; chairman's speech; (iod Save the KingOur school at Awakino has again a change of teachers, Miss H. Drader having been promoted to another school nearer home. This young lady will be misssed, as she was always a "good sport'' and ever ready to assist all she could in our patriotic, efforts. She also, in conjunction with Mrs. M'Neice, organised two very successful school concerts for patriotic purposes Kveryonc wishes her success in her new sphere of action.

On Friday, March -2!), Mr. and Mrs. M'Neice gave ,a social evening at their home, in honor of Miss Drader, and. a very pleasant evening it was, a real jolly time being spjnt in music, song, wizard ism. etc. Mr. M'Neice, on behalf of her friends present, made a presentation to the guest of the evening, who, in a few feeling words, acknowledged the. gift, and, 011 leaving, three hearty cheers were given for the guest of the evening and our host and hostess. Mr. Newton King is holding a sheep and cattle sale at his Awakino yards on Saturday. May 4, when it is expected there will be a good attendance of both buyers and sellers. The sad news came through last week of the death in action of Mr- Reg. Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Black, of Awakino, who have the sympathy of a very large circle of friends. Mr- Keg. Black wiJfe a fine young fellow and very popular in our district. Mr!* and Mrs. Black have two more sons.

Grass-seeding is in full swing here, although'the showery weather these last two days has been against it. We are glad to see that Mr. Fred Oarrington, who has been ill, is about again. Miss Hazel Wolfe is acting as temporary teacher at Awakino till a permanent one is appointed, after which she goes to Wellington on a long holiday. Anzac Day was observed here as a close holiday, and our little pilot station bad quite a gay show of bunting in honor of the occasion. There is a good show of fish in the Mokau River just now, and Mr. Pat Kavanagh, our energetic fisherman, is making ready to "snap" us some schnappers. Traffic lias been fairly brisk at the ferry lately, with sheep and cattle going to the different freezing works. I notice that rabbits are "njuchly" making an appearance here, but as the shooting season is about to begin it is to be hoped that their numbers will be considerably lessened, as they are much nicer in a pie than on tho land. OMATA. HOUSEHOLD BUS' MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the householders' meeting on Monday H'Vfht, onlyl a few householders rolled up, probably owing to the boisterous weather. The balance sheci as at 31 December, showed an expenditure of £3l 7s !)d, and receipts £63 9s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £32 Is 7d. Since December tarring and sanding had been done around the school, making a considerable improvement to the play-ground. The following householders were elected a committee:— 1 Messrs E. 11. Bayly, R. Clemow, C. J. :Shrimpton, R. Frost, 0.. Huse. At the subsequent meeting C. I. Slvrimpton 'was re-elected chairman.

The happy relations existing between the schoolmaster, his staff and the committee during the past year made jthe duties of all a pleasure, and the (thanks of the committee were due to 1 headmaster and staff for their efforts land praise-worthy results of the year's working-. Unfortunately the school is to sever its connection with the headmaater, on account of his having enlisted and ia. leaving for camp- on May 22nd. The following resolution was passed: —''That this meeting place on record its regret at losing Mr. Meyenberg, hut at the same time deeply appreciates his action ia enlisting for active serIliWL*

U'RENUL (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very pleasant evening was given by tin: ..Ua.on s la-sl Monday evening, the Maori luecliiig-liouei! be.ng packed, to farewell Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, who are leaving I'remii 'X'uey have been very much liked L>y all, and as this is the lirsl occasion thai the Maoris 'have farewelled anyone wiio has had our lotal hotel, it speaks volumes for Mr. ana Mrs. Ellis. During the evening there were Maori hakas, jjui dances, singing, > tc, by the young Maori men and girls. Mr. Ivapinga then spoke a few words of urev.elh to the guests, and wished them every happiness and a long liie, hoping they would sometimes think oi their old friends, and, ii possible, pay them a visit- lie said Mr. Ellis was a man who was always the same. And all the Maoris were sorry to lose him, and hoped he would come -back. "Kia ora tonu korua." He concluded by calling on Messrs Skipper Tuta and Wi Karipi to present a Maori mat to each. The two young men then entered the building wearing a mat each, and as they slowly walked up the room, sang "You taught us how to love you, now teach us to fqpget," and as they finished, tied the mats on Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, who were both much moved. Mr. Ellis, in responding, said he wished them heaps of luck. He had got on well with the Maoris, and hoped they would treat t)he new host, Mr. Thomas, as he (the speaker) had been treated. It was three years ago since he came there, and it was a happy three years. When he settled again he hoped, should any of them bo near, that they would call and see tl.em, aijd they could be sure of a welcome. He thanked them for their gifts, which both he and Mrs. Ellts would value very much. And, wishing them all good-bye for a while, he hoped'to see them and Urenui again. Three 'hearty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Ellis.

NORFOLK ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent^) At the anuual meeting of householders at Norfolk road on Monday, April 29, there were eight persons present. Mr. H. Tninhle was voted to the eliair. The balance-sheet of the outgoing committee for the year ended December 31, 1917, which showed a balance to credit of £3ti 3s 9d, was read, and adopted without much comment. The chairman then called for nominations for the committee for the ensuing year, when only | three of the five eligible persons present would consent to nomination, and, after Mr. Trimble had explained the position fully, it was resolved that, owing to the small attendance at the meeting, the Education Board be asked to call another meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a committee as soon as possible. A vote of thanks to the old committee was carried on the proposal of the chairman, and a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding and for his explanation of t'he position caused by the lack of interest shown in school matters by the residents of the locality, brought the meeting to an end. Meanwhile the old committee remains in office until a new one is selected, or, failing that, commissioners are appointed by the board.

KAPUNI. (From Our Own Correspondent). A large number gathered in the Kapuni Hall on Friday evening, this being the first of a series of fortnightly dances, held to raise funds for the Waiinarino Fire disaster. Those responsible for the success of the evening were:—Messrs W. Johnson, G. Lovell, Symmans (2)„ 11. Sharp, and Ricketts (3). Miss Gardiner supplied firstclass music, and Misses Sharp, Cately, Spiers, Harrison, and Mr. Brown provided extras. The duties of M.C. were capably carried out by Messrs H. Ricketts, 11. Sharp and W. Johnson, while a good supper was supplied by Messrs Allen Bros., Kaponga, Many Taranaki friends would deeply regret to hear of the death of Corporal Walter Bell, who died from wounds received in Palestine. The late Corporal Bell was a son of the late Mr. Allan Bell, of Okato, and of Mrs Bell, of Auroa. Possessed of very high, principles and sterling qualities Corporal Bell was one of those whom the world can ill afford to lose at such a time as this, and much sympathy is extended to his mother and sister, Mrs W. A. Morton, and other relatives in their great loss.