MOKAU NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1918, Page 3

MOKAU NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent) A grand social and dance in aid of the local cemetery fund was held in the Mokau Hall on 22nd ult., the weather and the attendance being good. Proceedings commenced with the March of the Allies, a spectacular and effective item. This was so successful that it received a triple encore, and was without doubt one of the fetftures of the evening. The marching and singing of the participants—the children of Mokau, Mohakatino and Awakino—were especially good, and reflected great credit upon their instructress, Mrs A. Christofferson. The dresses were appropriate and in accordance with national styles and colors, and bore witness to the labor of love bestowed upon them by anxious, but enthusiastic parents. The countries and characters represented in tie March were as follows: Britannia, Jeannie Stewart; Scotland, Rita Whitehead and Muriel MaeDonald; Ireland, Clive Carrington; France, Eileen Jensen; England and France in Alliance, Helen Shadbolt; America, Sid Whitehead; Belgium, JBelle Sampson; Servia, Hazel Sampson; Japan, Doris Whitehead; Italy, Yoki Ware; Holland, Chrissie Stewartj India, Cecil Sampson; China, Jock Morton; Canadian Indian, Harold Sampson; Red, White and Blue, Joyce Maine, Phillis Sampson, Myrtle Carlson; British naval officers, Cyril McNiece and Harry Wolfe; New Zealanders in khaki, Willie Terrill and Allan Ericsson; Two little Nigger Coons Ray Whitehead and Kenneth Maine. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens and draped at intervals wth the flags of the Allies.

The musical part of the programme was contributed to by Miss J. Stewart &nd Miss E. Jensen, assisted by the school children in the song and chorus "Pack up your Troubles." This was sung with gusto, and oldsters vied with youngsters in rendering the spirit of the chorus. A duet by two charming little girls, "Phyllis Sampson and Chrissie Stewart, "Lady, I will buy you" was quaintly and demurely sung, and evoked loud applause from the appreciative audience—encored. A song "Motherland" sung by a fair little maidenHazel Sampson—was the signal for a shower of coins upon the stage—the funds benefiting to the extent of something over £2 thereby. A trio and chorus "Trentham" sung by Master Terrill and the Misses Jensen and Stewart, assisted by the children, received a vociferous encore, and was worthy the evening. An exhibition of club swinging by Awakino talent— Clive Carrington, Cyril McNiece, Jock Morton and Harry Wolfe was well nigh perfection— the rythmio swing of the clubs to the stately music supplied by Mrs Waaklyn being greatly admired. In j this case also the performers had to make a second appearance. The first part of the programme was brought to a close by the rendition of a most laughable farce "Lady Mollycoddle's Troubles with her maids." Mrs A. Christofferson acted the part of Lady Mollycoddle in a manner quite inimitable, and her frequent and pathetic: "How very inconvenient it is to be without a Maid," fairly brought down the house. Lady Mollycoddle's maids were 'Molly'—Miss Rita Whitehead; 'Betty,' Miss Jeannie Stewart, and 'Biddy,' kiss Eileen Jensen. Other characters were: 'Earl and Countess of Awakino,' personated by Master Harold Sampson and Miss Doris Whitehead, and troublesome visitors to the mansion house were the Misses Belle Sampson, Muriel MacDonald, Rita Whitehead, Eileen Jensen, Doris Whitehead and Masters Sid Whitehead and Willie Terrill. All acted their parts 'as though to the manner born,' and as though the platform was their natural habitat.

At this stage proceedings adjourned in honor of supper, the good things being supplied by the ladies of the district. One lady, Mrs Alec. Bone, deserves special mention in this connection. She came from way up Mokau River on the cold night armed with comeatables of quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy Epicurus himself. In the second part of the musical programme a vocal duet " Tell me where do Fairies Dwell," by Mrs G. McNiece and Mi S3 Minnie Wolfe was most delightfully sung, and a real pleasure to listen to. Their pure toned voices blended so harmoniously that the number was easily one of the gems of the evening.

A pianoforte duet by Miss Dolly Condon and Miss Marjory Black was well played, and was worth a bigger hall and a much larger audience than was obtainable in Mokau.

In response to numerous requests Mrs 0. McNiece favoured the company with the song "When the Grey of the Sky." This she sang with a voice so nicely modulated and with such a wealth of expression as to call forth most deafening applause.

A pianoforte solo by Mrs Wanklyn revealed perfect technique and marvellous execution. Another vocal duet, by Mesdames Ericsson and Hikihana, entitled "The Bells of St. Mary's" was a difficult song well sung. The accompanists for the evening were Mesdames McNiece, Wanklyn and Cliristofl'erson. "Extras for the dance were played by Mrs Avery and Mrs Wanklyn. Mr A. G. Sampson and Mr J. R, Terrill proved most efficient M's.C. Altogether the function was a brilliant success. The gross proceeds were in the vicinity of ten guineas. The usual fortnightly patriotic dance was held here on the 29th inst. There was a rather large attendance on this occasion, on account of the opportunity being taken to farewell Corporal Horace linnis, of Mohakatino, on final leave. Corporal Ennis is well and favorably known right throughout the district, and he may be counted on to 'do his bit,' in a manner creditable to himself and to tile Dominion he represents, no matter where lie may be placed. Chairman Harry Maine, in presenting Corporal Ennis', on behalf of the people of the district. with a beautiful wristlet watch suitably inscribed, wished him God speed and a safe home coming. At the same time he abjured him not to return with an imported wife, when so much youth and beauty awaited him right here. Corporal Ennis suitably respond-. Ed to the sentiments first expressed, but was non-committal as regarded the rest.

A party of shootists went up the Mokau River per lausr" i> ~-4 matter of 50 miles or so—at the of the week. The weather 1 ' bad, but the bag good. The spoil li mited of 20 fat turkeys, one pheasant,'»§&■» rabbit and a fantail. Owing to Effect in the aeuaviaitioa anything | than a

turkey, was fairly safe even at short range. Mr. Norman Clifton lias taken over the ferry from Mr C. Christofferson. The latter, it is understood, will shortly take tip a position in the county. Two of our most enterprising young ladies here recently invented an ingenious device for cutting liair, and tried it on each other's first. They don't speak to each other now. Mr Goldsworthy, a returned soldier working on Mr G. B. Swainson's station at Aria, recently paid a vsit to Mokau, where he is well known. He served in Egypt, on the Peninsula, and in France, and in spite of his wounds looks hale and hearty. His one regret is that he was forced to leave the Continent before 'the job' was finished.