DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MIDHIRST. (From Our Own Correspondents.) Needless to say, ou the receipt of t'..e great news on the 12th inst,. there was general rejoicing, and "down faiols" was tfce general order for the day, A great many travelled to Stratford, which was crowded with settlers from near and far. In the. evening a free concert and dance was held in the Hall, and, in spite of the influenza epidemic, the attendance was large. There had been no time to decorate the hall, but a very fine Union Jack flag, lent by Mr J, E. Nielson, was hung across too back of the stage, and 110 decoration could have been more suitable for thet occasion. Mr P. Harkness presided, and after a hearty rendering of the National Anthem, a happy evening was spent, the timo -being tilled with songs, music, dancing and speeches. Miss Huse presided at the piano and Messrs Carter and Cookson acted as M.C.'s. and tihe supper, which was provided by the ladie:-, was just "top hole-" well deserving of the unstinting praise bestowed upon it by the chairman during his speech. Amongst the ladies who assisted at supper time were Mesdames C. Keightley, Bowman, Cookson, P. Carter, Neilson, Tapp, and Miss Smith. The Denbigh Road settlers intend (holding a free concert and dance in the near future to celebrate the end of the 'war.

I regTet to report many cases of influenza .in the neighbourhood, and, though it is hard enough for townspeople, it is still worse for dairy fanners. A storekeeper may close bis sloop for a week, and then open up without any serious loss, but if a dairyman closes down his milking shed for a. couple of days it means a very serious loss indeed. The returned soldiers on the Croyden Road Settlement are having a particularly bad spin, several of them being down. They are hard put to it to get their cows milked and milk delivered to the factory.

It is to be hoped that the military authorities will lose no timo in releasing those men from camps wlio could be of use in the country. -

TE EIRL "i

(From Our' Own Correspondent.)' Peace celebrations at. Te Kiri will live long in the memories of all. The residents turned out in force, and, with a number of people from Awatuna, mustered under the Union Jack at the school at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. A fine procession about half a mile long was formed, and after singing the National Anthem, it set off for the factory. A number of dashing girl riders in kfuaki led the 'way. Mr. Munro's waggon) beimtifully decorated as a Red Cross ambulance, was the first conveyance; next came Mr. McCarrison's drag, driven by the "Stars and Stripes," and crammed with happy children, many of whom were tastefully dressed in symbolic costumes. Motor cars were in the majority, but nearly every vehicle was represented, even a "submarine" containing a nurse (Mrs. Coxliead) and "Jock," Oil© township bulldog, was to be seen. After returning, the people assembled in the school grounds, and stirring addresses were delivered by Messrs Mimro and WeAt, and a brief speech by Miss 1. Edwards, the head teacher. Cheers were given for ''Our Boys," both for the living and for those who'have made the last sacrifice, the King, and the Navy. An adjournment was then made to the hall grounds, where a nice display of flag drill was given by t)he school children. Dinner, with sweets and all sorts of good things, followed. Then the afternoon was given up to races, etc. completing a very happy day.