WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1919, Page 8

WAITARA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). Saturday, Jan. 11,

Owing to having had my annual holiday the Waitara news from your own. correspondent has been very scares of late but from now on it will be more regular. Since the epidemic there has been a lot of discussion about the stats of the Waitara Public School. First one hears that the school is not fit to kennel a dog in on account of its age and infirmities, and from another source that it is in a rather bad way, but more from lack of attention than anything else. I thinly I any fair-minded man or woman must • admit that a school, the greater part of which is 40 years old or more, cannot be either sanitary or convenient. As to the outbuildings, the septic tank has had to be cleaned out twice in four or five months, which shows that it is not working properly, whatever the cause. However, if the agitation produces a new school it will be a good thing for the of Waitara.

The Waitara Seaside Improvement Society held a picnic on the beach on Thursday afternoon, and was more generously patronised than the Committee expected. As a consequence there was rather a shortage in provisions for afternoon i,ea and also lollies and ice creams. The afternoon tea, Ivhich was served in the ladies' shed, now almost completed, realised £4 18s 3d, Mid the lollies, soft drinks and ice cream stalls £S 10s 4d. Had the supply of eatables and drinkables been sufßeieui several more pounds could have been secured, but considering it was a ease of having to make ones own fun the Society did remarkably well in clearing nearly £l2. The Waitara band, under the baton of Mr. H. E. Cudby, was present, and during the afternoon played many selections, adding greatly to the afternoon's enjoyment. Should the weather prove propitious the Soeiety hope to have a big day when the Tabor Shield is competed and the assistance of several more ladies and gentlemen thaft were helping at this one will be iieedc® to make it the success it should be.

The s.s. Arapawa, on her way from Wangrumi to Auckland, called hero and took 100 bales of scouring vrou! away with her. j Mr. G. Bird resumed his duties at Mr. Beckbessinger's store on Monday last, after an illness lasting about six weeks. Another of the staff (Mr. C. Blancliard) is still too ill to work. The loss of two men during the rush of business at Christmas and New Year must have made it- a very strenuous time for Mr. Beckbessinger and the remainder of his staff. We trust that Mr. Blanchard will soon be able to take up his duties agaia.