DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

LEPPERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday last the distance swimming tests wound up the season's instruction at the local school. The swimming season this year has necessarily been curtailed owing to the schools being closed so long. The water has been cold, too, up to within the last ten days, and this did not encourage the children to take readily to the water. Despite this progress Ims been made as the figures in parentheses, last year's 'performances, will show. Thanks to the generosity of tlvo dtviry company in donating timber and to the response of parents, bathing sheds were erected, and the Education Board has made a grant of £5, which will be spent in conireting the floors and painting. M. Body 100 yards (beginner), D. Harvey GO yards' (20). T. *Sarten Kill yards (40), W. Kicoll 100 yards, (i. Hall 440 yards (20), Mary Harold 500 yards (200), P. Body 440 yards (230), Lewis Nicoll 440 vards, R*. Body 330 yards (200), Rob. Bovett 700 yards (175). Girls' race— M. Harrold 1, Thelma Sarten 2, Gladys Hall 3, Ruby Dick 4. Boys' race.—W. Nieoll 1, W. Old and L. Nicoll 2, R. Body 3. Beginners' race—Peggie Waldie 1, Irene Ackland and M. Body 2, W. Old 3. A welcome home social was tendered last Thursday to Lance-Corporal K. jKlenner and Privates J. H. Frederickson L. Jung, and H. Wills. An apology for absence Was received from Lieut. N. Little. The hall was crowded to its utmost limits, and a very pleasant evenI ing was spent in song and dancing. Mr. H. B. Lepper, in welcoming the men, reminded his hearers of what we, and the world, owed to such as those who were their guests that evening, his speech being punctuated by rounds of applause. Private H. Wills, on behalf of himself an-! comrades briefly responded. A party of singers from New Plymouth save a capital programme of' songs, thoroughly appreciated by the audience, who in almost, if not every, case, demanded an encore. They were Mrs. Grey, Miss Fields, Miss Edwards, and Messrs Dunstan and McDonald.'The hope is freely expressed that ivc may asain be. favored with a visit from the party. A most enjoyable day was spent by residents of this district on Saturdayat the Bell Block beach. Over 100 were present and everybody entered heartily into whatever fun was going. Those .present passed the hat around and fruit was provided for all. A tin of lollies will be scrambled for later by the children. The surplus cash went in small coins for the children's races on the sands. Such a good time was spent that the ail'air will certainly become an annual fixture. Some of the more enthusiastic want another beach picnic this autumn. We'll see.

TATARA7MAKA.

WELCOME AXD FAREWELL. (From Our District. Reporter), A very pleasant, gathering was held at Tataraimakn. «" Friday evening, when a welcome social was tendered to LanceCorporal A. Fisher, f.'itmicr Fisher and Private V. ttohcrty. and a farewell given to Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Clyde, settlers in the district for ihe past eighteen years, win have left to lake up their residence in Xew Plymouth. Either function would have been a very popular one, as the returned soldier-, were members of weil known and highly reqwtcd families.and Die departii;;.' guests were also hjo-hlv "stcemed in ihe district, having taken their share in everything that tended to the advancement of the district, as well as in iis social and patriotic activities. J_t- came as no surprise, therefore, to find the schoolrimm. crowded with a >-ery representative gathering, despite the fact that socials were being held '!'. two nearby districts from which Tataraimaka usually draws freely. A number of soldiers were present, and receive 1 a cordial welcome, as did two soldiers' Knelish brides, ore nf them the wife of Gunner Fisher. Messrs. T. W. Morris and Eric Honeyfield were M.sC. Dancing was, of course, the main amusement, excellent music beim* provide,! by Mr. H. Good. The elder portion t,i (be audience were catered for by an excellent programme of musical items, to which the following contributed songs, Miss Espcr, Rev. Artdenbrooke and Mr. Jenkin, the accompaniments being pjayed by Mesdamcs MacKay and Murcott; recitations, Mr Lacer pianforte solo Miss E. Gatenbv, pianoforte duets, Misses Rosie and Jforah ' o lms, Misses Clarice and Lina Honeyneld. J

Timing the evening Mr. W. J. Honeyheld tendered a cordial welcome, home to the soldiers, who, he said, had reason to be proud of themselves and of whom tieoistnct was proud, Thev had had then- share of fighting, Gunner Fislmr having left with the 3rd reinforcements And Lanee-Corporal Fisher with the Sths. In wishing them long life and prosperitv he specially congratulated Gunner Fishor on his bride, remarking that Gunner tisher had not only shown that he could •;ill the Huns, hut had beaten the English boys as well. " Rev. Addenbrooko added a few word:-, of congratulation. He presented LaneoGorporal and Gunner Fisher with a gold medal, suitably inscribed. Each of the recipients received a great ovation, which was repeated with musical honors when they briefly responded. Private Dohcrty was unable to be present, and his medal will be forwarded. Mr W. Honeyfield then, in a few brief and well chosen remarks, farewelled Mr. and Mrs. Gyde, who, he said, would be greatly missed, having /during their eighteen years' residence in the district helped in everything for the good of the district. Mrs. Gyde had also been always willing to help in cases of sickness. He then, amidst, applause, handed Mrs. <*yde a handsome handbag and silver mounted purse and Mr. Gyde a case of silver mounted pipes as slight marks of esteem.

Rev. Addenbrooke said the departing settlers would be hard to replace. People were badly needed in a district who would assist in all its activities for good. Personally he would miss Mr. and Mrs. Gyde.who were good church people, and he wished them every happiness and prosperity in their new home. Mr. Gyde expressed his appreciation of the Rettlers' thoughtfulness in making the presentation, and his gratification at seeing so many old friends present. He wished the returned' boys also good luck. «A°L» they arS J '° lly good felIoWB " and j t S y ne " were spontaneously and heartily sung. An excellent supper was then handed round and done full justice to, after which dancing was resumed and kept up till after midnight. The committee responsible for \he gathering were Messrs. W. Honeyfield (chairman), T. W Morris, H. Lucken, P. Jury, W. H. Coombes, P. Smith, H. D. .Moss, Mesdamea W. Honeyfield, T. Col-

lins, H. D. Moss and T. W. Morris (secretary), and they are to be congratulated on the complete arrangements, a special mead of praise being due to the secretary.