DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

WHAXGAMOMONA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Whangamoinona intends celebrating "Peace Day" as a County function, and in older to make the necessary arrangements a meeting was convened at Kohuratahi early this week, ill ridings of the county being strongly represented. It was decided to ask all the clergymen of the district to hold a thanksgiving service on the Sunday preceding the week appointed by the" Government for the celebration. The programme for "the day" ineludes a procession from the Whangamoinona station to the Domain, headed by the band and returned soldiers, a triumphal arch (o be erected in the main street, speeches from leading citizens, and a sports meeting, the county schools to be representative of Britain and the Allies. The District School picnic was held on Tuesday. Unfortunately the weather was wet and the greut'er part of the day was spent in the Oddfellows' Hall. The weather cleared, however, for the sports, which kept the committee busy the whole afternoon. Valuable 1 prizes had been donated for the senior classes and keen competition resulted, the following children being winners:—Bovs: George Schneider, 1; Claude Strombom, 2; Eric Jenkinson, 3. Gills: Stella O'Halloran, 1; Edna Rothery, 2; Eileen Geever, 3. After tea the children were assembled in the large hall for prize distribution, and were briefly addressed by the headmaster and chairman of the School Committee, cheers being given for the parents. Mr. Bovis (chairman), in thanking the school stall and children for their greeting, urged the children to take the greatest care of the valuable piano recently placed in the school for their use. He trusted the enlargement of the school would soon be accomplished, and reminded parents that improvements to the shelter shed would mean their financial support. After calling for cheers for the head teacher and Miss Colraer.the singing of the National Antliem closed the gathering. Although the date is not definitely known when the Ministers for Land's and Public Works are to visit Whangamomona, elaborate arrangements are now complete for theii reception. A banquet is to be held in Whangamomona and various deputations are" to introduce roads and tracks, railwav constructron, medical help for district, subsidies, experimental farm, and land for soldiers. Messrs. Jennings and Smith, M.P.s and members of the Stratford and Taranaki Chambers of Commerce are expected to be present at the reception. midhirst!' (From Our Own Correspondent.) j Harvest thanksgiving services were! held m the Wesleyan Church on Sunday | last, the Rev. Tinslev officiating in the morning, and Mr. Bowman in the evening.. There were good congregations, and the church was tastefully decorated with flowers and produce. On Monday evening a concert and social was held, when, in spite of most unfavorable weather conditions there was a good attendance. Mr. G. Smith presided, and items were contributed by Mr Riley (songs), Mr. Weston (reading). Miss L. Kivell (song), Mrs. Bennett and Messrs. G. Smith and Bennett (trim i Miss Hnse (accompaniments). A *il» ot produce followed, with Mr. T. Lamiison i as auction***, who. in suite of a roueb

passage from Stratford, the last part on loot, weilded the hammer with good effect, and made the most of a willing lot of bidders. At the conclusion of Uie sale a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Laivr.son for his services was carried with much applause. On a further motion oi the chairman a vote of thanks to the many helpers and contributors to the social and concert was also accorded. I understand that the church trustees are well satistied with the financial results, which, including cash donations, amount to nearly £lB. A very pleasant evening was concluded with supper, which was all that could be desired. Sports are all the go. Tuna factory, on Thursday, and Tariki, on Friday, will give our running men—and ladies, too, don't forget—good" opportunities of "going for their life" A movement is on foot to arrange Midhirst factory sports, and 1 understand a strong committee has been elected for the purpose. Strong foraging parties have been observed lately making for the tops of some of our by-roads, and returning with heavy loads of fruit. One cannot help speculating what such large quantities are required for; surely it won't all be made into jam. Maybe that some of the wise think it just as well to make provision whether the battle of April 10 should prove a victory or defeat. In any case, whichever side you are on, you might count yourself u winner with a cask or two of "home-made" medicine brandy should another epidemic blow along. In the account of the recent returned soldiers' concert and dunce the name of Miss L. Kivell was inadvertently omitted from the list of contributors to concert items. Miss Kivell, in addition to a song, gave a very pretty exhibition of club-swinging.