DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

Vt'HANGAMOMONA. j (From Our Own Correspondent). A largely attended meeting of the Saleyards Association was held in Whangamomoua 011 Saturday last. It was decided to erect to offices for the auctioneers, viz., Messrs Newton King and the Loan and Mercantile. It is also necessary to enlarge the yards, and this will be done as early as possible. The metalling of the road leading to the yards is now nearly completed. Harvest thanksgiving services were held in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday last. The church was tastefully decorated by the lady members of the congregation. In addition, there was a large quantity of fruit, vegetables, and flowers donated by residents. The services were conducted by Mr. T. Taylor in the morning and the l!ev. G. H. Boyd in the evening, the church being well filled 011 both occasions. On Monday evening a social and sale of fruit, etc., was held, songs being contributed by Mesdames Riley, Jenkinson, Boyd and Taylor and Misses May Boris, Nita Jenkinson, and a recitation by Miss B. M. Palmer. Mr. H. Boris acted as auctioneer and a good sum was realised. LEPPERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent). Messrs. Buchanan, Oldham, and Marlow, representing the Xorth Taranaki Peace Celebrations Committee, waited 011 the local Patriotic Committee last Saturday evening to solicit the support of the district in connection with the j peace celebrations to be held in Waitara. The delegates stressed -the fact that it was 110 Waitara affair, but representative of the whole of the North Taranaki League's district, and they felt justified in approaching Lepperton. "You were with us during war, now we want you to celebrate peace with us," was the way it was put by one of the speakers, the committee being on the point of quitting office did not feel justified in pledging the district, but arranged with the delegates to address the annual meeting of the Lepperton-Sentry Hill Patriotic Committee. This meeting is to take place next Saturday evening in the public hall. Besides the usual business, the question of a district memorial, to the men of our district who -went to the war, is to be discussed. There are at least two propositions to be laid before the meeting, and the committee hope the attendance of the public (including the ladies of the district) will be in keeping with Lepperton traditions in patriotic matters.

An appreciative audience enjoyed the programme submitted to them by the Kev. Papakakura and company last Thursday evening. Unfortunately the weather was rather unpropitious. Following is the programme:—"Playing on the ol banjo" (encored) Rev. and Mrs Richards, Miss White and Mr. E. Holden; song, "The Carnival," Mrs. Kichards (encored); piano solo, Mr. Grave; song, •Come for it in June," Miss White (double encore); song "Youth," Rev. Papakakura, who, in response to an inencore, sang "Heaps of Likings'; ''Little Jim," a comic skit by the l.ev. Kichards, caused much merriment, and was insistently encored; "Friend 0' Mine" and "Sands of the Desert," Mr Bdlringer; "Waiata Poi," "The String of Pearls," "Coming Home," and "Annie baune was the grand finale by Rev. Papakakura. The accompaniments were tastefully playad by Miss Bollrijiger and Mr Bellnnger. The proceeds were m aid of Waitara Methodist Circuit. Last week there passed awar rather suddenly an interesting personality in Mr. W. Kendall, .who has resided here for the last few years. The deceased who had readied the advanced a£e of S."> had been for many years a resident of Norfolk Island, being emploved as a carpenter by the Mission. , Jlen jn reminiscent mood, the old gentleman could give one much interesting information concerning notabilities of bygone days in the mission world, including Bishop Sehvyn,

tokgaporutu. (From Our Own Correspondent). A very successful function, under the auspices of the Victoria League, waa lit'ld at Tongaporutu 011 Saturday, March 29. It was really held to give the members an opportunity of meeting Mrs. Burgess, the head of the League in New Plymouth, but, much to the regret of those! present, she was unable to be there. However, good business was done at the well-stocked stall, in charge of Mes(lames A. Thompson and T. Waters, with their able and willing helpers, M!rs. Greenwood and Mrs. Cornev. The big crowd of people seemed determined to do their best to make things "hum" properly by spending their money generously. The tea rooms, in eiiarge of Mrs. J. Rattenbftry, with her two prett.v and capable helpers, Misses Tibbits" and Baverstock did also eACellent "bis." Miss K. Bigg had control of the bran tub, which the kiddies found to be a leiitable El Dorado, and many were the nimble shillings and sixpences that found their way hiio the League's deserving coflers fiom this, and not only kiddies but gio too, were well content with their "dips." There were some very handsome handworked camisoles on show, but for competition, Mrs. Rattenbury scoring first prize (and well-deserved, too), Miss Uigg second, Mrs. T. Waters third.'These garments were all so beautifully made and finished that it was difficult for the judges to make their decision. There was a bean-guessing competition, won by Mis. Waters, who guessed 266 beans to b.i in the bottle, when 1 there were ically 2ot. Miss I. Kendall came second and Miss Astwood third. There was also a box on view, and competitors were invited to guess (at Is per guess) what it might contain—something for household use.

A dance was held in the evening, which was well attended, and both music and supper were excellent. Thanks we due to Mr. and Mrs. Rattenbury, lliomson, "Waters and others, who worker no hard to make the day the success it was. It is to be hoped that at some future time Mrs. Burgess may be able to be present to meet those members of the League who would be so pleased to Beet and welcome her to Tongapomtu.

WAI-TOI-TOI (From Our Own Correspondent). Though not generally known to the outside world, Wai-toi-toi is becoming qmte a pleasure resort and busy centre on Sundays and holidays. Through the summer and autumn months quite & large number of visitors from the surrounding districts may be seen making their way in cars and vehicles of all .kinds to the lovely atniteh of beaci

which is situated barely a mile from the Main North road. Quite recently a most successful race meeting was held at which some 700 or SCO people from all parts, as far as Nyw Plymouth, assisted, with the result that a mo3t enjoyable day was spent and some-really good racing witnessed, A week or so later the Uruti school children, with their parents and friends, held their annual picnic, and judging by their merry faces, had a royal time. Wai-toi-toi also boasts of one of the most up-to-date cheese factories in Taranaki. The factory, which ruus three vats, is under the able management of Mr Wm. Taylor, and, in spite of a rather limited milk supply, is rapidly paying for its outlay. Mr. Taylor also has charge of the post office, and the daily mail service is much appreciated by the settlers, as is also the telephone which is installed there.

The public school, which is built nearly f-t the junction of the Pukearuhe and Uruti roads, has an attendance of between 20 and 30 children and the teacher (Miss Nolan) is to be complimented upon the extremely satisfactory inspector's report 011 the past year's working. On Friday evening last a meeting of delegates from the different school committees was held, and, after 9ome discussion, it was decided to hold a combined schools picnic on Friday, April 12, at Mr. W. Corcoran's lovely'homestead, which that gentleman has kindly placed at the committee's disposal for 'the day. Mr. I', Spurr was appointed secretary, and, judging by the offers of support from the various schools in the district, the gathering should be the means of bringing some 300 or 400 children together, and given a fine day, a most enjoyable re-unioii of both oid and young should result.

I understand that Mr. J. Sorensen lias disposed of his nice little dairy farm of some 200 acres to Mr. C. Grainger (a returned soldier) at a satisfactory figure. The farmers in this district are boginning to favor ensilage as a winter fodder for their cows, and several decent stacks have been made this year. The weather hag been most favorable for swedes, and there are some really good paddocks of this important winter feed to be seen in this vicinity, so, taken altogether, we are fairly well prepared for the winter.