DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI. (From Our Own Correspondent). The combined schools picnic held on Friday last at Mr. w. Corcoran's homestead, Wal-tol-toi, was favored with Ideal weather, and, as predicted, was a distinct success. It was estimated that there were nearly 200 children present. The following schools were represented: Urenui, Ohanga, Okokc, Pikau, Pukearuhe, and Wal-tol-tol, and the manner in which the llttlo ones conducted themselves was quite creditable to their respective teachers. TJrutl would have joined In, but unfortunately thoy had held their annual picnic some few weeks ago, but no doubt next year tho schools from that quarter will amalgamate. Proceedings commenced with the children being drawn up in a double row, and each child presented with a bag of lollies, after which u substantial repast was done justice to by both young and old. A number of boys' and girls' races were then got off, the events being keenly contested. The schools championship was won by E. Rumball (Urenui) with Roy Taylor (Wal-tol-tol) second. The high jumping was quite a feature of the day, the performances of C. Marsh and • Taylor, who tied for first place, being very good. At the conclusion of tho children's races a number of events were got off for the adults, the winners being: Married ladles' race, Mrs. Hamblln; single ladles' race, Miss Tiny Smith; married men's race, Mr. Grainger; single men's race, Mr. C. Stevens.

The display of toys for distribution amongst the children was really good, and the "dips" Into the bran tub created much amusement. To particularise amongst the workers In a combined function of this sort would be to court disaster, as, so far as one could see, the representatives from each school seemed to vie Willi one another as to who could do the most to make the gathering a success. It might be mentioned that at an Informal meeting held on the ground during the afternoon, .Mr. P. Darke, of Okoke, was appointed treasurer, and takes charge of the various monies collected from each district. As It is understood the picnic is to be an annual affair, It would be rather a good idea to have a championship cup or UiicJd to be held from year to year by the winning school, as an inducement for the youngsters to train. In the evening a most enjoyable dance was >r!vcn by the ladles in th* TTranul Town Hall, the proceeds being devoted to the hall funds. There was a large attendance and under the capable management of Mr. D. QeoTge as M.C., everything passed off without a hitch. Miss Roach presided at the piano, which is a sufficient guarantee for the music, and during the evening a nice little supper was handed round.

LEPPERTON. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). At a meeting of Lepperton and Sentry Hill residents in the hall last Saturday evening to letcive the annual report and balance sheet of the local branch of the N.T.P.L., it was resolved that It be an instruction to the incoming .ommittee to unite with the neighboring district committees In celebrating peace in Waftara, and that the district he canvassed for financial support. His Worship the Mayor of Waltara (Mr. Morgan) and Mr. T. Buchanan, who had addressed the meeting in support of Waltara proposals, then thanked the meeting and withdrew.

5 he meeting decided to proceed with the erection of a memorial to the men of the distrlc who left the shores of New Zealand to serve i:i the Expeditionary Forces. A further confirm." tory meeting is to be held on Saturdav, Apr 26, to finally fix on a site and the form tin memorial is to take. A full attendance of those Interested Is asked for this meeting. Subscribers to the library will be Interested to learn that it is proposed to place over £lO worth of new books on the shelves shortly. The following pupils of the local school were handed their good attendance certificates by Mr. Ballantyne on the occasion of his recent visit to the school: Ruby Dick, Alma Harvey May Wallace, Thelma Blackhall, Irene Williamson, Thelma Sarten, Dora Harvey, Gordon McKee, Stanley McKee, Norman Hall, Kred Bovett, Newton Giddy, Robert Bovett, Ron Hodj. Percy Body, Leslie Sarten, C. Bovett Ar>nur Sampson, Stewart Williamson, E. Williamson and C. Helller.

The Hall Committee are proposing to hold a series of euchre parties and socials throughout the winter In aid of hall funds. As the hall has considerable leeway to make up owing to the committee's generous support of patriotic functions during the war, It Is hoped their efforts win meet with success. The first soclßl will be on the 15th lust., and fortnightly there-

Only two householders attended the meeting on Monday night, consequently no school committee was elected.