DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1919, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

CARRINGTON ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The welcome home social held in the Carrington Road SchoolhoU6e on Wednesday evening was a very greas success- Favored with a fine night, there were large crowds present from all over the district. The chairman (Mr. H. L. Spence) and all the committee are to bo complimented on the splendid arrangements, thus making the social so pleasant for all concerned. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., was present, and delivered An address of welcome to the returned boys. Dancing and musical items made the time pass all too quickly. During the evening Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., on behalf of the Carrington and Frankley Road district, presented Mr. and Mrs. R. Gilbert with a walking stick and a set of carvers respectively, on the event of their retiring from their farm to take up their residence in Vogeltown. The speaker referred to the long and valuable services rendered the district by Mr. and Mrs, Gilbert, and wished them long life and happiness in their new homo. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert briefly returned thanks.

TUTUTAWA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday a most enjoyable evening was spent by a record gathering, the occasion being a combined welcome home to Privates A. L. Perry and Lea Bennett and a send-off ,to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who are leaving for their new home at Kaimata this week. Mr. J. B. Norris (chairman) started the evening with the National Anthem, followed; by a few well-cbosn remarks to the returned men, who suitably replied, when "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" was sung most lustily. The following items were then rendered: Overture, Miss N. Simpson; Songs by Misses Daisie Simpson, Moira Savage, Ivy Holly, Alice Jacobsen, N. Simpson, and Sanderson, Mcsdaines Martin, Dons, and Savage, Messrs Martin, Reader, Cole, Penhall, and Leo Bennett; pianoforte solo, Miss Bredow; recitations, Jean Nepdhain and Baily Martin. TJiis was followed by the presentation of a .travelling rug to Mr. and Mrs. Smith and a pipe to Mr. Smith. The chairman, in making the presentation, spoke of the good qualities of the departing guests and wished them very success in their new home. Mr. Smith briefly responded. The audience then sang "Auld Lang Syne," after which supper was handed round. Dancing then commenced, and was kept up till about 2.30. Mr. C. Benton made a most efficient M.C. The accompanists for the concert were Mesdames Simpson and Martin and MrSmith, the music for the dance being supplied by Mrs. Martin and Mr C. Bredow, extras by Misses Jacobsen and Simpaon and Mr. A. Smith. LEPPERTON. A POPULAR SCHOOLMASTER FAREWELLED. (From a Correspondent.) When it became known that Mr. W. A; Brown, who bp bsea

here for the yast tyrelve years, had received well-meriteil promotion to the head-mastership of the Ngaere School, many regrets were expressed that this would mean his departure, from Lepperton, where he had taken a live interest in all matters pertaining to the school, not only scholastically, but also in regard to the general welfare of the children, in church and patriotic matters', and indeed in vail matters associated with the advancement of the district. He had. also been ably assisted by Mrs. Brown. It came therefore as no surprise to find that the Lepperton Hall was crowded with a large and representative gathering on the occasion of a social tendered by residents of the district to Mr. and Mrs W. A. Brown on the eve of their departure for Ngaere. Dancing, intersperced with musical items, made tjme pass merrily, excellent n\usic being provided by Miss Giddy (piano) and Mr. Hellier (violin). The following contributed to tie musical programme: Song, comic, Mr. Giddy; violin solo, Mrs. Clark; song, "Where The Milestone Etid Its Home," Miss Ackland; song, "The Carnival," Miss Turnbull; song, 'The Gunner," Mr. Acland; song, "The Veteran's Song," Mr. Ackland. During an interval several residents spoke in high terms of the good work performed by the guests during their residence in the district. Mr. F. Dickenson, chairman of the School Committee, briefly touched on a few of the outstanding features in connection with Mr. Brown's good work at Lepperton, referring to his keenness with regard to agriculture, the school garden and plots, physical exercise, swinming, etc. The status of the school' generally had ■ been raised, and personally, the speaker thought they would be extremely fortunate if they could replace Mr. Brown with a man who would carry on the good work on similar lir» s. On behalf of the school committee and the parents he thanked Mr. and Mrs. Brown for many kindnesses to the children outside their ordinary school duties, and wished Mr. and Mrs. Brown and family a happy and prosperous futuie. (Loud applause.) Mr. Blackball, on behalf of the Methodist Church, regretted that the church was about to lose the Brown family. Still, it was a pleasure to look back on the good wk they had done. Mr. Brown had never spared himself in his efforts to do anything he could for the church. Mrs. Brown also had been iv tower of strength to thein as leader of the Band of Hope, and acting organist whenever required. The speaker concluded by saying he felt Lepperton's loss must be Ngaere's gain. (Applause.) Mr. Hellier, chairman ot'the Library Committee, said that it Lad been a pleasure to have been associated with Mr. Brown, who had been honorary secretary and treasurer f<j; a long time. In the selection of books Mr Brown's taste had helped very mptepally to have the good books they had on the shelves! to-day. On behalf of the Library vsmmjttee he wished Mr. and Mrs. Brown niuch happiness m their future home.

Mr. tP, W. Atkinson referred to the great work Mr. Brown had accomplished as secretary of the Lepperton branch of the North Taranaki Patriotic League. Nothing had ever been a trouble to him. One could not have wished for a better secretary, and they were truly thankful to him, and sorry the time had come to sav au revoir. All the speeches were followed by applause and amidit the Singing of "They Are Jolly Good Fellows."

Mr. Dickenson presented Mr. and Mrs. Brown with a magnificent marble clock, silver teapot, and hot-water jug. The clock bore th© following inscription: "Presented to Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Brown by the residents of Lepperton, 27-6-19."

Mr. Brown, who was greeted with pro> longed applause, in replying remarked that he felt any success he may hav'e attained during bis stay had been greatly helped by the assistant-teachers whom he had been fortunate to have from time to time, also by the cooperation of the parents, which had been the greatest help. Continuing, he stressed the need of physical exercise, more games and an enlarged playground. He concluded on behalf of and Mrs. Brown, bv thanking them most sincerely for their beautiful gifts., Mr. Cloke, in a few well-chosen words, on behalf of th.e children, presented MiBrown with a beautiful pocket boo!; and Mrs. Brown with a salad bowl.

OMATA. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Favored with a fine hight, the farmers' social, which was held in the Omata Hall on Thursday, was an unqualified success. The concert programme, though not a long one, proved to be of, exceptional merit, and the opinion was freely expressed that every item was a gem. The performers, with ona'or two exceptions, were new to the Omata audience, and that their efforts were warmly appreciated was shown by the insistent demands which were generously responded to. Following are the names of those ladies and gentlemen who contributed to f the evening's entertainment: Mr. Sturrock, pianoforte solo; Mrs. Massey, scjhg; Miss Wright, recitation; Mr. B. Bellringer, song;, Miss Cocker, song; Mr- Vinscn, musical monologue; Mr. Jonkin, song; Mr. Hartman, recitation; Miss Cocker and Mr. Bellringer, duet; Mr. Goldsworthy, recitation; Ml - . Day, song. Accompaniments for tho various items were played by Messrs A. Sturrock and A. B. Pi Pearson. > ■ ' : At the conclusion of the concert the massed performers and crowded audience joined in singing the National Anthem. On the request of the chairman (Mr. S. Vickers), a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers, somo of whom had come- considerable distances to assist. May we see them again is tho wish of all.

After'the hall had been cleared, and a plentiful supper handed round; dancing became the order of the night, the music 1 for which was supplied by Messrs Pearson (piano) and Vinsen (what shall I say—brass band), and, needless to say, things moved merrily. The proceeds of this social are to be used in renovating the hall, which has been somewhat neglected during the late times of stress when all funds were required for patriotic purposes. A word of thanks is due to Messrs Luxtoii and McJlardie for their untiring efforts to make the evening ,the success it proved to be.