DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1919, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAKEHIT (From Our Own Correspondent) There were no special l-oaco celebrations held .'" this district, the i,euerai opinion bemu Unit inure would bo so liuiny attending the UDumiKe mid New Plymouth functions that anything of Hie kind gut up hero would turn out on the tame sldj. The activity of the school committee, however, resulted in the taking of the school children to lipimake unfile apace celehrations then'. I'iue weather prevailed on the run out, the company twins considerably increased by the joinintj in of the Kahoui School, which I'lacic things rather lively for the rest of the way. The peace celehrations consisted of a procession through the principal thoroughfare. • The great feature no doubt was the turn-out of the school children, who were there In some hundreds in dresses to represent Britain and her Allies. The procession was unique in that there were over fifty motor cars and lorries all decorated more or less, but only two horse driven vehicles. A halt was made in front of the post offlco, where the King's I'rocUrmatlon was read and "Uotl Save the King" was played by the hand. The five minutes' • hush at noon was most impressive, entire silence reigning through the town in honor of the hoys who had made the supremo sacrifice. The arrangements concluded by the "Last Post" being played by a bugle present. The procession then proceeded to the recreation ground, where luneh was given tho children, the afternoon being filled in with sports, etc. The country schools were then assembled at

the public hall where tea was provided, proceeding later to witness ti display of fireworks, very pleasing results being obtained, the display being considered one of tho best ever seen In the town. Thus ended a day which will bo long remembered I>y both young and old as the greatest day of the Great War. Many thanks are due the Opunako Peace Committee, the arrangements being splendid. The general opinion here is that the residents of Onunake are to be congratulated on the splendid effort they made. Tho hearty way in which the great crowd of settlers from the surrounding districts joined In tho celebrations was proof of the deepfelt thankfulness for tho occasion and appreciation of the effort Opunake had made to commemorate

the day. Those who made the journey to Rahotu on Monday the 21st, had a pretty moist experience. It rained all tho afternoon, and those who took an active part In the sports, etc., had rather an unpleasant time, although many spectators braved the elements until the last, item was completed. Tho sports committee aro to ho congratulated on tho arrangements for the clay's sport, and Had the weather been otherwise, tho day no doubt would have been a very enjoyable one.

The Pungarclm social committee have arranged a farewell social and dance to Mr W H. Kearherrj, to lake place on the evening of the 30th as advertised. Mr P. ,T. Campbell, with Miss Maokay, as secretary, are making cevry cfTnrt to secure the comfort of patrons, and everything points to a very enjoyable evening. Private J. Elward's name has now been added to the list here of the soldier boys expected home shortly. Although living in the Uarca district for some time. Private Elward has always recognised Pune-archu really as his homo, and will be welcomed home by the readouts of this, district on his return along with Lieut. M. Saranay, Privates Noble and Parrott.

The local school has, through removals and other causes, gone down In number, but ihe school committee are hoping to exceed le usual average attendance hy inducing the n w arrvals in the district and vicinity to send tho.r children to this school, the tuition re ceiycd being of a, high order- " snow an increase nay-out as compared wltn The weather which was somewhat severe in the early part of ast week has n™ t„J" » <"rn for the better, and the cold frosty oh of wh , ch are undoUlltC(]ly »s.

Cattle are looking ctceptlonaliv well and abundance 0 f w |,„er food I, in evidence on tlie majority of the forms Early lambs may h 0 seen on Mr Lnvman's and, but the weather now being cxpX?c C d tow* trying, many having succtmbed tS the i"; G ""' !in ""'1 fnmily have left (he ■„*« %> j? them every health and *" arm ■£«? £•„- H Tham,, shortiy wher/they intZ to'J for the future. Mr ,1 Wiinvmi t,™ . Pope, cur esteemed postmistress f-™ . A !' ( ; , ' ib:ll( ', Sl »lth returned recently from a visit to New Plym./.dh, and has tal-en over his duties again ns d.e'f 'at the Ho'S The many friends of Mr r W r,.».,F„ii lW.lhmw-te.per, Cape WLt °U bo pleased to learn that he is making splendid prepress towards recovery „t ho New PW mouth nospliai. He «„ects to be homo again soon. " 01D0 An unfortunate error was reported In w week's letter re Miss L. Jenkins I „„ T ■'° , ! k,Rs iS «'«>»*' «l" ' month hut > " !WlVn, ° "" s " i "" "t New Ply. mouth, but her progress inwards recover? In very slow. W e wish the young surfer er speedy recovery "" ,l favorabt ot " er IOCaI mcs « r <= WWWIW RAIIOTIT. (Prom Our Own Correspondent) On Saturday, l»tl, i„ st „ ; , ff ., B (tKlaei b °tT*, < Mr ,«'«i"-.-') and committed and Mi Huguson to give the local children an outing to Opunake to „« the ncocesston bo lorries and cars convoved the', ti,l',„ On Sunday afternoon a United T'lantarivins Service was held In the hall, and although" sn damp and cold the iin.c'.ion ivns woli i|. tended. .Mr Lawrence pr.-iidcd. hut it was rather disappointing that uilv a few of the specially prepared hymns and service forms came to hand in time. The Rev. Audenbrooke. Strand and .Messrs Gibson and Lawrence assisted at the service. A solo, "Peace .Sweet Peace," was very fesilngly sung by Mr Lawrence. Rev. Strand end Meidumes A, Haynor »imd Q. Danson .-.ssistcd with tho chorus, their voices blending vcrv nicely Mrs G. Dawson presided at the piano At the 1 conclusion of tho service the Kev. Strand presented the memorial medals for the fallen viz Privates H. Sharrock A.»Bltllng, p llamniim' S. G. .lames, H Baker, M. J. Lawn and / H. Phillips, and spoke most touehingly v e '. gardlng the loss of our brave young men at the front. ■ '<

On Monday the sports were held, but (ho weather was anything but pleasant and not* •it all encoiiraslnc for tlio committee, but as time went mi n good crowd turned up «t the grounds, although many were unable to leave the cars and at times all had to rush for shelter from lie rah. This helped to put tenia- out of time, and some were unable to be got through before dark. The miesalnv of Kadi in n piuikin was „o„ by Mrs A* Siur Raynor Had It been a fine day tl jrrotmds would hardly have been able to horf he crowd, many co „,i„ s from Opunake "ni-

' The Peace Ball at night was a treat suecess, such a pack not bavin* been in «, hall for a long time. There were 14 «.{! Asides many spectators. Music was sin, ullcd by Mr Parker and the Missw &<,,< and many fine dresses were worn bv the adies. Mr Aunis and Mr L. Billing wcro hours C ° lnS "" "" ™ a »

We are pleased to hear that Mrs Williams of Niarlkl noad. and Miss M. Oawson "ho are both patients ill the hospital arc "eftlmr <m as well us can lie exported. " ,

Mr Puke Bishop, a' fine stamp of Maori passed away after a short illness, and t> very' largo, tangi is being liold nf his home at OaonnL

Mp ; > nf our soldiers art returning fast now Kecoml-lieiuenant Wright, eldest son of"Mr W. It. Wright, <s back, and the youngest Ronnv. is expected any time Mr Hopkins' lias been most fortunate, having sent four Three are home safely, and another is ox.' pected very soon.