WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1919, Page 3

WAITARA.

[(From Our Own Correspondent.) Waitara, Oct. 4. The interior of Hatrick's store presented a very attractive appearance on Thursday night, when the welcome home ball was held. The different colored lights showed tip the decorations of ferns, palms, and flowers in a very attractive manner, and was' a sight which one seldom sees in any large town. Before half past seven a fair number had made their way into the ballroom, and there was a steady stream from then till nine o'clock, when fully 500 people were present. It was one of the roughest nights we have had this season, and it speaks well for the interest taken in the function that there were so many present. There was a slight delay at the start, the orchestra from Inglewood having had a breakdown on the road, and not arriving until well after eight o'clock. There were many anxious glances cast at the door for the first sight of the performers, withoutwhom there would have been trouble. The music supplied was all that could be desired, and was a decided treat to listen and dance to. The tables had been nicely decorated with ferns and flowers, and the ladies of the committee spent a very strenuous time attending to the wants of the crowd during the two or three hours it took to provide supper for them all. There was abundance of food, and I do not think that anyone went away dissatisfied with the efforts made to entertain them. The soft drinks stall did a roaring trade, about thirty dozen bottles being disposed of. The only drawback to the whole performance v'P.s that the floor was net quite as good as could be wished. Dancing was kept up till 2.30 a.m. Just before supper his Worship the Mayor made a short speech welcoming home the soldiers who had fought for us. In it he said that the way the people of Waitara could show their welcome was by helping them to get on the footing they had been on before they went away, and to make some sacrifices for those who had been wounded and maimed on their behalf. He called for three cheers for the returned men, which were heartily given. 1 Last night the children's dance took I place, and it was again a very well- ' attended function. Some 400 adults and children were present, and, by the appearance of them all, they had a real good } time. The floor was in much better order ' than on the first night, which was demonstrated by the falls which a good (many couples had during the evening llt was a very pretty sight to see the I children dancing, and I don't think any [of them wished to leave until the finish, ' which was about twelve o'clockk. The committee are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts, especially the ladies, who, as is generally the case, had the most strenuous time of all, perhaps excepting Mr. Huse, the secretary, who spared no effort to make the ball a, success, which it undoubtedly was. The election to fill the vacancy on the Borough Council resulted as follows: C. H. Johnston 127, T. R. Ford 7:1, informal 1.

Sertg.-major McDavitt and Private G Fuller returned to Waitara on Thursday night. Mr. J. T. Gardiner, whose lease has expired, has given tip possession of the Club Hotel to Mrs. Fairweather, ill.' owner, who is well known to Waitara residents. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are to take a holiday for some time before starting in business again. It is understood in Waitara that Messrs Borthwick and Sons have defiinitely decided not to take current from New Plymouth to run their electrical plant, and, as the borough were to get their lighting at the same price as Messrs Borthwick could arrange, this decision gravely afreets the town. It would seem that it is not possible for the borough to take it alone, and it means that the council will'have to review the position. Messrs Morey and Morris, returned soldiers, have taken over the business of Mr. G. Jupp. They are both well known in the district, and should get a fair j share of the trade. ' Waitara, Oct. 7. { A coupling competition was held recently between members of the local fire brigade for medals presented by the -uc Brigade Supply Company, and the results were as follows: A. Frost and A. Hayward 42sec, B. Murgatroyd and Les. Fraser 45 l-ssec, J. Canton and Lehndorf 46see., G. McGrath and S. Crow f>2sec, J. Jones and E. Proctor olisec, \v. Spurdle and R. Frost BOsec. C. Limmer and F. L. Patten did not finish. The officials were: Starter, Mr. T. Fowler; timekeeper, Mr. E. H. Jones: judges, Messrs G. Bird and C. Blanchard. The death took place at Inglewood, at his son's residence, on Saturday, of Mr. Henry Rattenbury, a very old resident of this district, at the advanced age of 85 years. He has been living in Waitara for some years, but on the death of his wife went to reside with his daughter at Inglewood. He was interred at the Waitara cemetery to-day. ! The memorial gates at the Stafford Street entrance to the Camp Reserve are taking shape, and it is hoped to get more than enough money to pay for them by the sports on Labor Day; in fact, it is expected that a sum will be provided as a nucleus for the memorial stone which it is proposed to erect at the foot of the hill in Stafford Street.

A smoke concert given by the firo brigade in the Foresters' Hall hat evening wan patronised by about 40 persons, and a very pleasant time was spent. The Mayor occupied the chair, and presented the medals won by members of the brigade. Songs, recitations, and speeches helped to make the evening :i most enjoyable one, the concert closing at one. o'clock.