DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAU. (From A Correspondent). There was quite a largo gathering at the Matau schoolroom on Friday, December 12, to welcome home Corporal W. W. ("Jack") Evans on his return from the war. He was] wounded twice on active service, and ho was the first from our district to go away and the last to return. The evening passed off well, pnd Mr. Hogg, a- very old settler, in fact, & Matau pioneer, happened to be visiting his daughter (Mrs. G. Kawllnson), and made tho presentation, a handsome pair of military brushes. Corporal Evans suitably respon4ed. Songs wore sung by Mrs. Mills, Mrs Dowman, Mlas B. Evans, Miss P. Stockley (ICiore) and Mrs. Stewart (Kiore). The music was supplied by the Stockleys, of Kiore. Corpora*. Evaus and Mr. W. Evans left for a trip to Botorua on Monday. Tho annual school concert was held on Friday, 19th December, and was a huge success.

ROWAN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The results of the recent election were taken very auietly here, most people being too busy to do more than record their votes. The school concert on Thursday, 18th, was an undoubted success. It was held with the object of raising money to buy hockey sticks, and to augment tho school funds. The children, in a most energetic manner, undertook tho selling of tho tickets, with tile resuit that over £5 worth was sold. With the money taken at the door the gross proceeds came to over £7.

The committee and pupils decorated the hall wllh fern leaves and paper flowers Curtains were effectively arranged in front of the stage which also had a background of cretonne tacked up. Mr. T. Malndonald presided at the concert, and announced the different Items, which were as follows: Song, "Fairies," senior girls; recitation, "The Willow Pool," infants; song, "Soldiers of the King," boys; drill, animals, primers; song, "Kentucky Homo," Standards 1 and 2 girls; song, "Orphan Annie," Standard 1 and 2 girls; song, "Come, Little Lady," Infants; dancing steps, girls; song, "Rose of No Man's Land," Mr. C. Maludonald; dialogue, "Sissy," boys; song, "Floating," mixed; Highland fling, Carrie Lines, Jean ami Flora McCandlish; song. "Tul Bird," and "Summor Rain," seniors; drill, senior boys; recitation, "London River," E. Gardiner; "The Boys We Need," E Smith; song, "Good Night," girls; "God Save The King." At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Malndonald and Mr. S. Hallard (chairman of ine School Committee), presented the prizes, every child in the school receiving one. The special prizes were: Ronald Wheeler, Standard 6 (proficiency) ; Eileen Smith, Standard 5 (full attendance) and the essay prize presented by the S.P.C.A.; Roland Jackson, Standard 5, good attendance; Vlvienne Mellow, Standard I (general progress). The chairman, on behalf of tho pupils, then presented the teacher with a pearl brooch and scarf pin as a token of their appreciation of the hard work of tho past year. The chairman briefly remarked on how necessary It was for parents to send their children regularly to school, as one or two families attending Irregularly kept the average down and so kept the school down a grade, oneaning that one poison had to do the best he could to get through what really should bo the work of two. Ifrs. S. J. Hollard and her helpers dispensed a really good supper, which was followed by (lancing. • There were several dances for Ihe children who thoroughly enjoyed them. Mrj. Macfle supplied excellent music. The entertainment was "kept going" till about 1.30. It Is rumored that air Lines has great hopes of selling his farm within the next two or three weeks. Mr. C. Sanne Is still in Australia and is finding the weather there very waiTu.

Mr. JS. Garmonsway is back at Rowan, and is at present working with Mr. Burrows. Mr. C. Walte has sold his Hamilton property and has bought a farm near Cambridge.