DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAREA. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). j The second of a series of social dances to j augment the funds of the Warea Hall Committee was held In the Warea Hull on the. evening of Thursday last. The usual success attended this active committee's efforts, the social end dance being one of the most enjoyable which, so far, have taken place. The floor Is a very good one for dancing, and delightful music was supplied. An excellent supper was provided, such as Wares Is justly noted for. PUNGARENU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The supporters of tho Pungarehu candidate for the forthcoming Opunake Queen Carnival are co-operating enthusiastically in forwarding the interests of their candidate After an absence of several months, WI Kupl T'-turned to Pungarehu, surprising his friends by arriving in double harness. Quite a number of the local boys went to assist in the tin canning, being well rewarded for the!.- trouble. If other centres patronised the Taranakl Jockey Club's autumn race meeting on the same scale a* this end, there must have been a large crowd in town on Wednesday and Thursday, as a. record number of motor cars travelled through on. both days. Visitors apeak well of the manner in which the arrangements were cnrrierl out by the Club's officials, for their comfort and enjoyment, Mr. Thomson has relinquished his position as cook at the local factory bach and returned to Wellington. That the spirit of larrikinlsm is still imbued In the" hearts; of some people was exemplified on the evening of the late social and dance when some of these Inspired idiots—or should we say Idiots" f—went around the church paddock, where horses and gigs were stationed by those attending the dance, causing the horses to stampe.de, robbing gigs of cushions, undoing saddle mounts and playing havoc generally. This sort of thing is a. relic of the now almost forgotten past, and should be stamped out. A pretty wedding' of local interest took place nt St. Barn&do's Church, Opunake, on February 4, when Miss Margery Chambers, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. F. Chambers, was mnrrJed to Mr. Arthur Joseph MeEldowney, son of Mr. John MeEldowney, of Wellington. Several chagnes In ownership art pending in the near future, as several farms in the district hfive been under offer for sale. During the war period, athletics had neces-' savily lo remain In the background, but the reaction that was sure to result Is now ap-. parent, and it is quite evident that there Is going to be a great athletic revival, not only in Tarwt.oki, hut. throughout, the Dominion. 1 ! The List football season provided an lndlcar tion In this direction, and further evidence has since then, been dally furnished. A pleasing feature is (lie number of promising runners that. are being unearthed, and it is quite evident that athletic sports, which for some reason or other. hud fallen into comparative disfavor for some time before the outbreak nf tho war, are again coming into their own. Undoubtedly tho, Indication of, and encourngoment given to athletic exercises In connection with our soldiers when they were abroad Is largely accountable for the desire of so many of our young men to show to advantage on tho traek. Providing the blight of. professionalism, or, in other words, commercialism; is not allowed to spread Its deadly tentacles' there is every reason to rejoice in the Increased popularity of healthy sports and pastimes aimongst both young and old. ' Now that harvesting and haymaking are practically finished farmers and other families are having a slightly easier time. Thert are some excelled*, "takes" of swede turnips In. this locality, the germination being greatly assisted by the recent rn!n3. whilst those who have gone* in for soft turnips for autumn feed have a fair prospect of good results, A savage delight appears to animate some persons around this lorallly in damaging the local hall building, the doors being continually interfered with. Mrs. S. Armstrong has gone for a short holiday to New Plymouth. MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent). The much-talked-of butter factory for Mokau is -tust about an accomplished fact. Mr. Loughnr.n, solicitor, of Paimerston North, addressed a meeting of settlers in the Moknu Hal), and placed before them the benefits accruing to the district if such a factory were established. Mr. Tiffcn had generously decided to cut up his property on tho Mokau Paver into lots' to suit intending dairy farmers, and I understand that surer* 1 applications hare already been made for some of the sections. Advance Mokau 1 This has been somewhat of a record season for motor cars, somewhere about 6(1 cars having passed through during tho Chrislmas and New Year weeks, to say nothing of motor-cycles. A very successful evening and Christmas tree for the children of our district was held In the Awakino Hall on December 19. when about 80 children were catered for. The Hall was prettily decorated, the larger platform being reserrcd for the children's items, while on the smaller .was a monster Christmas Tree, generously laden with .1 snlendld lot of toys for the young folk. The programme opened with a Grand March in costume by about 2S of the children,, amongst whom were: Shack Leech, "Golden Butterfly"; Esteilo .Tones. "SheiherdeS3"; Owen Jones. "Lady Lou"; Dorrio Coleman. "Continuance"; Winnie Howard. "Inch Qolleen"; Bertha Terrll, "Folly"; Phyllis Howard, "Gipsy"; Jean Gaiorla. "Scotch Lassie"; Jean Galvin, "Japanese Ladv"; Chrisrle Stewart, "Beau Brocade"; Madge Wolfe, "O.uccn of Roses"; Marlon Condon, "Powder and Hatches"; Rangl Toss, "Indian"; Emilv Battley and sister, "Ladles of the Coach"; Murray McNair, "Mexican Cowboy"; Ann Toss, "Scotch Lassie"; Jock Coleman, "Jockey"; C McNeice, "Scottish Chieftain"; Harry Wolfe, "Laird 0' Cockpen"; Bertie Bryant, "Sailor"; Terry McNeice. "Four-In-Hand"; Bernie Lake "Coaching Costume"; Bertie Lake. "Coaching Costume"; Ronnie Lake, "Coaching Costume " ' Th« children's lancers then follpwed, after which came a few Items by the little ones, commencing with a part song and chorus,. "Land of I dunno' Where." Then Miss Madge Wolfe delighted the audience with a beautifully executed fancy dance, entitled "Interpretation a la Rose." This little girl is quite an artiste, *nd. It Is to bo hoped, will often give pleasure to our audiences bv her pretty and graceful dancing. Ton much praise cannot be given to Miss Marie Avery, who "coached" her la this dance, for her painstaking and clever teaching. Tho next Item was a song, "Somewhere A Voice Is Calling." exquisitely sung bv Miss W. Shell. After this came "A Scotch Reel," In character, superbly danced bv Misses Jean Golvin and Ann Tons, and Masters C McNeice and H. Wolfe Well-deserved praise must be accorded lo Miss Norah Thomson, whoso patience and skill in coaching these four young people could not be surpassed. The short programme concluded with' a duel and chorus, "The Dream Man," by Misses D. Coleman. Madge Wolfe, and company. This was very pretty, and again Miss Averv Is to be' congratulated on her training. Polkas, waltzes bon-tons, etc., were then Indulged in by the children till 9.15, when the event of the evening took jiiace, viz., the distribution or gifts f ro m tho tree by Santa Claus, very splendidly interpreted by Mr. R. McNair, manager 'of the Plri Pirl estate. After this, a sumptuous supper Ms handed round, of which both younger and elder portook and enjoyed. After a short but happy speech by Mr McNeice, who welcomed the crowd of guests present, and called for cheers for Mrs Chrlstofferson and her band of helpers, who organised and provided the function, the little ones went home happy and satisfied with their jolly time and nice presents. The adults then tool; the floor and dancing was indulged in till early morning. It was roally a most enjoyable and. happy, function for both youngsters and oldsters. Prizes were given for the best boys' and girls' costumes. The judges wero Mesdamos Sheen, Thomson, Avery and Miss Gaith. •• Girls, Ist, this prize was divided between Shack Leech, "Golden Buttclrfiy" Dorrie Coleman "Continuance," and Madge Wolfe, "Queen of Roses." Bovs, Ist Murray McNair, Mexican Cowboy; 2nd, Jack Coleman, "Jockey," and Terry McNeice, "Four-in-Hand.

Thanks are due to Mesdames W. D Thomson, McNeice and L. Black, Misses N Thomson. M.- Wolfe. M. Avery, M. Black, iy t :i, an . ; man and W. Shell for their assistance in coaching the children in their dances and the march; to Mr. It. McNair, who acted Daddv Christmas to perfection; to Mr. ,1. McNeice who looked after the commisslarlat department; to Mr. Reo Batley, of Piri Pirl, who not only generously gave a fine roarerocarpa Iree from the station, but who still more generously assisted to "plant" it in the hall; also to Mr. W. Hunt and Mr. Alryn Wyllle, who kindly heiped with decorations, and last! hut not least, to all who so generously donated to the "tree." Several fine droves of fats, both In cattle and sheep, have passed through lately, speaking well for the pastoral capabilities of our district. We have noticed a good many private buyers, about.' Tim Awakino Valley Road work is proceeding satisfactorily, which, when finished, will do away with that not-easy-to-mgoilate Tatimataiuaire. < We have been "speeding the parting" and "welcoming the coming" in the persons of Mr. and Miss Gaitt. our late posnincstcr and his sister, who have gone to Pukekohe, Mr. Gait: having been transferred thither They .will lie greuiiy missed, as th.-y were duo "sports," and ■ i"« willing to heln in our social lu:m;:tas.

The new postmaster and his wife, Mr. and Mrs; McGregor, will be decided acquisitions, as they are both musical, and, moreover, are' desirous of being of assistance to the district, in any way required. Mr. Newton King's annua! sheep and cattle fair will be hold In Awnkino on February 14, which, it Is to be hojed, will prove a record, both as to sellers,- buyers, and of things to be sold. Miss Norah Thomson has returned from a most enjoyable trip to New Plymouth. The ball here In connection with the openins of tlio memorial gate to our rairen heroes and welcome home to our returned boys, was a distinct success. The events were fully reported by your travelling correspondent. Mrs \V. D. Thomson, whose health, I regret tp hear, has been very Indifferent of late, and who Is at present In New Plymouth seeklnil imedlcal advice, was very much missed at this function, as valuable assistance Is always generously given by her on these occasions. , Our sheep farmers are experiencing great difficulty in getting their wool out this season, on account of the Infrcquency of the runnmic of the boats latoiy. The wool has to he taken out by road, which means delay, as well,': as the added expense, though Mr. Charlie Johnson Is really doing it as reasonably as it possibly can be done. It will, however, be some weeks yet before the last of the wool Is out. Another lady, very much missed at our memorial function, was Mrs. Noel Bhjnell, who, on account of bereavement In., the death of her brother-in-law, Mr. Stanley Cross, was unable to be present. The Incident was the sadder, inasmuch as Mr Cross died in America suddenly, only a few months after his marrlago with Miss Pay Bailey, Mrs. Blgnell's sister. Much sympathy Is extended to Mrs. Cross in her great loss. Mr. Cross, who distinguished himself in the late war, was a splendid type of man, and will be greatly missed by ail who knew him. Much sympathy Is also oxtended to Mr. Charlie Cros3, his brother, who has been .for .many years one of our most highly' respected settlers. Agents and their clients have "seen In the land" lately, mostly after farms.