DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent). The children of the local school i'.re eagerly looking forward to the breaklng-up entertainment which takes place on Thursday evening In tte Hall, and promises to be a very enjoyable function, as the children have been practising for some lime under their teachers, and will render a number of songs, dialogues, and recitations, concluding with a sccna. from Oliver Twist. In addition to the presentation of prizes, Father Christmas will visit the Hall and give toys to the children, i

MOTUNUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The local school joined with the Walau School for their annual picnic on tho litli, held at Ngacre. About TO children participated In the day's outing, proceeding 'to Is'gaerc by special excursion train. Though not a bright day, .vet what was perhaps just as good—a mild, still day—and the proceedings passed without a hitch. The children thoroughly enjoyed tl'emselves, atid were well looked after by their teachers, Mrs Reid being in charge. The members of the committee, who paid all the expenses of the schools' trip, arc to be congratulated on the result of a very successful outing. Mr. ltead had charge of the boys' carriage, while the lady teacl ers looked after the girls. .Mr. E. Harsh kindly conveyed the children to tho station. , It is understood an effort is to be made to have the excursion annually.

MATAU. A deputation from the Matau Ratepayers' and Settlers' Assaclation, consisting of Messrs. S. .1. Kennlngton, H. R. Harrison and ] W. Hewiu, waited on the Stratford County! Council at their last meeting, and presented! a petition from the ratepayers o have the 1 Mutau district withdrawn frrfli the Clifton County i: nd added to the County of Straff ford. Mr. .T. B. Richards, chairman of the , Stratford Chamber of Commerce, aceom-j panied the deputation. It was shown that all j the business from the district went to Strat-' ford, and also that 75 per cent, of the j vehicular traffic into the district had to pass | over the Stratford County's roads. I

The ratepayers are fit present discussing a schemo for metalling one of the access roads, and have been assured ol" a £ for £ -subs'dy from tie Government for the work. When this is completed it will mean a large nicrease of motor car owners in the district, and all this traffic would have to pass over the Stratford County's roads to. get into the valley. The Council, however, have notified that they cannot at present accede to the request. The settler's are not satisfied with tho reply, in the face of the evidence brought forward, and intend re-open?ng the question at an early date. There Is an impression abroad that the Matau land is of poor quality, but the following figures speak for themselves: Area, 23,000 acres, of which 8000 is still in bush, and carrying 12,000 breeding ewes, 4500 dry sheep, 1700 dry cattle and 288 tmilklng cows.

Very few farmers here have entered the dalry'.ng industry, but as there is a good deal of dairying country in the valley, and as the fall in the price of wool will affect most of the settlers, it Is probable that 500 cows will be milked next season.

An enjoyable smoke concert was held at Matau on the 27th ult., the guest of honor being Mr. S. .1. Kennlngton, the retiring councillor 'for the dtetr'.ct. Mr. S. J. Holley occupied the chair, and, in making the presentation on behalf of the ratepayers, referred euloglstically to Mr. ICennington's service* as a councillor for the past twelve years. Mr. Mllsom also spoke, and specially mentioned his splendid work during the Influenza epidemic, particularly among ;he Maoris of Purangi ami district. Mr. Kennington suitably responded, and said that he had always done Jils very best for his district, and pointed out that the backblock representatives at- the Council table have a very hard time in getting their wants attended to.

The metal seam at Matau was inspected Inst week by Mr. Dowsett, the Clifton County engineer, who detailed the work 1o be done before the outcrop can be properly examined. Levels were aiso taken for a road to giie access to the pit.

AWAKINO-MOKAU. (Froni'Our Own Correspondent.) A very successful esttle-drlve, jumble sale, and gift auction was held at Awakino recently, for the purpose of liquidating the uebt on the Awakino Hall. The promoters are to be congratulated on the great success attending their efforts, as the net results are £175. The- hall was tastefully decorated, and dainty stalls, well stocked with their tempting wares, in the shape of handacme curious, beautiful/ dressed do 13s, dainty lingerie, etc., were presided over by Mesdames W. D. Thomson, McNeicc, Duncan, Avery, and the Misses Webb, and did a rattling good business, while refreshments and sweets were dispensed at the warble bar by Misses N. Thomson and M. Black. Afternoon tea was' provided by Mesdames Howard,, Cummings 1 and 'Bryant. Many of the articles to be raffled were drawn for during the afternoon. Miss Mimie Howard won the bride doll, beautifully dressed by Miss Angus; Miss Firth the Christmas cake; Mr. Clark, silk camisQle (made and donated by Miss Eunice McNelce) ; Mesdames Duncan, I. Jones, handsome cushions, while the "humpty-dumpty'* made and donated by Mrs. W. D. Thomson- was won by Mr. Wolfe.

A ball was held in the evening, and wjis very successful, the hall being crowded, and everyone enjoying' themselves to tlio utmost. The music was provided by Mesdames JtcNelce and while an extra was played by Miss Jeannte HtCTmtt. The function was to have been fancy dress, but, shearing being In full swing, nearly everyone w'as too busy to jet their costumes, only four appearing 'in fancy dress, the most noticeable being Mrs. Norman Street, as an elephant, tl:e get-up being excellent. The others ivere Hiss W. Chapman "Highland Lassie"; Miss Flrts, "Gypsy"; Miss Angus, "Dutch Girl". Mr. Jas Ennls, the energetic xecret.iry mid treasurer, must real ,w«u »a-

warded.. Thanks ;ire accorded Mrs.., McNejce and tho other ladies associated with her. >Vo would like to..see the Mokau folk now take a leaf wit ofAwakino's book and do something in nid of their hall, us there are a few tilings necessary, especially 11:© approach to Ihe hall,, whirl) is rather dimerous on dark nights. The engagement is announced of Miss Marjorio Black, youngest daughter of Mr. Hnd Mrs. Win. Black, of Awakino, to Mr. George McMillan, also of Awakino.

Mr. Mcintosh and Ills hand of workers are progressing vigorously with the Mokau butter factory, which they expect to finish in February.

Shearing is still going on Sn the dißtrict though imost of the big stations finished last week.

DOUGLAS. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

On November 12 a children's fancy dress ball was held in the hall in aid of school tennis funds.

| As the weather proved favorable there was I an exceptionally large crowd present, <le- | spite the fact of an epidemic of mumps. The children looked well in their many and ; varied costumes, especially the little tots, ; who led off the grand march, the order of | which was: Butterfly Girl and Boy, Patricia 1 Needham and Bertie Wilmsfcurd; Fairy and | Little Boy Blue, Lorraine and Prank Latham; ' Cobweb and Clown, Dot Rogers and Arthur Smith; Cinderella and Sack of Potatoes, Melanie and Albert Gichard; Snowstorms, Gwen Newman and Clem Chapman; Folly and French Clown, Maida Bunning and Maude liodgers; Ballet Dancer and Little Miss America, Lcfuie Walter /and Betsy Bunning; Scotch Lassie and Cowboy, Evelyn Wilmshurst and Ted Rodgers; Gipsy and Golliwog, Jean Xeedham and Jinn McLellan; Starlight FaVry' and Mepfcistoplieles, Eileen Rod-ors and Chris Wilmshurst; Queen of Hearts and Chinaman, Rene Chapman and Eric McLellan ; Mother Goose and Nigger, Mabel Rodgers and Tom# Sm^th; Indian Chief and Squaw, Ernest Walter and Dolly Bunning; Sunflower and Rainbow, Bessie Walter and Rona Newman; Bulgium, Lottie McLellan! The following programme was very well carried out by the children, and received great applause from the onlookers: Waltz Schottische, Valetta, Lancers, Tennis Polka, Hesitation Waltz, One Stpp, Bon Ton, Military Two Step, La Rinlta, Chair Waltz. About half way through tire programme Miss Evelyn Wilmshurst, accompanied by her father on the pipes, danced a Scotch dance, The children occupied the floor until about ten o'clock, when supper was served, after which the grown-ups tool: the floor and enjoyed themselves until rl:e early hours of the morning. Many thanks are due to all those who so kindly offered their services to help along tho dance—especially to Misses Walter Walmshurst and Chapman. Even though the weather has proved very warm, _ dancing still continues to be enjoyed by the young folk, as was proved by tho crowd wl:o were present at the hall on Saturday night. People are now looking forward'with keen interest to the annual school concert and prize-giving oh Tuesday next. Tho majority of the residents ar6 now working hard to get a public tennis court, while several are'forming private courts. The farmers have welcomed the dry spell, which has enabled them to get through witfc their shearing.