DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI, (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Favored with a fine night, the social in connection with the prize-giving ceremony at the Mirai School on Friday evening last wail an unqualified success, visitors being present from Okoke, Urenui, Bell Block and Pukearulie. Tlie chairman of the school committee (Mr. ,fus. Ross) occupied the chair, and introduced tlie various performers. Songs wero contributed by Misses Zoe and Florrle Sheai'd, Ethel Jlarr, and Messrs. (J. H. Pope, D. Dc Forges, .1. Fitzgerald, I'. and It. Spurr, whilst Mr. Tait gave a recitation. The accompaniments were skilfully played by Mrs. A. Thompson, and a dialogue was also rendered by Messrs; P. and It. Spurr. All the items were well received, several of them being encored. Mr. Ross, on behalf of the committee, thanked those ladies and gentlemen who; had come from Urenui and assisted to make' the evening so successful, and as a compliment to Mr. Wm. Taylor (who up till recently lias been chairman of the school committee and worked hard in the interests of the school), catled i..:on that gentleman to present the prizes. In complying witb the request, Mr. Taylor made reference to the very satisfactory manner In which the teacher (Miss Nolan) had performed her duties under somewhat trying circumstances, atid alluded to tlie excellence of the Inspector's ri'port. Ho also asked the children to continue working as hard during the coming year as they had done in the past. Each child received a. book, and two prizes presented by Mr. ]. P. Phillips for the girl and boy obtaining the highest marks at the reent Inspector's examination were awarded to Miss Amy Phillips and Master Eric Spurr, the runner-up In each case beine Olive Spurr and Percy Morris. Mr. Taylor then announced that the Sixth Standard pupils had also a presentation to make, and asked them to step forward. Stanley Phillips, on behalf <>' his class-mates, then asked Miss Nolan i« ovppt a. handsome pair of vases as a small memento of the esteem In which that lady was held by them. As they would shortly be leaving school, they felt it their duty to recognlsa the trouble Miss Nolan had taken to enable them to obtain their proficiency certificate, and they would always remember her with feelings cf esteem and respect. Miss Nolan, who was obviously taken by surprise, acknowledged the gift raost appropriately and feelingly, and, In doing so, paid a high tribute to the manner In which «lie had been supported by tlie committee In carrying out her duties, saying that she had never made a request that had not Immedl- : ately been granted, and explained that in country schools the co-operation of the committee was of Invaluable assistance to the j teacher. She again thanked the children for I their handsome present, v.h!cl: she would value | greatly. Miss Nolan v.;.s warmly applauded , by the audience, and a'! present joined In 1 singing "For Sho's a Jolly .'.nod Fellow." After refreshments had been ) ::ii(iod round, the I room was cleared, and ;; few hours' dancing concluded a mo3t successful gathering. ! On Saturday evening last there was a large and representative meeting of Frontiersmen |in the Urenui Hall. Serjeant-Major Geo--1 Bertrand was present from New Plymouth, and Lieut. J. Lalng, together with Frontiersman Millar (secretary) and other members of the Waitara troiy also attended. Up to the present Uretml has been .«, sub-unit of the Waitara. troop, but having .-.tiolned the nei eessary qualifications, ha:-., received authority [ to form a trnop of their ov u. and in future will be known as the Ati Awn troop. Frnn- ! tiersman .las. Ross has been appointed troop leader In place of Frontiersman CI. H. Pope (resigned), whilst Frontiersman L. Rattenbury and E. K. Elundeli were elected secretary and troop sergeant respectively. Valuable Information was given to the i:ew troop by Sergeant-Major Bertrand and Lieut. Lalng and Frontiersman Millar, who were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. At the conclusion of the business the visitors were' entertained at supper, and an hour or so was spent In social enjoyment, a., number of toasts (including "The King" and "The Leglon's Daughter") being honored, Lieut. Lalng giving a most Interesting account of the adoption of the Legion's Daughter. new! troop will have a membership of gbetwerti thirty and forty frontiersmen, .indvapnKcatlons for enrolment are being made from others desirous of joining, so that there is every prospect of the troop becoming a large one. No doubt next yea'r the matter of a club room will be taken up, and as one of the members has generously given a site in the township for such a purpose there should be no great difficulty In raising a sufficiently large amount to ewct a building suitable for the purpose.

As showing how the attendance at a school may fluctuate it may be mentioned that n few years ago the average number of pupils ai tf:e TJrenu! School was 120, whilst at the present period the number is reduced to 00 This is attributable to the fact that a e reat many of the children had gone beyond school age, whilst there are a large number of others who, in the ordinary course of events. Trill take their place, have some little time yet before they are sufficiently old enough to attend. On rte other hand, the Miml School only some three or four miles distant, five or s ; y years ago had barely an average of twen.y pupils, whilst now there are some fifty attendee.

Last year Mrs. Kennedy, who owns the Urenul Hotel, and is well known in (he township, kindly presented to the school a couple of prizes for the dux boy and girl and this year that lady also offered prizei for a similar purpose, which, were awarded to Master Fougeres and Miss, Emily Karipl Haymaking has now become general throughout the district, but the weather has been far from favorable for this purpose. There are some fairly heavy crops to be saved, and It Is to be hoped ttit drier conditions will soon prerail.

NORFOLK ROAD. The year's work of the school concluded on I the, 17ih with a concert, prize-giving ceremony and dance. A feature of the concert was the harmonious blending of the decorations and dresses In the colored lights. Thanks are due to Mr. Fife win. for lending his fourletted acetylene torch, lantern and colored slides. The decorations and dresses were due to the efforts of a willing band of helpers. As on former occasions, the school was transformed into a brilliantly lighted public hj»" of quite a reasonable size, with stage, curtains, wings and dressing rooms. Most of the items of the concert were enthusiastically encored. The following programme was presented :-Song, "Everything is Bright and Gay" (senior pupils) ; recitation, "Shopping for Mother" (Amy Lawrence) ; dancing steps (senior girls); nursery rhymes (infants) ; boat song (senior girls) ; club swinging (Yeta Lawrence) ; dumbells (senior boys) ; song, "Ten Mtt|le Nigger Boys" (/Infant boys); song "Tl;e Bells of St. Mary's (senior pupils); recitation "A Boy's Complaint" (Douglas .lones) ; oo«K "I Have been Rambling" (Beryl Egarr and chorus) ; ,-ecitatlon "I Want to Oct Rid of a Pup" (Esther Wright) ; song "A Japanese Fan" (Amy Laurence and Standards 1 2 and 3 girls).

After the sitting of the National Anthem, Mr. E. Davis, on behalf of :he committee spoke appreciatively of tie school, and teachers, and the success of the concert and then called upon Mr. H. Trimble to present the prizes. Mr. Trimble referred to the good report of the. selool for 1920, anil, after giving the children a few words of good advice, proceeded to give out the prizes Th» following is the fcst :

Standard «.—Dui, Cedric Cornev; 2nd proficiency, Joseph Davis; full attendance, Joseph Davis; good attendance, Cedric Corney and Herbert Chapman; gardening, Vctn Laurence.

Standard ll.—First proficiency, Cedric Drake; 2nd, Douglas .Tones; 3rd, Chvistln« Hardness; good attendance, Douglas Jones' valuable services, Nellie Daviis; gardening' Alice Hastie.

Standard 4.—First proficiency, Eileen Kendrieli; 2nd, Nell Brown; 3rd, George Thomas; full attendance, Marjorie Halllns. Neil Brown, Frank Wisnewskl; -good attendance, Cissie Chapman, Elsie Chapman and Harry West. Standard 3.—Fhjjt proficiency, Bervl Egsrr: 2nd, Douglas Hart; :ird, Amy Laurence; full attendance, Brie Hollins; good attendance. Alfred West; improvement, George Hall and Willie O'Malfey; valuable services, Ruth Re«e and Uraiara Hastie; neatness, Florence Cossey. Standard 2.—Pint nrofloi»a8». Bn«»

NEW PLYMOUTH. SECOND ANNUAL MEETING. To be held on the New Plymouth ".liicccourse, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1921. Judge: R. H. Pigott, Esq. Handicapper: F. XV. Edwards, Esq. Starter: F. W. Edwards, Esq. PROGRAMME. 1-M.UDEN HANDICAP TROT (Harness), of 25 sovn. and trophy donated by Mr. W. 0. Weston valued at £2 2s, to be presented to the. drirer of dhe winner; second 5 sovs. from the stake. For all torses that have not won a.race at time of starting. Horses to be handicapped to do 4.10 or better. Nom., 10s; ace. 10s Distance, 1% miles.

2—WAITARA HANDICAP (Saddle), for unhoppled trotters only. 35 ,sovs. and goldmounted Whip (donated by Mr, H. .1. S. Brookman) to be presented to the owner of the winner; second 5 sovs. from the stake. Horses to be handicapped to do 3.50 or better. Norn., 10s; ace., 20s. Distance, 11,3. miles.

3—TARAXAKI TROTTING CLUB CUP (Harness), 100 sovs., second 20 sovs., and third 10 sovs. from the stake. Horses to he handicapped to do 4.58 or better. Norn., Ms; ace, 50s. Distance, 2 miles.

4—FARMERS' PLATE (Saddle), 20 sovs. and a whip donated by the President to the rider of the winner; second 5 sovs. from' the slake. Horses must be the bonafide property of a farmer, and to be trained by a farmer; amateur riders. Hors.'s to be handicapped to do 4.15 or better. Nom. 10s; ace, 10s. Distance, \y 2 miles.

S—INGLE WOOD HANDICAP (Harness), 40 sovs., second 10 sovs. from tl-e stake. Horses to be luindieapepd to do 3.15 or letter. Nom., 15s; ace, 20s. Distance, lVi miles.

0-OKATO HANDICAP (Harness). 50 sovs.; second 10 sovs., and third 5 sovs. from the stake. Horses to he handicapped :o do 2.30 or better. Nom., 20s; ace. 30s. Distance, one mile.

' NOMINATION'S for all events close at the

Secretary's Office, Devon Street, New Plymouth, at 9 p.m., on THURSDAY, January 13, 1921.

HANDICAPS declared about WEDNESDAY January 19, 1921.

ACCEPTANCES doss at the Secretary's Gfl. : "e, January 23, 1921.

To lie ran under the New Zealand Rules oS Trotting.

The colors of tha rider or driver must K- sent In at tlnw of nomination, fail't* which a fine of *, 1 w,n be imposed. All horses mils' b( registered heferj uointnntlon, and I'ro.j.ient Fund fee of £l for each horse must be. paid direct to the Association (if not .ti.vady paid). otv«twl»e a f.ne of £r, wdl be imposed. O. LE C. MORGAN, . Secretary.

Jones; 2nd, Edgar Hnsile; 3rd, Phyllis Wlsnewskl; full attendance, Ernest Davis, Maldtt Corney .'ind Phyllis Wisnewskl; improvement (Mr. Hall's special). Frank Koch Standard 1.-First proficiency, Lucy Brown. Primers.—(food attendance, Laurence Dombroski and Willie Corncry. The Utile ones moiiliuneil below received gift hooks:—Dudley Drake, Herbert Fursdon, Arthur Chapman. Laurence Domhrosltl, George O'Malley, .lack Wisnewskl, Constance Chard, Mary Laurence, Esther Wright, Willie Corney, Howard Kgavr. Kenneth Kgitrr, Willie Fursdon, .Tames Harding, David Kendvie!.. Joseph Koch, Ronald Tame, Ronald Simmons Nevil Wagstßff. Gladys Jones, Mnry lieerc' Leonard Dombroski, Doiuenico Koch', Hector Laurence, Noel Davis, Harold Chord, Tom O'Malley, Augusta Dodunskl, Mollv Domlui'islti, Olga Harding, Millie Hastie. Joan Ibuotseu, Jean Melita Robln-Jor., an.; Ena Sloniuins. After the head teacher (Mr. Wagstaff) had read a short report on the year's proceedings tt-e remainder of the evening was taken up with the supper and dancing. Por the dancing JJtss Hofitan supplied the music, arid Mr W. Marshall acted as M.C. The accompaniments for the concert were played, by Mini Hanriacomb (lh« Militant ttaaher),