DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Fishing has heen good off the coast along this way lately, particularly with the- Bailey Road boat, largo hauls of shark and schnapper having been made. The Maoris In charge of this boat appear to be experts at the fishing game, there being generally some heavy specimens in the catches they make. Arangements have been made to hold a social and dance In the RahotuHall en New Year's eve. , The various kinds of sickness appears to have- been checked as far us the coastal districts'are concerned, the good' weather being all in the patients' favor. A very successful concert, In which the I school children of the Warea School took a prominent part, under the tuition of the teachers, was held in the Warea Hall recently. The. object of the effort was to assist the school funds. The prizes won by the scholars were distributed, the Christmas tree being also well laden wltb toys for distribution amongst the chllden. After supper a dance followed for the giown-ups. Mrs. Lawrence deserves the 'thanks of parents for the way the children generally conducted themselves, ! whilst the committee Is to be congratulated on ■ the excellence and number of the prizes. The service at the looal Methodist Church on Sunday last was conducted by Mr. D. R. Wright. Miss Mackay and Mrs. Kitchenman have left for a holiqay to the Nelson dlstrlst. There was only a medium yarding of stock at Newton King's Ltd. Rahotu yards on the 17th ins't. There was a poor attendance, consequent bidding was alack. Prices, taken all over, were on a par with late rates. There is every prospect that holiday-makers will have no cause to complain of the weather and attractions being arranged for their benefit In New Plymouth and elsewhere. Not without good reason has ChrUlmastlde heen associated with goodwill, and though the happenings of each year may have heen adverse to happiness, yet with the advent of Christmas gloom and sorrow give way to gladness and hope. Tneret is a certain art In keeping ourselves happy; yet as a nation the British are aaid to take their pleasures sadly. Life has to be measured by thought and action, tnd such as are the units, so will be the nation. No Government, however gifted, can ensure for the people the true spirit of Christmas, but it is the duty of every Government to promote peace and goodwill by making the conditions of life so favorable that strife will cease and the general happiness of the community be ensured. We have much to be thankful for In New Zealand At ttls time last year the war shadow was still so new that Its Influence and its sad memories militated ngalnat the full enjoyment of the season of peace. To-day we can look back at the troubles of the past and read many of the lessons they convey, but, better still, we can en,ter Into the pleasures of Christmas In the hope that the era of peace will gradually unfold Itself for the betterment of humanity. • The recent spell of fine weather has been most welcome, and cultivation has been going or. actively In various parts. Haymaking operations are now commencing In this district, and, although tho earlier crops are not so heavy as later years', the recent rains and warm weather will have the effect of improving the later ones; the rapid growth of clovers is becoming daily more apparent. There are some excellent takes of swede turnips, the germination being greatly assisted by the welcome showera of the past weeks, whilst those who have gone in for soft turnips for autumn feed have a fair prospest of good results. Visitors from other parts all remark how well things are looking on the coast compared with other part 3. TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Taratj School picnic, was held on Thursday last in unfavorable weather. After all had partaken of a good lunch, handed round by the ladles of the district, all adjourned to tie domain, where a pro-, gramme of events was gone through. Toys were handed out to oil the email children, the older ones receiving money in the various events, which were keenly contested. After a pleasant afternoon, all adjourned to the hall, and enjoyed ,1 good afternoon tea. The committee have to thank those who contributed to the funds, also those who assisted on the day to imake the picnic a success. On Friday evening a coneert wan given by the school children, it proving one of the best ever held In Tarata. Mr. Crowe occupied the chair. Tho teacher (Miss King) must have felt proud of her pupils, seeing the ap-i jlause that greeted each item, especially two picaninnles, Mabel Crowe and Ronald England, who had to respond to an encoure. The programme consisted of piano solos, songs, recitations, physical exercises, ribbon drill and dialogue, also songs by Mr. Druminond and Mr. VV. Patterson. At the close of the concert, the prizes were presented by MrR. I. Crowe, every child getting a book. Specials were awarded to: Sewing (senior girls), Jessie Crowley; sewing (junior girls), Mabel Crowe; best kept flower garden, Claudia Waite; best looking row of potatoes, Gordon Ludemann; full attendance, Jessie, Mabel and Gordon Crowe. Greta mils, Maggie Tapping, Cordon Ludemann, Willie Topping and Henry Ludemann each lost one day. Willi© supper was being prepared tho floor was cleared for dancing, which wag kept up to 3 a.m. to the enjoyment of old and young. A feature of the dance was the splendid music supplied by Mrs. A. E. Taylor (Kalmata), Mr. R. Masters, M.P., sent a wire regretting not being present through a pr.-viotts engagement and wishing the scholars and teadher a merry Chrlsumaß and happy New Year, but the! message did not reach the secretary till <he following day. MERE MERE. (Fr,om Our Own Correspondent.) The annual Mere Mere school picnic was held on the 17th Inst., in Mr. 0. Wallace's field. Although the early morning was not too promising, tho day proved all that could be desired. Everybody rolled up, and a very pleasant time was spent. Games, races, and competitions filled the day, and every child received either a toy or money. During the afternoon the school prizes were presented by the chairman (Mr. G. Williams), wro made a neat little speech congratulating both children and teacher on their success. Every one of the 38 children was awarded a prize. Special prizes were won by Florence Hutchison, Olive Hutchison and Trevor Wallace for attendance (prize and certificate). Certificate only: D. Wallace, faith, Pearl, Wilfred and Manson Sangster. Special progress : Mary Watson, Muriel Wallace. Sewing: F. Hutchison, M. Walace, PBarl Sangster, Kitty Spice. Mr. Williams' price for arithmetic: Olive Hutchison. Mr. Simgster's prize for progress: Donald Wallace. Mr. Anthony's prizes,: Exercises—Mary Watson, Arthur Moody. Names to go on shield for most marks obtained during the year: Olive Hutchison, Trevor Wallace.