MOKAU-AWAKINO.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1921, Page 7

MOKAU-AWAKINO.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Our new factors' (manager and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Balsom, have arrived, and Mr. Balsom is now busy preparing for the opening of the season. He is certainly the right man in the right place, and both Will be a decided acquisition to our district. Mr. Balsom is of opinion that the land about here is excellent for dairying purposes, and he presages a great future for Mokau in that respect. He is not in love with our roads nor methods of conveyance, especially as regards the passage of our "Red Sea," viz, the crossing of the Mokau River by way of our punt. It is certainly absolutely out of date, and it is time that long promised bridge was in evidence. With that bridge over the river, and a few more tons of metal on our roads, this great main road from Taranaki to Auckland would be unsurpassed. A gentleman said to me the other day: "Put a bridge over your river, and a tollgate on the bridge, letting it same as you do your ferry, and It would not be many years before it would pay for itself."

It is said that there will be over 600 cows milked to supply our factory. Messrs. Chambers Bros., who own considerable property up the river, have opened up three sections fqr dairying and they have all been taken up. They are building comfortable four roomed houses on each, with hot and cold water, and every convenience. They are to be congratulated on their enterprise.

Our genial "Gillet" Sampson is the happy tenant of one of the sections (they say the best of the bunch), and intends removing there with his wife and family as soon as the residence is finished. They will be very much missed from the township, not only in regard to our school, from which It means the loss of five pupils, but. both Mr. and Mrs. Satmpson have always shown themselves good sports, and always ready to assist in our social functions. However, "The best of friends must part," as the rat said, when he left his tail in tie trap, so good luck to you Em, in your new venture!

Mr. J. McNeill, of Awakino, has generously given a plot of ground for a tennis court, and a club is now being formed In aid of which a most successful concert and dance was held in the Awakino Hall on Friday, July 28. Great praise is due to Mr. W. D. Thomson, Miss K. Thomson, and their clever assistants for the enjoyable programme provided. The numbers contributed by the Misses K. Thomson, Russell and Stewart, and Mr. F. Northern were really excellent, and there is, no doubt that these performers were every bit as good as the best vaudeville artists. The choruses were exceptionally good, and tho bevy of charming daansels most captivating. Mrs. Northern sung that fine old song, "Sunshine and Rain," most sweetly. It is always a treat to hear this lady. Mr. and Mrs. McGregor also cuiitributed two excellent numbers, the names of which I have unfortunately been unable to obtain. They were greeted with great applause, and we should have liked to have had an encore from each. Miss Minnie Wolfe, an old favorite of ours, sung that beautiful song, "The Enchantress,” and was enthusiastically received, but would not respond to an encore. Mrs. W. D. Thomson, Miss B. Stewart, Messrs F. Northern and McGregor were most efficient accompanists. The concert concluded with the song, "Oh by Jingo," sung by Mr. F. Northern, who was simply Inimitable, accompanied by his "Jazz” Band, consisting of Misses K. and N. Thomson, M. Wolfle, B. Stewart, Russell, Chapman, and Lake. This item was out on its own for "funniness” (if I may coin a word), and received a vociferous encore, well-deserved. Much amusement was caused during the evening by the presentation of a fine cabbage to Miss B. Stewart at the finish of her excellently rendered song, and also of a fine bunch of carrots to Mr. F. Northern at the conclusion of his song, "A Bachelor Gay," which was given in fine style. These gifts were quite In order, as the company had dubbed themselves "The Hayseeds."

It was sincerely regretted by all that Mrs. McNeice, who had worked very hard for tnis concert, and whose singing is also so much enjoyed, was unavoidably absent owing to illness of her daughter, Miss Eunice McNeice, but who we are glad to say. Is quite convalescent again. This young lady bids to follow In her mother's footsteps, and gladdens us sometimes with her singing, as she .is the possessor of a very sweet and well controlled voice. Mr. McNeice made an excellent stage manager, and a word of praise is well deserved for the stage decorations. The concert ended, the floor was soon cleared for dancing, to tie excellent music provided by Mesdaunes Thomson, Avery, Christofferson, and Mr. F. Northern. The sum of about £ll, will be realised for the club.

Unhappy the passenger who has to travel just now I Our mails have been very uncertain, and have had to be carried from Tongapurutu on horseback, it being impossible to bring the coach through. Mr. Claude Stevens, one of our returned soldiers farming up the Mokau, has just completed a fine new house, and is busy getting ready for the dairying season. Mr. C. Raven, another returned man, has his fine residence almost completed, and is making great headway with the clearing and grassing of his 1 property. The same may be said of Messrs. Sage, MdKeown, Radford, McKenzie, and Randcli Bros. The latter have a sawmill of their own going, and are getting out sufficient timber for their own purposes. I tell you, "Our Boys" have the right spirit of progress and plenty of energy to carry it out. It is rumored that Mr. Wilkinson will soon have his sawmill going, which is also up the Mokau River, a little nearer the township than Messrs. Randell Bros’. We regret -to hear that Mr. F. Northern, senr., of Awakino, has had to undergo an operation. We hope to hear soon of his being on the highroad to recovery. This gentleman is a very fine flautist, and his items were much missed from the concert programme. There is some dissatisfaction at the Education Board’s refusing to enlarge the Mokau school, as in its present state it is most unhealthy for both teacher and pupils. Mrs. E. Carrington is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Wolfe, of Awakino. Miss Russell is visiting Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Thomson, Awakino. Miss Rita Whitehead is home spending a short holiday with her parents. Some of our "honeymoon” couples have returned, to wit: Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mac- • Millan, Mr. and Mrs. Biltcliff, and Mr. and Mrs. N. Ordish. Many happy years to them I Mr. Ure is visiting his brother-in-law, Mr. Biltcliff, who some months ago purchased Mr. J. Terril’s fine little farm, and who is improving his property rapidly. He is fortunate in being so close to wharf, ferry, and factory, about 10 minutes taking him to either. Mr. A. G. Sampson is busy putting up a fine milking shed, in which he intends installing machines. We believe he intends milking a large herd this coaning season. It is rumored that the directors of our factory are purchasing two launches for the conveyance of the suppliers’ cream. A -most successful bazaar and dance, was held in the Mokau Hall in aid of improvements to the hall on Saturday, 23rd ult. The (function was organised by Mesdames Clifton and Hansen, assisted by Mr. Frank Stevens, and great credit is due to them for the way in which everything was carried out. The handsome sum of £36 10s was cleared. Afternoon tea was served, while the busy sale of tempting dainty articles went on. Great business was done with the children’s bran-tub. and the shooting of "Jack Johnson,” under the supervision of Mr. Tommy Scott. In the evening several guessing competitions were held. The cake, donated by Mrs. R. Rickson. and beautifully iced by Mrs. P. Hansen. - was won by Mrs. Harry Piko, who guessed' the correct weight. The sheep fell to Mr. j. Toss, who guessed 1061bs. This was donated by Mr. Frank Stevens. A beautiful table cenire. painted and donated by Miss Jeannie Stewart, was won by Mr. S. Whitehead, while an elegant tea cosy, given by Mrs. Fred Bailey, was won by Mrs. Allan Sampson: A handsomely worked cushion, donated by Mrs. P. Hansen, was won by Mrs. Box. A Bruce Auction was held after supper, at which Mr. Biltcliff, who made an excellent auctioneer did good business. A very handsome table centre and several other dainty articles, donated by Miss Orr, realised satisfactory prices. The dance was wellj

attended and went with a vim throughout to the excellent, music provided by Mesdames Christofferson and Miss Jeannie Stewart. The Misses Hazel and Belle Sampson contributed an extra in the shape of a very beautiful and well executed duet, "The Fairy Barque Waltz.” Mrs. Black should, be proud of these two young pupils of hers. Our guardian of the peace, Mr. Blalkie was present, and took charge of the different competitions. Pig shooting still goes on in the district, several flue porkers having been captured The old launch "Matioe" has made three trips from Waitara lately, bringing timber and stores for Messrs. Chambers Bros., as well as goods for our township.