DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1921, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAHOE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) During the past week the weather has been all that could be desired, and farming operations have been brisk. The local factory has been running daily since the 10th inst. and the supply of milk is gradually increasing. Owing to the splendid crops of hay saved last season, farmers have had ample feed for winter, and stock in the district is in the pink of condition. The early spring, following ftn a very mild winter, has enabled farmers to get a good start with ploughing operations, and ploughed fields arc to be seen in all directions.

Recently the Stratford County Council served notices on all persons having trees overhanging and shading the roads to cut back or remove the trees. In most instances the by-law has been obeyed, with the result that roads hereabouts arc dry and quite ready for tarsealing, which work was postponed owing to their wet condition. Given a little more fine weather this work should bo rapidly completed, as the material—tar, gravel and sand—is already on the spot. For the past month the local school children were living in a state o" great excitement, in anticipation of their fancy dress ball, which w«a held in the hall on Fmay last, the 19th inst. Over forty children took part in the grand march, in which they were remarkably proficient, reflecting the greatest credit on their teacher (Miss Cumber worth) and her assistants (Miss and Mr. MacKenzie). For over two hours the small people had the floor and with the great- . est precision, which many older ones might envy, went through the polka, barn dance, Sir Roger de Coveriy, Highland fling, Tasmanian schottieehe and finger and toe polka. Dancing concluded, a game of snowballs was indulged in. This was in keeping with the scheme of decoration—the ballroom being hung with streamers of tufts of cotton wool to represent falling snow, and the walls 1 covered with punga ferns and holly, 1 frosted. The little ones entered into the spirit of the game whole-heartedly, and at its conclusion reformed into the grand march and made for the supperroom, where a dainty sit-down supper was provided for them by the ladies of the district. Full justice was done to the many good things set out, and it will be long ere the memory of the fancy dress ball will fade from the minds of the Mahoe scholars, whose costumes were beautiful and a credit to their parents. The children’s evening being over the floor was taken by the grown-ups. and dancing kept going vigorously until the early hours. During the evening songs were given by Mrs. Davison (Kaponga) and Mr. Corkill (Kapuni), who kindly came to add to the enjoyment of the evening. A capital supper provided by Iqcal ladies was much appreciated. Music for the children’s dance was provided by Miss Mackenzie, and for the adults by Mr. V. Hickey, extras being played by Miss Stewart (Cardiff) and Mr. Corkill (Kapuni). Mr. Mackenzie was an energetic and capable M.C. and looked well after everyone’s enjoyment. ! As a result of this most enjoyable so- ; cial the school prize fund should benefit to .■» considerable extent.

Following is a list of the fancy costumes, which were varied and beautiful: Girls. —K. Sattler. Folly; M. Toback. Children’s Fashions-, F. Davy. Daffodil; T. Corbishley, Primrose; M. Steiner, Swiss Gipsy Girl; E. Mackenzie, Shepherdess; C. Corbi-Sihloy, Butterfly: F. Davy, Starlight Fairy; E. Mellow, Night; P. Steiner. Swiss Costume; P. Perrett, Cupid; D. Kemp, Rosebud; M. Anderson, B’olly; M .Steiner, Swiss Costume; D. Franklin, Bride; A. Perrett. Butterfly; J. Paulger, Fairy 1 , J. Anderson, Rose; P. and A. Shrimpton, Roses; D. Mann, ForgSt-mo-not; P Toback. Pierette.

Boys. —-B. Wallis, French Artist; J. Steiner. Swiss Peasant Boy; W. Parsons. Charlie Chaplin-, F. Doan. Red Indian; C. Parsons, Cowboy; L. Kemp, Scout; L. Hall, Footballer; S. Mann. Jockey; T. Davy, Baker; A. Perrett, Baker; H. Steiner. Swiss Peasant; G. Davy, Butcher; P. Toback, Sailor; D. Cave, Golliwog; W. Perrett, Jack Tar; G. Cave, Clown; F. Paulger. Puss-ln-Boots; B. Parsons, Jack Tar; G. Toback, Pierrott.

The local school closes on Friday next for the spring vacation. These holidays have been extended to a fortnight instead of the ten days hitherto given.

Mr. Ronald Cumberworth is home from the university for his vacation. Mr. and Mrs. George Perrett, senr., have returned from their holiday. Miss Whittington (Stratford) is spending a short holiday with Mrs. Charters on the Duthie Road.

Master Berwyn Davies is home from New Plymouth High School for the term holidays. Owing to the Lowgarth dance being held on the 23rd the promoters of the combined ball to be he.u in Mahoe have decided to postpone same until the 30tJ\ inst. 'Phis promises to be quite the best social event of the season, the combination of local energy striving to outdo all previous efforts.