DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNIHO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Wednesday, 28th ult., a large number gathered in the local schoolroom to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, who have left this district to take up farming in Oakura. As usual with these functions, dancing was the order of the evening. Mr. Pearson supplied firstclass music, whilst the duties of M.C. were in the capable hands of Mr. Bert Payne. A first-class supper, which was provided by the Puniho ladies, was served during an interval. During the evening Mr. A. Payne referred to the splendid work that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had done during the time they had been in the district, always taking an active part in any and everything that was a benefit to cne community. Mrs. S. S. Wells then presented the guests with a salad bowl and a [ dozen stainless knives, as a rememI bra nee of their stay in. Puniho. Mr. Thomas, on rising to reply, was accorded musical honors. Mr. Thomas thanked the settlers on behalf of hi% wife and. ■himself for the splendid presents that they had received, and he stated that although he was not living in the district, his greatest interest was still in the district, and he sincerely hoped he would be able to come back and have some of the good old times over again, especially w’ith the draught players.

Another feature of the evening was a small presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke from the Puniho Social Committee. Mr. Bert Payne asked Mr. and Mrs. Clarke to accept, on behalf of the Social Committee, a silver teapot, in recognition of the splendid services they had rendered the committee at the Bachelors’ hall in 1920 and the recent fancy dress ball at Warea. Mr. and Mrs." Clarke did the catering for both balls free of charge, and as the catering is one of the biggest items at these affairs the committee decided to make them a present as a small appreciation of their services. Mr. Clarke suitably replied, saying that whatever services he and his wife had been able to give were given cheerfully. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close one of the best and biggest functions held in Puniho this year.

The dance in aid of the Warea Library Funds on Friday last drew a very big crowd. The floor was in first-class order, and the hall was daintily decorated by the committee with azaleas. Mr. Pearson officiated at the piano, and coupled with Mr. G. Wells as Master of Ceremonies, left nothing else for the dancers to desire.

There was a large tangi at the Okato Pa during the week. Mrs. Tapakai, an old and respected Maori lady, having died. Between 60 and 70 whites’ sat down to the feast which generally winds up these affairs. It seems a great pity there is no one who can make the natives see the folly of all this waste, etc., that goes on at these tangis. Some of the Maoris make a practice of giving everything they have, and in these days when times are ‘hard and economy is being preached everywhere, the waste is especially noticeable. There are still a great many stray cattle about local roads at night, and last Wednesday a resident of Warea, whilst motor cycling home from a dance, ran into a horse, and, although no serious damage was done, the impact was sufficient to lay the rider up for a few days. I do not think that there is a rider or a driver of motor vehicles in this district that has not run into some cattle or horses, and it’s time something was done to stop the nuisance.