DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

TAHORA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday, October 14. a social was held in Tr.hora Public Works Hall, in connection with th< Tahora school. In spite of the unfavorable weather, "there was a good attendance, some coming from as far as Kohuratahi. Mr. H. Pittams (chainman of the school committee), welcomed those present. He said that they were met in the interests of the school, and that the committee were anxious to assist the teachers in every possible way. Mr. W. Holly (secretary and treasurer), referred to the improvements needed in connection with the school grounds, and stressed the point that the parents wqre equally responsible with the comffiitt.ee for carrying out these improvements. It was suggested that tbere might l?e a working bee to put the grounds in better order. The Rev. John Craig, master of the school, spoke briefly on the importance of education as a factor in the national and individual life. He said the co-operation of the parents was a great assistance to the teachers in tteir work. Vocal items were contributed by Mrs. Craig, Miss Hill, and Mr. Long. All had to respond t-- hearty encores. Mrs. Craig played the accompaniments. The committee provided an excellent supper, and dancing was continued till the small hours of the morning. Messrs. Joe Dickinson and W. CoxhCad provided music for the dance, nad Mr. H. Pittams carried out the duties of Succeeding a dry spell we are now having an extra wet period. However, the weather is not cold, the growth is rapid.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) I understand the Mayor of Waitara has asked Sergeant-Major Bell, of Now Plymouth, to assist him in making the forthcoming visit of Lord Jellicoe to Waitara as successful as possible, from a military, ns well as a civil point of view. In accordance with tins request, the Sergeant-Major intends to. call for volunteers from the Urenui mounted troopers to act with those of Waitara in the formation oi a mounted escort for the Governor-General-. lii the matter of efficiency the Urenui men have already received commendation from Colonel Melville, and lave done credit to both Sergeant-Major Bell and Lieutenant Hayhurst, of Waitara; and the 'excellent understanding which prevails between the instructors and trainees will, no doubt, cause a willing response to the Sergeant-Major’s request. On their part, also, employers parents.

as hitherto, will anost probably endeavor to let as many attend as possible, and there if every reason to suppose that the reception accorded to Lord Jellicoe in Waitara will be a most loyal one, and compare favorably with those of larger centres. PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The district has at last awakened to the fact that a hall committee is a necessity, and a well attended meeting of residents resulted in a committee of six being elected, the former secretary to the hall trustees retaining ■his office, and making a seventh. The new committee elected comprises the following; Mrs. Kirk, Miss Marshall, Messrs. Tynan, W. Marshall, T. Barrett, and B. Hickey. This !s a fairly representative committee, but it is rather a pity that there are not more soldier settlers included, and it would have been a graceful act on the part of the two iafiies to have withdrawn in favor of two solditers. This would have allowed a separate ladies’ committee to be formed, and niore useful work would result. The weak voices of the ladies will hardly be heard against the more sonorous ones of the gentlemen. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. Tynan wife chosen chairman, and his election to this office will give general satisfaction. The hall belongs to the settlers, and it is only right that they should be the controlling body, and while there i;< no objection to a person holding a permanent position in the district recording a vote, or sitting on a committee, a discordant note will always be struck while any person or persons here to-day and to-morrow somewhere else, takes part in anything so Important as the electing of a hall committee. ■ In view of the fact that two of the present teaching staff of the local school will be severing their connection after the -Christmas vacation, , it has been decided to hold the school concert and picnic immediately after the School breaks up. ’ This Is a far better arrangement than that in practice the last few years, when, as soon as school re-assernbled

after the holidays,. the teachers were expected t j lose extra time attending to the picnic, etc. The assistant teacher (Miss Fleming) will be very much missed, for as well as being popular, she is capable and painstaking, and her place will be liard to fill. There is still a rumor current that the Domain Board intend Including a tennis court In their improvetments. Perhaps we shall also have a cricket pitch, a bowling green, a croquet lawn; in fact, we may as well go the whole hog, and have a racecourse, since one section of the community, have as much right to be considered as another. Eh, what? Golf links!

Broken weather has prevailed for the past fortnight, and there Is the usual grumble that we have had enough rain for at least a month. But it’s an 111 that brings no good, and if the weatlieX- has not been propitious for outdoor work it has given us an abundance of grass, and the cow-lady is filling the milk-pail, so that we seem, likely t# make up in the quantity of our productions for any deficiency of price ttat may arise. Intending subscribers to the Meunorial Fund are reminded that the list will close on the 31st inst. A meeting of subscribers and committee will be held on the 29th (Saturday), to receive the balance sheet and make final arrangements.

services were held in two of tte local churches on Sunday last, the usual large congregation attending the Roman Catholic Church in the morning. The Rev. <!. Aker preached in the Methodist Church in the afternoon. Some amusement has been caused by the adventures of the local Maori Wahine, who determined at all costs to bring her precious “laimalti”- home from the hospital whither they l.::d been sent on account of typhoid fever. Many and bold were the protestations of the dusky one - when the staff tried to reason with her, and Dame Rumor says, she held her own in so far that she got her piccaninnes dressed, in to a waiting car and as far on the way home as Oakura. where she was overtaken by tte police and some civilians, the babies re-captured and returned to the hospital ward. Anyhow the lady has some grit, and even though she is disappointed, it is hoped she is not utterly vanquished.