DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MIDHIRST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) According to the reading of the calendar Christmas Is close at. hand, but where is the Yuletide weather? Time and tide, they say, waits for no man. Has time outpaced the season? Such, surely, must have been the questions asked by many in this part of Taranaki, as, with rain and cold without, they sat by a comfortable fire reading the splendidly got up Christmas Supplement to the Taranaki Daily News I Since our last report death has again visited us. On December 5, there passed away Mr. Alfred Schofield, at tire age of 78 years. The late Mr. Schofield was an old and respected resident of Midhirst, and his familiar figure will be missed. The sympathy of all goes out to his widow. Last Sunday evening at the Methodist Church, a Recognition Service was conducted by the Rev. A. L. Witheford, when eignt senior and twenty-two junior candidates were publicly received into cturch membership. Mr. Geo. Smith, on behalf of the congregation, extended a hearty welcome to the new members. Last Wednesday afternoon a team from the Wharehuia public school journeyed to Midhirst to play a. cricket match with the local schoolboys. Midhirst batting first, made 121 runs (Tohy Neilson 49, and Campbell Me Mcekan 42). Wkarehuia in their first innings made 31, and in the second 69, thus being beaten by an innings and 21 runs. The annual school concert and prize-giving was held in the hall on Wednesday evening. Mr. G. Smith, chairman of the school committee, presided, and he also presented the prizes at the close of the concert. The following programme was rendered before a good attendance :—Overture, pianoforte solo. Miss Leech ; song, school children ; hoop drill, school girls; Nigger character song, “Dere’a a Weddin’ To-night,” school boys; song, “The Floral Dance,” Mrs. Mall; song, “Let the World go By,” Mrs. Tapp; duet, “Watchman, What of the Night?” Messrs. Breen; songs, “The Rosary” and “Somewhere a Voice is Calling,” Mrs. Witt; song, “Shipmates O’ Mine,” Mr. A. Breen; duet, “A Perfect Day,’’ Mr?. Mail and Miss Leech: song, “Beloved it is Morn,” Miss Kivell; songs, “The Spanish Main” and I “Dear Old Devon,” Mr. Pickles. After supper tad been handed round, to which the young folks especially did full justice, the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till a. fairly late hour. Special thanks are due to Miss Hall, who played the accompaniments, and supplied the music for the dance, also to the local talent who provided the programme. FUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) When the curtain rose at Thursday evening’s school concert the school children were greeted by a packed house, and a round of applause was given at the neat and pleasing appearance of the boys and girls wl:o were to entertain their parents and friends. The stage was prettily decorated with tree ferns and red roses, which made a very effective background for the white dresses and red sashes of the girls, the boys also wearing red sashes and ties. At the outset the chairman announced that as the programme was a very lengthy one and there were other functions to be performed at the close of the concert, no encores could be allowed.

The little folks had been well and carefully trained by the teachers, and the whole performance was a decided credit to the school. It would, indeed, be a very hard task to choose between tte different items, and the teachers are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts. The accompaniments were played by Miss C. Corbett, and the little dancers, who were trained by Mrs. Lynan. added to the enjoyment of patrons, the military dance being very nicely performed indeed, and seldom, if ever before, has such a varied and interesting programme been given in Pungarehu. The concert opened with a pianoforte sole by Misses K. and M. Fleming, and then the fun began in earnest, the long programme as follows being carried out without a hitch:— Recitation, “The Opening of Our Concert," Lizzie Fleming; Humming Song by the children ; Scotch dance, Gladys O’Neill; song, “Doctors Three,” Walter Utting, Stanley Corbett and Dick Gilhooly; recitation, “A Merry Christmas,” Willie O'Neil; song, “Baggy Breeches.” senior girls; clogg dance, Gladys O’Neill, Nellie Fleming and Annie Tiana; recitation, “A Boy's Lament,”’ Hughie Hamill; song and chorus, “A Tardy Scholar,” senior scholars; song, “A Pot of Shamrock,” Rita Fleming and Gladys O’Neil; “Red Rldiag Hood.” Rita Fleming, Lizzie Fleming (Red Riding Hood), Annie Kirk, Freda Kirk, Rita Kirk, Peggy Smith, with Dick Gilhooly as wolf and Leonard Mathews huntsman. This little act concluded the first half of the programme, and the wolf was real enough tq scare the little people In the audience who were not in the “know.”

The second half opened with a pih/ioforU duet by the Misses Corbett; song, "Tie Jolly Little Clacker,” scholars; recitation, “A Boy’s Troubles.” R. Gilhooly; song, “The Farm,” senior scholars; song, Maori scholars; recitation, ‘'Resemblances," Rita Kirk; duet In character, “You Shan’t Play in Our Yard,” Ivy Corbett and Esune Grenfell; song, “Oh, li's a Lovely War,” O. and R. Marshall, W. Utting. R. Gilhooly, R. Martin, J. Armstrong, T. Gilhooly, M. Kupe, L. and H. Mathews; military dance, Lizzie Fleming and Ivy Corbett ; song, “The Sandman,” scholars. After the National Anttem had been sung each child received a book as a prize for general proficiency. The chairman of the School Committee (Mr. Guild) then asked Miss Fleming, who Is severing her connection as assistant teacher, to accept a cheque from parents as a slight token of their appreciarion of her work among the children. Miss Fleming suitably replied, after being presented -with bouquet by one of the tiny tots of her room. Ruby Corbett, who no doubt considered herself privileged. A dainty supper was then served, after which the young folk of the district took the floor until the “we sma’ hours” in the gay and whirling dance. The four scholars who sat for the proficiency certificates, viz., W. O’Neil, R. Gilhooly, Rita. Fleming and Peggy Fleming, were all successful in gaining the same, thus showing that Pungarehu boys and girls can succeed at work as well as at play. Miss Morecraft left on Friday evening for her home in Hawera. Miss Munn, of Palmerston North, is visiting here, and is tte guest of Mrs. Mathews. The new telephone line is almost completed.

and settlers will find this branch of the service now very unuch improved. A large congregation attended the service at the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning. The Rev. C. Aker preached in the Methodist Cturch ift the afternoon. In conclusion I must wish the editor, staff and readers of the Daily News a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, (Kindly sentiments which the News staff appreciate and reciprocate.—Ed.) URUTI. (Prom a Correspondent.) The bazaar held at Uruti on Friday last in aid of the Anglican Home Mission Fund realised over £95. The function was opened by Mrs. C. H. Burgess, and Archdeacon Evans was also in after.dance, as were several others from New Plymouth. The Archdeacon briefly explained tie object of the bazaar, and thanked all those who had contributed to make it a success. Mrs. H. Larsen (of Pehu) made a live and efficient secretary, and the stallholders were: Jumble and produce, Mr. and Mrs. Henry; sweet stall, tne Misses Larsen; bran tub, Mrs. George; surprise packets, Mrs. Agate and Mrs. Alpe. ♦mey stall, Mrs. Nicholls and Mrs. C. Butt, Christmas tree, Mrs. Bamltt; tea rooms, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Boyes, Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Woods, : Mrs. Roy Johnson, Mrs. Smith. The winners of the competitions were : doll’s cot, Mr. J- M. Butt; doll’s sweep, Mr. Nicholls; name of doll, Master D. Murray, toy engine (raffle). Miss Joan Butt. WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A large and appreciative audience assembled in the hall on Tuesday evening last on the occasion of the Urenui School concert, visitors from all the surrounding districts being present. There is a certain attraction about a well-conducted juvenile performance Whlah ftlway» »ppsala w the public, uud tliis

annual function is looked forward to with feelings of pleasure by the parents and friends of the children, more especially so as the various items are well chosen and excellently rendered, the staging arrangements and scenic effects being also above the average. Tuesday night's performance was well up to the standard of former years, and the audience showed their appreciation in no uncertain manner, the majority of the items being encored. Great praise is due to the head teacher (Miss McKay), and the assistant (Miss Masker), as well as the pupils, and they must have put in a large lumount of solid work to reach such a stage of perfection.

The performance was opened by a musical selection by Mr. and Mrs. Newton, of Kaipikari, followed by a song, “Harvest Home,” by the children; recitation, Alice Herbert; duet, Keith and Esme McKinney, “Lullaby," children; recitation, Alf. Wedge; hoop dance, senior girls; recitation, Joan , Smith; dancing steps, children; Maori song, native puipils; duet, Esme McKinney and Alice Gibson ; song of sailors, boys; recitation, Irene George; Empire verses, children; “Ten Little Nigger Boys,” children; recitation, Bsme McKinney; cobbler's dance, children: dialogue, senior girls; the last item being. “Good-night.” Miss Masker nicely played the incidental music, whilst the dresses, staging .and limelight effects were' very pretty. All the Items were so well rendered that it seems scarcely fair to particularise, but, without detracting from the merit of others, it might be mentioned that the hoop dance by the senior girls and tho sailor song by the boys were most creditably given. At the instigation of Mr. R. H. Pigott three hearty cheers were accorded to tte teachers, and the chairman (Mr. Herbert) announced that the satisfactory sum of £2O 16s Gd had been taken, and as it was anticipated the expenses would not amount to more than £4 10s, they would have some £l6 to devote to sports for the children, which, would be held at a fitting period. After a plentiful supper, provided by the ladies, had been banded round, the room was cleared for, a few hours' dancing, under the direction of Mr. J. Robinson as M.C., the music being contributed by several ladies and gentlemen present.

On the Thursday evening following the Mimi School also held a successful social and dance at Mr. J. Zimmerman's residence at Wal-toi-toi, there being between 200 and 300 people present, and it must have Deen gratifying to the committee and teachers to see such a large number of visitors present from Urenui; in fact, it might be said that (l:e latter always accord the warmest support to any function held in Wai-toi-toi, which is practically looked upon as being part of the larger township, and it is pleasant to see the thorough good feeling which prevails between the two places.

The beautiful residence of Mr. Zimmerman is an Ideal spot for a gathering of this description, the thoroughly hospitable manner in which this gentleman and Mrs. Zimmerman placed the whole house at the disposal of their visitors being the subject of much favorable comment. Mr. J. F. Thillips (chairman of the School Committee), In opening the proceedings, apologised to the audience for having to ask them to a private house for a function of this kind, stating that owing to a partition in the school that building was haftlly suitable. It was toped, however, that this would be remedied in tte near future. He paid a high tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman for (heir generosity in placing their residence at the disposal of tho committee, remarking that it was not everyone that would do this. Gatherings of this class were most useful for the children, as they ndt only provided pleasure for the parents, but served a. useful purpose in fitting tte young ones to take a creditable part in social matters in after life. After opening with the National Anthem the following programme was most successfully rendered: Opening chorus, children; song, “Harvest Home,” children; recitation, Elsie Maekie; “Empire Flag,” children; song, senior boys; recitation, Anthony Zimmerman;

“Days of the Week,” senior girls# recitation, Mervyn Thompson; song, infant pupils; recitation, junior boys and girls; song and chorus, A«iry Hutchins and senior girls; flag drill, junior boys and girls; song and chorus,'Amy Phillips and Edith Baker; recitation, Hazel Phillips; “Good-night,” children. All the items were wedl received, especially the recitation by Master Thompson, who, with the natural abilities he possesses in this direction, should make an elocutionist of no mean order. Miss Frost (the assistant) presided at the piano, and contributed in no small measure to the success of the evening, and both this lady and Miss Simpson (head teacher) are to be complimented on the success of their efforts. Mr. Phillips, in presenting the prizes, stated that Mrs. Lamont (Who was formerly in charge of the school), had kindly forwarded two special prizes for the boy and girl obtaining the highest marks in spelling, these being won by Olive Spurr and Allan Ridgley. The head teacher (Miss D. Simpson) khd also donated prizes to the standard 6 hoys who had gained their proficiency, viz., Wesley Ridgley, Anthony Zimmerman, and Ronald Buckley. After supper dancing was Indulged in, the music being supplied by the Wai-toi-toi orchestra, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. P. Spurr and Messrs. Buckley and L. Spurr, the excellent time kept being greatly appreciated by the dancers. Mr. J. Robinson made an efficient M.C., and before dispersing three most hearty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman.

Tte Urenui Sports Club have provided a most attractive programme for their annual gathering on February 18. The prize money has been greatly increased, £llO being allocated for the nineteen events, besides gold medals. The big chop and the 120 yards Urenui Handicap are each worth a tenner, and should secure large entries, whilst the services of tte Waitara Brass Band have been secured for the day. Owing to the sports being held on a Saturday the annual ball will not take place until tho 23rd, for which orochestral music will be provided. The festitve season is now upon us, and another Christmas Day will shortly have to be numbered with those that have passed. I should like to take this opportunity of adding to the many greetings which no doubt, you will receive by conveying to the staff, your numerous readers, and yourself, sir, my heartiest wishes for an enjoyable Christmas and a prosperous New Year. (The News staff heartily reciprocate the kind wishes expressed above.—Ed.)