DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MANGATOKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Mangatoki and Okaiawa. tennis clubs met recently on the local courts. There was same good play on both sides, the match resulting in a win for Mangatoki by 103 games to 101. Miss Pryce, who has severed her connection with Mangatoki as music-teacher, was entertained one evening lately by her pupils and a few other young friends. Mrs. Linn, of the Hasting Road, kindly lent her large dining' room for the occasion. Music and games were enjoyed by the young folks during the evening. The pupils presented Miss Pryce with two silver mounted vases, those who were not pupils gave handkerchiefs. Mr. T. Hall suitably replied for Miss Pryce. A few needed improvements about the hall have just been completed. Hay-making Is now in full swing. TL'e presentation of school prizes took place on Friday and the school is closed for the Christmas holidays. Those who gained proficiency certificates this year are Ethel Searle, John Carter, Les. Bublitz and Stan. Sulzberger.

We are sorry to learn that Mr. Bary will be leaving Mangatoki shortly. The school has made very great progress during the two years that he has been head teacher here. We congratulate Mr. Bary on the splendid report he has received from the Education Board and on his promotion. We sympathise with Mr. and Mrs. J. Carlson, in the loss of, their little son. Nurse Prae, of Stratford, has been spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. W. E. Carter, of the Hunter Road. PUNIHO & WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The garden party organised bj’ the members of the Okato Anglican Church was held in Hempton Hall, Okato, on the 10th Inst., instead of the vicarage grounds, as the weather was very unsettled. Although the stall holders, etc., were somewhat handicapped for room, very good business was done, and it is expected that when financial returns are counted the church funds will benefit to the extent of over fifty pounds. Some of the stall holders were:—Giri’s Guild Stall, Mrs. Coleman, assisted by members of the Girl’s Guild; baby's clothes, Mesdames Fox and Putt; afternoon tea, Mesdames Bridgeman and Haylock; shots at Kaiser, Messrs. Rus and Coleman; produce stall, Messrs. Meredith and Coleman. There was also a cocoanut "shy,” wtich attracted a lot of attention. Competitions were held during the day and the winners were: Mr. Harold Shaw (Teddy Bear), Mrs. J. Shaw (hand-bag). Miss Penwarden (black satin cushion). Miss P. Haylock (cushion), Mrs. Street (cake), Mr. Jenkin (goose). At night a very successful dance was held, Mr. A. E. R. Pearson supplying the music, whilst Mr. Jenkins kept the dancers -.moving. On Friday, 2nd inst., a send-off was given to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. O'Calaghan in Taylor’s barn on the Carrington Road. The settlers turned out in full force, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Dancing occupied the greater part of the evening to music supplied by local musicians, Mesdames Corbett, Fraser-Jones and Campbell. Messrs. Cassie and Wilson fulfilled the duties of M.C.'s.

During an interval Mr. Raven referred to the splendid work the guests had done for the district, especially in connection with the barn. It was entirely to Messrs. Taylor and O'Callaghan’s generous and untiring efforts that Newall Road was now in possession of a good hall. On behalf of the settlers te asked them to accept a small present as a remembrance and an appreciation of the splendid work they had done. Mr. Taylor suitably replied. A splendid concert was given by the Puniho school children, assisted by Mrs. T. Larkin (Okato), Miss Hill (Sydney), Mr. Willis (Okato), vocalists; Miss Ivy Henderson (Okato), reciter; Mr. Roy Murpny (New Plymouth), violinist; and Mr. and Miss Pearson, pianists. Every item was encored and nearly all responded. Mr. A. Payne (chainman of Puniho school committee) was in charge. Following was the programme: Prologue, Lily and Stanley Payne; song, "Go to Sea,” senior and junior pupils; recitation, "The Seasons,” Edeen and Elsie Moffa. Bishop Cooke and James Brunsden ; song, "In Old Madrid,” Miss E. Hill, encore "My Rosary;" song and chorus, "From Here to Shanghai," Stanley Payne and senior and junior pupils; song,

"The Contented Bird,” Bishop Cooke and senior and junior pupils; dialogue, "Reading the News,” Sylvia Cooke and Stanley Payne; song, "The Admiral’s Story,” Mr. Wilis, (encore "Chip of the Old Block”) ; song and dance, "The Village Fair,” Lily Payne, Mary Beii, Sylvia Cooke, Alice Bell, Stanley Payne, and Albert Mcßoberts; song, "Nursery Rhymes,’ junior pupils; dancing steps, senior and junior pupils; song, "Because," -Mrs. E. Larking; song, "The Drummer Boy,” senior and junior pupils; violin solo, "Cavallera ce Rusticana,” Mr. Roy Murpty (encore) ; part song, "The Call of Summer,” Lily Payne, Alice and Mary Bell, and Sylvia Cooke; recitation, "A Trip to Blackpool,” Ivy Henderson; coon song, "The Lily of Laguna," Stanley Payne, senior and junior pupils; song, "Ten Little Sunflowers,” senior and junior pupils; dialogue, "A Practical Use for Pedlars,” Alice Bell, Stanley and Lily Payne, and Albert McRoberts. "God Save The King.” The accompaniments were played by Mr. and Miss Pearson. The concert was a great credit to Mrs. and Mr. A. C. R. Pearson, who had trained the children. The absence of 'stage fright’ and nervousness was particularly noticeable. Thanks are also due to Mrs. E. Larking, who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, Mesdames Bell, Cooke, and Payne, who made the dresses, Mrs. Moss, Mr. S. Cooke and Mr. Ray Julian for decorations. After the concert the • floor was speedily cleared for dancing by a willing band of workers. Mr. Pearson (piano) and Mr. Roy Murphy (violin) supplied the music, whilst Miss M. Pearson and Miss C. Julian obliged with extras. Mr. E. B. Cooke fulfilled the duties of M.C. During an interval a splendid supper, in the capable hands of the Puniho ladles, was handed round. The concert was the means of adding nearly twenty pounds to the school

The breaking-up ceremony of tte Puniho school took place on Friday, 16th inst. The school committee decided to give the children a treat as a reward for the splendid concert

they had given two nights previously. Accordingly, a good "tuck in” > as prepared, and needless to say the children did it full justice. Several local settlers contributed items, which added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. During the afternoon Mrs. A. Payue, in the absence of the chairman of the school committee, presented the prizes to the children. As an encouragement for the children to do even better next year several special prizes were promised by the settlers. The annual Puniho settler’s picnic will take place on Wednesday, December 28 this year, instead of New Year’s Day. The picnic will be held on Mr. Bell’s beach, and all will be welcome. I have been asked to warn those who go bathing not to venture too far out, as the current at this spot is exceptionally StrOn £’ J The Warea Hall Committee have decided to hold their annual New Year dance on December 30 this year on account of New Years Day falling on a Sunday. Messrs. Parker and Norris have been engaged to play, and tris dance promises to be well up to previous ones. Indications point to a very quiet Christmas on the coast this year. Very few folks are going away. Mrs. Fraser-Jones, headmistress of Newall Road school, had the misfortune to fall from her horse on Thursday last, and dislocated her shoulder. We all wish her a speedy recovery, RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Professor Wragge bad a very good house considering the awfully wet night. This lecture was very interesting. The concert by Methodist choir, with organ and piano recital by Mr. Henderson, which should have been cn Thursday had to be postponed on account or clashing 'with tte Vungarehu school concert Three different car loads went from here to Pungarehu. , . , • Mr. A. Raynor Is at present at the bakery business. Mr. Laurence is not at all well. Christmas ti.me is a very busy ' time, too, in the local bakehouse. The Anglican fapey fair has ntr* realised £lll. The ladXs desire to thank everyone who helped a’X did everything so willingly to make the affair ao gnat ft auer-tt*** rri ‘* ’

expenses are hall hire and advertisin g. Everything else was given or done gratis. It is proposed to call a meeting soon to decide what needs doing first at the church. Bowlers are putting in a lot of time a® the green, and should soon be experts at the game. Three pupils of the local school have gained proficiency certificates. Ti e school has broken up for the holidays. The local mountain house is being done up to make it habitable for the Christmas holidays. Several parties are talking of going up A policeman- .is sadly needed in our midst. After the fancy fair the hall was entered, and several articles removed. Other buildings have also been entered. It seems a pity to think such places as the church cannot be left alone.