LAND FOR SALE. DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1921, Page 7

LAND FOR SALE.

DISTRICT NEWS.

TOKO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Toko school held their annual concert last Friday night, which was a great success financially and otherwise. Takings at the door amounted to £lB 10s. which was <t;l profit, as there were no expenses. Mr. J. T. Kilpatrick paid for the hire of the hall. The ladies of the district supplied a sumptuous supper, and Mrs. Tuck supplied the music for the dance. Misses Sole and DJvehall are to be congratulated on the training of tnc children for the concert. The hall was packed to the door and the takings have released the committee from financial disaster. The public appreciate the alterations in the Toko hall, which has been lately enlarged. TAHORA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The closing ceremony in connection with the Tahora public school was held on Friday afternoon, December 6. The weather was fine and there was a good attendance of parents and children. Mr. H. Pittams, chairman of the committee, presided, and the following items were contributed- by the children: Senior scholars, “Four Jolly Smitfcs” and

“Now is the Month of May”; junior scholars, action song; recitations by Miss Mary Marriner and Master Frank Parker; recitations by Misses Alice Charlton and Joyce Kerr and by Masters Robson, Charlton, Daniel, Woodney, and Leo Pittams; a piano solo by Miss Isabel Harrison. The proceedings closed with the National Anthem. Mrs. Craig presided at the piano. During an interval tn the programme Miss Blandford, who is leaving the school, was tie recipient of a handsome presentation from the scholars. Appropriate addresses were given by the chairman and the Rev. John Craig, master of the school. After refreshments had been served hearty cheers were given for the ladies who provided the edibles for the teachers and the committee. This district is now experiencing a period of hot weather. This is really the first hot weather experienced this season, and as a consequence the growth is very rapid. Tie farmers are busy gathering in the hay. As practically no cereals are grown In this district the hay is very valuable for winter fodder. I TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The many friends of Mrs. R. Paterson senr , will be pleased to hear that she has returned home. Miss K. King, our local school teacher, has been transferred to the Bell Block school, where she will take up the position of first assistant. Mrs. R. Harod, who has been a resident of this district for several years, left last week on a holiday to the South Island, where she will stay with relatives for several months. It has been rumored that after this year we are only to have a tri-weekly mail service. Owing to the recent wet weather, and having his turnips to sow, etc., Mr. H. Lambert does not intend to start work again on the Toi Toi Road till after the New Year. A boxing class has been formed at Pukeho under the direction of Messrs. J. Simmons and G. Burr. The boxing tournament which was held in Inglewood last Thursday night attracted several enthusiasts cjf the sport from here, amongst whom was Mr. W. Scott. This gentleman was one of the five professional boxers who sent in a challenge to box the winner of the Graham v. Greaves bout. In the amateur heavyweight contest Mr. Wallace, of Tarata, was defeated on points by Tuku (New Plymouth). Although the recent rains rave been the means of keeping up the growth of grass it has been a hindrance to settlers sowing their root crops, in fact, in some cases even holding them up with their ploughing. Owing to the keen interest taken in the boxing classes, the committee are bolding these practices three times a week, namely, on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. in conclusion, Mr. Editor, on behalf of the people of Tarata and self, I wish to convey to you, staff of the News, and readers, the compliments of the coming festive season. [Compliments which are reciprocated.—Ed.] WHAREHUIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large crowd present at the annual school concert, which was held in the local Hall on Friday night last, and no doubt had the night been fine there would would have been a bumper house. The children had been practising for some weeks. The way the varied programme was gone through reflects great credit upon the teachers, who must have spared no pains in bringing the young performers to the high state of efficiency that they attained, their acting and elocutionary powers being a delightful surprise to everyone. The first item on the programme was “An Opening Speech of Welcome," delivered by Jack Ward in pieasing style. The next Item, proved to be one of the best of the evening, was a small cantata entitled, "Dame Durden’s School.” given by the junior scholars, assisted by Edna Lash as the Dame. Tlie

curtain rose to reveal the “Fhiry Queen (Essie Lash), seated on her throne in a fairy bower, the fairies and. gnomes dancing round let. This dainty scene proved to be a delightful surprise to the audience, bringing forth rounds of applause. The opening chorus having been sung, “Dame Durden” appeared. attired as a witch and carying her basket and broom: these she deposited on the stage, and then sent “Tip Tipe,” chief of the gnomes, to fetch the bad children front the earth. The gnomes, who were dressed in

pink tights and brown tunics, were Hector Forbes, George Botten, Ernie Webb, Seth Backhouse and George Wellington (Tip Tipe). The last named, as chief of the gnomes, stood

out as a central figure, going through his part in excellent style. Chief among the bad children were Tom Sangster, Charlie Bell, and Colin Marr, who played their parts to perfection. Besides several choruses through the piece there were also two solos, one by the Dame, and one by the Fairy Queen, both of which were sung without the least sign of nervousness. The Cantata ended by the fairies singing the children off to sleep, some of them being attired in night-dresses and carried lighted candles. Following the cantata the senior boys gave ar. exhibition of wand drill, showing splendid precision throughout. Five boys (Colin San?ster Norman Mclver, Jack Ward, Ted Phillips, and’ Will Chard), dressed in soldier equipment, service medals, etc., then marched on to the stage, and asng a chorus entitled “Wooden Soldiers,” which had to be repeatea before the audience would allow the next item to be put on. “The Making of tlje Flag, which proved to be next on the menu, was a striking tableaux interspersed with dialogue and songs. The curtain rose to show seven girls busily engaged at spinning-wheels, each one spinning a different colored yarn, Essie Past (purple). Gerty Phillips (green) Mavis Johnston (red), Jean .Sangster (white). Dot Wheller (biue). Emma Botten (black), Rhoda Wheller (yellow). Rawea Mclver as Britannia then entered, attended by Edna Lash as Wisdom and chose the colors red, white, and blue. The’ scene ended by the girls singing a song in praise of the Union Jack. The concert would not have been complete without a nigger song, and to say that the nigger wedding was a scream does not halt express the feeling ol the audience, who were not satisfied until they had heard this Item a second time. The song was entitled "Don t Forget Bars' a Waddin’ To-night." Clem Phillips and Syd. Hart (the long and short of it) took the parts of Pride and bridegroom respectively, the bride wearing the orthodox veil and gay blossoms, and carried a shower bouquet. The following boys took part as the merry revelers, being gaily dressed as nigger girls and boys: Eric Chard, Colin Sangster, Peter Hosking, .Tack Ward, George Sangster, Norman Mclver, Tom Botten, Gorden Her ms, Oliver Baskin, Fred Mclver. Jack Phillips, led Phillips, and Will Chard as "de cop, outside de door,” _ „„„ The second to last item. '’Tile .Ta panOso Pan - by the senior girls In costume was well received, the girls using their fans daintily throughoutThe finale, -Hurrah for the Holidays, was a splendidly arranged tableaux, and went with •I <»ood swing all the scholars being on the stc-e in the’ various costumes worn during the" evenly “a de * scene worth.v of special

mention. The National Anthem was then: sung, after which Mr. Bell, chairman of the j school committee, thanked the audience for their attentive hearing, and congratulated the teachers on the splendid programme they tad worked up. On behalf of the audience, Mr. Bell also asked that the concert be repeated at some future date, which request has been acceeded to, so those who were not fortunate enough to hear the children last Friday night should not miss the opportunity of hearing them when they give the conceret again early in February. • Supper was next handed round, the arrangements for which were in the hands of a strong ladies’ committee, who are to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which this part of the programme was attended to. Supper over, the floor was cleared for dancing, the music being supplied free by Mrs. Hart, extras being played by Miss Sangster and Mr. Barleyman, Mr. Hart carying out the duties of M.C. The nett from the entertainment are £9 10s, which is highly satisfactory. This amount is to be expended on Improvements to the school grounds, and comforts and amusements for the children while at school. The teachers (Miss Sartori and Miss Guppy) wish to specially thank Miss Strack and Messrs. V. Jones and C. Phillips for their valuable assistance in helping the girls and boys to make up for their various parts; the Stratford Musical Society, who so generously lent their curtain for the concert and which added greatly to the effect of the scenes, it having been arranged by Mr. C. P. Phillips in real opera house style. After having had a strenuous year’s work. Miss Sartori feels the necessity for a holiday, so is taking advantage of the school vacation. She leaves this week to spend a few weeks in Hastings and papier, and also contemplates a trip to Lake Taupo. The festive season is here once more, and on behalf of the residents of this district, I wish the Editor and staff of the News a Marry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. (for which the News staff express their sincere thanks, and beg to reciprocate the kindly sentiments. —-Ed.) WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday evening last the concert and dance to celebrate the breaking-up of the Pukearuhe school for the summer vacation was held in the schoolroom, which was well filled with a large assemblage of parents and friends of the children. The various items were well rendered, and those given by the pupils showed evidence of careful training on the part of the teacher. Mr. Luxton (chairman of the school committee) presided, and the following programme was gone through: Piano solo, Miss Hazel Wells; Japanese fairy, children; recitation, John Lambert: song, Mr J. Noel; song, children; song, Mr. Horner ; recitation, Louisa Wells; piano solo, Miss Ivy Moeller; “Robinson Crusoe,” ch ildren; song, Mr. Noel; song, children; recitation, Mr. Horner; song, C. Mangu. At the conclusion of the programme, the chairman, with a few appropriate remarks to the recipients, presented the prizes, after which an excellent supper, provided by the ladies, was handed round. The room was then cleared for dancing, music being contributed by Misses Hazel Wells, C. Musker, M. Freetl?, Ivy 'Moeller, ana Mr. C. Samsen (mouth organ). The duties of M.C. werej, well carried out by Mr. Vincent Wells. 3

The first round of the A. Grade cricket competition was completed on Saturday, and by their defeat of New Plymouth the Urenui team should hold a good position, having won four matches and lost two. It was pleasing to note that C. Wilson, after a retirement of some weeks with an injured knee, was again playing, and put up the respectable score of 44 runs.

Followers of racing are now looking forward to the Christmas meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club next week, and as usual, there will be a strong contingent from this end of the district. Owing to the shortage of the article necessary for the purchase of totalisatpr tickets, speculation may he somewhat restricted as compared with late years, but the interest taken in the various events will be as keen gs ever, and as the large acceptances show the excellence of the handicapping, winners may take some sorting out. In any case, it is not necessary to go in for heavy “punting” to spend a most enjoyable day on the New Plymouth .racecourse, with its interesting surroundings, and hundreds of people are content to watch the racing and meet old friends, without risking more than a modest sum. At a meeting of the Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company recently, no less than three circulars were read from Influential firms in the Old Country pointing out the absolute necessity of sending nothing but the best cheese to the Home market, and stating that an inferior article would meet with little or no demand. The urgency of *producting a high-class article has been before pointed out, and considerable discussion took place amongst the directors as to the better means of attaining this end. The manager, on being interviewed, said that some of the’ milk was far from being conducive to good cheese-making and stronglyadvocated the necessity of cooling. The advisability of setting up a committee to interview suppliers was considered, but ti e chair-

man (Mr. J, F. Phillips) declined to act, saying that he had made one of a deputation for this purpose last season, and the result had been practically nil, as although it was conceded that cooling was most necessary', matters were still as they were, and in most cases nothing had bben done. He did not see why he should have to ask a supplier twice to do a thing which must be apparent to him was most necessary, and he had come to the conclusion that all he could do was take the best possible care of his own milk, and help to bear tlie loss caused through others not .taking the same precautions. Eventually, Messrs. S. Sutton and Geo. Baker were appointed to see what could be done in the matter.

This question of absolute cleanliness in dairy utensils, and the efficient cooling of milk, is becoming one of vital importance in

every district where cheese is manufactured, more especially in those in which climate conditions are most unfavorable to keeping milk sweet. It is generally acknowledged that if milk is contaminated, through faulty machines or feed flavors, all the cooling that can be given will not entirely eliminate these odors, but it certainly will prevent them from developing and making matters worse. Many Instances could be cited of how milk has been improved both in quality and test by thorough cooling both night and morning, but one stated by Mr. S. Sutton (who, it might he mentioned, was one of the first suppliers in this district, to ir.stal an up-to-date cooling aparatus in his milking shed) at the last annual meeting will serve to show the advantages gained by the process. He mentioned that on one occasion Messrs. Fulton and Grant, Government dairy experts, happend to be in the local factory on business connected with the supply of inferior milk, and were on the stage when bis milk was being taken in. They were so impressed with its excellence that they made a special visit to his shed and saw how the milk was first reduced in temperature by being passed through a Danish cooler, and then kept so by the cans being placed in a concrete trough filled with cold water. By this means the temperature was reduced to some 58 degrees, and the experts, after testing it, stated it was the best milk they had ever inspected. The test was a very high one, and although the herd consisted of well-bred Jerseys, there is no doubt that a point or two was gained by cooling. Our managers should be assisted in every manner possible to maintain a high standard of production, and as they themselves assert' that one of the better means of doing this is by universal cooling of milk by the suppliers, it is surely worth an effort to give them this assistance. KINA ROAD. I’"' (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday evening, December 15, the children attending the Kina Road school gave their first school concert. Local talent very kindly assisted, and the programme was much appreciated by the crowded audience. The following was the programme: Pianoforte solo, Miss Simpson ; soqg, “Just Keep Marching Alang," pupils; ‘ Recitation, “King Pippin,” juniors: Scotch dance to bagpipe music supplied by Mr. Wan. McLeod, Misses Nellie and Lennie Fleming and Mary McLeod; song. “Little Mr. Baggy Breeches,” pupils; song, “Hiawatha’s Melody,” Miss Gardner; recitation. “My Pocket,” three little girls; orchestral selection, Mr. and Misses Pentelow; song, “Hush-a-bye, Dolly,” little girls; sword dance, Miss Nellie Fleming; song, “Harrying a Nest,” pupils; •,ong, “The Wl lspering Willow Lane.” Miss Gardner; recitation, “Poor Dog Pray.’ seniors; song. “Land of Hope and Glory,” Mrs. Willers and school children ; “God Wave the '' ' -