DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) While the tangi was in progress at Parlhaka last week, a young native woman, Mrs. NitfU,’ became sick and died, the sacred rites of the natives being on this account prolonged for about a week. A family of children are bythis sudden bereavement left motherless, but the ever-ready sympathy of the older wahines of the pah will be extended to the little ones, and their loss will not be so keenly felt. The old-time custom of sharing the children among the natives is a beautiful one, and In times of bereavement is especially so.

About twelve or fourteen members of the Cape Egmont Athletic Club met in the hall on Saturday evening to draw up the programme and fix the date of the sports. Mr. Guild occupied the chair. It was decided to hold the sports on the first Wednesday In April, and nominations for the different events will close about the middle of March. Intending competitors should wateh the advertising columns of the News, and send entries in

On account of the domain being under cultivation, Wi Kupe has generously offered the club the use of the field on Pungarehu Road, and as the sports are to be held on private property, it was thought advisable by members to leave out chopping events for this year. There will be the usual maiden and short distance races, jumping, tug-o’-war, stepping the chain, greasy pig race, children’s and ladies* races, football tournament, and a couple of events for local ponies or farmers’ turnouts, for all of which, except children’s and ladles' races the usual entry fees will be charged. There will be an afternoon tea booth, And light luncheon will also be procurablj. Mr. P. Brophy is to be asked to act as smarter, and Messrs. M. Fleming and P. C. Smith as judges. A protest committee to consist of three members, and also a social committee to attend to the concert and dance on the evening of the same day were also appointed.

Mrs Scott, of Brooklyn, Wellington, with her little son, is visiting here and is the guest of Mr. aqd Mrs. G. Symons, of Cape Egmont lighthouse.

Mrs. Grenfell, who for some time past was an inmate of Nurse Baker’s private hospital, returned home last week, but unfortunately suffered a relapse, and had to again, go to hospital.

A wedding of more than unusual interest was celebrated at the Pungarehu Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, the Bth inst., when Miss Lizzie Fleming, the third daughter of Mr. M. Fleming, was united in matqimony with Mr. John Hickey, of Opunake. The church was filled with friends and well-wishers of the bride and bridegroom—the scholars of the local school (where Miss Fleming so capably filled the position of assistant teacher) and the teacher also being present. The bride, who was charmingly gowned, entered the church with her •father, and Father Doolaghty tied the nuptial knot. The lengthy service was concluded without a hitch, the "I wills” - clearly pronounced and the priestly blessing bestowed on the newly wedded couple. The bride-looked beautiful in soft white georgette, with a handsomely embroidered corsage finished with a girdle of rose buds, and she wore, the orthodox veil and wreath, and carried a magnificent shower bouquet. Miss M. Fleming, who attended her sister as bridesmaid, was wearing a pretty dress of cream elloenne trimmed with handsome lace, and finished with bunches of roses. Her hat was of deep cream, trimmed with vieux rose,’ and she also carried a beautiful bouquet of maidenhair fern and vieux rose larkspurs and jitoeks. The bride’s mother wore rich black brocade. Mrs. J. Fleming, of Pungarehu, navy blue costume with hat to match, Mrs. R. Fleming mole colored gabardine with hat to match, Mrs. F. Fleming black silk. The bridegroom was attended by Mr. D. Fleming (son of John Fleming) as best man, while Master Dick Gilhooly was "altar boy.” The happy couple left the church-to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March, played by Mrs. Doyle, <.f Warea, and were greeted with showers of confetti from the waiting crowd assembled outside, the porch door. The school children' lined the route and threw flowers under the feet of rhe happy couple, as with beaming smiles they passed through the throng. As soon as the newly wedded pair reached the car it was fairly besieged with friends, all eager to shake hands and wish Mrs. Hickey health and happiness. A reception was held at the residence of the bride’s parents, where the wedding breakfast was partaken of by a crowd of friends and relations, the usual toasts were honored, and afterwards the happy couple left by motor on their honeymoon. If there is anything at all to be attached to the old saying, "Happy is the bride (he sun shines on,” Mrs. Hickey’s lot will Surely be very happy, for the weather was perfect: indeed it seemed almost as if the day had been made to order.

Only the Immediate friends of the bride attended the wedding of Miss Amy Allen, niece of Mr. and Mrs. F. Kirk, with Mr. Ken. Mathews, which was solemnised in New Plymouth on Saturday, February 4.

x It is rumored' that Mr. Wright has resigned from the directorate of the Cape Egmont dairy factory and co-operative store.

The weather is decidedly autumn. The south wind whch has blown steadily for the past week seems to have dried up all the moisture left by the summer's rainfall, which was unusually heavy.

A splendid crop of tomatoes grown by. Mr. Symons, of the lighthouse, and which were indeed a picture and a striking example of the splendid quality of the soil, have unfortunately been attacked by the blight, and hang on the stalks useless and blackened, forlornly indicating "wtat might have been” if only the blight had passed them by.