DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Awakino Collie Club trials were held in glorious weather, on March 9 and 10. The entries were good, and some splendid work was done by the different dogs competing. A large number of visitors and. local people were present. Mr. H. Lambert, of Tarata, acted as judge, and gave very just and conscientious decisions in each event. Mr. J. Terrill acted as ground steward, Mr. N. Bryant as dog steward, Mr. C. Rigg as sheep steward, and Mr. C. Cross as timekeeper. The hon. secertaries were Messrs. F. Northern and G. MacMillan, The results have been published. The catering at the booth waa in the capable hands of Mrs. S. Galvin, who looked after the “inner man (and woiman) well and nobly. In the evening a grand concert was given to a large and apprec.w.tive audience in the Awakino HalL JViiic v,as most tastefully decorated- fCr.cjie occasion by Mr. McGregor. The concert, ...rogramme opened with a pianoforte solo by Mrs. W. D. Thomson. It is always a treat to listerf to this lady’s playing, as she is a finished musician'. Mr. C. G. Bignell followed with that fine song “Pegging Away,” and had to respond to a vociferous encore. The next item was a song by Miss Minnie Wolfe, and it must be said that this young lady was never heard in better voice. Miss Wolfe also had to respond to an encore. The next on the programme was really the “hit” of the evening, a recitation by Mr. Hector Macdonald, of Waitara, who received a double encore and responded. A violin solo, most admirably executed by Miss Kathleen Thomson, followed. This young lady had also to give a second number in response to the tumultuous applause accorded her item. There is no doubt’ this young lady is highly talented, and quite at home with the instrument, and it is a pity we do not hear her as a violinist more often on our concert platform. Mr, F. Northern then sang most delightfully that lovely song “Friend o’ Mine,” and responded with “Peggy O’Neill” to the hearty and well-deserved recall he received. Mrs. McGregor then sang in her usual pleasing manner, but would not respond to an encore. A pianoforte solo by Miss N. Thomson, a gifted young player, was accorded applause. Mrs. Christofferson followed with a very humorous local sketch, but this lady, having only recently recovered from a severe illness, had to cut out what would have really been the best part of the item, and was unable to respond to the hearty applause which greeted her. Mr. Ernie Paynter closed the first of the programme with a comic song, which fairly brought down the house, and which he had to repeat. After an interval of five minutes, the second part of the P ro _ gramme opened with a fine rendering of “The Marseillaise,” played with -skill and execution by Mrs. Lal Black. followed a song, “The River of Years, by Mr. McGregor. This gentleman has a'pleasing though not very strong voice, and sang well, but would not respond to an encore. The next was a most enjoyable item, the song “The Scent of the Lilies,” being most sweetly sung by Mrs. J. Northern, to whom it is always a pleasure to listen. Mr. J. Northern, who is an accomplished flautist, rendered a flute solo in a masterly manner. This was heartily encored. Mr. Hector Macdonald again brought down the house with his humorous recitations. The next item was a quartette “Come Away, Elves,” admirably sung -y Mesdames McNeice, Northern, McGregor and Miss M. Wolfe, which had to be repeated. Mr. Norman Jones then delighted the audience with a very humorous recitation, “The Motor-ea.. One of the r.'.ost enjoyable items of the evening was the dancincr of Mr. Rod Mcßae, who contn buted the “Waltz-clog,” and in response to the vociferous encore, ah Irish jig. Then followed a song, prettily rendered by Miss K. Thomson, entitled “Rosebud.” This received a hearty encore, to which, however, the young lady did not respond. Mr. F. Waddell, who is a singer very popular with our audiences, was billed for a comic number, but when the moment for his appearance arrived, he was absent, so the concert concluded with song and chorus “A Wee Doch an’ Doris,” by Mr. Rod Mcßae and company. The singing of “God Save the King” brought this most successful concert to a close. The accompanists were Mesdames McNeice, Thomson, Messrs. McGregor and Northern, while Mrs. Christofferson played for Mr. Mcßae’s dances. On the' Friday evening a grand ball was held in the Awakino Hall. This was an immense success, a very large crowd being present, and floor, music, supper, and everything else (M.’sC. included) being in perfect order. During the evening we were honored by the presence of the members of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, who had been visiting these parts, spying out the land for the benefit, we hope, of both dur district and themselves. They made themselves very sociable, and we are of the fixed opinion that nothing but the best must result from the visit of such a body of men. who are proving themselves to be not only possessed of money, brains, common-sense .arid generosity, but to be devoting themselves and those talents to the best interests of the land they live in.

After supper, Mr. W. D. Thomson, patron of our Collie Club, presented the prizes to the lucky owners of the winning dogs. Mr. Thomson, after a few well chosen words of praise, handed the . trophies to Mrs. Thomson, who in turn , gracefully presented them to the fortunate recipients. ‘Each win was a popular one, and was greeted with cheers and musical honors. Mr. L. Jones, president of the club, thanked the visiting gentlemen for their presence and sociability, to which Mr. T. C. List, president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, suitably responded, and also caused a volley of applause by generously promising to donate a trophy for next year’s meeting. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Lambert for so gener- | ously giving his time and services as judge, to which Mr. Lambert responded in a neat little speech, saying he was only too happy to place himself at their service when ever he was needed. Thanks and cheers were then accorded to all who had in any way assistd in making the Collie Club trials, concert and ball the successes, they were, and after the “Chamber of Horrors” (as they called themselves) had given their “Hymn of Peace,” the dancing was resumed and carried on till about 3 a.m. The excellent music was contributed by Mrs. Christofferson, while extras were kindly given by Mesdames Thomson and Avery, i Miss K. Thomson (violin). Miss Lewis and Mr. Albert Ekatone. The courteous M.’sC. were Messrs. G. Thomas and JCummings. • The ladies present were: —Mrs. W. D. Thomson, grey charmeuse, over-bodice

of silver net; Mrs. J. Avery, black satin with beaded over-bodice; Mrs. L. Leach, cream silk lace gown; Mrs. E. Paynter, black georgette over black crepe de chine; Mrs. N. Ordish, cream silk net; Mrs. G. MacMillan, cream silk; Mrs. Townley, lemon-tinted taffeta silk; Mrs. L. Jones, grey taffeta silk; Mrs. Calvert, cream georgette over crepe de chine; Mrs. J. Northern, cream net blouse, black silk skirt; Mrs. Lal Black, black velvet; Mrs. J. Wilson, brown silk and georgette; Mrs. N. Clifton, cream henriette with filet lace; Mrs. Houssy, navy blue charmeuse; Mrs. McGregor, pale blue silk net; Mrs. Wolfe, grey silk; Mrs. Galvin, cream voile; Mrs. N. Bryant, white silk; Mrs. P. Hansen, cream silk; Miss K. Thomson, black georgette; Miss N. Thomson, black lace over crepe de chine; Miss V. Ayery, pretty green crepe de chine and georgette; Miss M. Wolfe, cream net over charmeuse; Miss E. MeDoftnel, vieux rose crepe de chine; Miss I. Randell, cream crepe de chine: Miss M. Randell, white silk voile; Mies E. Randell, tangerine taffeta silk; Miss Lawry, pretty pink crepe de chine; Miss J. Stewart, floral voile, pale blue taffeta silk sash; Miss Tracey, black satin bodice, tartan skirt; Miss Lewis, black charmeuse bodice, tartan skirt; Miss Burkhardt, cream silk; Miss Leach, pale blue and charmeuse; Miss McKenzie, white silk; Miss J. Galvin, white voile; Miss C. Scott, white voile; Miss L. Winiata, pink voile; Mrs. G. Wetne, green silk; Mrs. R. Battley, black silk voile.

It was regretted that Mrs. J. McNeice, who had been the leading light of our social committee at Collie Club time, and to whose efforts the past successes of their concert and ball were due, was unable to be present at the ball. This lady has only just recovered from an illness.

We regret to hear that a serious accident befell the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Albeit, Sole. It seems the little chap was playing round a flagpole on his father’s place, and became entangled in some cord hanging loose from it, when a pet : lamb “butted in,” and getting the boy and himself hopelessly tangled up in the string in his frantic efforts to free himself,’ dragged the child round and round over the hard ground until the little fellow’s leg was badly broken, the bone above the knee being literally split in pieces. The little sufferer was at once taken out by car to the New Plymouth Hospital, where, we learn, he is doing as well as can be expected. The greatest sympathey is extended to Mr. and Mrs. (Sole. Mr. Whitehead, senr., of Tikorangi, is visiting his son, Mr. S. Whitehead, of Mokau. Miss E. McDonnell, of Stratford, is visiting Mrs. W. Black, of Awakino. Miss Leach, of New Plymouth, is visiting Mrs. L. Leach, Awakino. Mrs. Christofferson has returned from Waitara. Mrs. and Miss Wheatley, of Lepperton, are spending a fortnight at Mokau.