DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From A Correspondent.) Seating accommodation was at a premium, and “standing-room ’’was severely taxed, in the hall on Wednesday, Marcli 29, on the occasion of a concert given by a local Maori troupe in aid of the funds of the Maori Girls’ Institute. Both artistically and financially the entertainment was a pronounced success, and the organising committee (of which Miss Harriet Kabul was a most painstaking secretary) are to be congratulated on the result of their labors, as a consequence of which the sum of about £2O was netted. Visitors from many miles around attended, all being delighted with the bill of fare provided. The native dances were the chief attraction, and demands for repetition were willingly responded to. The young ladies, in their picturesque scarlet dresses and Maori mats, provided a striking effect against a most effective stage decoration consisting of ferns, etc. All the performers did well, but special mention must be made of Mrs. Dudley’s solo poi dance, and the vocal contributions (in two of which he was assisted by a winsome little maid, Bella Lethaby, and a male chorus) of Tuni Epae, who was a host in himself. The following was the programme: Opening chorus (in Maori) by the company; song “Cuckoo,” Tuni Epae; song ‘ Let the Rest of the World Go By,” Tuni Epae (with chorus); single poi, Misses Harriet, Tunie and Ata Kahui, A. Dudley, V. Haewae, M. Walls. Polly, Rata and Sousa Rangitaawa, and Bella Lethaby; song “Ave Maria,” Miss L. Horo; recitation “The Leap of Roushan Beg,” Ata Kahui; haka, by senior boys; . song “Home, Little Maori, Home,” Tuni Epae and B. Lethaby; song “Because,” Miss H. Kahui; song “When the Great Red Dawn,” L. Coffry; poi dance, Mrs. A. Dudley; comic song and chorus “FakaIbo,” Epae, T- and J. Conroy, J. Wilcox, Piwha, Nuku Rangitaawa and Jim Amukete; duet “I Love a Charming Lady,” T. Epae and T. Conroy; duet “Weeping Willow Lane,” Misses Horo and H. Kahui; comic song “The Chinaman,” Rakei; song “All the Little Ducks,” T. Epae; duet “Syloire,” J. Wilcox and T. Conroy; song “Dreams Sweet and True,” Miss Horo; double poi. The accompaniments were played by Mr. R. Parker and Mrs. A. Lowry. Before the last item Mr. Lawrence Coffey, on behalf of the Maori Girls’ Institute, thanked the audience (for their patronage and also the performers for their untiring efforts. Following the concert, a dance, which further augmented the funds, was held, about fifty couples taking the floor to music provided by Messrs. P. Parker (piano) and Norris (violin). A bountiful supper was provided by the ladies of the company. It is the intention of the players* to repeat the concert at Opunake on Friday.

DOUGLAS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) By all appearances we are to have a very early winter, as we are enjoying now the weather we usually get in May—cold, frosty mornings and evenings, but glorious bright sunny days. The local factory has started separating again after six months cheesemaking. The supply has kept up remarkably well, and now that the market for butter and cheese is improving the -farmers won’t liave such a bad run, after all. There was great excitement in Stratford on Saturday, April 1/the day that the “specials” and other prizes were to be distributed by the Stratford Retailers, and the three depots whence the prizes were given were crowded with people all eager to see if their luck was in. There was disappointment written on many a face when they received after handing in their “special,” a ticket to say they were entitled to y 2 loaf bread or 2ozs. lunch sausage, while others looked very happy marching off with nice suitcases’, rugs, coats, etc. One young man in Douglas was lucky enough to receive a lady’s coat, but the other “specials” did’t come out this way. Every Friday night there is a picture show at the Douglas Hall, and usually there is a fair attendance. Once a fortnight the Tennis Club hold a euchre party and dance, prizes given to those winning the most games during the evening. The winners at the last party were Miss E. Rodgers and Mr. Man." Thanks to having such an energetic committee, we are now to have a hard court for play during the wintef, and the men are busy getting it in order. It’s surprising the number of sports we have in Douglas, although it is only a little place, and I must say we are badly in need of a domain or some such place where we can hold a sports meeting once a year like all the other townships round about. At the Toko sports meeting last week Douglasites I must have carried away half the prizes. We are pleased to see Mrs. Latham about again after having been laid up for some weeks, and, although she is not yet well, we hope she soon will be. Nurse Moir, who has been in Douglas staying with her people for some months, was able, through the improvement in her mother’s health, to leave for Australia last Friday morning.