DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

MANGATOKI. (From Uur Own Correspondent.) There was a good congregation at the service in the local church on Easte.r Sunday morning, to be addressed for the last time by the Rev. G. J. Castle before his departure from this district. The hall was not overcrowded for the tennis dance, but those who did go had a very enjoyable time. The bachelors’ ball on the 16th is eagerly looked forward to. Plenty of time and energy is being put in to make this event a success, and there will be good music, a good floor and a good supper. There was a small attendance at the householders’ meeting on the 24th. Mr. J. P. Marx presided and was re-elected chairman and secretary. Other members of the committee are Messrs. A. H. Guy, A. T. Sulzberger, O. Webby, and E. Colson. A very serious accident happened at the corner of the Eltham and Hunter road on Thursday last, when Mr. Fred Briscoe, who was on a motor cycle, collided with Mr. T. J. Allen, of the lower Hunter Road, who was driving a car. Dr. Cooper was soon on the scene, and after rendering first aid, had the injured man conveyed to hospital, where it was found he was suffering from shock. It is reported that one leg is broken in two places, and an arm and collar bone broken. Mr. Briscoe is very popular and well known, having lived here practically all his life. He is an enthusiastic footballer, and will be much missed on the field this winter. We sympathise with Mr. Briscoe and his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe, of the Eltham. 'hill), and hope the injuries 'are not so serious as reported. The number of shots to be heard this morning reminded us that the shooting season has opened. Tlie local school closes on Friday for the term holidays. The new headmaster (Mr. A. H. Grant) is expected to take charge about June 1. Many folks journeyed away for Easter and there were many visitors In the district. Among others were Mr. and Mrs. H. Astbury, from Wanganui, who were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. D, L. A. Astbury. Many friends extend their sympathy to Mrs. Muir, of the Duthie Road, in tire death of her mother, who passed away at Auckland recently, after a short illness. Mr. J. Penny expects to leave this week on a health trip to Hamilton. Mrs. Penny accompanies hkm as far as Marton. TURANGI. (From Dur Own Correspondent.) On April 13 the local ..school committee intended having a general clean up of the school grounds, cut the fern, etc., and end up with giving the children their annual prizes an|l lolly scramble. The day proved a miserably wet one, so the committee filled a lollie bag for each scholar, also one for the teacher and each lady present. Our local storekeeper kindly donated the bags and tte use of the lolly scales, so as to prevent overloading of any child inwardly.

On assembling the children after the luncheon hour the prizes were distributed by the chainman, Fred Patson gaining another first class certificate, while his brother William gained a second class certificate, owing to being absent through sickness one day. All the children received a nice prize, in proportion to their standard of work, and a lollie bag. After a short address by the chairman, all sang "God Save Our King.’’ The chairman then called for three cheers for the teacher. Miss F. M. Webb, who takes a great interest in her pupils and school work. After the cheering was over the members of the committee assisted the ladies to dispose of the sweets, thus terminating a very pleasant. social afternoon.

The shooting season is again with us, and it is really strange how some people motor cut to the bush on the Marigaoapa Road on the .make believe that they are out after pheasants and quail. I tope they and others will read this and take warning, as imported game do not feed on miro berries and leave white feathers in their wake around these parts. TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Now that the dog trials are over and the local road contractors are closing down for th® winter, we may reasonably hope for some fine weather. Since the dog trials there have been quite a round of social events. The dog trials were completely spoiled owing to the bad weather, and the attendance at the dance and smoke concert In the evening, for the same reason, was imuch below the usual. The dance, however, chiefly because of the splendid music supplied by Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra. w:ts most enjoyable. Last Monday there was a reception in the hall given by Mr. and Mrs. Eta Tangatau, who were quietly married a few days before. It was a very gay affair, and the ever popular “Eta” was the recipient of many good wishes for his future happiness and prosperity.

Next in order was the farewell smoke concert to Mr. J. Crowe, who is leaving for a six months' holiday in Scotland. The concert was well attended, and mans’ interesting speeches reminiscent of old times in Tar ata, were a striking feature of the evening. Mr. Crowe, who leaves New Zealand by the Tainui, left for Wellington on Tuesday.

On Saturday evening a meeting of the settlers decided to hold a sports meeting in about five, weeks’ time. A committee was elected to draw up a programme to be sub’ initted at the next meeting of the club, which is to take place on Monday, Maj’ 8. Judging by the enthusiasm displayed by tho settlers present, the sports meeting is already assured of success, and intending competitors should watch the Daily News for the list of events, some of wihch are likely to be new to Taranaki sports meetings, and may require a little practice. PUNIHO—WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual householders’ meeting was held in the Puniho schoolroom on Monday, 24th ult. Only four L-ouseholders turned up, they being the retiring committee. An apology for absence was received from Mr. E. B. Cooke, the fifth member, who was unable to attend through Illness. A very satisfactory report was read. As the five represent 50 per cent, of the householders they had the novel task of re-electing themselves. These five are Mr. A. Payne (chairman), Mr. R. J. Bell (secretary), Mr. IS. E. Cooke (treasurer), Mr. Cbas. Silver and Mr. T. Brunsden. The schoolroom at Puniho is gradually reducing as far as the white children are concerned. Twelve months ago Puniho could boast of a school roll of 40 odd, with a headmistress and assistant teachers. Now the roll is down to nearly half of that, and wc have no assistant teacher. This fact is attributed to the mixing of the Maori children with the whites. Many of the pakeha parents object to this, and in consequence they have sent the children to neighboring schools. There are some children living within a dozen chains of the school who are attending a school four miles away, and this means that the neighboring schools are getting overcrowded. The Education Board some time back promised to put an addition to the Puniho school to prevent this. The last we heard of it was that the plans were in hand. The settlers are wondering how soon they are going to get tired of holding them and put up the addition. The Puniho School Committee have taken steps for calling together a. working bee to effect repairs, etc., to the school grounds. A rather exciting experience befel Mr. McIndoe, of the Puniho tollgate, on Sunday last. It appears someone tried to break into the house, presumably being after the tollgate takings. They tried to break the door, but evidently it was strong enough to resist the attempt, or was it the threat that i Mr. Mclndoe issued that sent the intruders | about their business? This is the second; tUn« a month or two that someone

has tried to break into the house. The police lave the matter in hand.

The first dance to be <ivcn in aid of the Warea Bowling Club was held in the Ware* hall on Thursday, 27tti tilt. This took the shape of a "hard up dance,” and, true to its name, the committee made it so. There was a very good attendance, unany of the dancers being in hard-up dress. Mr. Pearson sappied the music, extras being played by Mrs. Doyle, Mr. Barratt, Misses C. Julian and M. Pearson. Mr. G. Wells was M.C. The club fund should benefit considerably. The hard-J up dresses were very good, and the judging presented no easy task. The judge eventually decided upon Mr. Muir for the gent's prize . and Miss Allwood for the lady’s. A special prize was given to Master R. Sole, who l caused a good deal of laughter as a “Sundowner.” The prize money was collected in the way of a fine from the various dancers who wore collars, good clothes, etc. Tte following were highly commended: Mr. Ray Julian (Cupid), Mr. Sam .Tones ("’Ard Times”), and Mrs. Doyle (“101b butterfat”). The M.C.’s at the local dance halls have come in for some rather severe criticism for putting on what one may term, "exhibition dances,” and the dancers were pleased to hear that the Okato hall committee had decided to discontinue them. We hope the other committees will soon follow suit, as, after all, it is the M.C.’s duty to try io please the dancers as a whole and not Individuals. The many friends of Mr. E. B, Cooke will be pleased to learn that he is progressing satisfactorily after his operation. It will be a month or more before he will be able to resume his work. Miss McKeague (Gisborne), who was with us a l short time back, has returned to take charge of Mr. Cook’s store during his absence". Mrs. Sax. Cooke is expected to arrive from tte Old Country shortly.