WAI-TOI-TOI--URENUI.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1922, Page 7

WAI-TOI-TOI--URENUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The military ball, held under the auspices of the C. squadron, 2nd W.W.C. M.R., in the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening last, was a most brilliant success, and universally pronounced to be one of the best functions of its class ever held in the district. The evening was all that could be desired from a weather point of view, and consequently there was a large attendance from the surrounding districts, including Waitara and New Plymouth, it being estimated that there were somewhere in the vicinity of two hundred ladies and gentlemen present. The officers and local members of the squadron had taken the matter up enthusiastically, and most complete arrangements had been carried out for the enjoyment of the visitors. Both the main hall and the marquee (which had been erected to serve as a supper room) were beautifully decorated with nikaus, ferns, flowers, flags, etc., and the result was most creditable, whilst the scene in the grand march, in which the decorations formed an effective background for the* uniforms of the troopers and the handsome dresses worn by the ladies, was well worth witnessing. The manner in which the supper tables were laid out also reflected great credit on those ladies who rendered such valuable assistance in this respect, and that important item—the supper itself —was in every way satisfactory. The presence of the Fourth Battalion Regimental Band, from New [ Plymouth, was also an added attraction, | and formed a source of enjoyment to | both dancers and non-dancers alike,, whilst several ladies and gentlemen pre- 1 sent assisted in the matter of playing j extra dances. The M.C., Mr. C. Bleakley, was ably assisted by Messrs. W. Skelton, G. Pigott and R Smith, and they had no light task in conducting such a large assemblage, and are to be complimented upon the manner in which they discharged their duties, in fact, the whole of the troop and officers could not do too much for the comfort of their guests Captain Bremner, O.€*. Taranaki District, led off the grand march with Mrs. F. Fuller, who. with a, number of other ladies, had taken a most active interest in the proceedings, and worked untiringly towards the success of the function. There was an attendance of over one hundred residents of Urenui and the surrounding districts (including a fair number of ladies) at the public meeting held in the Urenui Hall on Monday evening last for the purpose of conferring with the trustees as to the advisability of enlarging the present building. Mr. R. H. Pigott was voted to the chair, and in opening the proceedings, apologised for the absence, through illness, of one of the trustees (Mr. George Bertrand), and also stated that gentleman had forwarded the books, which were available for any information required by the meeting. Mr. T. S. O'Neill, one of the joint secretaries of the Urenui Sports Club, on behalf of the secretaries of the Uruti Beach Picnic Club, the Returned Soldiers’ Ball Committee, and the Mounted Troopers’ Ball Committee, pointed out the urgent necessity for increased supper room accommodation, as the present arrangements were far from satisfactory*, and especially inconvenient to the ladies who assisted *n functions held in the building. The whole question resolved itself into one of finance. In answer to questions, the chairman stated that on May 7 the credit balance of the liall funds stood at £5O 4s 7d, but there were future expenses to be met in the matter of printing, and a I new piano, etc. The hall was really not, ■ more than self-supporting, ami the terms of the deed in which the property wash vested in the original trustees (of which : i there were only ilow three living) pre-! vented the building being mortgageci as | < security for any improvement that j < might be contemplated. He also stated 1 that some two years ago the trustees • i had approached the bank as to advanc- h ing money for enlarging the building, and i I arrangements had been practically made : I for carrying out the work, but owing to ; < various reasons the scheme had been 1 dropped. After considerable discussion; I it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. A. H. Haleombe. seconded by Mr. J. Fitz- j ( gerald, that the trustees be empowered t to interview the bank ami ascertain if a j t sum of money' up to £6OO could be pro- | f cured on a joint and several guaran-! j tee, and -for what period it would be j /■ available. Mr. C. Smith suggested that c it would strengthen the position if a sum ' of monev was raised and placed in 1 lie ] hands of the trustees tn commence v. t'h, ’ and Mr. G. Salway nroposod. and AT- p , , Bleakley seconded, that a conuniltet. be j

set up to go into thS question of raising funds for the purpose. This was agreed to, and the following committee appointed:—Mesdames T. Waite and E. Rockett, Messrs. T. S. O’Neill, C. Rumbla, G. N. Skelton, E. K. Blundell, A. Spun, Leo O’Neill C. Dunbar, S. (Sutton, G., Bleakley, A. Gibson, J. Fitzgerald, C.’ Bleakley. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. T. S. O’Neill was appointed chairman, and Mrs. T. Waite alad P. Bleakley joint secretaries and treasurers. It was resolved that a concert and dance be held on Thursday, August 17, and other means of raising funds were also discussed. A further meeting of the committee will be held on the 24th inst., ■when matters will be gone into more fully. A euchre party and dance is to be held in the Urenui Hall on Thursday August 17, and other means of raising funds were also discussed. A further meeting of the committee will be held on the 24th inst., when matters will be gone into more fully.

A euchre party and dance is to be held in the Urenui Hall on Thursday evening next, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the funds of the football club and the library. As it is some time since a euchre party was held in Urenui, no doubt there will be a large attendance of the public, as both institutions are worthy of support. Amongst the visitors present in Urenui last week was Colonel Melville. Whilst here the colonel viewed the mounted troopers of this district, who were undergoing their course of a week’s training, which has been inaugurated under the new military regulations. Mr. W. Corcoran, who is an old resident of Wai-toi-toi, and has recently purchased the upper portion of his former property (the Wai-toi-toi estate) from Mr. J. Zimmerman, is at present in this locality. It is stated that Mr. Corcoran will probably put on a herd of cows to be milked during the coming season. Drivers of motor lorries, buses, etc., who are constantly using the Main North Road, will learn with satisfaction that the plans for the new bridge over the Mangamahoe have been approved by the Department, and that tenders are shortly to be called for the erection of an up-to-date structure over this stream, which has the habit of assuming the dimensions of a river after a heavy downpour of rain. / One evening recently some twenty 4)r thirty residents in the Okoke assembled to give a house warming to Mr. O’Roirdan on ths occasion of the completion of his new residence, which was built by Mr. Denne, also of that district. Mr. L. Frazer, on behalf of those present, congratulated Mr. O’Roirdan on the acquisition of his comfortable residence, and begged him to accept a collection of really useful cooking utensils as an expression of the esteem in which he wks lield by his fellow settlers. Mr. O’Roirdan suitably acknowledged the gift, and a most pleasant evening was spent, singing, cards, music, etc., being indulged in. On Friday evening last a very successful dance was held in the Okoke schoolroom, a fortnightly series of which are to be held through the winter months. The music was supplied by Misses Brough and Hosken. and Mr. Brough, and gave every satisfaction, whilst Mr. Symons efficiently carried out the duties of M.C.