DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

MOKAU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of directors of the Mokau Dairy Factory (butter) and Awakino (cheese) was held on Monday evening, September 4. Matters of general importance were discussed, and decisions thereon reserved until the nexLmeeting. The supply of cream for the Mokau Butter Factory is still on the increase and likely to be, for as the days go on more- cows are coming into profit. Messrs. A. Blanchard and T. Scott are doing good work on the 12-foot road (soldiers’ settlement) up the Mokau river. I regret to learn that Mr. Townley; of Tongaporutu, is indisposed and is confined to the house. We trust he will soon be able to be about again. Mr. and Mrs. -Townley have only just returned from a most’"enjoyable trip to Fiji. The spell of fine weather we are having Is putting our roads into good order again, and we hope to soon hear the "hum” of the motor and welcome the cheery jurist to our ‘shores. The men on the Awakino Valley Road are progressing splendidly with their work, and in years to come the travellers along the great .main road from Taranaki to Auckland will "rise up and call them blessed," for there will be no more "Taumatemalre” to navigate or Stony Creek to ford, for the Valley Road Aroldeth these obstacles. The lambing returns are very satisfactory so far in our district. Miss J. Stewart and Master Norman Clifton have returned from a very enjoyable visit to Mr. and Mrs. E. Sampson. Mokau River. Miss Phyllis Sampson and Miss Vera Sampson (Mokau River) are visiting Mrs. Clifton (Mokau city). Mr. A. G. Mouatt, of "Maungatoi,” left on Tuesday on a business trip to Taranaki. I regret to hear that there is not much improvement in the health of Mrs. J. Balsom, wife of our popular and capable factory manager. We trust Mrs. Balsom will speedily be restored to good health. Miss Belle Sampson is visiting Mr. and Mrs. E. Sampson (Mokau River). The arrangements for the Maoris’ social are well in hand, and music lovers may look forward to a treat. Besides songs, part songs, recitations, etc., there are to be hakas and pol dances galore. A dance and supper to follow. A lady and gentleman (tourists) from good old "Blighty,” who spent a few days in Mokau. and took a trip some 25 miles up the river, expressed themselves as being charmed with the scenery and surroundings, and only wished that time had permitted them making a longer stay amongst us.

The Awakino Orchestral Society's concert, in aid of the library fund, was held on Friday evening. September 1, and proved a most successful and enjoyable function. During the evening a guessing competition was held, and resulted in a draw between Miss Phyllis Jones and Mr. Norman Pepperell, who divided a hundred of flour between them. A hottie, containing matches, was found. On counting the same it was found to hold 504, and the above named young lady and gent, each guessed 503. Following the concert, n supper and dance took place, and the gay followers of Terpsichore tripped the "light fantastic toe” till about 3.30 to music supplied by the Awakino orchestra, Mesdames Sole and Christofferson, Messrs. G. Thomas and T. Cummings made courteous and efficient M.C.’s. The library fund will benefit to the extent of about £l5.

The concert programme was as follows: Overture (Vagabond March), by the Awakino orchestra. This Item was well played and deservedly encored. The orchestra consisted of Mrs. McNeice (first violin), Mr. A. Sampson (second violin). Mr. R. L. Northern (flute), Mr. A. Sole (cornet). Mr. F. Northern (piano), and Mr. McGregor (triangle and bells). The company are to be complhmented on their playing. The next item was a part song by the "Village Choristers,” and was a sweetly pretty thing, nicely rendered. This was also enthusiastically encored. Then followed a song by Mr. Fred Northern. This gentleman is a very popular singer, and his song produced a vociferous encore. Then came a flute solo, artistically rendered by Mr. H. L. Northern. This also elicited a hearty recall. Mr. F. Waddell, of "Te Kawau,” was next on the list for a comib song, in which he excels, but through pressure of business he was not able to be present. The next Item was a beautiful little song, splendidly rendered by Mrs. Wilfred Smith, which was tumultuously applauded, when Mrs. Smith smilingly obliged with another most enjoyable number. A comic song. "Local iseus,” sung by Mrs. Chrlstofferson, also received an encore. Mr. Geo. Bignell followed with a very fine song. He was In excellent voice, and the encore was well deserved. Then came a quartette by Mesdames McNeice, Smith, Carrington, and Miss M. Wolfe, a beautful number well rendered and encored. Mrs. W. D. Thomson was next on the list for a pianoforte solo, but through unforeseen circumstances did not perform, which was to be regretted, as Mrs. Thomson’s playipg is always enjoyed. In her stead, the orchestra played some selected airs, which were deserving of the encore they received. Mrs. Leonard Leech sang in her usual pleasing style that old hut always enjoyable song. "f Cannot Sing the Old Songs,” and for an encore gave "Absent.”

The orchestra opened the second part of the programme with a very fine selectiqp, which was heartily encored. Miss M. Wolfe’s song was one' of the gems. We have never heard this young lady in better voice. The duet "Watchman, What of the Night?” was snlendidly sung by Messrs. McGregor and Fred. Northern. This was a most pleasing number, their voices blending admirably, and they received a most insistent recall. Mrs. McGregor then followed with "Sing Sweet Bird,” which was imost enjoyable, this lady being in excellent voice, and the song very finely rendered. The next was a "gem" Indeed. The song "Rose of My Heart” was most sweetly sung by Mrs. E. Carrington (nee Miss Hazel Wolfe). The company, joining in the pretty chorus, gave a very fine effect to the song, in which Mrs. Carrington’s soprano was heard to great advantage. Now we come to what, to our thinking, was one of the most enjoyable of all the items, viz., the song "Longing. Dear, for You.’ charmingly sung by Mrs. H. L. Northern. This lady’s sining is always delightful to listen to. The song was accompanied by violin (Mrs McNeice) and flute (Mr. H. L. Northern)" obligato, and received a most vociferous encore. The performance concluded with a humorous part song. "Old Mother Hubbard, bv the company. This was remarkably 'well sung, and was very funny, and well deserved the rousing encore it received. The singing o the National Anthem brought this most enjoyable concert to a close.