DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) As was generally anticipated, the football club’s ball proved to be one of the most enjoyable and successful function that has ever been held in the Rahotu Hall. In spite of a rather threatening night there was a record attendance, visitors from as far afield as Ounata being present. The arrangements for the evening reflected great credit upon the committee, who had spared no pains to ensure success. The hall had Deen tastefully decorated with nikau palms, wattle and arum lilies, with gay streamers radiating from the centre to the walls, the whole producing a charming effect. The floor was in tip-top order, and throughout the evening was filled with happy dancers. A feature of the evening was the fine music provided by the orchestra. It was quite impossible to rest when the musicians struck up, and dancing was maintained with a zest and swing which ensured an appetite, if such were needed, for the dainty supper supplied by the ladles of the district. PUNIHO AND WAREA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The hard-up social organised by the Warea bachelors on 21st ult. was a very successful function, and should provide sufficient funds to pay off the small debt contracted at the recent bachelors’ ball, for which purpose the social was held. Messrs. Parker and Norris supplied excellent tmuslc for the dancing, and with a tip-top floor, and Messrs. G. and H. Wills as M.’sC., there was nothing omitted that the dancers could desire. The supper was a hard-up one, bread, cheese and biscuits filling the menu. There were many long faces { when the usual cakes, etc., did not follow, but ■it was all taken In good spirit. The extras I were played by Miss Pearson and Mr. Gray ' (Rahotu). Mr. Tunnicliff also obliged with ' an extra on the accordeon, for which he re- ; celved an encore. The bachelors’ and spinsters’ combined Lal). ■ held at Okato, was a decided success. No ex- ; pense or pains had been spared by the comi mlttee to supply the wants of the dancers, and, i as was expected, a good time was en|cyed by | everyone. Mr. Fred Boulton’s orchestra of j four instruments was engaged for the occaj sion, which helped to make the emilng’s dancing a pleasure. Mears. O’Sullivan (2) and L. Wooldridge very ably filled the du’.’.es of M.’sC., and no dancers were left unattended. The hall was danitily decorated with yellow, white and geld streamers, with a sprig of wild clematis intermingled, a very pleasing effect being produced. The supper room and tables, under the charge of Mrs. Corbett, were also decorated in the same manner. A firstclass sit-down supper, and plenty of it, was provided. The joint secretaries (Miss Bertha and Mr. Len Wadsworth), to whom a large amount of the success is due, merit ccngratulations on their success.

A keen Interest is being taken in the forthcoming concert by the members of the Puniho and Warea Girls’ Friendly Society, who arc putting in a lot of hard work in order to make it beat all other functions on the coast. Streamer and confetti dances be put on, also community sing dances, for the committee intend it shall be a real carnival night. The committee have engaged Mrs. Larking, ns well as Mrs. Bates (Okato) to help .with the concert, and they have also been successful in engaging the services of Mr. Hedge Vonner, the popular comic singer, for the occasion. The dancing will be in the hands of Messrs. Payne (2), and R. Venner, arrangements having been tmade for continual dancing in the event of an overcrowded floor.

The final working bee that was called for the levelling of the ground for the new church was held last Wednesday, and everything is now in readiness for the starting of the foundations.

MOK AU—AWAKINO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather Is beautiful, and makes the farmers smile. The eighty men on the Awakino Valley Road are doing good work, in spite of the frequent sTlps which Impede their progress. It is estimated that early next year it will be available for vehicular traffic. The Mokau butter factory is turning out more butter than last year. Mr. Ross, of Mokau River, was in charge during the absence in Taranaki of Mr. J. Balsom, whose wife, we regret to report, is in a very precarious state of health. On his return on Monday last, Mr. ; Balsom was able to report a slight improveJ ment. The supply of cream froim the river settlement totals now over 8001bs every alternate day. The Awakino cheese factory is still under the direction of Mr. Norman Pepperell, and is putting out'some crates of first-class cheese. The O.V. Mahoe put into Mokau on Wednesday, 27th, with a full cargo, and left on the same day with a full cargo. ' There is still a fair supply of fish in our river, but not much of it finds its way t« Mokau city. Mrs. Lal Black left this morning with her pupils to attend the Royal Academy’s musical exams., to be held on Monday next. All success to them. The concert and dance given by the Maoris in the Mokau Hall on Friday, September 22, was a pronounced success, and the great crowd present declared it to be one of the best concerts of the year. The "Tainui Troop” did credit to themselves throughout. Quite the features of the evening were the "Laughing Song,” by Mr. Waragul Karauna ; duet, “Why Don’t You Get a Lady of Your Own.” by Mesrs. S. Macdonald and Glen Wietne; "Haeremai,” song and chorus by Mr. S. Macdonald and company; and the pretty Maori love song by Mr. and Mrs. S. Macdonald. The sword dance was exquisitely danced by Miss Lily Wlniata, also the "Breakdown” by lady members of the company, headed by Mrs. Glen Wetere. The poi dances and hakas were i very much enjoyed, and all through the programme encores were the order. At the close a dainty supper was done full justice to, and then the floor was cleared for dancing, which was indulged in till about 3 a.m. The music, which was, as usual, "top-notch,” was provided by the Mokau orchestra, viz.:—Mrs. Christofferson (piano), and Messrs. A. G. Sanv’on and J. L. Macdonald, first and second viplins. Extras were kindly contributed by Miss Jean Stewart. The M.’sC. were Messrs. Norman Clifton and S. Macdonald, who carried out their duties with courtesy and care. One must not omit special mention of the singing of Mrs. S. Macdonald, who has a beautiful voice, as has also her clever and verstatile husband. In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald, with their little son, Georgle, were quite an acquisition to the performance. The decorating of the hall was in the hands of Mesdames G. 'Wetere and Macdonald, and the effect of the plaited nlkaus, interlaced with bright flowers and clematis, was really beautiful. Great credit is due to all the Tainui Troup and their energetic hon. secretary (MY. Henry Dixon), for providing such an excellent evening’s entertainment. They intend to present their programime at Awakino on Saturday night,- and afterwards mean to play at Tongaporutu, PiGPio, and probably Urenui. Mr. J. MacMahon, of Inglewood, is spending a few days in Mokau.

Mr. L. Smith, from Christchurch, has been visiting Mokau, and is delighted with our little seaside town and our beautiful river.

Visitors at Mrs. Box’s Tainui House, Mokau. last week included Messrs. L. Smith, Sage, Townley, Ross, Raven and Lewes. Mr. Lowes, brother of our esteemed skipper of the O.V. Sefton, arrived from England this week, and is staying with his brother. Mr. Lewes was a prisoner of war in Germany during the late war, and has many Interesting experiences to relate of the happenings during his captivity.