DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOl-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Uruti Beach Picnic Club was held in the library, Urenui, on Saturday evening last. Owing to the heavy downpour of rain, there were not so many present as would otherwise have been the case, but nevertheless a fair number of members attended, and Mr. R. H. Pigott waa voted to the ehair. After confirming the minutes of the last annual meeting, the report, running as follows, was presented: "A most successful race meeting was held at Wai-toi-toi on March 11, 1922, the racing being first-class, the entries large, and the finishes close, thus paying a tribute to the excellent handicapping. The events were got off promptly, and the various officials are to he complimented upon the manner in which they discharged their duties. Th® growing popularity of the gathering is being evidenced by the large attendance, not only from the surrounding districts, but also from New Plymouth, and these visitors spoke highly as to the manner In which the meeting was conducted, having enjoyed themselves thoroughly, whilst no unpleasant incidents occurred to mar the day’s outing. The success of the meeting was due in a great measure to the excellent notices given both by the Press, and your committee wish to place on record their appreciation of this kindness, and also to express their thanks to the sporting contributor, "Moturoa," for the assistance given in his notes. The annual ball was also a big success, and the thanks of the club are due to the ladies who worked so hard in its interests. A very pleasing feature of the ball was the presentation made to Mr. C. H. Bennett, the late secretary, and also of the bracelet won by Mr. Geo. Baker. Trusting the club will have successful season in 1923, I am, etc., on behalf of the committee, Leo. O’Neill, hon. secretary.”

The balance sheet showed the receipts tc have been £125 Ils, including a credit balance of £6 2s 3d from 1921. The amount received in sweepstakes was £5O, members' tickets, £l4; cash donations, £ll 14s; contributions at gates, £2l 17s 3d; profit on ball, £lO 3s; other sources, £ll 14s fid. The expenditure was, prize money (including £3O added to sweepstakes), £80; printing and advertising, £l7 6s fid; presentations, £7 10s; other expenses, £2O 14s 3d; credit balance, £ll Ils 9d; total, £125 Ils. The report and balance sheet were adopted, being considered highly satisfactory. Mr. A. Spurr proposed that the secretary be voted an honorarium of £5 ss, together with a hearty vote of thanks, and in doing so, considered that the thoroughly capable manner in which Mr. O’Neill had discharged his duties deserved some little recognition at the hands of the club. This was seconded by Mr. S. Sutton and carried with acclamation. Messrs. Pigott, J. Baker and Sutton also spoke in eulogistic terms of the good work rendered by Mr. O’Neill. The latter gentleman, in thanking the meeting for their kind remarks, and the confidence reposed in him, said that any work he had done had been In tho interests of the club, and that he had received every assistance from the stewards and others in making the gathering a success. Re felt that he could not accept the honorarium, and begged to donate it towards the funds of the club. (Applause.) It was agreed that providing the necessary permit could be obtained the meeting should again be held next year, and the following officers and committee were appointed: Patron, Mr. W. T. Jennings; president, Mr. A. H. Halcombe; vice-presidents, Messrs. Newton King. W. G. Glassford, R. H. Pigott, A. Gibson, J. S. O'Neill, C. H. Barnitt and C. Dunbar; committee, Messrs. E. K. Blundell, S. Sutton. G. Salway, H. Blundell, Geo. Baker, C. Putt, Kapinga, F. Mcffris, G. M. Skelton, C. Rumbal, G. Fuller, D. George. T. Taylor. J. Fitzgerald, A. Spurr, C. H. Barnitt, R. Luxton, P. Carey, S. Moody and J. Edwin, with power to add to the number. Messrs. .L. O’Neill and G. N. Fuller were appointed hon. secretary and hon. treasurer respectively, with power to sign cheques. The matter of appointing stewards, and arranging programme was left in the hands of the committee, and, after a hearty vote of thanks to the chair, tho meeting terminated. At a meeting of the Mimi school committee on Tuesday evening last, there were present: Messrs. J. F. Phillips (chairman), G. Baker, C. Willison, A. Johnston and P. Spurr. The matter of the breaking-up function in connection with the midsummer holidays was discussed, and it was resolved that a picnic be held, cash prizes being given to the extent of 19, in the schoolgrounds, when (he new tennis court would be formally opened, and various running and other events for the children held, cash prizes being given to the extent of the funds available. The secretary reported that as a number of the trees, which had been planted same two or three months ago, had failed to thrive, a quantity of black wattle seed from the State Forests Department had been purchased and planted in their stead. A strip along the fence line had also been sown in quick-growing shelter trees. The action was approved.

Considerable interest is being evinced in the forthcoming concert which is to be given by the children attending tlie Urenui school, who are busily engaged in preparing for the event. Those who attended this function last year are almost certain to he present again on this occasion, as the singing and other items are usually of a very high standard, and well worth listening to. The school breaks up for the midsummer holidays on the 20th. ‘ , In connection with the calf-rearing competition in the boys’ and girls’ agricultural club, the Urenui and Mimi schools have been included in Group 1, and entrants have to arrange to have their calves at their respective schools on December 12, to be judged for first, second and third position in the schools. Calves awarded first, second or third at each school have to be taken to Motunui on the morning of December 14 to be judged for the group prizes. There was heavy polling both at Urenui and Wal-toi-tol on Thursday last on the occasion of the general election and the licensing issue, much heavier, In fact, than was the case in 1919, when there were only 158 votes recorded at Urenui, there being no booth at Wai-toi-toi. This year there were 188 votes recorded in Urenui and 46 at Wal-toi-tol, or an advance of 76 on tho election of three years ago. It* the evening a large number of resideiris from the outlying districts assembled at Urenui to hear the results from other parts of the Dominion. the town hall, where Mr. Stan. Clare, with his usual enterprise, had put on a picture show, being packed, and as the different results were received at the post office, messengers were engaged in delivering them to the hall, where they were promptly screened. After the pictures closed the crowd assembled at Mr. Dunbar’s billiard room, where further information was given on a blackboard under the verandah. At the time of writing the result is still in doubt, with the odds slightly in favor of Mr. Rolleston, but in the event of Mr. Jennings being defeated, it would be a fitting termination to a long and useful career, extending over twenty years as representative of this electorate, if some public recogmticn was given of the sterling services rendered to the whole district by Mr. Jennings, who has never spared himself in order to further the • interests of his constituents. If such a movement were started, it is safe to assume that it would receive liberal support, not only from that gentleman’s supporters, but from many others who may not perhaps altogether agree with him politically. A meeting of the Urenui Hall improvement committee is to be held on Wednesday, when, as there are several important matters to be discussed, it is hoped there will b© a full attendance of those interested.