DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

DOUGLAS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tlie great Parliaunentary election, with all its stir and strife, is behind us once more, and we are again peacefully settling down, most of us with very little thought as to the result of the votes we cast. There are still a feW that are much exercised in mind as to who is going to rule the country owing to the strength of the various parties, not one having the majority over the other two, but, for obvious reasons, there Is one thing only that is likely to happen when Parliament is called together, and there Is not much likelihood of another election In the near future, because should there be one, I venture to state that the Liberal Party would be reduced to such an extent, that it. would be hardly worth while calling It a. party. The general and climatic conditions In our little centre are, T suppose, on a par with those of the surrounding districts. Financially we are still feeling the effects of war’s aftermath. Physically we arc feeling the effects of the humidity of the atmospheric condiThe annual school concert and presentation of prizes was held in the local hall on Friday, 15th. There was a record attendance of parents and friends of rhe scholars, and, judging from the applause after the various items given by the children, their efforts were much appreciated. The prizes were presented by Mr. A. Needhaun, chairman of the school committee, and although I have not a detailed list of the prizes awarded, the following are some of the specials: Jean Needham, dux of school: Melanie Gishard, good progress: Louie Walter, general neatness; Dolly Running, sewing; Jean Needham, most popular girl: Pat Needham, good behaviour; Edward Reader, perseverance; Phyllis Harding, genera] neatness; Pat Gooch, sewing; Mabel Rodgers, perseverance. All the scholars received a prize. NORFOLK ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very succAsful school concert, and dance took place on Friday night, the schoolroom being well packed by the audience. Most of the items were keenly appreciated and warmly encored. The numbers were as follows: Popular choruses, senior scholars; recitation, "The Bills,” Eileen Kendrick; feather dance, Rosa Jones and Beryl Egaar; song, with actions, "The Silver Fern,”. junior scholars: physical drill, senior boys; relay song, "The Old Folks at Home,” standard 3 and 4 boys; duet, "Don’t you Remember the Time?” Maida Corney and Joan Stephens: recitation. "Phrenology,” Frank Wisnewskl; playlet, "The Babes in the Wood.” (King, Louis Lever; robbers, Joe Koch nnd Dave Kendrick; babes, Reg. Reeve and Maud Kendrick; robins, Hector Laurence, Beatrice Chapman, Pete Wagstaff, Maisic Thomason; queen of the fairies, Mary Laurence; fairies, Barbara Wagstaff. Neiita Robinson, Ena Simmonds, Noline Crozier, Jean Kendrick.) Song, "Sweet and Low," senior scholars; song, "The Barefoot Trail,” Edna Taylor and chorus;' recitations, "Little Orphan Annie” and "The Trouble Among the Toys,” Jack Wisnewskl; canoe song, Willie Corney, Louis Lever and chorus; dance.

"Cachuca,” senior girls; duet, "Sweethearts,” Beryl Egaar and Joan Stephens, rounds, "Sweetly sings the Donkey” and "Goodnight,” senior scholars. The National Anthem. A very enjoyable dance followed after the con-WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (Ffom Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Urenui Ilall Improveiqgnt committee was held on Wednesda.v evening last, Mr. J. S. O’Neill presiding over a good attendance of imembers. A statement of accounts was presented, showing the profit from the various functions held, the money from which had been placed in the post office savings bank. It was pointed out that these efforts bad not met with very encouraging support, and that it would take a_ considerable period to raise any decent sum by tills means, and. after discussion, it was resolved to make a direct appeal to the public for tills most necessary object, the following canvassers being appointed: Urenui township, Mr. J. S. O’Neill; Moerangi. Mr. J. Fitzgerald; Kaiplkari. Mr. L. O’Neill; Onaero, Mr. C. Rumhal; Bleakley Road, Mr. P. Bleakley; Wai-toi-toi, Mr. A. Spurr; Mimi and Pukearuho, Mr. S. . Sutton. It. was also agreed that the lists be posted up from time to time to show the progress imadc. and to stimulate interest in the matter. The meeting then adjourned till Wednesday, January 3, 1923. The necessity for increased accommodation, more especially as regards a supper room, has been pointed out on several occasions, and it is generally recognised that it is scarcely fair to expect the ladies (who so willingly render their services nt the different local functions held in the building) to continue to do so under existing conditions. This being so, it is hoped that the public will come forward and respond generously to the appeal, as there are very few who are not interested in one way or another in this matter, and contribute a sufficient sum to enable the hall being made a credit to the district, more especially as by so doing the already large number of visitors from New Plymouth and elsewhere to any important gathering would be considerably increased if those attending were sure of ample comfort and accommodation. Good progress is now being made with the new pavilion on the Urenui recreation ground, anl when this and the other improvements contemplated arc completed they will add considerably to the- attractiveness of the suri roundings, and prove a valuable asset to the domain board and the public generally. Another matter which would be the means of greatly Increasing the usefulness of tne domain would h n tlie erection of a substantial bridge across the river, capable of carrying a -motor car with six or seven passengers to take the place of the present bridge, which is only built for foot passengers, nnd a limited number at that. No doubt the present structure .has done good service in the past, but. with tlie growing popularity of the township as a seaside resort, something more substantial is required, and it is quite on the cards that some steps may be taken in the matter in the near future, as it is understood that the board, recognising that they may be faced with the problem at any period, have wisely set aside a portion of their revenue for this purpose for some considerable time past. The judges in the calf-rcaring competition in connection with the boys’ and girls' agricultural club, visited the Mimi and Urenui schools on Tuesday last, and judged the calves for the school prizes. On Thursday they attended the Motonui school, where the group prizes were awarded. From the local supervisor in the carrot and mangold growing competition, I learn that of the nine entrants in the Mimi school some splendid "strikes” of both these roots have been obtained, and, with careful attention as regards weeding, etc., good crops should result. The children are most keen on the subject and are eager to make a na<me for themselves, and this fact should be most encouraging to the promoters of tlie scheme. Several carloads of fishing enthusiasts visited Pukearuhe on Saturday and Sunday last, and no doubt with the approaching warm weather and the coming holidays, this favorite fishing ground will be well patronised. During the recent muggy weather the blight has made its appearance amongst the potato crops, and several in this vicinity are reported to have suffered rather severely. Soft turnips, carrots and mangolds have also been attacked by either the fly or caterpillars, and in some cases have caused considerable damage to the young crops. The ever popular Christinas meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club, which takes place on the 2611 i and 27th inst.. on the picturesque racecourse at Now Plymouth, is sure to attract a largo numhor of visitors from this end of the district, and the reduced price of admittance to the enclosure is sure to bo greatly I appreciated by the club’s patrons. Those at- I tending may rest assured of a good day s I sport and an enjoyable outing. Before, my next notes appear another Christ- | mas Day will have been numbered with those , that have passed, and although times are as I yet far from prosperous, and matters as regards finance with many of us leave much to | be desired, wo have a great deal te tJxinkful lojrf nnd there would seem to be a

prospect that during the coming year most classes of business will be on a much sounder footing. From a productive point of view the recent rise In both sheep and cattle is encouraging, wlii Ist the amount of blitter and cheese manufactured this season bids fair to eclipse that of last year, which was easily a record. Prices for both these products are somewhat problematical, and possibly on tlie whole may not show much improvement on those of 1921-22; and there is still a feeling amongst many producers that until some more satisfactory scheme of .marketing our produce is evolved, the whole business will be practically a gamble. However, possibly the coming year will see some progress made towards establishing the proposed dairy pool on a basis which will meet with the approval nf all parties, and some such movement as this would seem to be the only hope the dairy fanmer lias of securing better representation in the Home market. At this season of the year it. is customary to look on the bright side of matters and to express feelings of good-fellowship to one and all, and I should like to take this opportunity of wishing your readers, the staff, and yourself, Sir, in the native language of our adopted country, a. "Merc Klrlhimete and a Hape Nuia,” nnd may the Daily News continue to be as widely circulated and as greatly appreciated (and even more so) in 1923 as in 1922. MOKAU—AWAKINO (Krom uur Own Correspondent.) Greetings from Mokau-Awakino to the editor and staff of the News! May you have many Merry Christmases nnd New Years, and prosperous ones at that 1 The Awakino school concert, which took place In the Awakino Hall on Friday night, December 15, was very enjoyable. The little ones did their parts well and nobly, and great praise is due to Mrs. Calvert, their teacher, and her able assistant, Miss Hodder, for the way in which they had coached their pupils. Mrs. J. MoNeice acted as accompanist In her usual efficient, manner. At the end of the concert, Mr. L. Jones, chairman of the school committee, called for three cheers for Mrs. Calvert and Miss Hodder, which was responded to most heartily by the pupils, and by the audience generally. After lusty cries of "Speech! Speech I" Mrs. Calvert thanked them for tlieir hearty expression of approval, and for their attendance. She also asked them to give three hearty cheers for Mrs. McNeice, who had given of her time so generously as .accompanist at both practices and concert. This was lustily responded to. After this, the prizes won by the scholars were presented by Mr. Jones, and each lucky recipient received cheers on going up for his or her prize. A dainty supper was then done full justice to by both children and adults, after which dancing was carried on till about 2 a.m. The dance programme opened with a "lantern” march by the children, and was a charming item of the evening. About. 30 of the scholars had lighted Chinese lanterns at the end of long bamboo sticks, the girls In white and tlie boys also in white, with Tert sarabands, looked very pretty, and tlie different evolutions of the march were well carried out. The gem of the concert programme was a j little musical dialogue entitled, “Franchette." . In which the following took part: A little

"Tin Soldier” (Ray McGregor), a "Golliwog” (Dick Lake), n "Teddy Bear” (Camp Calvert), "Chin Chin” (Estelle Jones), Sarali Jane, a Dutch doll (Francos Northern), "Snowflake” (Madge Wolfe) and "Franchette,” a beautifully dressed doll from “Gay Faroe” (Jean McGregor), enacted their parts in a manner which would equal many adults. Special mention must, be made of the funnlosities of little Efetelle Jones, who was "out on her oWn” as the comedienne of the party, and the dainty dancing and singing of Miss Jean McGregor. Another item which was also a gem was the Sailor’s Hornpipe by the boys, and "Rosebud Dance” by 15 of the girls. Then the tiny tots’ recitations by little Joan Pepperell and Amy Manners wore well worth listening to. Tlie opening speech at the beginning of the programme, which was given by Miss Bertha Terril, charmingly dressed as a "Fairy Queen” was well delivered and appropriate to the occasion. Among the audience wore Mrs. W. D. Thomson (grey satin), Mrs. W. Black (black silk), Mrs. W. Avery (black silk), Mrs. T. Cummings (grey foulard), Mrs. Fraser (cream silk), Mrs. F. Wolfe (grey foulard), Mrs. E. Carrington' (black silk), Mrs. Wilfred Smith (cream silk and net), Mrs. L. .Tones (white silk), Mrs. L. Black (fawn foulard), Miss N. Thomson (jazz foulard), Mrs. Carter (cream silk), Miss P. Murray (white satin, overdress of net). Miss Avery (cream silk foulard), Miss Hodder (black silk foulard), Miss M. Wolfe (green silk), Miss M. Macdonald (floral foulard). Again flip o.v. Mahoe has been in port. She came in on Sunday, leaving again for Waitara the same da.v. with a full cargo of wool, coal and butter (Mokau's staple products). Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Atterill have just returned to Awakino after some 18 months spent in the Old Country. Mrs. Atterill was the popular Miss "Viv” Black, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Black, of Awakino. and immedintely on their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Atterill left on a honeymoon trip to England, where they spent some time at the Isle of Wight. Their little son has not been too well since leaving the Home Country. Probably the long sea journey and change of climate have something to do with it. Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Mouatt, of "Mangatoi.” left by mall car on Friday .morning nn a Christmas trip to Taranaki and the North. They were tlie guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. Sheen, of Mohakfttlno, on Thursday evening. The postponed balloon dance In aid of the Glenfiere (Mokau) Tennis Club Is to be held on Monday night, December 18. The school picnic will be held in the Mokau school grounds on Tuesday, December 19. There will he all sorts of races and sports for the kiddles. Captain Wilson has been with us for some days. He has been painting his "trim-built wherry.” the Mokau, and she now looks quite a spicy little craft, and worthy of her skipper, Mr. Sell, Anglican Home missionary, held services at Mokau and Awakino on Sunday, December 17. This gentleman rides n distance of 50 miles to hold these services, and we think our folks should reward his efforts by rolling up in good numbers to attend them. Tlie next service will be on the third Sunday in January. A good many potato crops hereabouts are threatened with blight, due. we suppose, to the heavy rains experienced a while ago. Visitors nt Mrs. Box’s Tainui House include Messrs. Raven (2). Ross, Wilson, Sage. Stewart, King. Nicol and Cowan, and Misses Radford and Therkleson. LEPPERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Friday last was a busy day for the local school children, who were .making final arrangements and having rehearsals for their annual concert, which was a huge success financially and otherwise. The proceeds are to go to the school fund for providing prizes, etc. Great credit is due to Miss Parli (assistant teacher) and Mrs. Gilmour, who put all their energy into the preparation of the children to make the concert the success it was. The programme was rather long, there being seventeen items in all, but nevertheless was | interesting throughout. It opened with n | pianoforte duet by Mrs. Gilmour and Miss j Parli, followed bv all the children singing a I welcome song: then came a spring song bv ; the smaller girls and boys; "Red Cross Nurse." Miss Loris Wells, with chorus of girls; pianoforte solo. Leslie P.nwe, •accompanied by Eric Neilson, with violin: "Angellne,” sung by Jack Gi'mour and Rhoda Mills, with chorus of couples all dressed in tennis togs. (A huge success.) "Black Cat.” sung by Jenn McConnell. with a chorus of dainty black kittens: "Slumber Seas." sung by the Junior girls: recitation by Nancy Wallace; "Rosebuds.” which was ver- prettily sung and rcted by the junior girls: recitation bv Mavis Gilriiour. Jean McGonnell and Robert Wells; "Oc-!nnc.” sung by the senior girls, who were 1 drr«s.‘d in Japanese dresses; .musical dlologue, I Doris Hollier and Robert Wells; umbrella song, by junior boys and girls, each carry- 1 ing a dainty umbrella, which ga • • great ’ effect: fan drill by the senior girl' 7 ’ ' " in Japanese dresses. "Miss Milligan’s ' with Miss Thelma Colson as governes» in.’ 1 her tuipils dressed in old fnshlnned school ; v-,- wns really gnod. “Good Night.” sung I : ••v nil the ouaiLs fol>WMd .bv "God Save tho *

King,” completed the programme. The prizes were then given out. The win- ' ners were: Standard 6, Leslie Rowe (dux), i Eric Neilson 2, Noel Gilmour ,3; proficiency, [ Miss Edna Old nnd Miss Irene Ackland; Standard 5. Thelma Colson 1, Stewart Williamson ; 2. Elizabeth Theobold 3; Standard 4, Mar- ' jorie Munro 1, Norman Hall 2, Miss Crof- I skoy 3; Standard 3, Keith Gilmour 1, Nancy ; Wallace 2, Valentine Old 3. All below Stan- i dard 3 received a prize. Goadfellowship, sen- ! ior (girls) Loris Weils, (boys) Leslie Rowe: junior, (girls) Doris Helller, (hoys) Sid Rowe . and Ben Crofsky (polled evenly). Au unusual event —for Lepperton— which I caused much enthusiasm, was the presentation of a gold .medal, suitably inscribed, and given by the pupils r" lepperton school to Miss Hllma Keenan, whn ‘Aon a junior national scholarship and rained second to hlgh-<-j marks in Tarannk'. 'loally an achievement to be proud of. and a great credit to ■nr master, Mr. Gilmour. Miss Hllma Keenan to apparently going on with the good work, as sne came out nt the top of her form 3a, at the New Plymouth High School.