DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1922, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS

ALBERT ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Albert Road school concert was held on Monday (the 18th) and proved to be one of the most enjoyable concerts given for many years. The pupils had only been practising for a week, and the successful evening reflects great credit on Miss Hill (the teacher) and Mrs. Orchard, who spared no time and labor in presenting an excellent programme. Mrs. Smith, Miss Adan.s, Mr. Orchard and our excellent school committee helped in every possible way. The school was packed' with a record crowd for Albert Road. Visitors were present from Okato, Puniho, New Plymouth, Korito, Kent Road and Egmont Village.

The first item was a speech by Lance' Jordan, which was well rendered and enjoyed by all. Then followed the "Village Fair,” an enjoyable little dance, the children looking charming in their fancy costumes. "Shanghai,” the nigger boys, the drummer boys, and the dialogue, "Preparing for a School Concert.,” were well rendered, most of them being encored. Recitations were excellently rendered by Neta Smith, Alma Smith, Vernon Molloy and Lance Jordan.

At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Jordan (chairman) congratulated the teacher on her teaching ability, the school report being among the best in Taranaki. He referred to the great progress the children had made. The school prizes were then givn out by Mr. A. Jordan, supper was handed round by the ladies and the floor was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till a late hour. Mr. and Miss Orchard supplied the music, while Mr. Orchard, junior, proved a very efficient M.C. The proceeds of the concert have paid for the school prizes, and I believe the committee have a little In hand. KAIMATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The school concert, which was held in the hall on the night of the 15th, was in every way a great success and reflects great credit upon their teachers, Mrs. Cameron and Miss Leach, for the manner in which they had the children trained in the short time at their disposal. The items which were given by the children were well received. The following is a list cf Items given by the concert party: "God Save the King,” by the children; recitation. “Welcome”; song, "Old Man Care,” children; song, "My Dear Soul," Mrs. Faris, encore, "Crown of the Year”; recitation, "A Tale of a Nose,” B. Woolier; song, "Lads in Navy Blue.” children; song, "Until,” Mr. T. Casey, encore, "Because”; recitation, "Whare Peaches,” Miss E. Leach, encore, "Things I See in the Night”; cornet solo, Master Harry Dobson, assisted at piano by Miss Lilly Dobson ; drill, senior boys; song, "Spring has Come,” Miss Evans, encore, "There are Fairies in the Bottom of Our Garden”; violin solo, Miss Gwen Leach (this item was especially good and was enthusiastically received by everyone) ; recitation, "A Boy’s Grievance,” George Burwell; song, "Song Down Every Highway.” Miss M. Leach, encored; orchestral selection, school children’s jazz band; song, "Rag Dolls,” school girls; recitation,

"Ithen Grannie was a Girl,” Kitty Woolier; song, "Slave Song,” Mrs. Faris, encored; song, "In Old-Fashioned Town,” encored; song, "Hear the Echoes,” school seniors; song, "Hymns of the Old Church Choir,” Mr. T. Casey, encored; Song, "Grannie’s Patch-work Quilt,” schoolgirls ; song, "Good Night,” school children. This concluded the programme, after which the floor was cleared and dancing was kept going till about 1 a.m. Mrs. Taylor (piano) and Mr. S. Carter (violin) kindly supplied excellent music for dancing. Mr. N. Bracegirdle carried out the duties of M.C. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. G. Capper (chairman of the school committee) thanked one and all for the support given the concert, and especially those who contributed items; also Mrs. Cameron and Miss Leach, who had worked so hard to arrange the function.

Things are brightening up in Kalmata somewhat lately. Another function was held in the hall last Thursday, and on Thursday night a church bazaar was held, which proved in every way an undoubted success, and should

be very encouraging to those who took such an active part in the organising of the bazaar. The evening was chiefly devoted to dancing and guessing competitions. The total takings at the bazaar were £33 Os 6d. Of this amount, the school stall and bran tub realised £l5 Bs. Guessing on the amount taken resulted: Mrs. Bungay £3 3s 3d, 3s 3d away from the actual amount received. Pillowsham : Peas in bottle, Mrs. Burnip (Inglewood) G4O. actual number 650. Mrs. Marattl’s cake, 61b. loz., won by Mrs. Burwell, who guessed 61b. Mr. Stanford’s cake: Mrs. Burwell and Miss Burkhart tied. Mrs. Burkhart’s Christmas pudding, guessing number of coins in the pudding: Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Taylor tied with 10 coins each. A v?rv dainty supper was partaken of in the supper-room, and I noticed the same willing helpers there as usual, namely, Mrs. Bu ' hart, Mrs. Bocock, Mrs. Salisbury, Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Klenncr, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. "Dobson. . I must not forget to mention the fortune-telling booth, which was run by Mrs. Roberts and attracted a lot of attention, men and women alike falling to the mysteries of having their hand read. Some awful changes are in store for some of us In the sweet by and by.

PUNGAREHU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A terrific storm broke over this district on Thursday, the inst., when the rain fell in torrents and poured in veritable streaims off the roofs of the houses. Towards noon, however, the storm abated, and by the afternoon the weather had quite cleared ana wu» beautifully fine, as it was . the following day also. On Saturday we had another downpour, accompanied by heavy thunder and vivid lightning, and the gardens and fruit trees were badly knocked about, some plum trees, which were heavily loaded with fruit, being broken about badly by the wind and with the weight of the fruit during the heavy rain. It is pitiable to see the huge limbs with bushels of fruit now nearing the ripe season broken and the fruit gone to waste. The rain has, for the time being, quite put a stop to haymaking, and some splendid crops of oats are awaiting the return of a succession of fine days before they can be harvested.

The holidays passed away very quietly here, no outdoor amusements taking place locally, but the sporting folks went to the races on Boxing Day, while those of a quieter mood journeyed to Rahotu to the Methodist Sunday School picnic there, and some weighed down with a burden of care maybe, in spite of Christmas festivities, stayed at home and quietly enjoyed the companionship of the best of friends—a good book.

A very large congregation attended mass at the Roman Catholic Church on Christmas morning. A service of Holy Communion was conducted by the Rev. H. A. Coleman (Anglican), when a large number of communicants were present for the Christmas celebration.

Politics are now quite forgotten, all our thoughts being concentrated on the weather and the sporting chance of saving the hay before It is thoroughly spoiled. It is expected there will be a general exodus of young people from this district on New Year’s Eve, and no doubt the ’buses will each have quite a big load of passengers for New Pipmouth. “A happy New Year to all.”