DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1926, Page 23

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAITOITOI—URENUI. MIMI SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the above committee was held on Monday evening last, there being present: Messrs. C, Musker (in the chair), J. Thompson, C. Willison, E. O’Hanlon and G. Baker. Correspondence was read from the secretary of the Education Board re subsidy of £l5 2s Bd, which would be placed to the credit of the committee. From the secretary Metropolitan Agricultural Society, asking that supervisors be appointed for the next rootgrowing and calf-rearing competitions, and stating duties .in connection with same. The following report was received from the teacher, Miss R, Drader:—'Attendance at school was not very good during last quarter, owing to sickness. Mr. Ridling (the board’s science instructor) has visited the school twice and reported on the work. Last week Inspector Ballantyne visited the school and tested all classes. No report has been received, yet beyond notice of the exemption from sitting of four standard six pupils, one of which gained competency with a chance to try again for her proficiency at Urenui. The co-operation of the committee is respectfully solicited in the following matters: (1) Washhand basin pipes need fixing in the boys’ porch; (2) tennis court needs marking out; (3) the purchase of individual apparatus including intelligence test cards, composition and imaginative drawing and reading cards for primers (these on the recommendation of the inspector).” The chairman stated the report from Mr. Ridling was highly satisfactory, and reflected every credit on the teacher. There were six entrants for the calfrearing competition, but the children attending the school were too young to compete in the root-growing. If boys in the district from the age of 14 to 18 years could have a class arranged under similar conditions, he thought it would be attended with good results and be of great assistance to the farms. Although the results of the proficiency examination had not been satisfactory, yet the school had b\en somewhat unsettled during the past few months, and no great results could be expected. He also remarked upon the excellent discipline that now prevailed, and stated the teacher - was arranging for a concert to be held at the breaking-up of the school, and asked the co-operation of the parents in rendering Miss Drader assistance in carrying out the function. Mr. O’Hanlon was appointed to supervise the calf-rearing competition, and to carry out the necessary brandings, and 'Mr. Thompson offered to mark out the tennis court, also to attend to fixing sink pipes in boys’ porch. It was also agreed to purchase the necessary cards for the primers.

Accounts amounting to £29 were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned. SOCIAL AT URENUI. It has of late years been a recognised fact that any function inaugurated by the Urenui Ladies’ Church Committee is sure to attract a large attendance, and further proof of this was afforded on Wednesday evening, when the hall was well filled with visitors from all parts of the district, all of whom were bent upon enjoying the first-class programme arranged for by Mrs. A. G. Pigott, the secretary, and her hard-working committee. Every provision had been made that dancers and non-dancers alike should have no cause for complaint, and for those who did not care to step the light fantastic cards were provided in the supper room, whilst a short sketch, entitled “The Proposal,” in which the parts were ably sustained by Miss Ovenden and Miss Gibson, caused much amusement, the local hits being well received.

Amongst other attractions were oldtime dances, Monte Carlo waltz competition, won by Mr. Gerald Carr and Miss Skelton; and a lucky spot waltz, "in

which Mr. Gillespie and Miss Howell secured the trophy. There was also a mannequin parade, and, although not a great number - took part in this, those who did so were dressed to perfection, one young gentleman appearing in a bathing costume and others in summer and afternoon frocks. And if the dresses were any indication of the coming fashion, the short skirts, now so much in evidence, are likely to be shorter still.

The stage was beautifully decorated, and resembled a bower of evergreens, whilst the supper, which was provided by the ladies of the committee, was, as usual, both appetising and plentiful. As M.C. Mr. W. Scott carried out bis duties in an exemplary and the music, as supplied by Miss Hannah Edwin, was quite up to that young lady’s best efforts in this direction, the frequent bursts .of applause by those dancing to it bearing testimony to its excellence. Taken altogether, the social evening was a decided success, and it is gratifying to be able to record that the takings amounted to some £lO 16s, which, when added to the profits of the recent fancy dress ball, will be a substantial and welcome addition to the chureh funds, whilst it should be most gratifying to the promoters that their efforts have met with such a ready and willing response from the publie. GENERAL ITEMS. The Waitoitoi Dairy Company have decided to advance the sum of Is per lb of butter-fat to milk suppliers for the month of October. Whooping cough is somewhat prevalent in this district at present, and Mrs. R. Fitzgerald, teacher of the Moqnt Messenger school, has recently been confined to her room with a rather severe - , attack of this malady, whilst most of the pupils attending the school have also suffered from the same complaint. The locally-owned chestnut gelding Onward, by Hallowmas, who ran promisingly at the last Uruti Beach races is now undergoing a preparation with a view to competing at the Awakiuo meeting, which takes place in December. He is looking really well, and a win for his owner, Mr. A. Zimmerman, would be well received by sports in this locality.

A bachelors’ gift evening in connection with the Urenui Methodist Church was recently held at Mr. Newton Taylors 'residence in Moerangi. A most .pleasant time w’as spent by those assembled, and much amusement was caused by the production of a short play entitled, “The Urenui Fire Brigade,” which, it might be mentioned, exists only in imagination. NEWALL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) All roads led to the Tumahu Hall on Friday last where a concert and dance was held in aid of the Newall School funds. The affair was absolutely the most successful function that has been held in the hall since it was built. The organiser (Miss M. Smith, assistantteacher at the Newall School) lias every reason to be gratified with the success achieved. Visitors were present from as far south as Normanby and Waitara in the north. Over 200 people were present. AU the seating room was taken up, a large number having to stand, whilst there were also others who were unable to see the concert owing to overcrowding. There were no fewer than 32 motor cars and one lorry, also numerous motor cycles, horses , etc., easily a record for the district. The hall was splendidly decorated for the occasion, the main hall being decorated with coloured, streamers in mosaic pattern from wall to wall, and interspersed with nikau ferns. The stage was decorated to represent a drawing room, also with coloured streamers. An orchestra of seven instruments under the direction of Miss M. Smith, considerably enlivened the evening with musical items. The members of the orchestra were: Miss Smith (piano), Messrs. 11. Phipps and -S. Payne (violin), H. Turnball (swanie whistle aud jazz), K. Frazier (ukulele banjo), C. Duccer (flute), O. Taylor (druin). The members of the orchestra were the recipients of numerous congratulations on their splendid work throughout the evening, reflecting great credit upon the conductor. The concert consisted of items by some of the leading local talent and the school children. Encores were demanded for all the items, but owing to the large programme -arranged they could not be acceded to. The programme consisted of the following: Selection, “Silvery Stream,” Dixieland Orchestra: song, “Three Little Maids from School,” Joan, Huia, Rita; song, “Mountain Lover.” Mr. S. Cassie; recitation, Rev. Gillespie; instrumental trio, ““Simple Aven," Messrs. Phipps and Payne (violins) Duccer (flute); song, “Waiata-Poi,” Miss Taylor; song, “Parted.” Mr. Frazier; recitation, ’‘The Wind” anil “Four Little Pussy Cats,” Joyce, Jean, Mary, Pot; pianoforte duet, “Valse Caprice,” Mrs. Gillespie and Miss Smith; song, "Murray Moon,” Mrs. John McEldowney; song, “Floral Dance,” Mr. C Taylor; sketch and patter, "Do Shrimps Make Good Mothers,” Messrs. Turnbull and Frazier; violin duet, “Salut d’ Amour,” Messrs. Phipps and Payne; song, “Plumstones,” Miss Ruth Harding; song, "Tit Willow,” Master Vai Bailey; duet, “Night of Stars,” Miss Taylor and Mr. S. Cassie; interval; sketch, domestic comedy, “Hang it,” characters, Mr. Damper (Stewart Cassie), Mrs. Dumper (Keith Frazier), their son, Napoleon (H Turnbull), the slavey (Miss Smith), the uncle, (Mr. Cyril Taylor). The female impersonator in the last sketch was exceptionally good, many members of the audience being unaware of it until he removed his wig at the conclusion. The accompaniments were played by Miss Smith. At Uie conclusion of the concert, Mr. W. Bailey, chairman of the school committee, thanked the performers for their assistance, especially mentioning the teachers who had organised- it and worked so hard to obtain success, which they had so splendidly achieved. The proceeds amounted to £l2 clear profit, and carries with it a subsidy, so thj school funds should be considerably helped. Supper was. served aud the floor was speedily cleared for dancing. Firstclasa music was provided by the orchestra, extras being played by Messrs. Parker ami Knyvett. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mt. Maurice Payne, ft was nearly three o’clock in the morning when the darning concluded, and three cheers, were called and lustily given for the orchestra, and the dancers from town and elsewhere made tracks for home, tired but well satisfied with their night’s entertainment. The secretary of the school commit-' tee, Mr. S. Bobich informs me that the committee hope to have the tennis court ready for playing on again shortlv. The final coating of tar will be put on iu a few days.