COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 3, 4 January 1924, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

OHAKUNE. Perfect weather conditions obtained during the holidays. The heat on various oecasionss was very trying, but the ditterent nut-door events—the Friendly Societies' picnic at Makaranui. the Caledonian Society's sports at Rochforc Park, I and the Mar<li Gras on tap Ohakune j Domain—were all well attended. Mr. T. Webb, of Kuapehu Street, while dark, tumbled ovpr m, steep bunk. °Hf was taken to the TulhWpe hospital, when it was found that he had sustained lace abrasions and injuries to his spine. He is doing as well as can be expected. Miss (iracp Kennedy, assistant mistress at the TJrumii School, wuo has severed her connection with that institution, was presented by the pupil* with a crocodile skin dressing case. Miss Kennedy has been n general favourite with pupils. sin*, and parents during the term she was teaching at the .school. TE AKOHA. J Mr. F. A. Gibbs. brother of ihe eminent journalist. Sir Philip Gibbs, paid a visit to Te Aroha this week. ! Mr. Milton West, a well-known and popn- ■ lar vocalist, is leaving here in a f«w days to : take up his residence in Talmerston North. I He will b.? greatly missed in musical circles. ; The Deyonport troop of Girl Guides is !at the "head of the party. ! The Stony Creole quarry, near Te Aroha, ! has commenced operations, :inu larse qium- ' titles of superfine metal are mow beinir i railed away.

Recent rains have had a splendid effect on pasture lands, there now being a very perceptible growth of n<-\v grass. The financial benefit to dairy farmers will be very consider.! blc.

The Carnival Fund, in aid of school jrround improvements, now totals ovor £250. Tin- amount lv be aimed at for Ihc purposes required Is £300. hut tiiis should hn forthcoming, as I he fund will not he dosed until Easter.

OTOROHANGA.

The Olorohanjre Operatic Society cave a. successful performance of "H.M.S Finnfore" at Pirongia on Boxins Day. Hie hOHS" being packed to the doors. Members wor» entertained ;is prue-sts ot tb<Pirongia Racing Club to supper and a dance, as well as being admitted m thn races. The society winds up its season with a credit balance o f x.4-\. A fire broke out in Mr. \V. Ileald"s residence durinjr the holidays and completely •lestroyed the building, badly damaging some machinery and nn engine. His 50 biyes of bees escaped injury. The house was insured with the Stare Fire Office, but Mr. Ileald will dp. a heavy loser. The weather during December has been generally flue ami nor. ruin only falling on flye "days, nnd totalling l.nfi for the month. During 1»23 50.00 inches of rain fell, on 120 dnvs. Mr. W. Tiaucke. of Otorohanga ("W.8."l lrft on Wednesday niprht for Wellington, en route to Lyttelton. where he joins tbc scientific party sailing for the Chatham Islands on January mth. Mr. Baucke spent his boyhood in these islands. and knows the language and people intimately. Tie should he of jjroat assistance in tracing the remains of the Morioris.