AUROA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7544, 20 August 1902, Page 4

AUROA.

(from a correspondent.)

The concert and dance in aid of the. sohool funds took place on Friday last. The weather being particularly favourable, the hall was well filled. Although many performers were prevented by various circumstances from attending, the programme was long and varied, and, judging by the applause which followed almost every item, it was appreciated by the audience. The following programme was gone through : Pianoforte solo, " Khyber Pass March," Miss Jackson; recitation, " OurlSoys at the Front," Master Campbell; song, " Douglas Gordon," Miss A. G, Bartlett; song, " The Scout," Mr G. Betta (in response to an encore he gave " Out on the Deep ") ; recitation, " Tho Tower of St. Michael's," Mr Astbury (being encored ha gave an amusing little anecdote) ; song, "In Old Madrid," Miss Gapper ; song, " The Lads in Navy Blue," Mr Badland (haying to appear in response to an undeniable encore he gave " Dolly Gray ") ; recitation, " The Death Bridge of the Tay," Mr R. Dunn ; eong, "The Hat McGuinness Wore" Mr Girling (in response to an encore he gave " Killarney ") ; step dance, Mr Franks (encored) ; comic song in character, " The Moving Jobman," Mr G. Betts (this was a deoided " hit," and was vociferously encored) ; song, " She Wore a Wreath of Roses," Miss Gapper ; song, " Gentle Annie," Mr Girling ; violin bolo, "Scotch Airs," Mr MeLennand ; recitation, " A Bush Christening," Master Campbell (encored) ; song, "Sally Homer," Miss A. Bartlett ; recitation, "A Bace for Life," Mr Astbury ; " God Save the King." At the close of the concert, Mr Hunter, the Chairman of the School Ccmmittee, said a few words voicing the Committee's appreciation of the efforts of tbe performers, many of whom had come a considerable distance, over bad roads, to assist. Refreshments, kindly provided by the ladies of the district, were then handed round. After a short interval, the hall wa9 cleared for dancing, which was kept up till the small hour.s The music, kindly contributed by Misses Jackson, Blennerhassett, and Mr McLennand left nothing to be desired. I am pleased to state that the result of tbe entertainment was a very substantial addition to tbe school funds.

I hear that the attendance at our school is taxing its accommodation rather severely. Within the last three years tbe roll number has nearly doubled. It is now over seventy. Tbe Education Board has decided to erect a new room to accommodate forty pupils. The busy season is now approaching. Cows are coming in fast, and the factory will soon be in full swing. Mr J. Flavin, who managed the factory last season, has been appointed manager of the Normanby Faotory. His success is well deserved. The Normanby suppliers have secured a gcod man for the position. Mr T. Stanley is in charge here in the meantime.

The Kaupokonui Dairy Factory Company has bought out tbe Crown Creamery on the Skeet road. Mr Connell has been placed in charge for tbe coming season.

There have been numerous changes in the district during the last winter. Mrs W. H. Blennerbassett has leased her farm on tbe Taikatu road to Mr Hunt, from Okaiawa, and has gone to reside in Hawera. Mr J. Hume Eold out his stock and household effects, and has left the district. He has let his farm to Mr ODea, late of Awatuna. Mr M'lnnes has sold his lease of the farm on the SkeeC road to Mr C. Harvey. Mr Prentice, late el Christchurch, has secured Mr W. Glenn's farm on the Auroa Road. I hear that Mr W. Blennerhassett, who has resided here for many years, has decided to leave us. He has secured a farm up the Waitotara river. I sincerely hope (and I am sure that many will echo my sentiments) that it will be a considerable time before I have to chronicle Mr Blennerhassett's departure. This winter a social club was started in Auroa, and it has proved a success. The object of the Club is to provide amusement for winter evenings. There is a large membership. Cards, draughts, chess, and ping pong are the chief games, but I notice that, as in other, places, the last-mentioned game is the most popular. Matches have been played with Biverlea and Otakeho. The former club proved too superior, while Auroa and Otakeho have won a game each. I understand that the Auroa Ping Pong Club play Eiverlea again at Awatuna on Thursday next, and games with other clubs are contemplated.

I was pleased to bear that one of our playeref, Mr P. G. Jadkson, won the first prize, a gold medal, at the Ping Pong . Tournament in Eaponga on Thursday last. I notice (hat the timber -for lining the Auroa Public Hall is on tbe ground, so that it should not be loDg before this necessary work is carried out. Mr J. Penny, of Eiverlea, was the successful tenderer for the work. I understand that the Hall Committee intend to further improve the hall by having a porch erected in front.