OKAIAWA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 15 February 1919, Page 4

OKAIAWA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WEDDING. A wedding which created a good deal. of "interest locally took place on Tuesday last, when Mr H. R. Penny was married to Miss Maggie Oughton. Both bride and bridegroom are very well known and highly esteemed in Okaiawa. The former has lived here-all her life, and the latter for a good number of years. Prior to the wedding the bride elect was entertained at a kitchen party in the hall, when there was a good attendance and a large collection of useful kitchen utensils were brought along. On the following afternoon there was a further presentation at a gathering of members of the Presbyterian Church, at the residence of Mr Andrew Shearer. Mr R. G. Kirgan, in making the presentation (an c.p. spirit lamp and hot water kettle), referred to the many good qualities possessed by Miss Oughton and to the very valuable services Tt t j by her to *he church, where she had acted as organist for a good number of years. The bride-elect was the_ recipient of a still further presentation from th e members of the Okaiawa Women's Patriotic Committee, of I which body she has been a most consistent member ever since its inception. PERSONAL. Two of our local boys, George Green, , son of Mr D. Green, of Okaiawa, and j George Tozer, son of Mr W. G Tozer of Hawera, but I'formerly of the Norl manbjr Road, returned last week , Both have been away.for three and ahalf years, and have seen a good deal of active service in Egypt and PalesL ne" ,The are looking W ell : , although they have had a turn of ma--lana. They are both" very glad to get home again, as were their friends to see them back. Miss Gwladvs Lees has been elected organist at the Presbyterian Church. THE RACES. r The great majority of men love -a good horse, and this was fully demoni strated by the great crowd round the saddling paddocks on Wednesday, when Desert Gold made her appearance. Among the number were men who have not been on a racecourse for many : years, two of these to my knowledge not having been there for fully twenty years. Desert Gold was the great magnet, and many went simply to see this great mare, and without any intention ■i of "trying their luck." Nor were they . i disappointed. The mare is one which i« worth going a long way to see. THE WEATHER. 1 The drought, prophets received an- •) other rude shock this week, when well ; over an inch of rain fell in a few hours. The season, Which started so badly, will probably not be so bad after 1 all, the splendid rains during the ordi- \ narily dr^ period of the season making • amends for the early shortcomings