DISTRICT NEWS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4437, 29 August 1933, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

WAITANGURU. (Own Correspondent.) The Plunket Ball in Waitanguru on Thursday evening was a decided success. The weather was disappointing in the afternoon, but cleared somewhat by night, and visitors came from all quarters until the hall was well packed with a crowd, right out to do justice to the event and supplement the funds of the Plunket Society, which benefited satisfactorily. The hall was nicely decorated by Mrs. Lowrie, Mrs. Jury and Allan Lowman, with greenery and paper streamers. The musicians wei*e Mr. Whitten, piano, and Mr. Haskil, violin. The dance music was exceptionally good and most satisfying, and encores were demanded. Mr. J. Scott acted as M.C. in place of Mr. Frederikson, and many thanks are due to him for his part of the evening's entertainment. The spot waltz was won by Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth, the railway dance by Mr. Eric Thomson and Mrs. Spearpoint, and the Monte Carlo by Mr. Eric Thomson and Miss Verry. The exhibition dance of the Highland Fling was given, by request, by Mr. Penny and partner, in which the crowd followed the example. Supper arrangements were in the hands of Mrs. Lowrie, Mrs. Brier, Buckley, Verry and Jury. This was no light task to deal, with, there being so many baskets to undo and set out. The gentlemen workers at supper attentions were very much appreciated. The extras for dance were played by Messrs. Ashworth and M. White.

Those winning the costume events during the Grand March were Miss Brier, "Mennie's Confectionery," and Mary Donnelly special for tiny tots, was "Star Baby"; Mr. W. Povey Ist for Plunket baby. The latter caused much amusement for his get up. Others in fancy costume were:— Mrs. Brier, "Bon Voyage"; Mrs. Murray, "King Country Chronicle'; Misses L. Osborne, Pierotte; Murray, "Danger Signals"; Abraham, "World's News"; J. Abraham, "Golliwog"; I. Brier, "Bon Bon"; Mi\ W. Mclntyre, "Sheila O'Shea" (very good). Those in evening frocks were:— Mesdames Haskil, brown and orange; Arden, pale green; Young, navy; Bevege, blue crepe; Verry, navy; Harwood, navy and cherry; Lowrie, black and ecru lace; Ashworth, navy; Spearpoint, cream frock; White, black; Jury, pink and white lace; Scott, satin; Buckley, black; Ronaldson, black and white; Thorns, black; Murray, green crepe de chine; Brier, green taffeta. Misses Henderson, pink satin and georgette; R. Voyce, pink floral ninon; Gould, blue and white diagonal cloth; S. Henderson, blue taffeta; Gaston, blue crepe; McDonald, mauve crepe de chine; Derecourt, cream satin and georgette; Buckley, pale green crepe; Osborne, pink broche; Brier, floral rayon; Murray, silk crepe and lace; White, black; M. White, floral voile; Sewell, floral ninon; Verry, blue ninon; Neal, green crepe de chine; M. Dew, mauve brocade, velvet coatee; E.

Dew, pink satin; F. Lowrie, velvet and taffeta; J. Lowrie, red and white ensemble; Miss Lavery, cream satin; M. Buckley, apricot satin. Prizes for various competitions were donated by Mesdames Young, Bevege, Lowrie, Summerfield, Voyce, Murray.

Obituary.

Quite a gloom was cast over the district on Friday when it was reported that Mr. J. Barratt had passed away, evidently from heart failure, as he was found where he was feeding out hay. He was one of the pioneer settlers of well over 20 years' standing, and a friend of everyone, particularly children, who are going to mourn his loss. His hospitality was well known to the public, and no one ever went away hungry from his home, where he resided practically alone for a number of years, his family being grown up and away, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy. As the Christmas breaking up day for school holidays always saw Mr. Barratt present at the school with a large bag of nuts, sweets, etc., and all social functions, donations from him were in evidence. Tennis matches found him offering trophies, also playing with the best of players, and always a joke on the wing. The district is losing a well respected pioneer, whose place will be hard to fill, and the near neighbours have our thanks in aid to the last rites of a friend in every sense of the word. The family consists of two sons and four daughters.