KAITAIA

Northland Age, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 9 February 1912, Page 5

KAITAIA

(From our own Correspondent.) The usual monthly pariahionera’ aooial was held on the 2nd inst. There wee a good number preßent, the following contributione making an excellent evening’a entertainment: — Piano aoloa (2) Miss Sefton, Bongs by the Eev. C. J. Merton, Measra. Daniella, C. and B. Fryer; recitation, Mrs. L. M. Maatere. Mr. Duniells sang “ Inverary ” in Highland 00stume, getting an encore. Eev. Merton aang “ Allan Water ” illustrated by tableaux, in wbieb Mill Myra Masters and Harold Eamsey took part. The dance music was supplied by Miss Christeusen (piano) and Messrs. Christensen and Frank Puokey (violins) and Mr Fred Foley (mandoline). Some Maoris bad a fight in the hall grounds on the evening of the 2nd. One of them, Wi Te Pau, was so severely treated that the dootor had to be sent for and for several days afterwards the Maori’s condition was very serious. The polioe and the Maori Counoil have the matter in hand.

Messrs. E. M. Masters, H. Eamsey, Douglas Kitchen and Tracey Bros, were purchasers of stud sheep at the Hgaheia sale. While away Mr. Masters went on to Whangarei and attended the sohool committees conference.

Messrs. Durney (Publio Works Department) and Macky (surveyor) arrived here last week to make the necessary arrangements for starting work on the wireless station. Mr. H. H. Thompson (District Engineer) accompanied them, A number of men have been put on and the work of digging out the trenches, for the concrete foundation, is now under way. I understand that gravel will be brought from Houhora and sand from the West Coast beach for the work.

A meeting of the Drainage Association was held on 27 th January. There were present: Mr. Thos. Houston (Chairman), Mr. Syd Puckey (secretary), and Messrs. E. Evans, H. L. Claudet, Chris Dunn and Frank Matthews; and Messrs. Fisher, Maugham and Snelgar to watoli the interests of Fairburn, Victoria Valley and Tnkahue. I am told that the meeting was fairly warm and personal at times. It was deoided to have a number of photos taken of the swamp and surrounding oountry, to be forwarded to the Agricultural Department, also to send Mr. Houston to Wellington during the winter session of Parliament, to interview members. The local tennis club has played two matches with Victoria Valley during the past fortnight. The Valley Club won on both occasions.

For two weeks past the weather has been very warm. The thermometer hus gone over 80 degrees in the shade every day during the past week. On Sunday, February 4, it reached 84 degrees iu the shade. The roads are very dusty, aud the water in tanks and wells is getting low. Fortunately the paspalum keeps green. Eobert Calder, employed by Mr. Frank Matthews, met with a nasty acoident recently. He fell from a tree on to a billhook, whioh made a severe out iu his leg. Dr. Lunn was sent for and stitched the wound, and advised the sufferer’s removal to the Mangonui Hospital, which was done, and we hear that he iB making good progress towards recovery.

Mr. Heath, for several years in charge of the Kaitaia Sohool, has been appointed assistant at the Bayfield Sohool, Ponsonby. Mr. Heath’s efforts on behalf of the children were muoh appreciated by the parents, and one and all wish him a successful future. Mr. Stubbs has been appointed his suooessor here. Mr. Irvine from Mangonui is relieving Miss Matthews, the local postmistress.