MANGAWEKA NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11470, 23 February 1918, Page 8

MANGAWEKA NOTES.

From Our Own Correspondent. Seldom have Mangaweka and district children spent such an allround enjoyable day as they did at the picnic last Wednesday afternoon. The school was granted a half holiday, and in addition to ®a full attendance of local ilttle ones, many came in from outside, as well as a large number of . adults. It is safe to say that everyone spent a thoroughly happy outing. The picnic was held on the Presbyterian Manse grounds, and the host and hostess, Rev. and Mrs J. McOaw, did everything possible in conjunction with the Committee, to make the outing successful. The children were treated to light luncheon, and later in the afternoon a splendid dinner, full justice being done to an abundance of eatables. The Manse grounds are ideal for such a gathering, and in addition to providing plenty of shade for the weary, have ample space for games and theßjarrying out of a sports programme. This part of the function was in the hands of Messrs Harris, Aitkon and Tolley, and resulted ns follows Senior Boys Race, over 12; E. Tolley 1, D. Johnston 3, 11. Linton 3. Boys’ Race, 9 and under 12: J. Dixon 1, L. Lever 2, H. Noble 3. Girls’ Race. 9 and under 12: V. Liddicoat 1, E. Lett 3, N. Amer 3. Boys’ Race 6to 0: L. Waugh 1, J. Tolley 2, A. Mist 3. Girls’ Race, G to 9: K. Letfc.l, M. Galloway 3, D. Jensen 3. Bovs’ Jumping Competition: B. Lett!, S. Letts, W. Lott 3. Boys’ Race, under six: T. Tolley 1, J. Lett 2, M. Managh 3. Boys’ Three legged Race: C. McGonnell and F. Schormann 1, C. Schormann and B Lett 2.

Girls’ Race, under six: R. Harris 1, E. McUouaell 2, N. Mist 3. Boys Bun-eating Competition: W. Byrne 1, H. Bland 2. Girls’ Bun-eating Competition: G. Moore 1, G. Amer 3, A. O’Dea 3. Boys’ Potatoe Race: B. Lett,. 1, F. Schormann 2, W. Schormann 3. Ladies’ Skipping fompetition: Miss T. Rodewald 1, Miss K. Rnmmell 2.

Ladies’ Egg and Spoon Race; Miss Tolley i, Miss Y. Dalzieli 2, Miss F. McDonald 3. In addition to the sports, several other forms of amusement wore keenly patronised, especially a sea-saw, on which even a number of merry matrons were not afraid to show that no one is getting old until he begins to think so.

There was only a very small atendance at the Oddfeillows’ Hall yesterday, Friday, afternoon, to hear the Rev. J. Simomnds’s address on “Forestry.” The chair was taken by Mr G. G. Olive*, who apologised tor the meagre attendance’ and welcomed the speaker. The address delivered by Rev. Simmonds, covered the whole ground of re-forestation, and recently published in full by this piper, when delivered at Marton. It seems unfortunate that such small interest is evinced in this important subject, and on this occasion local farmers and others certainly missed the opportunity of hearing a _ clever speaker who agve evidence of knowing thoroughly the subject lie was dealing with. The poor interest displayed in the lecture showed at least a' lack of courtesy for which the district is not wholly unknown in these things. A good deal of trouble was taken to procure the services of the lecturer, anil a better patronage would have been but worthy. Forestry is a nv-tter that will loom large in this country within the course of a decade or so, so rapidly is the timber being removed from the land. It is more than probable that New Zealand will hate perforce to adopt the Norwegian plan and make the planting of saplings compulsory when trees are cut down. That day is not vet, hut if the removal of the timber belts is not compensated by systematic replanting, that daj - is coming within the next fifty years, thus those who are wise enough to take the advice of . such an experienced authority as the above speaker will be doing a national as well as a personal duty. The Rev. Chaplain-Captain Blamires and Mr W. R. Taylor, secretary of the Wanganui Citizen’s Executive for the carrying out of the forthcoming Red Triangle Day, visited Mangaweka yesterday to confer with local interested bodies regarding the portion of the work to he carried out by this locality. The Dominion has been divided into districts, and Mangaweka is included in that which extends from Patea to Okahune, with Wanagnui as headquarters. It is not yet decided what form the local campaign will take, but an effort willcertaiuly be made for Mangaweka aiid district to raise its share of the £IOO,OOO required by this organisation that it doing so much to alleviate the miseries and make easier the lives of our soldiers in the camps and in tire battle zones. The i 7 .M.C.A. war work needs no)‘‘puffing,” but speaks for itself in the most impressive of languages —popularity. Farther details regarding the recent trap accident on the Cliff Road, in which two ladies were injured, show that the driver of the trap saw the car coming round a further bend, and that the motor warning was sounded in plenty of time. The accident occurfed through a sudden prank on the part of the horse, and no Mama is attachable to the driver of the car.