WHANGAMOMONA NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 18 August 1914, Page 6

WHANGAMOMONA NOTES.

[prom ouii own correspondent. ]

War seems here, as everywhere, the sole topic of interest at present, and goodly numbers await the mail every night for the latest news from outside through the newspapers. Any item of interest received over the wires is promptly posted outside the Post Office. Collecting lists for the war fund are being circulated, and are being liberally responded to. Many .volunteers from here are already outside in camp and more are following, and the whole district is in a state of tension. The Union Jack and New Zealand flags are hoisted high and conspicuous over the derricks of the new bridge in course of construction in the township, and the schoolboys are playing soldiers with enthusiasm that augurs well for the future of our country. A monster patriotic concert and dance’ has been arranged for 28th August, to which trains will be run for the convenience of Kohuratahi people. A strong committee has been set up, representative of both the Public Works Department and local residents, to push the sale of tickets. Practically everything—supper, music, hall, train, etc.—has been given gratis, so the returns should markedly swell the local war fund list.

A meeting was held in the library last Wednesday to discuss the formation of a brass band in Whangamoinona. There was a good attendance, and Mr D. L. Hatton was voted to the chair. After discussing the probable support and the number, bf instrumentalists available, it was decided to form a band, with Mr W. H. Reader as secretary, and to canvas actively for members. The movement has the cordial wishes of all for success. On Saturday the schmyl girls’ hockey team journeyed to Stratford to try conclusions with the Stratford school team, the latter winning by 5 goals to nil. The local girls speak in high praise of the hospitality extended to them by the Stratford school, and an attempt is to be made to have a return match at Whanga in the near future. Mr H. Moore, Presbyterian Home Missionary, lias volunteered and been accepted for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and leaves Whanga in a day or two for camp. Mr Moore has been very’ popular here with all sections of the community, find his cheery smile and ready help will be greatly missed here.

Mr Geo. Court, who is at present an inmate of Stratford Hospital through injuring his leg while playing football, is reported to be doing well and is expected home in a few days.

Good progress is being made with the work of repairing Broadway central, the Borough Council’s roller having scarified about half of the road a ay.

A section of the Public Service Association lias been organised for the province of Taranaki. . During the past month a ballot has boon taken for the electioin of officers, with re-

I suits as follow:—Comittee—New IPlymouth,.. Messrs Bain, Fletcher and IMoveriey j Stratford,, Messrs F. C. Stewart and W. J. Reeve; Hawera, (Mr G. Ford; and Whangamomona, (Mr R. Hill. Treasurer, Mr A. J. Rossiter, New Plymouth. Secretary, Mr C. H. Lawn, Public Works, Stratford. The chairman and vice-chair-man will lie elected by tlie above committee.

At the Wellington Supreme Court to-day (states the Press Association), William Forbes, charged with forgery and theft, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with hard labor. It was explained that prisoner had previously borne a good character ; he had served in the South African war, and had subsequently entered the New Zealand police force. He then joined the A.M.P. Society, and was the Society’s representative in Taranakii at a salary between £7OO and £BOO. Plunging on the racecourse, counsel stated, had been the cause of his downfall.