DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 214, 3 September 1908, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The ladies' return ball took place oi, Friday night, and, as is always to be expected when the ladies take anything in hand, proved a brilliant success, quite' eclipsing any previous function this seasou. The hall had been transformed by tlie ladies with Hags, greenery and Chinese lanterns into a veritable pleasure palace, the ladies responsible being Mesdames Lowric, Cramer, Campbell, and Misses Willcox, Bleakly, Flanigan, Wright, B. Wright, and Lewis. Excellent music was provided by six instruments, namely, Mr. Kuowles (piano*, Misses Cross (3) and Mr. Duncan (violins), and Mr. Fischer (cornet). Tlie hall was crowded, the floor space being too limited to enable devotees of the terpsichorean art to display themselves to the best advantage; nevertheless, all enjoyed themselves, the various bumps being taken in good part. The ladies, with a keen knowledge of human nature, provided well for the wants of the inner man, jelly and soft drinks being handed round at intervals, whilst at twelve o'clock an excellent supper was partaken of, Mesdames Kelly, Willcox, Cramer, and Lowne attending to this department. After supper dancing was resumed and kept up until about 4 a.m. Messrs. J. Kothery and J. Willcox made courteous and capable M'sC. Extra dances were played by Miss Morgan. Mrs. Lowrie, as secretary, was indefatigable in her efforts to make the ball a success, as was also Miss Lewis and the other members of the committee. It is stated that as the outcome of the recent trotting match several other matches are on the tapis. The lambing season is now on, and sheep owners about here state that H. has so far been a prolific season. The mild weather has been very favourable, although one farmer informs me that he lost several lambs one evening last week as the result of a hail storm.

There is a good deal of worrying going on amongst sheep at present. One settler had over thirty sheep worried last week. This is a serious loss, and it is to be hoped that it can be sheeted home to the owner of the dogs responsible for it.

Tlie annual meeting of the Rahotu Dairy Factory was to have been held on Friday last, but owing to the absence of the secretary it was adjourned until next Friday. The factory has now commenced running daily. Mr. T. P. Hughson has gone to Wellington with a deputation from Opunake on the Opunake Harbor question. There is no doubt a small harbor in Opunake, which would enable boats to work that port safely and regularly would be an immense benefit to this district, and since the engineer's estimate has been made known, many of those here who were opposed to the Opunake Harbor Bill are now in favour of it.

Mr. Saunders, of Kahui Road, has just returned from Wellington, whither ne has been interviewing the Government on some important private matters. 1 regret to hear that Mr. W. Morrow is at present very ill suffering from, pneumonia. A start is aoout to be made with tlie much-needed additions to the Rahotu, school. While they are in progress the school will be held in the Rahotu hall. Mr. Jackson, who has been canvassing for debentures for the erection of a new hall here, lias met with very encouraging support, and it is probable that the building will be put in hand at once. There was a very good attendance at the Rahotu sale on Tuesday, despite the fact that a clearing sale was being held a few miles from here. Mr. J. Hall has left Rahotu to take no his residence in Wellington. Mr. Hall has been a resident of Rahotu for some years, first as assistant at the Crown, Dairy Company and latterly at the Rahotu Dairv Factory. He lias always taken a great interest in football and other matters, and will be much missed in the district. Rev. Turiibull, who was formerly stationed here in charge of the Methodist. Church, paid a visit to Rahotu last week, renewing old friendships.