DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 287, 7 May 1914, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

TABIKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The "Great Liberal Re-union" which has been advertised so largely of late, came off with gi-eat eelat on Monday night, when happily owing to the Micihirst one not eventuating, the local Warditcs, who, though full of enthusiasm, are not numerically very strong, were considerably augmented by a Stratford and Midlnrst contingent. The hall mis well filled, and quite a number of our leading ladies graced the meeting by their presence, a fact which the speaker remarked on in felicitious terms. It is unnecessary to attempt to detail Mr Forbes' speech. He is a good and fluent speaker and he smote the Reform Party -hip and thigh, and spared thorn not. It was a real "joy night" for the Warditcs, who are still smiling. Of course, nobody denies the right of the members of the Opposition Party touring the country criticising the (Joveininent, but when a politician of .Mr Forbes' standing went to the length of gravely stating, in answer to a question, that .the Premier at the conference' of men arid employers at the strike time could liave settled it, but absolutely made no effort to effect a settlement, he cer.tainly surprised a good many of the audience very much indeed. Ilis authority for this statement too, were Mr Semple and a reporter who was waiting outsMe for copy, and nobody even smiled! Ev, : when lie went on to affirm tliat the I'n mier didn't want to settle the -strike and engineered it for political purposes, nobody laughed, only one indignant Reformer, who evidently had no sense of humor Shouted a denial. Mr. W. V. Harkness occupied the chair, and everyone,. Reformers and Liberals alike, was filled with admiration at the lightning rapidity with which he put the "motion of thanks and confidence, declaring it carried unanimously 'without giving the "other fellows" a chance, but then, as a footballer, he always was "very Quick on the ball. Certainly, to borrow the expression of an enthusiastic. local Wardite, "It was a great meeting," and Mr. Forbes 1 , although he may not lia.ve converted many Massey-ites, ia to be congratulated on having considerably cheered the spirits of the Ward-ites, who had "the time of their lives" on Monday night.

BELL BLOCK. At the annual meeting of householders of this school district, there were ten persons present. The credit balance of the committee as shown bv the balancesheet was £.l 18s general, 'and £7 lis 3d school prize fund. AH present were nominated for the committee of seven, and Messrs Allen. Downs, Holmes. Webst'er and Jeffrey (old members) and C. Hoskin, and K. Koller (new members) were elected. The committee and parents are pleased to welcome the new head teacher (Mr Evison, of Mataura) who took up his duties on May 4. The opening social of the season takes place in the hall on Tuesday next, May 12th, when t'he ladies hold their social and dance, at which the committee hone to see a monster crowd present. The ladies of tho district are providing the supper and have also arranged for a number of vocal items to be interspersed with the dancing. The music will be supplied by Mrs. Wood's orchestra, winch, with the good dancing floor of our hall should be sufficient inducement for old and new patrons to come along.