DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1916, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent). A very solemn combined service was held here in memory of the Anzaea. The service was commenced by singing the National Anthem.' Miss Hughson presided at the organ, which was draped with ith Englist ensign, lent by Mr. Gibson. Mr. T. P. Hughßon presided. The following gentlemen, Revs. Gosnell, Papakakura, Featherstone (Methodist), Mr. G. Gibson (Anglican), and Mr. E. Taylor (Presbyterian), all assisted in the service. Rev. Papakakura and the Maori Choir sang a hymn in the native language. Rev. Gosnell delivered a very impressive address, which was listened to most attentively. After the pronouncing of the Benediction, the Dead March was played very feelingly by the organist. In the evening a patriotic meeting was held, when &, good crowd collected. A committee of five were appointed to arrange matters to raise funds for the wounded soldiers, and are to meet agfiin next Tuesday. A wedding was solemnised on Wednesday in the Methodist Clniroh, which was prettily decorated by friends, of the bride. Miss E. Taylor, youngest daughter of Mrs. Taylor, of Tipoka road, was united in holy matrimony to Mr. R." Rookes, son of Mr. and Mrs, Rookes, of Ngariki road. A reception was held at the bride's home, where the usual toasts and good wishes were given. ' The annual meeting of parishioners of; the Anglican Church was held on Thursday evening. The vicar, Rev. Adden,broke, presided. The balance sheet as read was adopted, and showed a credit balance of £3O. The vicar thanked the committee and all those who had assisted in church matters in the past year. Mr. Groom was again chosen as vicar's warden, and Mr. as people's warden.

WAITUI. (From Our Own Correspondent). ! Tlie young ladies of the district and the schoolchildren, under the charge of Miss I. Bunyan (schoolmistress), gave a very enjoyable concert in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening (Anzac Day), in aid of the fund for the widows and orphans of the New Zealand soldiers who have fallen Or been left helpless for life through doing t-heir duty at the front. The effort succeeded in adding over £ll to the funds. The concert, programme was jvell encored, practically all having to respond, commencing with Miss C, Sattler, pianoforte solo; flag song, schoolchildren; recitation, "Anzac Day," Miss lithel Fagau (this item brought in over £l, nearly all in pen; nies thrown on the stage, when this young lady called for pennies for our soldier boys); the little children fol. lowed with an action song, "Rub a Dub, Dub'"; Hisses Williams (2), violin and pianoforte solo; Miss I. Bunyan, song; Maori girls, poi dance; Miss G. Bakewell, recitation; nigger boys' (five) song (their make-up caused great merriment); Master A, Sattler, recitation; schoolchildren, "Rainbow Song"; Misses Sattler (*2), duet; Miss I. Bunyan, song; Misses Williams (2), violin and- pianoforte solo. The final item was a dialogue. A Mr. Smith, a reputedly Tery bashful young bachelor, got engaged to seven young ladies at the same time, iunl 'ill the finish they all met this gentleman at the house of one of his prospective brides, and here he received a very rough handling, tfliich he did not altogether relish, as lie reckoned they all did the proposing. The audience enjoyed the accident that happened halfway through the piece, when Mr. Smith lost his false moustache at a time when ho was in a very serious mood in his own apartments, thinking of how to get out of the predicament he was placed in after promising to marry the seven young ladies.

| -After the concert the ladies of the district gathered round Miss Banyan, wlio was the promoter of the function! to buy all the fancywork that was on a w ell-filled table. The goods were made by the schoolchildren, and the talent of the little ones was an eyeopener to everybody, as was shown by the spirited bidding when Jlr. Fagan took the hammer in a Dutch auction, which he conducted with considerable wit.

)nr local soldier boys in uniform bought babies' bonnets ind fancywork galore.

Supper followed, after which dancin° was indulged in until well on toward? cow time, and then all went home to sleep until the creamery whistle sounded.