DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) In the roll of honor appears the words, "Accidentally killed or wounded," and surprise is expressed how this ocelli's, but an incident which befel a Kahotu boy, Bombardier W. .T. Wright, fully explains it. 11l a letter he says: "Some fool let his rifle off beneath where I am writing. I was lying on inv coat and blanket and oilsheet, which were still rolled as tliey came off my saddle. The bullet passed through the tin rolls, and within six inches of my back. My new oilsheet was spoilt, and it was lucky there was riot a court martial." A letter has been received from Private /rank Hannam. He was six l weeks at Oallipoli and has now joined the machine gun .seation in France, and is one of the drivers, going to and fro v.' ; th rations to the trenches, where he i& distantly in danger of shells or bulA letter from Home published in a southern paper calls attention to the fact that the dried leaves of foxglove are fetching 05s per ewt., there being a great shortage of digitales, a drug used for heart trouble, produced from foxglove. This has long been looked upon as a bad weed. Close to the radius line in this district landowners are paying large sums to have it' cleared. ifow these people should employ their time in saving it. There was not many at the afternoon tea on sale day, it being cold and rough, but with the dance at night about £5 was taken. Farmers are still going in for ears for their family use, Mr. W. Hodson being the last to procure one. There has been very fair attendances at the Egmont Pictures here. The farewell function given to Private J. H. Phillips was not as well attended as expected, 011 account of the short notice. The Misses Cook, Fleming and D. Looney contributed items. Mr. T. P. Hughson sang in his usual style. A wristlet watcli was presented to Private Phillips, Mr. Groom saying how trustworthy Joe had been while with him, and felt sure he would make a good soldier. Messrs. T. P. Hughson, senr., Wright, Willoughby and K. Taylor also addressed the comps"v Supper was handed around.

O.MATA. (From A Correspondent.) A "sock" social, the happy thought of Mrs. Clemow, was lield at Omata on Thursday, and proved, financially and otherwise, an unbounded suecess. The total proceeds amounted to £55 Os 2Jd, and there are still a few sums to be lmrided in. Of the above amount £42 (Lj mostly in coppers, was handed in in little soeks, whose contents weighed no less than G2lbs. Door money amounted to £l2, and donations 14s. Warm thanks are due to those ladies and . gentlemen who assisted in every way to make the venture the success it was, especially to those who collected for the soeks, and to the typists. About 150 couples took part in dancing, Messrs. Hutchins.and Hughes being M.C.'s, and during the e\ening songs were given by Misses Leitch, Wells, C. Mace, and Mr Lovell. Little Miss Mouat, and Messrs. William and Cpldsmith gave enjoyable recitations. A limerick competition, judged by Messrs. fioldsmith and Oilmore, resulted as follows:—Mr. Oliver 1, Miss Wallitch 2, Mr. Martin 3, Miss Jean Bennett 4. The total number of pennies in the sacks was 2SSO, and the largest sum collected in any one sack was £a 4s Sid, by Mr. J. Crockett. The winning limericks will be published later. ALBERT ROAD. (From A Correspondent). It is seldom that we read in print of the doings of this part of the world—and yet we are but eight miles from New Plymouth Post Office!

After the beautiful weather we have experienced during the winter, the iotigh cold weather of the last week or two, along with the blizzard, came Its an unwelcome chanpre and has proved tho re- | verse of beneficial for stock, etc. Several farms have changed hands recently, the latest being that of Messrs. •James and Tom Hall, who, having sold to Mr. W. Rhoemark, o£ Egmont road, have both enlisted and are in camp with the lflth Reinforcements. These young men, who are the sons of one of our most respected farmers, were born and reared on this road, so it seemed only fitting that their send-off should be in the Albert school, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Many friends were present from all around the district, testifying to the respect in which the bovs and their family arc held. A very pleasant time waa spent, the first part of the evening being devoted to songs, recitations, and gramaphone selections, after which the chairman, Mr. A. J. Bailey, in a neat speech, presented each young man with a solid silver wristlet watch and a tobacco pouch. The watches were fastened on by the Misses Huggins and E. Jordan. Both boys returned thanks, and Mr. Hall, senior, also returned thanks on behalf of his sons, and asked that the gathering extend a welcome to Mr. Shoemark and family, who have come to live amongst us. Mr. Shoemark has been long and favorably known on the Egmont road, and is no stranger to our district. He has been, for some years, a director of the Mangorei Dairy Company and has always taken a keen interest in school and all other matters pertaining to the advancement of the district. The audience showed their appreciation of Mr. Hall's remarks by applause. Mr. Rhoemark briefly returned thanks. A bountiful supper was then served and was much appreciated by all, after i which the school was cleared for danc- ; ing, which was kept up until 2 a.m.. the music being generously supplied by Messrs. Gernhoefer (piano) and Orchard (violin), of Korito. The piano wag kindly lent by Mr. Shoemark. Since writing the above 'I hear that Mr. Tom Hall has just returned on sic! leave, having had a severe attack of influenza, from which his- many friend:hope he will soon recover. Sickness has also visited the home of Mr. Peter Crean, his daughter, Eileen, being ill in the New Plymouth hospi tal. I am pleased to say the little one is now on the road to recovery. Much sympathy is also felt for Mr. and Mrs. A. Wellington, who have jnsr lost, after a short illness, their youngest child, a fine little girl of three years KORU. *" From A Correspondent.^ This district is losing a good resident in the person of Mr. Frank Aroa, who has disposed of his interests here, and is going to Pungaruhe to take up dairying. During ins residence here, Mr. Aroa has ever been to the fore in nromoting the welfare of the settlement

in many ways, and his departure will leave a blank hard to fill.

Although the weather Ims been so bad the roads around here are in splendid order. The cows are now coming ; n ; „< t i there is every prospect of a good season, (learn carts are still travelling down the road every other day. Sir. lugleliehl, the factory manager, is expected bcU'ic in a. few days ironi his hojiday. Our post ofliee ha* been removed to Mr. Hartley's residence.