DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

EGMONT VILLAGE. (From a Correspondent.) On Tuesday afternoon of May 31, the Egmont Village School was the scene of a pleasant little function, the children gathering at 3 p.m. to farewell the assistant teacher. Miss Gibson, and to present her with a pair of handsome silver vases. Miss Gibson has severed her connection with the Village School, and commences duties as an assistant of South Road School, New Plymouth. The presentation was made by two small girls, Joyce Keenan and Jean Morton. The gathering was a very pleasant one, and allowed the esteem in which Miss Gibson is held. She has endeared herself to all the children, paricularly those of the Infant Room, by her many acts of kindness. Mr. Auld, head master, voiced the regret al) felt at' losing so conscientious a teacher. Miss Gibson replied briefly, thanking the children for their handsome present, which she would always value as a token of their affection. The gathering terminated with the singing of “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow," and the giving of three hearty cheers for Miss Gibson. Mrs. Patterson has been appointed temporarily to the vacancy. Farms in this district are still changing hands, Mr. W. Olson being the latest to sell. Mr. E. Robinson has opened a butcher’s shop, which will no doubt prove a. great convenience to the district. The local factory is running three days a week, but as cows are already coming into profit, the milk supply will soon increase, and the fanner’s easy time be over. Grass is scarce here as elsewhere, but turnips and hay aie holding out well, splendid crops of lay having been harvested during the sunnmer months. Amongst those who have been holiday making, and are now home are Mr. and Mrs. W. Olson and family, and Mrs. Manly Marsh and Mrs. H. Marsh. Mr. and Mrs. J. Gibson, former residents of Egmont Road, and now residing in New Plymouth, have been visiting relatives on that road. Mr. G. Smith, of Inglewood, was returning home on Sunday night after visiting friends, when, by some means, his car took fire and was almost destroyed. Cribbage is in full swing, in ti:e evening at the hall, where many well contested games are played.

The Village football enthusiasts have had poor luck so far this season, the chief cause being that they seldom, or never, play with the same players, which fact cannot conduce to the best play. e Mr. and Mrs. H. Heal, wl o have lived practically their whole lives at the Village, have sold out to Miss Petersen, of New Plymouth, and have bought a home in Inglewood. Prior to their departure, they were the guests at a. farewell social, when occasion was taken to present Mr. and Mrs. Heal and Misses Daisy and Ila with tokens of esteem from their numerous friends and well wishers. The presentations were made by Mr. A Morton in tis usual happy manner. The Inglewood County road through Egmont Village is in a very btid state for traffic of any description. Victoria College and High Schqol girls home on holiday, Invited their friends on Friday 27, to a dance in the Hall. A pleasant evening was spent, the excellent music, supplied by Misses Marsh and Sinclair, the splendid floor, and last, but not least, the dainty supper, combined to make the affair most enjoyable. RAHOTU. (Front Our Own Correspondent.) Two weddings of local young ladies took place within a week of one another and caused great interest. The first occurred on June 1, which unfortunately proved a pouring wet daj r so that many friends could not be present ’at the ceremony. Mils Grace Hopkins, fifth daughter of Mr. H. Hopkins, was married to Mr. T. White, son of the late Mr. Robert White. The Rev. Palmer conducted the service in the Anglican Church, which was well filled. The bride entered the Church on her father’s arm and was robed in a crepe de chine dross, and wore the usual veil and orange blossoms, trimmed with pearls, and her bridesmaids, Miss Ester Hopkins (her sister), wore a dress of cream crepe de chine with black hat, Miss Rowlands a friend of the bride, also wore a cream crepe de chine, trimmed with silver embrodiery and' handsome black hat. Mr. R. White, the groom’s brother, supported him, while Mr. Walter Hopkins was groomsman. Tl:e gioom’s present to the bride was a set of black furs, and to the bridesmaids, gold brooches. Presents were numerous, including cheques. The bride’s travelling dress was a navy blue serge costume, with black velvet hat. A large gathering of friends and relations partook of the breakfast in the Hall, and the happy couple left amid confetti for New Plymouth, en route for Auckland and R-itorua. Previous to hei marriage a kitchen party was given at Pomona Gardens in her hqnor. the other wedding was on the Sth, in the Cawolic Church, at 10 o’clock, Rev. Father Doowglity. officiating, when Miss Hilda Wright, youfcest daughter of Mr. W. R. Wright, was uni® in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Maurice Kldßof Matanga, youngest son of Mrs. Morris andßhe late Mr. Kidd. The bride, who was give! away by her father, looked particularly pre® Ui a dress of white charmeuse silk wltlw lace tuuio and pearl trimming with roseles of charmeuse. The court tram was line® with shell pink georgette, and decorated witii lover’s kfiot of pearls and a. sprig of

orange blossom. Her veil was attached to a Russian coronet, with distinctive effect. A few sprays of pink heather, tied with velvet ribbon streamers, and carried on the arm of the bride finished a charming bridal attire. The bridesmaid, Miss Tory Kidd, sister of the bridegroom, wore a frock of wedgewood blue crepe de chine with silver trimmings and black hat. Her bouquet was of white chrysanthemums and pink carnations and autumn leaves. Air. W. Wright supported the groom as best man. The bride’s mother wore a dress of black jnervoliene, with gilt trimmings and nftry hat, with autumn leaves. The gram’s mother wore a navy costume, fawn hw, with veil. The bride travelled iii - a black find white check costume with hdnna and black toque and silver Rrey fur, the gift of the groom. The bride’s present to the groom was a travelling rug. A reception was held at her father’s residence. Mr. Matthew Coffey and family were fare,welled at their home by their friends on Monday evening, and a pleasant time was spent by all. PUNGAREHU. (From O\ir Own Correspondent.) The adjourned annual meeting of house- , holders was held in the local schoolroom .on Monday evening, June 6, Mr. W. T. Guild . presiding. The annual report and balancesheet, showing a credit of some £2O (which did not include £8 due from the Education Board)," were read and adopted,'■ and itefollowing committee elected for the ensuiug year; . Messrs. Guild, Matthews, Kirk, O’Neill, and Corbett. Mr.. Guild was appointed chair- . man and secretary. The report of inspector Ballantyne on his last visit to the school was read, andl the teachers congratulated on its favorable character. The new committee are about to initiate a scheme of further beautifying the school grounds, and they will undoubtedly receive' the support of the whole community, as this is a move in the right direction. residents who have plants in their gardens, in the way of flowers or shrubs, would materially assist towards this' end by forwarding them along to the school, all of which would be very acceptable for tte work contemplated by the committee. The nature of recreative pleasures are similar to that of serious studies, so far as both need a capable direction, and discreet control to thereby secure educational value. These characteristics are only too often a neglected quantity in countryside schools. Our new and “fresh" school committee, however, will, I am sure, receive emphatic assurance of widespread confidence from the residents when initiating any scheme for purposes of combined educational benefit and) district recreation. Our new head teacher (Miss Morecroft) took up her duties on the 2nd inst.

It is estimated that in the near future there will be more children attending the local school than the building is capable of holding, the Increase being due in a measure to farms being taken up by men with families, and several more children just arriving, at school age. This goes to prove what the

dairying industry will do towards promoting close settlement. The population is increasing year by year, and bids fair to keep bn growing.

On Wednesday evening, June 8, the residents of the coastal districts between Tataraimaka and Oaonui tendered a farewell social in the Rahotu Hall to Mr. and Mrs. D. J. O’Ne.’.U, who are leaving Rahotu,' constable O'Neill having been promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred .to Wellington. The affair was organised by the Rahotu Football Club, but was really of a wider public nature. The Hall was. filled to overflowing with friends of the guests, some from long distances to show their regard for Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill. Dancing was the principal amusement of the evening, Messrs. H. GUtooly, A. Gilhooly and Hunter keeping matters moving with a swing to music provided by Messrs. Parker (piano) and Norris (violin), Messrs. E. Barrett and J. Orbell contributing extras. A bountiful supper. In charge of the ladies, was provided (the catering being undertaken by Hughson’s Ltd;), was accorded full justice by dancers and nondancers alike. Interspersing the dances pleasing vocal items were given, the following taking part: Song, Miss Horo, Miss E. O’Neill pleased the gathering with her song "Memories,” splendidly rendered, for which she received a pronounced encore. For. an encore piece she gave "Little Maori Maid, Good Bye Song and Dance, Mr. J. O'Sullivan; duet Conroy Bros,; Miss Ball (Hawke’s Bay) delighted the gathering with ter step and fancy dancing, earning such splendid applause that she had to respond with two encores.

During an interval, Mr. Vaulkner (chairman) apologised for the absence of several coastal and other friends who were unable to be present He also spoke very highly of the sterling qualities of their guests, wishing Mr. O'Neill, his wife and family every success. He then called upon Mr. T. P. Hughson to make the presentation on behalf of the residents of Rahotu and surrounding districts. Mr. Hughson, in doing so, paid a glowing tribute to the valuable services and excellent qualities possessed by Mr. O'Neill, as shown both in his public and his private life. At . all times those whose business brought them Into contact with him were always sure of a qiost courteous treatment, no anatter what their business might be. He also referred at this point to the valuable services rendered by Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill during the epidemic. The residents of Rahotu In particular, he said, would regret exceedingly that the necessities of promotion had taken Mr; and Mrs. O'Neill from tliemj but’ at the same time they must congratulate Mr. O’Neill on his promotion and wish him every prosperity In his new sphere of labor. He thereupon presented Mrs. O’Neill on behalf of tl:e people on the coast, with a cheque for £5O, as a token of esteem from his many friends. Mr. Gibson, on behalf of the Rahotu Football Club, asked Mrs. O’Neill’s acceptance of a sliver teapot, silver coffeepot and silver, cake basket. In so doing he drew attention to the valuable work which Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill had performed during their stay in Rahotu, being connected with all social matters, and indeed with every mioJvement for the advancement of the district.

Amid applause, Mr. O’Neill suitably responded. on behalf of Mrs. O’Neill and him-1 self. All then joined in singing "For tftey Are Jolly Good Fellowfc," concluding with three hearty - cheers. During the day Miss O'Neill was presented with a Poi set of balls, given by the Maori children of Rahotu, as a moment© of her school days at Rahotu. After the presentation daneiiig was resumed with renewed vigor until the. early hours of Thursday morning, when all went tome quite satisfied that no better function had ever been attended in Rahotu.

The visitors from the coast to the New Plymouth Winter Show, speak highly of this year’s fixture, many congratulating the society on its success. The lay-out- of the hall had been greatly improved.

The concert arranged by tte New Plymouth Male Choir In aid of the New Plymouth Girls’ Hostel, and which was held in the Hempton Hall, Okato, on Tuesday, 7th inst., was in every respect a thoroughly enjoyable function, the performers receiving unstinted applause from the very large audience. The. meet of the Egmont Coursing Club for the Booker Cup and stake, which was held in tte districts between Okato and Warea recently, was a distinct success, and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent by those attending. LOWGARTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather up to the present has been all that could be wished for, for this time of the year, and in consequence the pastures have quite a green tinge. Most of the farmers have commenced feeding out and although the root crops are not perhaps as good as might be expected, still in most cases there seemis to be a good supply of bay. An accident which might have resulted more seriously, happened a short while ago. Willi© Robertson, son of Mr. J. G. Robertson, of the Stuart Road, was cycling down the road when he fell off and received a fractured skull. I understand he has been under the care of Dr. Cooper, of Eltham, and is now, I am pleased to say, making steady progress and is .able to leave his bed. We all wish him a speedy recovery. The fortnightly dances are st'U -'ro n

ised and they ar© really good functions. For sociability and enjoyment these little dances are hard to beat, but I think that the local peopl© could turn out a little better and thus help the district to which they belong. A rather Important social function Is to take place in the hall on Friday, July 1, for which Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra, of Stratford, has been engaged. This event will be duly advertised in this paper later with full particulars.