DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1925, Page 10

DISTRICT NEWS.

URUTI. ALL SAINTS’ MEMORIAL CHURCH. (Contributed.) - The annual bazaar and sale of work to raise funds for the reduction of the debt on this recently erected church was primarily set down for February 12, but owing to the epidemic at that time, the date was postponed indefinitely. On the restrictions being lifted the committee decided to hold the bazaar on June 6, and although the winter had then set in a very successful function took place on that date. In previous years the bazaars have been well supported by friends from New Plymouth, Waitara, and the outlying districts, but this year visitors were conspicuous by their absence, owing no doubt to the short days and the uncertainty of the weather. A band of ladies and gentlemen had been working for some time and their efforts were not in vain. During the day and evening a fairly representative crowd of local people and a few outsiders attended, and good business was done in all the stalls. The total receipts for the day and night amounted to £69 10s, which, together with £7 16s 6d previously received, brings the grand total to £77. The expenses amounted to £l5, leaving a net balance of £62, which will be devoted to reducing the debt on the church, now standing at £175. The committee hope, by the result of this effort, combined with the amount on hand, to bring the liability to £lOO.

It was on June 22, 1'923, that the first meeting was held to discuss the possibility of erecting a church in Uruti. Since that time the district has been canvassed for subscriptions, a bazaar held in Urenui, a concert in Waitara, and several local functions have taken place. The committee feel deeply thankful to the promoters and supporters of the Urenui bazaar and the Waitara concert, which augmented its funds by £lOO. In November last year a start was made with the church, in concrete, and in January, 1925, the building was completed. The contract price was £5BO, and the furnishings cost about £5O. Several articles of furniture were donated, for which the committee and the vestry feel grateful. Incidental expenses have been incurred, amounting to £6O, so that the actual cost of the church and furnishings was £690. £s*9o was raised in cash, and £lOO will still be owing, when the results of this bazaar have been paid, which must be considered highly satisfactory, taking into consideration that it’" has been achieved in two years. The bazaar was opened by the Rev. G. H. Gavin, who, in a short speech, thanked,the people for their support, and gave the position of the affairs to date: Speeches were also delivered by Rev. H. G. Sell and Mrs. H. Larsen, Home Mission Secretary. The bazaar was also attended by Mr. J. C. Rolleston, M.P.

In the evening a dance was held, when the results of several competitions were announced, and a quantity of goods disposed of. The music was supplied by Miss H. Edwin in her usual efficient manner, while the duties of M.C. were ably carried out by Mr. N. Adam. •Results of competitions were as follow:—Sheep guessing (actual weight, 1371 b), Air. D. Rea junr.; doll (name, Mona), Mrs. F. Aubrey; Messrs. May and Arrowsmith’s cake, Dick Murray; Nurse Chambers' kit,'Airs. B. Jury; Airs. Oxenham’s cushion, Aliss G. Thomson; ladies’ nightdress, Mrs. W. Marshall; doll’s cot, Airs. Waterson; hand bag, Air. R. Telfar; picture, Air. Henry; Airs. Barnitt’s cake, Alias Fugle; Airs. Alpe’s cake, Aliss Cartwright. Ladies’ nail driving was won by Mrs. B. Anderson, and the chain stepping was won by Miss Nona Wells (exact distance). The committee wish to thank all those who assisted on that day to make the bazaar a success.

On Sunday, June 14, the first baptism was celebrated in the new church. It is hoped that before long the first wedding will ■ be celebrated, an event that will be marked as a red-letter day in Uruti, 'and we all hope that the day is not far distanct.

OAKURA. FARAIERS’ UNION. (From Gur Own Correspondent.) On Monday evening, June 15, a most interesting address was given to the local branch by Mr. T. C. List, the subject being impressions gained on his recent trip to the Old Country. The extremely cold night did not deter Air. List from coming out from town, and his audience could not but regret that there was not a larger attendance. The loss was certainly with those who were unable to be present. Beginning with the first impressions of the visitor on landing at Southampton, and journeying thence to London, Air. List gave a wonderfully comprehensive study of conditions in the Old Country as seen by the New Zealander. : 'e general appearance of the countryside alone, contrasted with the scenery here, and the fashion of fences and paddocks was more trim and garden like than is customary in this country. Industrial conditions, the_ lecturer said, were in a low state. Trade seemed almost to be leaving the country, owing, to a large extent, to the disaffection of the working class, which is due partly to the reaction from the fever of wartime and partly to the pernicious teachings of agitators from a revolutionary source. This is specially evident in mining districts, and in steel and iron works of all descriptions, and important orders are being given, even by reluctant English firms, to other countries, the tenders from abroad being in some cases as much as 50 per cent, below any possible English tender. On the Continent there is a sharp contrast, for there all nationalities seem to be straining every nerve to capture trade. Air. List remarked on the striking way in which employers and employed, and also allied trades, were co-operating and being co-ordinated in every possible way, to eliminate middlemen and costs to the greatest extent. London, however, remains the centre of the world, and money is spent there freely 'by wealthy people on expensive and luxurious things. The lecturer contrasted the lot of the farmers in the Old Country and in New Zealand, and pointed out that the Home farmers have a great deal more to contend with, in weather conditions and disease among stock, than is the case here. He also said he had thouglft in certain districts the farm implements at Home very much behind the times, though the actual farming done was superior in many cases to the work in New Zealand.

On the subject of public schoolboy immigrants, Air, List spoke earnestly.

advising those whom it might concern to welcome these boys and give them their chance. Apart from the actual manual work done by them, they are an addition to the population here which shall be as a bulwark against the determined workings of Communists and Bolshevists. Aioscow is aiming at nothing less than the downfall of the British Empire, and even hopes to seize for herself the rule of the whole world, which Heaven forbid. These boys from the Old Country, and also the Barnardotrained young people, have been grounded in sound principles, and will be a valuable asset to New Zealand for this reason.

On this subject, at question time, there was some conversation between the lecturer and his audience. One farmer remarked that the boys were easily unsettled. He was answered by a gentleman in the audience who - declared that the boys arrive heije full of enthusiasm and ready to work hard, but are only too often subjected to much senseless joking and inconsiderate criticism, which, added to new conditions in a strange country, goes a long way towards damping their ardour. Air. List gave a brief sketch of his impressions of Wembley, and also of the people and places he encountered in general while at Home. He asked his hearers not to go away with the idea that the Old Country is done for, although she is badly up against it at present. He declared that her affairs could not possibly be in abler hands or under consideration by. a finer man than Air. Stanley Baldwin, and that if conditions can possibly be improved, especially in industry, the Prime Minister and those associated with him are the men who can do this.

Mention was briefly macle by the lecturer of several inventions, now being perfected in the Old Country, the full fruition of which will take place within the next few years. It will not be long before giant air liners will be plying between the opposite sides of the globe, while speaking motion pictures, and television, by which one sees the speaker “at the other end’’ of wireless are among the wonders of the near future. English motor-cars, adapted in all respects to the requirements of this country, will shortly be on the market in large numbers.

Air. List gave a long and most interesting address, and expressed his willingness to comply with the suggestion of some of his audience that he should come again and address them. The chairman (Mr. C. J. Harrison) thanked Mr. List, and asked the audience to give him a hearty vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. GENERAL. On Thursday, June 11, the first of a series of cinema shows took place in the hall, when there was a good gathering of spectators. The electric light is a great advantage, and the programme was' a good one. It is hoped that this will be a fortnightly institption. The usual euchre party was held on Tuesday evening, when a fair number of players attended, although the ball at Okato on that night had an affect on the number of dancers who took part after supper. The first ladies’ prize was won by Airs. Alalion, and the second by Aliss Alorris. The gentlemen’s first- prize was won by Mr. F. Jury, and the second by Air. W. Stewart. I LEPPERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Visitors from the north to our district express themselves as being delighted with the numerous beauty spots in this part of Taranaki. Being so accustomed to the district we had rather overlooked this aspect, but a journey to the hill in the neighbourhood of Air. Arthur Roberts’ farm convinced me that Lepperton was well to the fore when the choice views were handed out. And we are not lacking either in the historic, for several farms have their old trenches and pits dug in the wild days of the ’sixties. Then we were Manutahi, but our correspondence often being sent to the South Alanutahi and vic? versa, an early settler was honoured ?n the choice of our present designation. A letter from Air. and Airs. Sampson, ■senr., posted at Panama, tells us that our old friends are in the best of health and enjoying every moment of the trip. They were much impressed with the singing of the natives of Pitcairn, who, in time-honoured fashion, came off to the steamer with fruit and curios. Our Sentry Hill tourists send their best remembrances to all.

We hear that the presence of our Air. Lepper on the hospital board is much appreciated, his advice being -sought al frequent intervals, his courteous manner gaining him many expressions of esteem The talked-of Lepperton Cricket Club has not been allowed to die a natural death, our local enthusiasts having decided to join in with Brixton and form a combined chib. With the talent available, the combined team should give a good account of itself.

We are told that the collection at the Methodist Church the other Sunday afternoon amounted to £35. Things are moving surely, and there is talk of -some of the bible class boys spending a week in Wellington under the guidance of the Rev. R. B. Gosnell. What a time it will be for. our boys if it should come off.

Air. T. N. Blackhall has been laid up during the last few days owing to a slight accident to the knee. Latest reports are good, and our highly respected settler will soon be about again. ißy request, the lecture oh Tutankhamen was repeated by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell. The views were good and the accompanying talk interesting. We hear that the Rev. O. Blundell, F.R.A.S., is to lecture shortly on “The Wonders of Creation.” This should attract a record attendance, as the reverend gentleman knows his theme, being regarded as an authority on the subject of astronomy.