DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAITOITOI URENUI. MIMI SCHOOL CONCERT. (iFrom Our Own Correspondent.) The annual concert in connection with the above school took place on Friday evening last and was in every way a most undoubted success, reflecting great credit on the teacher (Miss Drader), the pupils, and also the ladies of the district who so willingly gave their services to bring the function to a successful issue. There were several 'car-loads of visitors from Urenui, Pukearuhe and Uruti, and these, together with the local residents, formed a large and appreciative audience, who, it is safe to state, were more than pleased with the admirable programme submitted for their amusement, a fact which was clearly demonstrated by the hearty applause which greeted every item. Thanks are due to the Uruti Hall Committee for lending their stage, and also the Urenui Hall trustees for the use of seats. A large amount of trouble had been gone to in the matter of decorating the stage, and the effect of the ferns and flowers which adorned it was highly pleasing, and added in no small measure to the success of the entertainment. The arrangements were most complete, and a lengthy programme gone through in good time without a hitch, evidencing the careful training the performers must have received to acquit ■ themselves so well, whilst the incidental accompaniments were contributed by Mrs. Sell in that lady’s well-known artistic style. The first part of the programme consisted of an opening chorus by the pupils, followed by a spring song, in which the solo was taken by Master H. Phillips; flower song, senior pupils; nursery rhymes, infants; the Little Witches song, junior girls; the Brownie’s Song, junior boys; recitation, Zeta Woolet; song. Miss Gibson; recitation, Allan Phillips; gavotte, Standard 111 and IV pupils; song, Mr. E. O’Hanlon. After a short interval the second part was opened with an amusing dialogue, entitled “The Stage Manager,” written by the teacher, in which several local hits were cleverly introduced and caused much amusement. The various parts were well taken by 'Masters H. Phillips, K. Musker, J. O’Hanlon, K. Phillips and C. Baker. The first-named must 'be complimented upon his really clever im- , personation. The senior girls next gave a Wai-ata Maori song, after which Elsie Mooney and H. Phillips gave a pigtail and fan song, followed by a selection entitled, “The Organ Grinder and Monkey,” by Annie Baker and Masters C. Baker and A. Phillips, and so well did the call for a penny for the monkey appeal to the delighted audience that the little fellow had a busy time collecting the shower which was thrown upon the stage. The whole school then sang “Bringin’ a Water Melon,” and “Valley and Forest,” the entertainment ■being brought to an end with a closing chorus, and the National Anthem. The many really handsome costumes worn added greatly to the general effect, and bore ample testimony to the large amount of trouble taken by the mothers and other ladies in their production. In acknowledging the receipt of a lovely bouquet, in appreciation of the manner in which the function was carried out, Miss Drader thanked all those ladies who had rendered such valuable assistance, specially recognising the aid given by Mrs. Sell. The chairman of the school committee (Mr. C. Musker) then thanked the audience for its attendance and those who had in any way assisted to make the concert the success it undoubtedly was. He mentioned the faet that during the past few months the school had had several changes in the staff, and was now in charge of Miss Drader, under whom it had attained a high state of efficiency. Mr. Musker also complimented Miss Drader upon the manner in which the pupils had acquitted themselves that evening, and the pleasure it had been to all to listen to them.

After a first-class supper,- a few hours of dancing followed, the music being supplied by Mies Hannah Edwin, and the duties of M.C. undertaken by Mr. A. Zimmerman, both of whom gave every satisfaction, thus bringing to a close one of the many successful concerts held in this district. The takings amounted to over £lO, which, after deducting expenses, will be used for the 'benefit of the children. GENERAL ITEMS. The judging for the calf-rearing competition, which is being held under the auspices of the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society, for competitors in this locality, takes place at the Mimi School on December 14. The local supervisor is Mr. E. O’Hanlon, who will be in attendance on that date. There are six entries from this school and keen interest is being evinced in the result. Since winning the Cup and Flying Handicap at Awakino, Mr. A. Zimmerman’s cb.m. Onward has been taken to W aitara, to be trained for her future engagements by Mr. R. H. Pepperell. The Hallowmas—lona mare won fairly easily at the up-country meeting, and bore out her reputation for possessing a bit of toe, gained at the last races on the Waitoitoi Beach, where she accounted for the Maiden and ran second to Roche in the Barnit: Handicap. She has been nominated for the Stewards’ and Summer Handicaps on the first and second days of the Taranaki Jockey Club’s Christmas meeting, whilst at the Stratford meeting she has been entered for the Railway Handicap and Toko Highweight. Adder! interest in both these gatherings will be taken by local sportsmen from the fact that Mr. M. Glassford’s Whenuanui, by Acre—Bell Boyne, has been nominated for the Tikorangi Hack Handicap on the first day, and the Warea and Summer Hack Handicaps on the second day at New Plymouth, together with the Railway and Strathmore Hack Handicap at Stratford. The erstwhile locally-owned Just Jolmj by Chamanade, who is now in training at Waitara, is engaged in both hurdle races at New Plymouth and Stratford, and as he shows an aptitude for the sticks may make a creditable showing later on.

The secretary of the Urenui Red Cross Society (Mrs. I. M. Bleakley) has received a letter from the Blind Institute asking assistance by selling the goods made by the blind. That such an appeal would not fall on deaf ears goes without saying, and from the president (Mrs A. G. Pigott) I learn that the ladies are holding a sale of basketware, etc., in the Urenui Hall on Monday, December 20. The public can assist this highly deserving cause by purchasing their Christmas gifts from the stall, consisting of trays, baskets of all descriptions, including island, round, oval, work and luncheon, waste-paper, three-tier after-

noon, and clothes baskets, doormats, etc., etc. It is understood that the institute pays all expenses with the exception of advertising, so no doubt a goodly sum will be raised by the Red Cross. Full particulars will shortly appear in our advertising columns. The winning numbers in connection with the bridle and sock guessing competition in aid of the Okoke Hall funds were 97 and 60. whilst Mr. C. W. Ridgley, of Waitoitoi, won the guessing competition for the horse, in aid of Mr. Raumati. who is totally blind. Local sportsmen will be glad to hear that the previous Urenui trainer. Mr. “Bert” Russell, succeeded in winning the Stewards’ Mile at the Gosford meeting in Australia last week, with his mare Berinthia. which broke the spell of seconds and thirds he has been having with Siaosi. Sharks are said to be fairly plentiful around the Urenui and Waitoitoi sea coast at present, so bathers would do well to exercise caution, as these gentry are not sticklers for any particular form of diet. Mr. Draper, who has a sawmilling plant in Waitara, is at present engaged in cutting pinus msignus trees from the plantation at Mr. J. Zimmerman's horns at Waitoitoi. Some of these trees have very fine barrels, and should cut into first-class timber. The first load of logs was taken to Waitara per motor-lorry on Friday last. * The programme for the forthcoming picnic gathering of the Uruti Beach Picnic Club has been approved by the Taranaki District Committee, and the next step will be to obtain permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs to hold the meeting. In connection with the

proposal to change the name to the Waitoitoi Beach Picnic Club, I understand, advice has been received from the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference that the matter will be brought up at the annual meeting to be held in July next, so that until permission is granted from the Conference, the club will have to adhere still to the original name. 'Misses Alva Kasper, May and Mabel bleakley, of Urenui, have passed the elementary section of first aid at the recent Red Cross examination. Large consignments of wool are daily passing through, per motor-lorries, from the baek country, and during the past week good progress has been made with shearing. THE LATE MR. JOHN MeL. TEDFAR. There passed away at the New Plymouth Hospital last week an old and much esteemed resident of Urenui in the person of John Mae Lean Telfar, at the age e of 57 years. The late Mr, Telfar was the first white child born in Urenui. being a son of the late Mr. A. Telfar, who for many years carried on a blacksmith’s 'business in the township on the site at present occupied by Mr. Chris Smith. The late Mr. Telfar received his early education at the local school, afterwards going to the New Plymouth High School. For a number of years he was in the employ of the Clifton County Council, and then followed farming pursuits in the Aria district. Some months ago he eold out and returned to his early home. Shortly after he had to seek medical advice for Bright’s disease. From this and other complaints he never recovered. The late Mr. Telfar was universally respected, his quiet and unassuming manner gaining for him many friends, who will extend their sympathy to his sorrowing relatives. He is survived by two sons-. Messrs John and Reginald Telfar. and one daughter, Mrs. Hopkins. The funeral took place at the Urenui cemetery on Thursday last, where he was laid beside his father. The Rev. G. H. Gavin impressively conducted the burial service. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends, and many beautiful wreaths were placed upon the coffin. The pall-bearers were Messrs L. Kattenbury, A. Sheard, C. Rumba), S Topless, J. Rowe and S. Jones