DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1927, Page 8

DISTRICT NEWS.

WHAREROA. (From Our Own Correspondent,) At the breaking-up afternoon of the Whareroa School a large number of parents and friends were present to witness the prize-giving ceremony and to hear the concert given by the pupils. Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P., presided, and, after an appropriate speech, presented the following prizes:— Attendance Certificates.—Rex. Luscombe and G. Reynolds. One proficiency and two competency books. —Margaret Eaves, Len Smith and Gordon Murphy. Standard V. —'Marjory Benton. Standard IV.—Mary Williams, Ida Smith and Violet Winter. Standard lll.—Mavis Smith, Eric Luscombs and Herbert Williams. Standard II. —Isobel Winter, Mary Hughes. Standard I. —Gladys Reynolds, Olive Smith, Mollie Wells, Leslie Pinny, Colin Benton, Alick Carswell, Henry Carswell. Primer IV.—Rex. Luscombs, Jack Smith, Fred Pinny, Gerald Hawthorne, Grace Chapple. Primer lll.—Billy Melville, Vera Leach, Betty Carswell, Victor Chapple, Bobby Eustace and Jack Nelson. The following items were well given by the children: Action songs; nursery rhymes, marching songs, folk dance steps, all pupils; songs, “Lullaby Land” and "Only Seven,” Mary Williams; “Will the Angels Let Me Play,” Gerald Hawthorne; recitations, “Little Orphan Annie,” and “Goblins Will Get You,” Ernest Williams; “Sir Roger de Coverley,” three squads of pupils. The accompaniments were played by Misses McCormack and H. Dolan. Colin Smith won the gold medal given by the Hawera High School for the invitation race at their sports. An interesting display of sewing and raffia work lay on the tables for exhibition. The children revelled in lollie scrambles and in a penny scramble given by Mrs. Cramp and the school committee. The pupils served afternoon tea. Out of respect to the late Mrs. Steffert, the annual Sunday school tea and Christmas tree function was postponed until last Thursday evening. A large number of scholars, parents and Sunday school teachers assembled at the Whareroa Hall, where at 6.30 p.m. they sat down to well-laden tea tables decorated with poppies and greenery. Misses Packman, Death (2), and Smith waited upon them all, while the Revs. Monaghan and Barnes presided. After tea, the Rev. Monaghan, in a happy speech, presented each scholar with a prize, and then the good things from the wellladen Christmas tree were distributed.

Miss Packman was presented with a handsome present in recognition of her untiring work as superintendent of the Sunday school. -"Regret was expressed that she was unable to continue the work. Miss Packman suitably replied. Mrs. Luscombe sen., of New Plymouth, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Luscom'be.

Miss E. Reynolds, of Omata, is spending a holiday with Mr. and Mrs. W. Reynolds.

Record crops of hay and ensilage still continue to be harvested in this district.

KOHURATAHI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Christmas, eagerly looked forward to by most, has come and gone, and in common with most parts of New Zealand, Kohuratahi experienced a very wet day. Boxing Day was overclouded and by 11.30 heavy thunder commenced, but fortunately for those who ventured to the sports the storm passed round. However, a few miles from Whangamomona and Kohuratahi there was an electrical storm and green bush, struck by lightning, is still burning, while the swollen river brought down hundreds of logs.

Mrs. J. Tarrel and family spent a few days with relatives in Eltham last week.

Misses E. and R. McCartie are spending the vacation with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cleland and family are at present in New Plymouth. Mr. and Mrs. C. Humphries and the Misses Mavis and Lorraine are at present staying with relatives in Kohuratahi.

Mrs. Nesbit spent Christmas in Waitotara.

Mr. and Mrs. A, J. Kjestrup and fam ily are on holiday in Masterton. Miss Lily Burch is at present in Car terton.

Mrs. H. Gill has returned from Wan ganui.

Mr. J. Moore spent Christmas in Stratford.

Air. L. Gill has commenced duties as railway-line surfaceman on the Whangamomona —Kohuratahi length. Air. J. Groves motored in from Eltham during the week and is staying with Mr. and Mrs. E. Hill.

Mrs. W. WiMis and- family left for Tuna last week. The Misses Joyce and Myra Hansen, of Manaia, are the guests of Air. and Mrs. J. Hodder. Air. and Airs. J. Foreman and family spent the week-end with relatives in Kohuratahi.

Airs. R. Anderson was the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Hight, last week. I regret to report that Air, A. J. Curry has been indisposed for some little time, but is improving slowly. Mr. F. Summerhayes, of Auckland, motored through last week, and is the guest of Air. and Mrs. Ken Summerhayes, Marco Road.

Miss Dinah Stockwell is home at pre sent, but returns to Cardiff shortly.

Air. and Mrs. Ennis spent Christmas with Mr. and Airs. Carver.

Messrs E. and J. Stockwell were in New Plymouth during the week. Air. and Mrs. Perry have returned from New Plymouth. Mr. Len Cooper and Mr. C. Hill motored to Eltham on Friday evening, Mr. 0. Hill is proceeding to Wellington by Monday morning’s mail train. He enters the Railway Training College on January 4. Mr. Rex Nesbit has friends from Waltotara who arc hoping to capture some wild pigs.

PUKENGAHU

(From Our Own Correspondent.) With the festive season over, the settlers are busy with, their hay crops. A number of settlers have already got their hay in stack. The season has been so erratic, that people are losing no time with short spells of fine weather, to havest their crops. A large number of residents went to Stratford

an New Year's Day to the races. The many friends of Mr. Harry Harris, nephew of Mr. Harris, of Waihapa Road, will regret to hear that he is seriously ill in a private hospital in Eltham. He has lived many years in this district, being a prominent member of the Eltham Football Club. AU sincerely hope for a turn for the better.

It is many years since the district has looked so well for this time of the year. There has been a wonderful growth of grass, and with the prospects of dairy produce rising in price on the Home market, the farmers should have an exceptionally good year. At the recent Bayly Memorial Scholarship held in New Plymouth, Master Tommy Death, a pupil of the Pukengahu School, showed up prominently in the running and field events, gaining fourth place against competitors from all parts of Taranaki. Having passed his proficiency he intends to complete his studies at the. New Plymouth High School.

Alias Fulford, of Wellington, is the guest of Airs. Dudley, Pukengahu Road. Air. W. Walsh, who is studying at the Ballarat College (Australia), is on a visit to his parents, Mr. and Airs. Walsh, Waihapa Road.

Airs. J. Best and family have gone to their seaside cottage at New Plymouth. Wo are very pleased to hear that Air. Booker’s daughter, Vera, is convalescent, after having been in the Stratford Hospital for several weeks.