DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1927, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. FANCY DRESS AT WAI-TOI-TOI. For some time past the children attending the Mimi school have been rehearsing assiduously with a view to holding a fancy dress ball in the schoolroom. Owing to sickness in the district the function has been postponed on one or two occasions, but on Friday evening last it was brought to a successful termination when, besides local residents there were present representatives from Urenui and Pukearuhe. The room had been tastefully arranged with ferns, Chinese lanterns, etc., and formed a fitting background for the really handsome costumes worn by ihe dancers, making the scene in the grand 'march, with which the proceedings opened, most effective. A programme of some two-and-a-half hours’ duration was gone through without a hitch, and the manner in which the little ones conducted themselves called forth warm expressions of approval from the audience. There were modern and old-time dances, ineluding folk dances from England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, all being executed most gracefully, whilst as M.C. Master H. Phillips was first class. Before the performers adjourned for supper, which was laid out most tastefully in the shelter by a number of ladies, Mr. H. Thompson, chairman of the school committee, took the opportunity of thanking all those present for their attendance and assistance. He said that the children were to be complimented upon their dresses, and that the manner in which they had acquitted themselves was a credit to their teacher, Miss Drader. He made reference to the good work accomplished by the pupils at the recent winter show in New Plymouth and presented the successful competitors with their prize tickets. Another pleasing incident occurred, when Mr. Geo. Baker, on behalf of the residents of Wai-toi-toi and other portions of the locality, presented Mr. E. O’Hanlon and family, who are leaving the district, with a wallet containing a substantial sum of money. In doing so, he made complimentary reference to the interest taken in local matters by Mr. O’Hanlon during his sojourn here, he having been a member of the School Committee, besides occupying a seat on the directorate of the Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company. Both he had his family had also ever been willing helpers in .any social functions. He assured them that they would carry away the good wishes of all present. In responding, Mr. O’Hanlon said he was somewhat taken by surprise, and was not aware that he had done anything to deserve special recognition. He thanked Mr. Baker for his kind remarks, and mentioned that during his sojourn in Wai-toi-toi he had spent many pleasant evenings at the social gatherings held in the schoolroom, which served to bring one another together. After singing “Aflld Lang Syne,” the adults took the floor, a few hours being spent in dancing, the music being supplied by Miss Hannah Edwin, assisted by Mrs. Gainfort on'the violin, extras being played by Mr. G. Salway and Mrs. J. Johnson. Mr. Joe Johnson made a capital M.C., and kept things going merrily. The incidental music for the children’s dance was contibuted by Miss Drader and Miss Edwin.

Following is a list of the fancy custumes worn:—Chas. Baker (Robin Hood); K. Musker (Glad-Eye Pierrot); Harry Phillips (Chinaman); K. Phillips Mouat ‘ (Mephistopheles); A. Phillips (Gentleman); N. Willison (Old English); J. Sutton (Teddy Bear); D. Rikihana (Sailor); H. Rowe (Old English); C. Jones (Italian Organ Grinder); T. Baker (Pierrot); Kathleen O’Hanlon (Powder and Patches); Annie Baker (Gipsy Queen); Nina Jones (Rose); Miro Willison (Kato Greenaway); Beulah Lux n (Sunlight Soap); Vefii Mouat (Carnival); Ngaio Willison (Rose); Molly O’Hanlon (Good Luck); Ferna Phillips (Rainbow); Kathleen Zimmerman (Italian Dancer); Bessie Marr (France); Besrie Johnson (Briar Rose). FOOTBALL MATCHES.

A friendly game was played at Pukearuhe on Saturday last between the local players and a team from Okoke. Neither side had a full complement of players, but an enjoyable game, which was played in a most friendly spirit, resulted in a win for the visitors by 9 points to 3. Mr. E. K. Blundell had control i the game. For- the first time this season in the second grade, competition the Urenui first juniors had their colours lowered, when they' were defeated at Waitara by the Clifton juniors by 6 points to nil, made up by an unconverted try and a penalty goal. The visitors did not seem to play up to their usual form and were beaten by a better team on the day. Play was chiefly confined to the forwards, and in this department of the game, Clifton certainly had the advantage. The greens on one or two occasions might have scored, but failed to ' take advantage of their opportunities. Mr. Clare had control of the game, which was witnessed by a large number of supporters of both teams. This Saturday Urer.tii meet Star B at Western Park, and will have to play their best to retain the two-point lead which th.-y still possess.

The primary school match between Mimi-Okoke and Urenui was not played, although the former made the journey to the township to fulfil their engagement. The Mimi school are decidedly keen, and will now have the advantage of Mr. J. Thompson’s services as coach, which should improve their style of play. By a coincidence both the Urenui footballers and the ladies’ hockey team met with reversals on the same day last season, the same result occurring again last Saturday. HOCKEY. The Urenui Ladies* Hockey Club sent a team to Waitara on Thursday last to try conclusions with the A team in that town. An enjoyable game resulted in a win for the visitors by 2 goals to 1. Mr. T. Fowler acted as referee in the first half and Mr. Leech in the second. On Saturday, however, at New Plymouth, they were defeated by the Technical College Old Girls, which is probably the strongest team in the association, by two goals to nil. However, the visitors were by no means disgraced, and put up a solid defence against the repeated onslaughts of their opponents. Perhaps, with more practice and a better knowledge of the finer points of the ~ame, they may make a closer finish on the next occasion they meet the New Plymouth ladies.

GENERAL ITEMS.

General sympathy is being felt in this district with Air. Wm. Skelton in the sad loss he has sustained by the death of Mrs. Skelton, who, after a painful illness, passed away at the New Plymouth hospital last week. Previous to her demise the late Mrs. Skelton had held the position of teacher at the Motonui school, and at one time was a resident of Wai-toi-toi, where her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilliver, who now reside at Elthain, were engaged in dairy farming on the property now owned by Mr. J. Johnson. Mr. M. G. Glassford's Acre —Bell Boyne gelding Whenuanui, who is reported to be doing good track work at Wanganui, under Trainer Gardiner, has been allotted fist 111 b in the Stewards’ Handicap of six furlongs on the first day of the Wellington Jockey Club’s forthcoming meeting. All being well, Mr. Glassford’s representative should render a good account of himself. On Thursday, July 14, Wai-toi-toi residents will have the pleasure of witnessing the North Taranaki Hunt Club’s first-class pack of hounds at work, a meet having been arranged for that date on the property of Mr. Gordon Salway.

Mr. J. Thompson, manager of the Wai-toi-toi dairy factory, succeeded in winning the Taranaki championship for cheese at the recent Hawera Winter Show. Mr. Thompson is to be congratulated upon his win, which is only one of many secured at the various shows in the Dominion and Australia in former years.

Mr.- Salzeberg, of Mangatoki, who purchased the farm recently owned by Mr. E. O’Hanlon, of Wai-toi-toi, has now taken over the property and it is understood that Mr. O’Hanlon is removing to the Opunake district. Mr. and Mrs. J. Thompson, of Wai-toi-toi, returned homo last week, after an enjoyable trip to the South Island. From a private source information has been received that, until some three weeks ago, there has been scarcely any rain in the Ashburton district in Canterbury since Christmas, and consequently the swede Crops have been rather poor. Nevertheless, one farmer disposed of his crop at the remunerative price of £o per acre, which should be a payable proposition. A recent visitor to Inglewood from Wai-toi-toi states that whilst in that locality he was shown a ewe which at the ago of 14 years, had given birth to and reared successfully, twin lambs. She is now in her fifteenth year and looks in the pink of condition, in fact, fit for the butcher He was also shown on the same farm a maerocarpa tree planted 50 years ago which, it is estimated, will yield some 400 posts besides firewood. There is at present a strong demand for dairy cows and springing heifers, and anything showing good condition and quality will command good prices. There is also a keen enquiry for heifers and weaners from th© Waikato district, and every season large consignments of this class of stock find their way there from this district. Mrs. Smythe, of Christchurch, is at present spending a holiday with her sister, Mrs. T. O’Riordan, of the Okoke. Large consignments of slag and other artificial manures have been brought into the district during th© past few weeks, and top-dressing, together with tripod harrowing of the pastures, is going on everywhere. Although unemployment seems to be general all over the Dominion yet, notwithstanding this and the decided scarcity of cash, there seems to b© a more hopeful tone prevailing amongst farmers.

WHANGAMOMONA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) July 8. Although our township has been very quiet for some weeks, so far as social activities are concerned, the interest of the settlers has been aroused in a number of ways, the latest sensation being the announcement that boring for oil would very shortly be commenced by a syndicate recently formed here, which, had secured options on a property on tho Prospect road. The road in question should be appropriately named, when the prospectors eventually get busy. However, there have been no signs of the busy industry that should follow such an announcement, and oni would conclude that the syndicate, being faced with tho problem of transporting boring plant over an unmetalled road in midwinter, has wisely de -ided to postpone all thought of carrying on xnt.'l the summer n ontlis. The Deteriorated Lands Board has paid a number of visits to this district recently, but settlers who had hoped to have their applications for relief attended to ere this, while still looking to the Board to make conditions easier for them, are growing a little impatient at, what .seems to them, the unnecessary delay between visits. The Public Works Department has been giving a fair amount of attention to by-roads and six foot tracks within the past few weeks. The growth of grass has been very uoticable lately, due, no doubt, to warm rains, and the entire absence of frost.

A Sootball team of combined Whangamomona and Tahora players w r as to have played against Tangarakau and Mangaone on Saturday next, but the match was postponed owing to the much greater attraction of the Star v. Stratford match at Stratford. District Nurs© Miss Myers, who, in company with District Nurse Mrs, Linklater (Tangarakau), attended the Nurses’ Refresher Class recently held at New Plymouth, has returned. AURCA. FARMERS’ UNION WORK. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Auroa branch of the Farmers’ Union still continues as a body with a keen interest in all pertaining to farming in general and the movements of the parent body. During the past month they were well represented in the Agricultural Club's competitions for root growing (carrots, turnips and mangolds) and other fodder crops. They also assisted with the children’s competitions by conveying the competitors and assisting the judges with the work connected with this irksome task. On Saturday evening a social was held by the Farmers’ Union and Mr. E. L. Bigham, tho secretary, was presented with a handsome secretarial case as a mark of esteem and appreciation of his work on behalf of the Farmers’ Union. The president (Mr. F. Aroa) referred in glowing terms to the recipient’s activities. The cake competition on behalf of the Soccer Club was finalised on Saturday, Mr. T. F. Hammond, of Manaia, being the winner. The Soccer Club's team still plays strongly. Although their colours were lowered by the Caledonians some time ago, yet last Saturday they

played an indecisive match and Auroa were really unfortunate in losing. The hall committee are endeavouring to obtain funds for improvements by means of running weekly euchre parties and dances. It is intended to instal electric light as soon as possible. This week’s euchre party resulted in Mr. A. Dunn winning the men’s prize and Miss M. Symes, of Manaia, winning the ladies’ trophy. Tlic Auroa Pipe Band expect to have a good patronage at their dance on Friday evening. A strong muster of pipers and members of the Scottish Society is expected from Hawera, Eltham, etc. PERSONAL. Many farms have changed hands recently, and many respected settlers have gone from this district. The latest to join in the exodus are Messrs. G. Scott, J. Sandford and S. French. The latter was tendered a valedictory social and presented with a handsome oak cloek by Mr. T. Kilpatrick, on behalf of the social committee, before his departure to take up a farm at Manaia. Mr. S. W. Bailey has taken over the farm recently occupied by Mr. G. Scott, and Mr. Blair has taken back the farm recently occupied by Messrs. Bowie Bros. TARATA. GENERAL ITEMS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A euchre party and dance was held in the Tarata Hall on Friday, July I, at which many attended. The euchre prizes were won by Mrs. Macrae 1, Mrs. Standish 2. Four tied for the men’s prize, and after the play-off Mr. N. Lawrence was first and Mr. Knox second. The music for dancing was supplied by Miss Higgins, Messrs. D. Paterson, A. Elliot and J. Burgess. Supper was supplied by the ladies of the district. The Tarata tennis team, unfortunately, on account of the weather, was unable to play a match against Norfolk Road last Thursday. Miss C. Waite is staying at New Plymouth. Mr. and Mrs. Buckle are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lavell. Mr. and Mrs. J. Hirst have returned after spending a short holiday in Eltham. The friends of Mrs. Ludeman will be pleased to hear she is much better in health. Mr. Guilford is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Ludeman. Mrs. Meuli, the Tarata school mistress, spent the week-end in New Plymouth. Mrs. Standish was away for the week-end. Miss R. Waite is spending a short holiday at Urenui. Miss Waite, who lias been to Auckland for an extended holiday, has returned to her home. Mrs. Topping and her little daughter have returned home. Mrs. Pane is the gnest of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J. Press. Mr. D. Standish is at present home with his people. BELL BLOCK. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The first of a series of tri-weekly socials was held in the local hall on Wednesday, June 29, when there was a very fair attendance. The floor was in first-class order, and the music of McNeill’s orchestra was much appreciated Messrs. K. Parkin and H. Rowe ably carried out th© duties of M.C.’s. The euchre prizes were won by th© following: Ladies, Mrs. H. Sampson 1, Mrs. Eva 2; gents, Mr. H. Gaylard 1, Mr. Williamson 2. As the local committee are in need of funds for hall improvements it is to be hoped that these functions will be well patronised. Mrs. Taylor, wife of Mr. W. Taylor, manager of the Bell Block dairy factory, returned last week from a holiday trip to Melbourne.