KAPONGA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1927, Page 2

KAPONGA NEWS

TOWN BOARD AFFAIRS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Kaponga Town Board was held on Tuesday night, when the following members were present: Commissioners A. R. Bates (chairman), R. A.. Law, C. E. Betts, D. J. Keliely, J. Charters, J. P. Gibson and A. J.''Heibert. An application to cut grass in the cemetery for hay was received from E. W. Blackwell.—The application was granted, subject to the cemetery grounds being cleared up, and put in good order by the applicant not later than December 26.

An application was received for an extension of the closing hour of a billiard saloon until 11 p.m., but it was found that to do so would mean the amending of the by-law. The matter wae deferred.

The engineer’s report for (lie month of October stated:—

Power Stations.---Both pliuils have operated with a minimum of trouble. It was necessary to shut No. 1 station down for a period of 15 minutes on the evening of October 22. This was brought about through a slight loss of head which produced considerable scouring at the intake, and aa a result the excessive debris loosened fouled the plant to such an extent that the only remedy was to shut down and clean out.

Reticulation.— Steady progress is being made with the construction of the 3360/400 volt* lines to serve the Lower Manaia Road. 1 anticipate having this work completed and livened before the end of the month. Work" on this section has not been continuous, as it has been necessary to transfer the wiring gang to other parts of the area to complete certain alterations. During the month one 7% K.V.A. transformer has been erected to serve a dairy factory which recently changed over to the A.C. supply.

It was pointed out by the chairman after consulting with the engineer that there were many accounts outstanding in the board’s trading department account in connection with its electrical activities. As the board had no longer any interest In this department it was decided on the return to duty of the clerk to send out final notices to those concerned, and if such did not bring forth satisfactory settlements to take other action.

PLUNKET SOCIETY BENEFIT. The decision of. the Plunket Society in asking the Manaia Amateur Operatic Society to stage the oriental operetta entitled the “Magic Ruby,” to assist their funds was well worth while, when this company of 45 performers played to a packed and appreciative house on Monday night. The numerous encores asked for and given in the solos, trios and quartettes were sufficient evidence of the public opinion of the performance,. The first scene opened with a chorus song in which thirty members of the company took part, most of them appearing in quaint Eastern costumes representative of ladies in waiting at the palace, trumpeters, and all the usual retinue that goes to make up the court of an Eastern prince.

The play was staged in three acts. First is the scene in the palace on the arrival of the prince wearing the magic ruby. He explains in music and lore the ancient history of the ruby, whereby past" occupants of the throne have been able to hold fame and fortune through it. Almost as if by magic the scene changes, and we see the ruby in the possession of the bad magician and his band of imps. In the second act we find ourselves transported to the dark and gloomy magician’s cavern. The final act takes place in the palace garden with the prince impatiently awaiting the arrival of the hour for the restoration of the ruby as promised by the unknown messenger, and to while away the hours until then the colonel suggests that they ask four of the ladies-in-waiting of the court to give the “Dance of the Sunlight,” which appealed very much to the audience. The final scene closes with an appropriate wedding chorus by the whole company, at the end of which the wicked magician, after being captured by the two court retainers, is. brought before the maharajah" for punishment, but by the special request of the Queen of the Night a pardon is allowed him, and he is set free.

It would be hard to single out any member of the company for special mention. A word of praise is due to the pianiste (Mr. C. Abbot), who was instrumental in starting the company off, and to whom the bulk of the scenery and other stage decorations were due. The society’s funds, it is understood, will benefit to the extent of £l2 to £l5. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. G. P. Cook, who spent a fendays here last week, left on Monday morning, accompanied by his eldest son Bertram, for Woodville in continuation of his holiday leave. Much sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. T. Cockerill, who are new residents in this town, in the loss of their daughter on Monday last. The funeral on Tuesday was attended by a number of relatives and friends.