DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1928, Page 15

DISTRICT NEWS

-DOWN THE COAST.” CONCERT AT OKATO. (From Oar Own Correspondent.)' The Pungarehu performers paid Okato a visit on March 7 and pleased a large audience drawn from the township and surrounding districts. Many of the singers had appeared last year in an entertainment which was got up in support, of local pastimes, so the originators decided to travel this season in search of hall funds under the title of the “MirthMaking Pungarehu Night Club.” The proceeds, which were satisfactory, were equally divided in this instance between the funds of Pungarehu and Okato public .halls.

The first part of the entertainment was given by the "club,” whose members were disposed around a number of small tables. After a fortissimo rendering of “Hi, Ho, the Merrio” by the full chorus, Mr. Bob. Gillespie opened a conversation in which he vae soon joined by Mr. W. Day, who managed to keep the house in roars of laughter. Bob has a letter to make public, and a joke about a submarine is worked off, prior to which the company sang “Are We All Here ?” Messrs. Thorne and Conroy delighted the listeners with their duet, “You’d be surprised,” which was closely followed by a South African between the group. Mr. C. Evans next came to light with his song “Honolulu Moon,” and a jest regarding Jones and Brown.- Mr. J. Rookes appeared on the scene. “That’s the Reason” was the vocal rmnber entrusted to him, and a joke about Oamaru followed. Mr. Lawrence was the next to occupy the limelight with the “Pal I Loved” as his selection. Next appeared a familiar figure in all local gatherings, Mr. W. E. Willis with a number called “Red Robin.” The eomic waiter of the club demanded a catch, .and the members obliged him with “Three Blind Mice,” which failed to satisfy him, as he appeared convinced that some one was out of tune. Ever ready to oblige, the singers gave their assistance in detecting the deliquent, arid dropped out. one by one till the waiter had things to himself when it was still out of tune. The company joined in “Wonderful One,” and followed up with a joke about being “On the Farm.” Mr. B, Winter now came into the picture, and gave a rendering of that old favourite “The Drum Major.” A joke about fish and sausage was slipped in, and Mr. W. Day favoured the company with “I Ain’t Nobody’s Darling.” Then came some wit about a shirt, and the company got together with the two choruses, “The More we Are Together” and "Are We All Here?” to wind up the Night Club’s first session in Okato. The house expressed itself in no uncertain terms, and the performers had the pleasure of knowing that they had made another bit,

An old Okato resident, now chairman of the Pungarehu hall committee (Mr. W. A. Corbett), had the task of announcing the items in the second-part of the programme. A well received comic sketch by Messrs. Blair and Lowry, in which an officer and a Jew were impersonated, was on© of the features in this half. It finished with a- song called “Far Away From London.” Mr. Percy Parker, from Warea factory, who played the aceom- ; paniments,' was given an opportunity of showing his skill as a duetist jri company with Mrs. Lowry, their partnership being well appreciated. Mt. I’. Thorne sang “Too Late to be Sorry Now.” Mr. Jeffries gave a solo on the accordeon, as well as a song entitled, “A Catch in it Somewhere.” Mr. W. E. Willis amused the gathering with “A Natty Little Patch Behind.” An instrumental item, which was well received, was a trio consisting of guitar, ukelele and banjo played by Messrs. Uriminga, Te Anga and Coffee. Mr. C. Evans sang “Friend of Mine,” and the concert wound up with the chorus, “Good-night.” As there was a dance to follow, no encores were permitted in spite of the popular desire for extra items. Without singling any particular performer, a general tone of satisfaction seems to have pervaded the audience, and “it was quite a good show” was the popular verdict. The supper was dealt with faithfully, and passed with honours in .its examination. The proceedings wound up with a dance at which Messrs. Parker and Norris supplied the music, extras being contributed by the accordeon. In spite of the difficulty of collecting and transporting a partv of this size to other centres the organisers consider that the venture was well worth the trouble. The hall committees agree'in this; GENERAL ITEMS. The Okato Rifle Club met on Saturday, and had the first competition for the new trophy. The attendance was not large, Mr. R. C. Larsen scoring the highest for the day. The totals of the first three were: R. C. Larsen, points 91, handicap 2, total 93; Clyde Putt, points 86, handicap 5. total 90; C. Humphrey 87. The Okato Tennis Club Is considering *he installation of electric light at the courts to enable players to continue after dark. The project can only be carried into effect if there is an increase in the membership sufficient to warrant the expenditure. There are many fine still evenings on which a good set could ba enjoyed, provided there were light enough to see the balls. There are a number of players who are unable to take advantage of the courts late ! n the season by reason of their occupation. If they feel that a further extension of the time for recreation is desirable the matter lies in their own hands. Regarding the proposed sports meeting ths committee feel that there is insufficient interest taken by the general public to make the matter likely to repay their trouble. They have accordingly decided to postpone the meeting till such time as greater enthusiasm prevails, and there is more demand for such an event. Fortunately the bathing pool promoters have no reason to make any complaints of lack of enthusiasm. Over £3O has been subscribed, or promised already, and another meeting was held on March 10, at which It was decided to order timber for framing and cement for carrying out the retaining, walls and floor. A concrete floor is a real asset in a bath of this size, and it is a wise step to arrange for it right at the start when people are keen. It was also decided to have a working bee on March 15 to make a start with the clearing of the site. While the weather is dry and not much water Is passing through the gully is an ideal time to get the work well under way, so It Ils hoped thit 'there will be sn attendance worthy of the occasion,

Mr, T. H. Johnson, who acted us drapery manager in Mr. J. 8. Fox’s store for the last three and a-half years, has moved with his family to Levin, where he is considering the purchase of a business on his own account. The playground at Okato school has in it a hollow which forms a quite unappreciated sheet of water in wet : weather. Perhaps not entirely undesired, there are always a few children who like water at any time, whether they are in bathing or merely school clothes. The committee has got busy ploughing and levelling the site. Rumours are afloat about bazaars and other money raising efforts in the near future. The Okato annual event in aid of the funds of the St. Paul’s Church is being organised, as usual, by St. Paul’s Ladies’ Guild. Harvest services have been rearranged, so that PunihoWarea has one on the afternoon of March 25 and Okato the same night.

The Okato sale of work is due on the Thursday after this service. A heavy pall of smoke is still a local feature towards the ranges, and up near the reserve. It is astonishing what a number of stumps have changed their appearance, and how clear some of the paddocks have become in the direction of Tumahu. Trails of smoke along the Okahu Road show that the improvement in the track has encouraged clearing. Work at the Waitotaroa bridge is getting well under way, and the road surface un to that point is now excellent and affords an opporunity of inspecting a part of the countryside, which, till recently, was impassible to motors. A much shorter route round the mountain is soon coming into being, and those who spend a day off in taking a run in the car will be able to branch off at Okato; take a wide loop and run within two or three miles of the reserve, for part of the route gradually work towards the sea, where the intersection of numerous side road will offer a varied series of opportunities of reaching the main road between Rahotu and Opunake.

Dry weather has many unpleasant things to its credit or discredit, but it has proved a great boon to those who are extending the metal roads In permitting a passage for the loaded lorries over clay that would be a stumbling block’ in a moister season. The holders of bush sections have been taking advantage of their opportunity, and large quantities of rata are on the move from places which up to the present were unge table. A very unwelcome visitor in the shape of gastric influenza has been giving trouble to some of the settlers. It is to be hoped that its stay will not be prolonged. TUNA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Tuna branch of the Methodist Church held its harvest thanksgiving festival service on Sunday evening, and its usual sale of the produce on Monday evening, when a large crowd assembled, and, as usual, did their liberal share of bidding for the produce, the wl sale realising somewhere in the vicinity of £O. Recitations and songs were renderel iby adults and Sunday. School echolans, and were well received. After a liberal supper, dispensed by the ladies, everyone returned home well satisfied with the bargains of the sale ami the entertainment of the evening. We regret to say that Miss Mary Kovaleski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kovaleski, has been an inmate of the Stratford hospital for the past two weeks. Latest reports, however, show an improvement in her condition. Mrs. Aylward, senior, has returned to Tuna after an enjoyable holiday spent with her daughter in Auckland. Mr. and Mns. Frost and family have left the district and taken up their residence in Eltham. Mre. Wright and her two daughters, who have been the guests of Mr. and Mrs. R, Aly ward have returned to Christchurch. During the hot dry spell the pupils of the local school were given instruction in swimming under the care of the teachens, Mrs. Winthrop and Miss Kearns. The children thoroughly enjoyed the. swimming, as well as benefiting by improving in their swimming. Some of them show great promise as swimmers. A meeting of supplier sof the local cheese factory was held last Monday night to discuss the advisability of amalgamating with Midhirst in the casein production. No definite conclusion was arrived at. The engagement is announced of Eileen, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kovaleski, Tuna, to James, eldest Bon of Mrs. J. McCool and the late John McCool, Mangamingi.