MANAIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8665, 30 December 1889, Page 3

MANAIA.

(from oub own corbespondent.) December 27. — Fortunately, owing to the precautions taken, no fresh cases of diphtheria have broken out. and nearly the whole of those who had it have quite recovered. No further danger is apprehended now. The hurried closing of the school on account of the outbreak prevented any steps being taken to give thp children their annual entertainment and prizes. Some of the children expressed great disappointment; they will be glad to near, therefore, that at the last meeting of the School Committee a sub-Committee was appointed to arrange for giving deserving children prizes after the school re-opens. The bazaar and Art Union in aid of the building fund of the Presbyterian church, which were held last Friday and Saturday, were a very great financial success, realising considerably over £200. It had been hoped that Mr fieslop, the chairman of the County Council, would open the bazaar, but he was not able to do so. The duty of declaring the bazaar open was therefore very ably performed by Mr J. C. Yorke, who congratulated thn Presbyterians npon the progress they had made in this district. He also, referring to the Education auestion, said he recognised more and more Ist the religious education of our children devolved on the church, concluding a capital address fay declaring tho bazaar open. The stalls were arranged so as to form an octagon, with a Christmas tree in the centre; the stage being formed into a refreshment room. The following ladies had charge of the several stalls, viz., Mesdames Glenny, Milroy, Hair, AUsworth, Christie, Parkes, Hicks, and Barker. A large number of young ladies rendered valuable assistance at each fitalL The Christmas tree was very ably run by Miss Fantham and a flower stall by Misses Betts and J Hair. All the stalk were very nicely decorated and filled with an abundance of articles of a useful and ornamental character. The small quantity left over and the very satisfactory financial result show that the right class of things had been served. One stall in particular cleared its goods to such an extent that a kerosene case held all that was left. There was a very big crowd in the Hall on Saturday night, the Band being in attendance, and it was close on midnight before the proceedings closed. Our shopkeepers laid themselves out to make quite a show tliis Christmas. On Christmas Eve the town was quite gay -with Chinese lanterns and various floral decorations. When all did so well it is invidious to make special reference to any one, bat I cannot help stating that the show of meat and the display of small goods in the butchers' shops would be hard to beat in any town in the colony for quantity and quality ; there was not much to choose between Messrs Higginson Bros. and R. Suiisted, but the latter had gone in more for decorations in the small goods line.