TONGAPORUTU.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14399, 6 January 1911, Page 7

TONGAPORUTU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Jan. 2.—On Friday, December 30, tho Tongaporutu Hall was, on the invitation of Messrs. Itattcnbury Bros., well filled, tho occasion being to mark the opening of their new store and boarding-house. Having purchased the store and property from Mr. A. Waters, they at onco proceeded to effect improvements. They have erected a fine up-to-date store, included in which is a private sound-deadened room for Postal and telephone work. The building is not as large us some stores on this coast, but in finish and general appearance is second to none of them. They have also converted tho old store and dwelling house into a neat comfortable boarding-house, which will, under the management of Mrs. L. M. Hutchins (proprietress), prove a great convenience to coach travellers m particular, the public in general. Tho Hall, which was nicely decorated by tho Misses Amy and Bessy Kattohbury, was fillet! early in the evening, and dancing commenced shortly after eight, Miss Bessy Rattcnbnry presiding at the piano, and Mr. H. 'Hutchins being M.C. During a couple of intervals Mr. G. Stratton provided tho company with a hearty laugh in his usual comical way. The supper was laid in the boarding-house, tho tables being nicely decorated and well covered with nice dainty eatables of all descriptions. Fourteen collides sat down at one time, and tho verdict of each relay was that Mrs. Hutchins was to bo highly complimented on the very excellent supper she had provided. Supper over, dancing again started, and did not flagg in any way until daylight, when Air. G. Stratton having, in a neat little speech, thanked Messrs, Rattonbury for their splendid entertainment. Everyone left

for homo highly satisfied with their night’s pleasure. Another correspondent forwards an account of.the above affair, adding the following items; Numerous motor ears have passed through here during the past week. 1 learn that Mr. J. J. Chapman is having a mile of open drain cut round his bush swumn as a preliminary to foiling the Imsli and completing the grassing of his valuable farm. 1 am sorry to report Mr. Frank Rattenbury on the sick list, also a child of Mrs. Trask; also that the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. H. Taylor has died in New Plymouth Hospital. They have the sympathy of all of us.