ORARI.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18659, 30 August 1930, Page 7

ORARI.

WOMEN S INSTITUTE. The monthly meeting of the Orari Women’s Institute took place in the hall on Thursday afternoon, Mrs Macdonald presiding over a very good attendance. Two members. Mrs J. Paterson and Miss G. Hughes were elected. Correspondence was received from Miss Stops, Dominion Organiser, expressing thanks for a contribution towards her expenses. The president announced that the Thrift Exhibition had been successful, and thanked all the Orari members who had helped towards its success. It was decided that the Orari Institute make a community quilt similar to the queen's quilt made by the Women’s Institutes in England, each member to be supplied with a square of linen at the next meeting. Mrs Macdonald introduced Dr L. C. Mail, of Geraldine, who gave a very enjoyable address on Samoa. Dr Mail spent several years in Samoa, and his description of the habitations and characteristics of the natives was most interesting and clear. Fish, said Dr Mail, were very plentiful round the Islands, and the natives were expert fishermen, a popular method being to dive under the water and spear the fish. It was quite common to see a native appear with as many as six fisb on his spear. The making of string from the coarse fibres that cover the coconuts is a common occupation of the Samoan men, and this twine is used extensively in the building of their huts, the thatched roofs being heavily interwoven with the twine. The Samoan resembled the Maori very much in build and appearance. They were a lighthearted people living largely under the communal system. The food belonged to all, and while it lasted they would feast. They had no idea of preparing for the future, and quite often they would be almost starving. Bananas were very plentiful, but even these would run short at time. The medical profession had done a great deal for the native in stamping out diseases common to them. Several native customs, such as tattooing and kava drinking were described by Dr Mail, and specimens or raffia sleeping mats, kava bowls and mats made from the beaten bark of trees and painted in native fashion were handed round. For white people Samoa was quite attractive. The climate was very equable, the temperature never going below 70deg. The food was good, and included New Zealand butter and Canterbury lamb. There was plenty of golf, tennis and other sports to interest one. Dr Mail was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. The programme included country dancing when several dances taught by Miss Ferguson on her recent visit were gone through and thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike, a great many of the members taking part. Two letters received from the Trumpington Institute (Cambridge, England), were read by Mrs S. Unwin and Mrs Macdonald. A little poem entitled “The Queen's Quilt” was read, parts being taken by Mrs G. Worner, Mrs Minnis and Miss G. Brown. The secretary was asked to send a letter to Mrs W. C. Smith to congratulate her on being the mother of the first “Institute” baby. Afternoon tea was handed round, the hostesses being Mrs J. Priddle Senr., Mrs F. Priddle and Miss L. Priddle.

PERSONAL. Mr W. E. Cook is spending a holiday in Christchurch, and is the guest of Mr and Mrs N. Reid Wilson, Cashmere. Miss McQueen is on a visit to Dunedin. Miss Russell is the guest of Mrs G. A. M. Macdonald, Orari. Mrs Stonewigg, Waihi College, has left to spend the holidays in the North Island. Mrs Derrick Gould is the guest of Mrs R. A. Innes, Orari. Mrs J. R. Roberts, left on Thursday for a visit to Christchurch. Miss Nora Pemberton, Christchurch, is staying with Mrs D. J. Pemberton, Orari. Mrs D. N. Quinlan, of the Orari railway staff, has been transferred to Temuka. Mr and Mrs P. N. Fuldseth, Dunedin, have taken up residence in-Orari. Mr Fuldseth has been appointed to the railway staff. Mr A. Southey has returned from a visit to Auckland. On the occasion of his departure for Dunedin, Mr J. M. Brown who has been on the railway staff at Orari for the past two years, was met by the staff on Friday and presented with a suit case, as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow workers. The presentation was made by Mr E. P. Chambers. Mr Brown left on Friday for Dunedin.

HARE DRIVE. A hare drive held recently for the purposes of adding to the Orari school funds was successful. Twenty-two sportsmen enjoyed the day’s outing and returned with a bag of fifty-four hares after traversing a large tract of land in the Belfield district and also along the Orari River bed.

AURORA. Some beautiful effects of the aurora australis were seen in Orari early on Thursday evening. The rapidly moving beams of light of a yellowish tint were very vivid and at times appeared quite low, and on several occasions the long rays of light appeared higher in the sky and seemed to remain stationery for several minutes. The phenomenon lasted for about half an hour.