HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(nioa. otjn special iiEronTER.). « ■ WELCOME TO THE REV. H. SHARP. In tho Sydney Street Primitivo Methodist Church, Petone, last evening, a welcome was tendered by tho congregation to the Rev. Harold Sharp, lato of Inglewood charge, who has been appointed in place- of the Rev. B. Metson, transferred to Stratford a fortnight ago. Mr. Sharp is the second minister to bo appointed to tho Wel-lingtou-Petono circuit, which includes the Petone and Northland Churches. Tho Rev. C. E. Ward, of Ihonulon Primitivo Methodist Church, occupied the chair, and delivered an address of welcome. Local ministers, representing; the oilier denominations, and the captain of the Salvation Army, also added a word of weieome. Other speakers wero: Messrs. Hesse (superintendent of tho Sunday School), j. 11. Janson (representing the congregation), and Mr. W. Trucman (circuit steward). A musical programme, arranged by Mr. J. W. Bird, choirmaster, was carried out during the evening. •ss' The Rev. Mr. Sharp is the son of_ Mr. T. Sharp, of Christchurch, a prominent preacher and lecturer in tho Church there. Tho now minister takes up his duties next Sunday, preaching at Thorndon in the morning, and at Sydney Street, Petono, in tho evening. PROPOSED SWIMMING BATHS. Further discussion took place at tho meeting of the Potone Technical School Board last evening on the proposal to establish swimming baths in Petono. Communications wero read from Petone School Committee and from tho Seddon memorial subscribers, railway workshops, recommending that baths should bo erected on the section in Beach Street, held in trust for the Boys' Brigade. Mr. M'Kenzio* moved that the board, as managers, should erect swimming baths on tho section. Even if they had municipal baths in Petone, school baths wero still necessary. One resident had offered to excavate tho whole section without payment, provided ho received tho spoil. Mr. Leo seconded the motion. It was most desirable, he said, to have baths attached to their schools. The chairman urged the board to realise, its position. If this resolution were carried, they would have to face the financial responsibility of building tho baths. Mr. M'Kenzie: Of course, we have. Mr. Leo: I don't think, Mr. Chairman, we can do, it as a board. Mr. Castle declared his sympathy with Mr. M'Kenzio's proposal to a certain extent, but ho did not think that the board had anything to do with it. It was for the municipal body or tho Petono School Committee. "The capitation," concluded Mr. Castle, "might be stopped at any time if wo do not toe tho mark with tho school committee." (Laughter.) Captain M'Donald also expressed the opinion that tho board had no power, to act. Tho capitation wojld have to go to the school committee, and not to the Technical Board. Ho would suggest that the matter bo referred to a committee, who would go thoroughly into the board's position. _ Tho- motion was ultimately carried, in the following amended form: "That this board has full'sjmpathy with the erection of baths in connection with the school, and that a siib-comiiiittee, consisting of Messrs.. Lee, Baldwin, Duncan, Captain M'Donald, and tho mover, bo appointed to go into ways and means." . ' TECHNICAL SCHOOL BOARD. The fortnightly meeting of Petore Technical School Board was held last evening. Present: Rev. A. Thomson (chairman), Captain T. -W. M'Donald, Messrs R. Lee, D. M'Kenzie, G. Duncan, H. Findlay, W. H. Baldwin, and J. G. Castle. Mr. F. de J. Clere (architect to the board) was in attendance. The Education Department wrote for particulars regarding tho contributions of various firms having representation • en tho board of. management. Intimation was made that representation was allowed in proportion to tho amount of tho contributions per annum. There wero representatives now on the board who had only made ono contribution, even 'although that was made five years ago. They held that this was tho fault of tho Department. The chairman said that he considered that the board had acted in a perfectly legal way. The director reported that eight pupils had offered for a signwriting class, and tho board resolved to establish a class for the teaching of these. It was agreed to offer a salary of £9 per quarter to a suitable instructor. In order that cookery and wood-caTving classes "might bo established, tho board decided to invite Miss Millington and Mr. E. Howe to visit the town to meet pupils who might wish to join the respective classes, fees for which. wero to be tho same as charged at the AVollington Technical School. Tho director asked if it would not bo possiblo for pupil teachers in the valley to avail themselves of classes in Petone, instead of going to Wellington. Tho chairman mentioned that several local teachers proceeded to Wellington froo of charge. Mr. Lee stated that this was made possiblo by a Government grant. Tho secretary was instructed to write to the Education, Board for information. PETONE NAVALS. The twenty-sixth annual meeting of tho Petone Navals was held in tho Drillshed, Petono, last night. Sixty officers and men were present, Lieut. Ellis occupying tho chair. The following officers wore elected: —General Committee, P.O. Ferguson, P.O. Dixon, P.O. Holloway, Gunners Pettott, Chandler, Miller, Rodwell, Weber, May, Brace, l< , . Ryan, and Blake; auditors, C.P.O. Parrant and Mr. J. Leadbeater; secretary, P.O. Cruickshank (re-elected); boating committee, P.O. Hardham, V.0., P.O. Ferguson, P.O. Holloway, Gunners Chandler,' J. Ryan, F. Ryan, Edmonds, Lewis, Blako, Rodwell, Jones, C. Miller, M'Farlane, and Mappage. JOTTINCS. To-day, being St. Patrick's Day. the Petone Railway Workshops will be closed. On Monday evening at a meeting of tho Church of England Men's Society (Petono branch), Mr. F. Maynard read a paper on his tour round tho world. On the motion of Mr. Evans, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Maynard. Tho first heat of: the Petono Rowing Club's doublo sculls was rowed last evening. C. Burridge (str.) and D. Gallaher (bow) established a very easy win over T. Williams (str.) and P. Brunette (bow). Tho race took place at 6.30 p.m. in rough water, a light southerly blowing. Tho prize is a gold medal presented by Mr. J. W. Martin. .Weather permitting, another heat will bo rowed to-night. Members of Petone Technical School Board, at their meeting last evening, passed a vote of condolonco with Mr. R. Mothes in tho bereavement occasioned by the death of his seventoen-yoar-old son. A shooting belt, fearfully and wonderfully made, was presented yesterday at Petono Railway Workshops to one of tho riflemen who competed at Trentham last week. Tho function was attended by men of all departments. According to the traditions of tho workshops, this trophy cannot bo won outright, is reserved for any worker who may achieve famo in any Tho belt has quite a number of inscription plates, and a huge box-pouch attached would carry sufficient ammunition to annihilate an army.