WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.)

Buller Show. AN IMPROVED DISPLAY'. WESTPORT, Feb. 20. The Buller A. and P. Association’s fifteenth annual show concluded yesterday in glorious weather. There was a record attendance. The t?ophy winners were: Citizens’ Cup for cattle, the President, Mill. Alouatt (who, having won the Cup three years in succession, becomes the absolute owner). The horse section cup was won by Air J. Pain. The Jersey Cuj> was won by Air R. Stephen. The Patz Rose Bowl for the cookery section, was won by Aliss Vitaglieh. On Friday, a good sports programme was held. The Clem Green Cup was won by Larsen (Westport Technical High School) who won the 100, 220 and 440 yards races. There was a largely attended social gathering on Frida z night. The live stock judges were:— Messrs R Keating (Reefton) horses: C. Banks (Fcilding), cattle: R. Wells (Reefton), farm produce a fid flowers; T. Beverland (Millerton), poultry. The judge of the horses said the Association was catering for the West Coast types of horses, and the schedule could still be further improved. The cattle judges said the new stock coming in showed an improvement in breeding. The root crops and flower section were a-Ko greatly ahead of previous years.

Sports at the Show.

DETAILS OF THE CONTESTS. (By 4 ‘Sasanof. ’ WESTPORT, Feb. 20. The Buller A. and P. Show has prove'.! a great success. There were record entries in every department. The sporting section drew large fields. The weather proved beautifully line, while the track was good, but dusty, therby hampering several competitors. The officials |in charge of the sporting section, par ticularly Air. Frank Roche, who proved an excellent handicapper and starter, ail deserve erdit for the manner in which the programme was carried out. The chief attractions were undoubtedly the trotting events, which drew large fields, resulting in keen contests and close finishes. Jumping, steeplechases, musical chairs, a medley race, a donkey race. Highland dancing and cattle (hiving all helped to make attractive sport. Trotting Events. The- mile and a half light harness beat was won by Queen’s General (2U4 yards behind) with the maiden Alpine Melody (scr.) second, and Hilda McKinney (84 yards behind) third. Five others ran. Alpine Alelody showing a nice gait, led till two furlongs from home, where Tom Bennett brought the grey mare along to win by three lengths. The winner’s time was 3.36. Alpine Alelody made amends for losing the U miles by winning the mile from end to end. Avon, a two-year-old Author Dillon youngster raced nicely in second berth till well up the straight, where Ocean Chimes came through and

landed second money. Five others started. Time 2.41. Ten faced the starter in the ten furlong heat, which proved the race of the day. Lucy Audubon (a three-year old grey filly) was the early leader, but

Avon got on terms, disputing (‘very yard of the ground and at the end of half a mile got in front. The maidens raced together up the straight, Lucy Audubon gradually forging a bit ahead when Andv Phillips, with a Tom kin son finish, brought Knock lyn through to snatch the victory. The lime was 3.8.

Other Events. The Highland dancing saw three contestants taking part, but it was a very uneven contest, owing to the presence of Aliss Mavis Burgoyne, the South Is land champion, who won easily. Aliss Caroline Blake was second. A feature of the event was the display of a woven-year-old girl, Sadie Blake, who was deserving of a prize. Rod Menzies on the grey pony, Beringa, won the boys’ half-mile pony race for about the seventh time in suc-

cession. The steeplechase resulted. —Comerford 1, Archer 2. Boys’ Riding.—Archer 1, McGrath 2. Musical Chairs. —Watson 1, Levaston 2.

Alon’s Jumping.—Levaston 1. Cattle Driving. —Sample 1. Medley Race.—Morris 1. Best Weight Hack. —Archer 1. Best Pony.—R. Menzies 1. Best Light Harness Mare. —Airs Toni Bennett best. Lady’s Bracelet Hack.—Miss Mag O ’Neill.

Evening Sports. At the Fire Brigade Sports, results were:— 100 Yards. —Phipps (8) 1; Holder (4) 2; Easton (6) 3. Boys’ Bike Race (3 laps).—Neill (10) 1. Marr (scr) 2. Four others started. Three Lap Cycle.-—Afulqueen (200) 1; Cummings (150) 2; Caldwell (170) 3 Four others started. Six Lap Cycle.—Lindop (scr) 1; Blair (90) 2; ” Hardie (150) 3. Four others started. E. Holdier won the hop, step and jump, with 40 ft; Easton with 38ft 7in. was second. TECHNICAL SCOOL. At the meeting of the Technical High School Governors, the Director submitted the following report:— z I have pleasure in presenting my re port for the period Dec. 9th to Feb. 1 17th, covering the Christmas vacation i Day School.—The school resumed on Tuesday, Feb. Sth, after seven weeks’

holiday, with a very satisfactory attendance. At present the roll number is 155 comprising 91 boys and 64 girls. The new enrolments total 74 and it is very pleasing 1 to me to find that in piaetieally every ease a parent accompanied the new pupils and discussed the course they were to take. Nearly all new pupils have already adopted the school uniform ana x believe they are going to ‘‘make good* at the school. Some have settled down to hard work already. The numbers taking the courses are as follows:—Commercial 67, Professional 56, and Engineering 32. The roll is 13 in excess of what it was at this period last year, and I believe a few more pupils are still to enrol. If we can reach 168 by March Ist we are entitled to another full time teacher. Many senior pupils have returned for another year and we ate arranging special courses for them. I would recommend that the Board apply to the Department for permission to appoint a student-teacher to assist particularly in the Commercial department. During the recent hot weather 1 have closed the school a little earlier in the afternoon to enable the pupils to bathe at the beach under the supervision of teachers. Subject to the Board’s consent I will also close early on Friday afternoon to enable the children to attend the Buller A. and P. Show. Stall’. —There are no staff changes to report, except that 1 would recommend [the appointment of Mr James Wilson of Denniston as instructor of metal work for the manual training classes at the Denniston centre. I have examined Mr Wilson’s credentials; he has had a good technical training and wide practical experience, and is strongly recommended by Mr. Marsl/pll of the Westport Coal Co; we are greatly indebted to Mr J. C. Brown and to Mr Marshall for their assistance in securing a suitable instructor. All other part time instructors are willing to carry on their work again this year. The manual training classes all resumed this week.

Examination Results.—l am pleased to state that the successes gained by the school in the public examinations reflect credit both on the pupils concerni’TT and on the teachers who prepared them. For Matriculation we presented eight pupils and five passed the full exam; in the Westport centre fourteen candidates in all sat and only six passed. One of our students, Evaline Hayward completed her partial pass; Ngaire Greenwood, Evelyn Taylor, May Morrison, Irene Simpson ami Martin Forman wore the successful ■students. For Senior National Seliol arship exam, four saT; all qualified for free places and Martin Forman was awarded a scholarship, the second to come to the school. The Public Service Entrance results were also good; nine sat and eight passed, Martin Forman being 20th for the Dominion. This boy’s performance in Matriculating, gaining a Senior National Scholarship, and being 20th on the Public Service Entrance list is very meritorious. For the Intermediate, exam. 8 sat and seven passed, 2 with credit and 31 gained free places by recommendation. The recent exams were not easy and I feel that the above results show that the school is doing sound work. It is a matter for regret I think, that the school is not yet receiving the wholehearted support of the community; and that there should be some suggestion of commencing secondary schools in the mining centres. I think a sounder scheme would be to make provision for the transport of country pupils to a centre which is already well equipped or to provide boarding accommodation. The present school could easily accommodate another fifty pupils. School Concert. —This was held in the Theatre Royal on Thursday, December 16th, and was successful in every way. A balance sheet is submitted showing a profit of £3l 10s 3d and this will carry a £ for £ subsidy. We are indebted to Mrs McWha for her assistance in training the girls in their singing, and to pthers who assisted in any way. School Sports. —The season hSs been good for cricket this year and our boys have done fairly well. They have won four matches and lost two including their match against the Old Boys who are to be congratulated on getting together a really good team. The lawn in front of the school is being marked off for a temporary tennis court for the girls; we are indebted to the Westport Tennis Club for the gift of a net.

We propose to hold the school swimming sports on Thursday, March 3rd; there should be very keen competition this year.

Ten of our boys attended the camp for secondary school N.C.O’s at Burnham during the holidays and acquitted themselves well, both in drill and in sports, particularly boxing. Colonel Thoms expressed his pleasure at the improvement they showed. Evening School. I have inserted preliminary notices in the papers with regard to evening classes and hope to commence them on Monday, Feb. 28th. Tr is not worth while commencing any class which is not likely to be well attended. It is to be hoped that the classes will receive more-support than was accorded to them last year.. Grounds and Buildings.—During the holidays the long grass was cut without extra cost to the Board. The gorse is coming up thickly in places and needs attention The flower gardens are making good growth. About 20 loa s of spoil have been carted in for spreadbin conclusion I would like to state that the school has made a good beginning with an increased roll number; th. T.upHs seem enthusiastic, and I am op Uislie about the results of tins year s work.