OKAIAWA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 July 1924, Page 7

OKAIAWA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). DANCE. A most enjoyable dame was given by the; Bowling Club on Tuesday evening, when there was a very fair attendance. A novelty to. Okaiawa was introduced in the balloon dance competition. This event created a lot of fun. The winners turned up in Air B. Barclav and' Al iss AlcCalluim who were the recipients of very nice prizes, kindly donated by Air and Airs Lester, of Hawera. Air J. Reiiwick supplied the music in his usiial efficient style, and Alessrs Kasper and B. Barclav acted as AFs.C. The ladies supplied a very nice little supper, and to them the club ik indebted for their valuable assistance. During the evening Air AlcLennan sang a song in good style, his singing being much appreciated. PERSONAL. Airs Smith, who has been our postmistress during the past seventeen years, has resigned the position. During her term of service she has carried out her duties in a most courteous, obliging and efficient manner, and this, combined with a great personal charm in her private life, has won her a host of friends, who received the news of her retirement with feelings of very great regret. It was known by the residents of the district that a public farewell would not be acceptable, but it was resolved that Airs Smith should not be allowed to depart without some tangible proof of the very great esteem in which she' is held. A resident took round a subscription list, and he reported that it was the easiest task, he had ever undertaken —everyone gave most willingly, and he had not had a single refusal. A deputation of three local gentlemen, as representing the subscribers, waited upon Airs Smith and presented her with a clock, a barometer and a travelling rug, and in doing so expressed the great regret felt by the whole of the residents of Okaiawa. and district at losing her services. However, as it had to be, they were all united in wishing her a long and happy life, free from all the cares which had undoutbedly fallen to her lot during her term of office. Airs Smith, who was taken completely by surprise, and who was considerably affected, thanked the deputation, and, through them, the residents of the district, for their handsome presents. During her term of seventeen years as postmistress she had always tried to do her duty, and it was both pleasing and gratifying to find that the people were satisfied. She had made many firm personal friends, and had' grown to lore the little town-' ship which had been her home for so long. She felt the break keenly, and would ever look back to those seventeen years as a happy memory. One of the speakers at the presentation to Airs Smith said that- what pleased him most about the Okaiaava office while under her charge was the entire absence of red tape. Airs Smith had never refused to do business in any department at any time of the day. This was in striking pontrast to the attitude of some of the officials in the larger centres. He had on occasion travelled a ditsanee of ten miles to do business in the money order department at a certa.m office where they “drew down the blinds” at 12 o’clock. The official in charge was in the act of drawing the blind when he entered, hut had refused to do business, as it was after hours. The sanre speaker said he noticed that the barometer which".formed one of the-articles of presentation was pointing to “fair,” and lie trusted that was a good omen as to Airs Smith’s future life.

A wedding which, created a good deal of interest locally took place last week, when Aliss Norah Green, daughter, of Mr and Airs D. Green, was married to Air McGowan, of Tirau, AVaikato. The bride is one of ou-r best-known and most popular girls, having been reared in the district. The week prior to the wedding the bride-elect was “surprised” by a large party of her young friends, who- presented he"f with a fine collection of useful articles. The young couple carry away with them the best wishes of a large circle of friends in the, Okaiawa and Normanby districts. A HOAX. On Saturday night an old Rugby player who still takes a keen interest in the game,-.and who lives nearly three miles from the township, sent his hoy down to find out how the big match in Sydnev had resulted. The lacl returned with, the information that the Australians had won by 21 to 5. This was. under the circumstances, rather a cruel, hoax, and will tend to make followers of the game rather sceptical of unofficial reports.