District News.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 25 June 1915, Page 2

District News.

WAIKOKOWAI. Own Correspondent. A very successful Fancy Dress Dance was held in the Waikokowai School, last Friday evening. The attendance was rather small owing to the state of the weather. Prizes were given for the most original home-made costume and were won by Miss M. Leek, England and France united ; and Mr Carson, organ-grinder. The following ladies and gentlemen were in fancy’ costume : Misses Furniss, Winter; G. Furniss, New Zealand; A. Furniss, Pierrette ; M Nuttall, Red Cross Nurse; E. Ranson, Scotch Girl; E. Jamieson, Night; E. McEwan, Tambourine Girl; Messrs A. Phyn, Court Jester; J. Furniss, Green Huntsman ; J. Rasmussen Tennis; and D. Marsh, One of the Knuts. As a small token of appreciation for his kindness in supplying the music, Mr Hart was presented with a small silver cup. The committee desire to express their sincere thanks to the donors of the prizes, Messrs Green and Colebrook Ltd., who donated the ladies’ prize, a handsome silver-backed mirror, and the Farmer’s Auctioneering Co., who kindly gave a best English Leather Bridle. Thanks are also due to Mesdames Leek and Jamieson for their efficient handling of the supper. On account of the boisterous weather, danccing was kept going till daybreak.

A meeting of householders was held in the school last Saturday to discuss the disposal of money accumulated from the rent of the old school building. Mr Broughton was elected Chairman. The meeting was convened by Mr Jamieson, Local Manager, to clear himself of an assertion made by Mr T. Tapp to the effect that he was extravagantly spending the money by putting the school ground down in grass. Mr Tapp maintained that this should have been done years ago when labour, grass-seed and manure were cheap, as Mr Jamieson had then sufficient money in hand to lay the ground down. In reply to this Mr Jamieson pointed out that the money in hand was not sufficient to make a success of the grassing, as the ground required to be ploughed two or three times. In order to do this he called for working bees on three occasions, on the first of which Mr Tapp sent a man and a team of horses and plough. On the other occasions Mr Tapp took no part, as he considered it was unnecessary when Mr Jamieson had enough cash in hand to call tenders for the work. Mr Leek pointed out that he thought it was a good business stroke on Mr Jamieson’s part to act in the manner in which he did. as the ground such as it was, heavy fern country, required a good deal of fallowing and working to make anything like a successful undertaking. Mr Broughton endoised Mr Leeks remarks. Mr Brown moved tkat the balance of the money pe spent on fencing off the schaol gardens, erecting a flag staff and parallel bars, and shelter trees to preserve the bush, which was carried with only one dissentiment —Mr Tapp who demanded that his contribution to the erection of the old school, be given to some charitable aid institution He considered that such a course was a waste of money, when there was so much suffering irt the world at the present time, although he stated miring the earlier part of the meeting that he was pleased that the ground had been grassed. After some breezy passages Mr Jamieson expressed his intention of resigning liis position as Local Manager. Mr Leek pointed out that as Mr Tapp was the only one who caused any unpleasantness, he moved that Mr Jamieson reconsider his statement, as all present were quite satisfied that he had carried out his duties in a fearless, straightforw:ad manner and that his position would be hard to fill should he deem such a measure necessary. Mr Brown seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Jamieson thanked those present for their confidence in him and said he would still retain the position. The meeting terminated with three ringing cheers fo: the Local Manager.