“Gazette” District News

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4384, 1 March 1922, Page 3

“Gazette” District News

NGATEA. THE HALL. Though the enlarged hall has, been in use for a few weeks, it is not ( y.et completed, but the work is expected to occupy only a few days longer. The stage, which has just recently been built in, improves the interior considerably, and the hall committee on Monday night expressed great satisfaction at the neatly finished job. ■ The signboard bearing the, words “Ngatea Public Hall” was put on t!he front of the hall on Saturday, The exterior has yet to be painted, the wet weather having held up this work. 'Already the hall presents a smart appearance. The haill, however, is lacking in one thing—a ceiling. During heavy r,ain it is almost impossiblte to hear oneself speak, the noise on the iron roof is so great. ' 1 THE OFFICIAL OPENING. A' meeting of the Ngatea Hall Committee was held in the hall On Mon; day evening, the following being present: Messrs G. T, Davidson (chairman), W. J. Clare, W. G. Hayward, and C. Mellor (secretary). Regarding the official opening on March 10, it was thought advisable to obtain talent not only from the Ngatea district, but also from Auckn land and the outbide districts in the vicinity. - Messrs Hayward and Mellor were (authorised to arrange the programing. / It was deemed essential to have active ladies’ committee, to work in conjunction with the hall committee, and it was decided to ask Miss Jones to organise a committee. A DEMONSTRATION. Advice has been received by Mr G. T; Davidson, of Ngatea, that Mr H. B. Watson will give a demonstration at Ngatea, under the auspices of the Thames Valley Jersey Breeders’ Club. The demonstration, which will -take pl&ce in about five weeks’ time, is to be for the benefit of the Plains generally, and settlers from all parts ’ will be invited. ’ . NEARLY ISOLATED. Ngatea folk ,on Monday had their first experience, since the inauguration of the motor car services, of the feelings of . isolation. Neither the I mail nor service cars arrived in the evening from Paeroa from where the news arrived per phone that there had been a washout in the railway line, and that the at the Puke bridge was impassable. The service 1 car arrived ajs usual yesterday morning, but there was no sign of the mail till, the evening.

KEREPEEHI. BUSINESS CHANGE. . The Kerepeehi store changes-hands to-day, Mrs Lawler f vacating in favour of Mr Avey, late of the Defence. Paeroa. BLASTING WILLOWS. At intervals thie sound of blasting comes from the Piako. River ip the ’vicinity of t.he Kerepeehi wharf. The Lands Department is engaged in blasting willows from the left bank of the river to facilitate dredging operations and '-the widening of the river. . , A NEW ROAD. • The Lands Department has com-t menced the Kaikahu'Pekapeka . road which will be a shorter relate from, Kerepeehi to Paeroa, and will felicitate four settlers milking 250 cows to get their cream to the factory.. It is understood that the Native Lands • Court has granted an area sufficient to complete the connecting points of this road. UNENVIABLE RECORD. > Mr' J. Murdoch overseer of the Hauraki Plains concrete works, hafe an unenviable record of escapes from drowning, having on three occasions during recent years, had the prospects of watery grave. The < first occasion was in a drain and hot very serious, but the next occasion in a canal a few months ago maiterp were ■fa little more complicated, and he extricated himself only with difficulty. The third occasion, only a few days ago, was in the Piako river near the Kerepeehi wharf. Mr Murdoch was pulling on a tow line, which was not . equal to the strain, and hie fell backwards into the water. Mr Murdodhis not a very good swimmer, and it was with difficulty that one of his friends pulled him aboard the launch. ’7 . ;—_ . TURUA. THE VETERINARY CLUB. The affairs of the Haurakl Plains Veterinary Club appear. to be satisn factory. It is pleasing to note that Dr. Jensen is experiencing fewer calls. This is a good sign, as it is apparent that the attentions of the veterinarian are decreasing disease in the stock of the district.

WAIKINO. / OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION. SOCIAL AND pANCE. > ~On Friday last a social and dance took place in the Victoria Hath under the auspices of the Waikino Old Boys’ Association. The hall was decorated for the occasion, and the floor was in splendid copditlon. Although unsettled .weather prevailed; there were nearly 200 at the function, including visitors from the surrounding district and Morrinsville. All the ladles were present by invitation. . A grand orchestra, specially engaged from Waihi, was in attendance, and opened the dance with a waltz at 8 o’clock. The Ms.C., Messrs P. E. Keohari and A, WhlWey, ably fulfilled their duties to the satisfaction' of all. During the evening a euchre touri nament took place for two prizes, one for ladies and one for men. The winners were Mrs P.’Brown and Mr Collinson. During an interval the president of the Old Boys’ Association gave a very interesting speech and thanked the citizens 7 for their appearance that evening, especially those who had come from other parts. At about 10.30 the adjournment to sapper took place, Mr L. Steel being UKe caterer. The feature of the evening was the way the supper tables \ t'

were decorated 1 with floorers, etc., representing the colours of the association,' red , and white. The arrangements of the function were in the capable hands of the president; Mt' F. Marlow; vice-president, Mr. RShaw ; Mr W.. W. Harris, secretary, and the committee, who were con.gratulated in making the evening such a success, The annual reunion of the Old Boys takes place on March 31. Extras were played by Shaw and Higgs, of Waihi. r HARVEST THANKSGIVING. On Sunday the (harvest festival was held, the minister being the Rev. EE. Bamford, of the Church of England, Waihi. The sermon was a very impressive one, and spoke of dur duty to God, and pur duty of giving back to Him what He gave tfd us., Also we should give thanks to God for the ordinary things in this life, and. speak to the earth and it shall teach them the wonders of God. The first lesson was read-from Job., chapter 38, and. the second lesson from the Gospel of St. Luke, Bth, Chapter, 4th verse. The hymns sang during the services weie " The old hundredth,” “>We plough: the fields and scatter,” “ Praise, O Praise Our God and King,” “ Come ye .thankful people, come,” and, general thanks giving. The collection taken will be given to the Orphanage Campaign Fund. - On Sunday afternoon the Harvest Festival was held at Waitekiauri, the Rev, E. Bamford officiating.