“Gazette” District News

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4401, 10 April 1922, Page 2

“Gazette” District News

KAIHERE. FOOTBRIDGE COMPLETED. The much-desired and long-iooked-for footbridge over the Kaihere stream where it crosses the ro4|d between the store and the post officeis now an accomplished fact. It ■ls'"S® the suspension type, .and is strongly built. It- was completed lasCweck and already has been found to be. very convenient to the schoolchildren and other pedestrians. ■ NGARUA ROAD. It is apparent that the dredge on the Ngarua canal is doing good work in improving the waterway, but the road is ' suffering in consequence. About a mile and a half of road has been converted into a rough track, and in some places it is almost impassable to motor vehicles. In "the very wet weather, which will inevitably follow, the road must become little less, than a quagmire. PATETONGA. THE DOMAIN. The recently gazetted domain <s now being ploughed. It is the Domain Board’s intention to have tennis courts laid down in readiness for jiext summer’s play? WORK AT A BRIDGE. At thet uppbr bridge in the Patetonga township the Lands Department workmen are engaged in cementing in stones tp prevent erosion. The current is found to be top swift for the present soft bed at the bridge, and the coruse adopted has been found necessary. NGATEA. A DEBATE. Last week’s debate held by the Ngatea Mutual Improvement Society attracted considerable interest, not only because of the subject, but also as the leaders of the'debate were of the fair sex. Mr G. T. Davidson was chairman. The subject, “Are modern pleasures detrimental to health,’’ proved a very interesting one, and the Miss Jones (affirmative) and Miss Smith (negative) did themselves justice, very ably propounding their views on. the subject. Miss Jones had a seconder in the ■ Rev. Blakemore, while Mr Hayward seconded Miss Smith. A vote taken on dhe-debate declared the negative winners by 30 to 21. FAREWELL AND WELCOME. At the conclusion of the debate opportunity was taken to farewell the Rev. A.. Blakemore, resident Methodist minister on the Plains, and also to extend a welcome to his successor, the Rev. R. G. Hemmings. Mr W. Marshall, chief circuit steward, Paeroa, occupied the chair for this portion of the proceedings. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. W. J. Enticott, pf Paeroa. Mr Marshall, after giving a brief outline of the work of the Methodist Church, regretted Rev. Blakemore’s departure. He had dpfie splendid work, but it was found that the position was not one for a married'man. He was therefore being moved to the Bay of Islands, which district was more suitable for a married man. On behalf of the circuit Mr Marshall handed the Rev. Blakemore a cheque for £lO and to Mrs Blakemore he presented a tea-set and tray, a gift flrom the churchpepple of Ngatea and Kere-

peehi. After the presentation Miss E. Jones paid a tribute to the good work Mrs Blakemore had done in connection with the Sunday School. Messrs Shultz, Mantelow, and Davidson added their quota of praise for the-splendid work of the Rev. Blakemore, who, in the words of one speaker, was a Christian gentleman. They alll regretted his departure. Mrs Blakemore thanked all for the kind words and the presentation, saying that she was exceedingly sorry to leave the many friends she had made. She had met' nothing but kind-, ness ever since she had come to New Zealand.

The Rev. Blakemore similarly -regretted having to part with his friends on the Plains and briefly extended his thanks for the kind words spoken and for the presentation.

Mr Marshall later extended a very heartv welcome to the Rev. Hemmings who, he had ascertained, had been on active service, being wounded on more than one occasion.

During the evening songs were rendered by Mr and Mrs Foster, of Paeroa. After supper was served the evening concluded with the timehonoured custom of singing "For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’’ and “Auld Lang Syne.”, ■ . / FOOTBALL CLUB’S DANCE.

The Ngatea Public Hall was daintily decorated with greenery and flags on Friday evening, when the local football club held the first of its series of dances. The function was very well attended, and though gentlemen were well in the. majority a very successful evening was held.. Splendid ■ dance music was supplied by Mr H. Rowntree and extras given by Mrs Potter and Miss Hilford. Mr Titehener contributed a vocal item. Messrs J. Banks, and S. Phillips were M’s.C. METAL TRUCKS. When the metalling of the PipiroaNgatea road is completed the metal trucks and lines are to be moved to Ngatea. The lines are to be laid From Johnstone’s wharf to Parry’s corner, and this portion of road metalled, though it is not definite when the metalling will commence.