HIKUTAIA NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4403, 19 April 1922, Page 1

HIKUTAIA NOTES.

(By Scrutator.). FOOTBALL. On April 8, a football match, Hikutaia v. Wharepoa, wag played on the grounds of the former club in weather that was . too summer-like for the strenuous game, and in the presence of a very, fair number of spectators. The visitors all through had the best of. the match, and won by a goodly margin, despite the determined efforts, of the local men, who made a splendid, if unavailing, .attempt, towards the end to equalise, Mr G. Collins as referee gave complete satisfaction. The gate-(money was donated to the founds of-the Alley Memorial Park.

VETERINARIAN’S LECTURE. Dr. Jensen, the veterinarian, lectured in the District School on Wednesday night to the local members of his club on the milk production of the cow. Possessed of a lucid styles and a simplicity of; language that explained away technicalities, the lecture, which,was of a highly Informative nature, was greatly appreciated by the auditors. Unfortunately, owing to other meetings, being held on the same evening, the attendance was not as large as otherwise i.t would have been. The interest created by the inaugural lecture, however, will make for larger audiences in the future. LOSS BY FLOOD. Owing to the disastrous effect, of the late flood on their holdings, Messrs R. Grace and E. Lemon have been obliged to remove their herds and milking plants to a farm which they have jointly leased at Netherton. They,' together with Mr C. Walker, who was also badly “hit” by the fl‘>od, have the sincere sympathy of their fellow residents. PUBLIC-SPIRITED ACTION

Grass-sowing is pretty general at present throughout the district, except on those farms whose owners are doing voluntary navvy work in excavating for the bowling green, on the Alley Memorial Park. Though one who speaks with; authority alleges that "farmers have no business acumen,” many possess aji admirable Jack of self-seeking that enables, them to sacrifice personal aggrandisement in the interests of public good. ADDITIONS TO SCHOOL. The information, has been received that a tender for the long-expectetj and much needed additions ' to the school has been accepted’ by the Auckland Board (of Education. The successful tenderer is Mr Ricketts, Auckland, whose price for the work isen the neighbourhood of £l7OO. The specifications provide for a thoroughly up-to-date school, the archite'ctural , amenities being of-the latest. Provision is made for. an almost "open-iair edifice.” with headmaster’s apd assistants’ private rooms, a large corridor, lavatory, and cloak room, in addition to three large class-rooms, and new outbuildings, entertainments.

What with the socials, dances, and other entertainments contemplated by the football, tennis, and croquet clubs, as well as by the Farmers’ Uniort, the coming winter promises to be quite gay. The 'ladies of the tennis and eroquet club have fixed May 11 for their inaugural venture, the proceeds to go to the Memorial Gates Fund —a fund that will appeal to all residents whose memory of those wo gave their lives, as well as of those who gave their services, to the Empire in the Great War, is indelible.

BOWLING, TENNIS, CROQUET. A meeting of the Executive Committee of. the. Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Club was held last Wednesday evening, Mr W. H, Alley presiding over a full attendance. It was stated that 35 residents had signified their intention to join the bowling club and 45 the croquet and tennis clubs, and that •subscriptions or. donations were coming in well, the latest gifts being fifty guineas from Mrs Corbett and five pounds from Mr Alan Gubb. The grounds superintend dent (Mr Hugh Morrison) reported that excellent progress was ■ being made with the bowling green, the voluntary workers turning out well, and making the dirt fly. He had made arrangements for the purchase of a new water-ballast roller and for the totara required for the ditches. Mr E Elliot said that his fallowmembers of the Thames Bowling Club were displaying great interest in the Hikutaia Club, so much so that between 30 and 40 were likely to join the local club as "County” members in order that they might make their sympathy, practical rather than verbal. Mr Ft Maxwell explained that by some inexplicable inadvertence he had neglected to read at the inaugural meeting .the letter; (from Mr Busby, Paeroat which, besides, wishing the local club all sorts of good fortune, apologised for his absence and that of the Paeroa representative bowlers from such meeting. Mr. Maxwell’s explanation ■was accepted, and the secretary instructed to acknowledge Mr Busby’s letter and reciprocate the good wishes. Mr R. Lowry’s offer to donate the pillars for the gates to be erected at the entrance - to the Alley Memorial Park evoked an animated discussion on the best method of perpetuating the memory of those who lelft Hikutaia to fight—and several io die—bn the various fronts in the Great War. It was decided to erect memorial gates, and on the pillgrs as offered; by Mr Lawry to place marble tablets bearing the names of those concerned, a sub-committee consisting of the* chairman (Mr W. H, Alley), the sec-

retary '(Mr J. Elliot,) 1 , and Messrs H; Morrispn, I, Robinson, and C. MSmith being appointed to obtain the necessary data to confer _ with Mr Lowry, and to report to the next meeting, Mr C. M. Smith’s generous offer to supply the gravel and sand, and to cart the same to the ground, as required for the tennis courts’, was gratefully accepted, as also 'were Mr H. Morrison’s offer of the posts needed for fencing purposes, Mr A. W. Alley’s offer of. strainers, Mr I. Robinson’s offer to cart the same to the park, land Mr W, H. Alley’s gift of wire-netting. MEDICAL INSPECTION. During the week the schools medical officer, Dr. Davies, examined the pupils of the local school. The examination, it is stated, disclosed very numerous dental defects, and pointed to the urgent need for the establishment of a free dental clinic in the district. DOING.’’ “Worse than, ever they were, and nothing doing,” is the usual criticism passed on the Hikutaia’ roads. (While brevity may be the soul of wit, it is not recommended as a means of obtaining traction facilities.