HIKUTAIA NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4461, 1 September 1922, Page 2

HIKUTAIA NOTES.

(By Scrutator.) ROAD METAL. Mr Baker, of the Public Worses Department, Auckland, and Mr May, cf the Paeroa Department, visited Hikutaia at the beginning of the week, and, accompanied by Messrs Miller and Higgins (Hauijaki Plains CpunlYg Council). Mr Alf Alley County Council), and Mr A. R. Robinson (Ohinemuri County Council), examined the creek from Mr W. H. Alley’s bridge .to the bridge at the station, with a view to ascertain what amount of clearing would be necessary to allow a. punt carrying rpad metal, and drawing when fully loaded about two and a half feet of water, to reach the main river, whence the metal could be transported to Turua or wherever required. Tihe officials agreed that the work was necessary, and promised a small grant for, temporary work, the mechanical plant necessary to be forwarded later on. when a complete and effective job will be effected. HIKUTAIA CHEESE FACTORY. A meeting of milk suppliers to the Hiktuaia cheese factory was held in the hall on Tuesday night, Mr A. R. Robinson presiding over, a very large attendance. Mr Sinclair, on behalf of the N.Z. Co operative Dairy Company, addressed the meeting, and explained the principal items on the balancesheet, which treated of the of the company as a whole, and was not dissected to show the position of the separate and individual companies. As a result the suppliers were not in a position to criticise. The tone of the meeting was not altogether; symlpathetic, the “reparation” payments evoking hostility, which was fully evidenced by the large number of questions propounded. The meeting did not break up till midnight. COMMUNITY SINGING. The first community sing-song held in Hikutaia took place on Tuesday night, when the hall was well packed by an audience attracted by the novelty of that form of entertainment that had proved so popular throughout the Dominion. Though a few came to scoff, all remained to sing, with the result that the very cobwebs on the rafters quavered in sympathy. Mr M. C. Smith made an ideal chairman, while, to the song leader, Mr T. Venables, of Te Aroh.a, the success of the evening was mostly due. Possessed of a ready and kindly humour, a quick repartee that scintillated and glittered at point, and a highly attractive personality, Mr Venables in a very few minutes had the large audience on good terms with their leader and with themselves—so much so, that the volume of harmonious sound increased with every item. The neat booklet, which contains some eighty popular songs, and which was produced at the office of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette,” was much in evidence, and proved most helpful. The songs sung comprised the old, old favourites, the most popular being "Peggy O’Neil,” “Pack up you" troubles in your old kit bag." and a parody on “Home, boys, home,” which struck a sympathetic chord, and whose chorus was repeated again and again .’ "Home, boys, home, for it’s home you ought to be, Spanking the cows, both ybu and me: Early .in the morning, and, oh! to late at. night Milk milk, milk, till your hair turns white.” Mr Venables' monologue, “Agnes. I love you.” was a revelation, while his fine baritone voice was heard to advantage in “The Carnival,’ and the other encore songs so vociferously demanded by the delighted audience. The accompaniments were played t'V Mesdames Murdoch and R. Niccols (Frankton) Misses Gibb, and Smith. After the usual courtesies to :he chairman and the song-leader the audience demanded a repetition, which was fixed for Wednesday, Septen.'ber 6. On dit that the “ aristocracy of the village” are going into serious Vocal training in order that they may overcome “ the boys of the village," who out-sang them at the first community sing-song. Not to be overdone in effort to import foreign talent is mooted by the other side. ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Mr Geo. Avery and Mr J: Miller devoted Thursday to the erection of new gates at the entrance to St. Mary's Church, an improvement that adds considerably to the amenities of the pretty little church.