HIKUTAIA NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4466, 13 September 1922, Page 3

HIKUTAIA NOTES.

o SCHOOL. After a fortnight’s holiday the school was re-opened on Monday last. Sporadic attacks of measles, chickenpox, and bad colds, combined with wretched weather and worse roads, have so affected the attendance that, it is lower than it ever has been during the past eighteen months. THE BONUS. The news of a bonus of l%d per lb. of butter-fat to be paid at the end of the present month was as’ warmly welcomed as the rain,, whose value was assessed by a prominent "cow man” as worth hundreds of pounds of butter-fat. POLITICAL, As the date of the general election approaches things political are being more earnestly discussed. It i.s considered that in the Thames electorate Mr T. W. Rhodes has a “pocket borough.” For Ojhinemuri Mr Poland's chances are not so rosy as they appear on the surface. Although this district is a typical farmers’ district, the candidates representing the Farmers’ Union will not embarrass greatly the officials whose duty it is to count the votes. Colonel S'. S. Allen, the Reform candidate for Ohinemuri, is ai strong adversary, who, it is confidently asserted, will head the poll. To him will go the solid support bf the returned soldiers', and it is expected that the great majority of the farmers will enrol under his banner. The gallant colonel visited Hikutaia some two weeks ago, when his vigorous personality made a decided impression on those who nfet him. PERSONAL. . Mrs Morrison, sepr., an octagenarian pioneer of this district, is at present on a visit to her son, Mr Hugh L. Morrison. The old lady, who is hale, vigorous, and hearty, takes a keen interest in everything, and is ,as nimble on her feet as many a modern young lady in her teens. The hard work of pioneering days has in Mrs Morrison’s case proved a splendid tonic. TENNIS AND CROQUET CLUBS. The first annual general meeting'of the members of the Hikutaia Tennis and Croquet Clubs was held in the District School on Monday night, Mr W. H. Alley presiding over a representative attendance. The minutes and annual report, as already approved by the general body, were taken as read. The statement of the treasurer. Mr F. Maxwell, showed that the expenditure on the tennis courts considerably exceeded the amount received from members’ subscriptions. He stressed tfie necessity for immediate payment, so that the liabilities incurred by the executive on the behalf of the members might be met as promptly as the work ordered had been carried but. At the initiation of every movement of a sporting nature money was a sine qua non, and the £ s. d. required would, if the members thought over the position, be forthcoming immediately. On the motion of the chairman, who also reminded members ol thein financial obligations, the statement was adopted as read. The by-laws for the good government of the club, as drafted by the committee, were unanimously approved, and it was resolved to affiliate with the N.Z. Tennis and Croquet Associations, the secretary of the executive being instructed to take the necessary steps. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: President Mr W. H. Alley; vice-presidents, Mrs J. Elliot and Mr M. C. Smith ; secretary, Mr E. Lemon; committee, Mesdames A. W. Alley, W. H. Alley, and Asher, Misses Frost and Walker, Messrs G. Gibb and H. Cameron; Representatives on the executive, Messrs M. C. Smith and G. Avery. The election of a selection committee was deferred till later on in the season. The balance-sheets bf two entertainments organised by the ladies of the club showed a net profit 'of £2O. This being considered highly satisfactory they were adopted. The secretary was instructed to notify members that subscriptions were overt due and to solicit prompt response. The customary vote of thanks to last year's officials and to the chairman brought proceedings to a close. BAZAAR. The attendance at the meeting held on Monday evening in connection with the proposed bazaar, initiated to raise funds for the purpose of properly laying out the Alley Memorial Park, showed that the project had roused a considerable amount of enthusiasm that augured well for its financial success. Mr A. W. Alley, who presided, moved that a grand bazaar be held in the Hikutaia Hall on Friday, November 24 next, for the purpose mentioned above. The motion having been carried nem con the following committee was appointed with full power to act: Mesdames Alf Alley, A. W. Alley, W. H. Alley, G. Asher, A. R. Robinson, I. M. Robinson, Brash, Perkins, I. M. Murdoch, E. Elliot. J. Elliot, Misses Smith, Pros: and E. Murphy, Messrs A. W. Alley (chairman), W. H. Alley, G. Avery, A. R. Robinson, I, M. Robinson, M. C. Smith, and E- Lemon, with Messrs J. Elliot and F. Maxwell as joint secretaries. It was resolved to hold an art union in connection with the bazaar, the first prize to be a gold nugget whose sterling value would be £2O, tickets to be one shilling each, and the drawing to take place on Thursday, December 14 next, in the public hall. The secretaries were instructed to apply to the Minister of Internal affairs for the necessary permit, and were authorised to secure the other four prizes and to make all initial arrangements. The question of stalls was discussed, and those fixed the ladies in charge were duly appointed, while the district was divided into sections and allocated for canvass to the ladies and gentlemep who volunteered for the work. Tn order to raise money for sewing material Mrs Alf Alley offered to organise a social and euchre tournament, to be held on Thursday, October 12, an offer that was eagerly accepted.