HIKUTAIA NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4508, 27 December 1922, Page 2

HIKUTAIA NEWS.

O. (Own Correspondent.) SCHOOL FUNCTION. Before breaking up for the Christmas holidays the school was visited on Thursday afternoon by Mr A. R■Robinson and Mr W. H. Alley, who represented the School Committee, and Mrs Corbett, who represented tflie residents. The first-named, addressing the childrep, said that he could not allow, the year ,to pass without coming along to wish them all a happy holiday, and to congratulate all concerned on th© highly successful year’s work that had distinguished tlhe school. In every department there had been a great advance, and the people of Hikutaia, who .were so proud of their new building, had good reason to be mch'e than proud of their children. in the proficiency examination all the pupils presented had passed, and could now obtain three years’ free education at a high or technical school- He trusted every one would take advantage of this or her opportunity, for without, a good education there was little, if, any, hope of winning distinction in any walk of life. It was with pleasure that he handed to the winners their certificates’, and hoped that the very high standard readied would be maintained. The report of the inspectors on the school was an excellent one, while the agricultural and drill instructors were greatly pleased with the fine work done during the year. The school had not. reached the ideal of the headmaster, whose standard was a very ‘high one; but he was pleased, if not-altogether satisfied, with -the year's work. In athletics the school was holding its own, and the fact that the pupils of the Hikutaia school had won at the Waikato Winter Show first and third places in nature study and second in drawing, and had carried off the highest and special prizes for writing, showed that they could-hold their own against' outside competition. Jts was most gratifying to note the improved manners .and discipline of the pupils, who could, now enjoy tlhe long holiday to which a year ofi hard .work entitled them. Mr W. H. Alley also addressed a few words of kindly advice to .the children, while Mrs Corbett wished them the' compliments of the seasonThe nature study prizes won at the Waikato Winter show were presented, Pearl Hanlen coming first and 1 Geprge Murphy third, while Annie Rare was second in drawipg.

Cheers having been given for the teachers .and the committee, the children were allowed to go, each one as he or she departed being the recipient of a bag of lollies', tjie s'We'etmeats, which were very highly appreciated, being tlhe gift of Mr Robinson. HOLIDAYS. Christmas passed very quietly. Many of the residents visited the coast, while a considerable number left on a short visit to the city. There has been a considerable influx of visitors who intend to pass' the, vacation in Hikutaia. PREMISES, ENTERED. The enterprising burglar has made his appearance, W G. H. Hannam’s butchery having been burglariously entered between, the Saturday night and Monday morning of last week. Warned by a previous experience of some two months past, the till had been cleared, apd as .the meat had been completely sold put the burglai Was obligd to go empty away. Chi the previous occasion the till had been rifled of the few shillings left behindThe matter is in the hands of the police, the only loss sustained being the cost of the broken lock pn the door by which entry to .the ship had been effected. WEATHER. The high wind and torrential rain Pall of Saturday and Sunday did not augur wqll for good holiday weather. An" Saturday afternoon the barometer fell to 29-45, while the amount of rain that fell during the twenty-four hours was nb less than 3.85 inches. Monday broke fine, and raised the hopes of the holiday-makers. TENNIS. On Christmas Day the new tennis courts were played on for the fifrst time. The_j>layers- state that, the courts are fast, but a bit rough l , though the use of a broom, by removing the loose sand and grit, will Jo a great deal to improve conditions.