HIKUTAIA NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4525, 9 February 1923, Page 3

HIKUTAIA NEWS.

WEATHER. During January the rainfall amounted to 6.725 inches, of which 2.915 inches fell oh the 25th. Of! the 31 days in the month only 12 were rainless. . The highest barometric reading for the month was 30.5, ami the lowest 29.9, the average being 30.2. The average daily temperature, as taken in the shade at. noon each day. was 72-k degrees, the range running from 64 on January 1 to 76 on the 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. SCHOOL. The school reopened after the Christmas vacation on Tuesday, 6th inst., with a full sta’ff and a smaller number of absentees than is usual on the first day. WEIGHT GUESSING. Weighl-guessing competitions are usually very popular in a farming community, and that held in connection with the athletic sports on the 29th proved on exception to the rule. The correct weight of the sheep (53%1b). was given by Mrs Corbett, while no fewer than three guessed what the bullock scaled when drsesed. The three were Messrs C. Downs, J. Miller, and A. A. Spencer, their guess being 6901 b. Sb far, the aggregate . prize-winner has not been announced. SOCIALS. The social held at the conclusion of the sports proved to be a huge success, ,and, though the floor was uncomfortably crowded, and the weather decidedly sultry, the devotees of Terpsichore enjoyed themselves so greatly that it was 6 a.m. before the hall, was cleared. An excellent supper was provided, while th'e music by Mr 'Dan Fisher gave every satisfaction. Unfortunately for the Bazaar Committee the evening bf February 1 turned out iso wet that only a few attended the social held in conjunction with the drawing of the art union. As a result the social was postponed until the next evening, but, in frmfprmity with the law applicable to raffles, the drawing ,was proceeded with. Mr A. R. Robinson, J.P., 'presiding at the box, and the numbers’ being drawn by a young lady from Thames who happened to be one cf the few present. The winner of the first prize, a gold nugget valued at £2O and provided by the committee, was Mr G. E. Allen, accountant. Paeroa. The second prize, a handsome pair of pictures, donated by Mrs J. Elliot, was won by Mr, W. H. Mahony, stationer, Paeroa. The art cushion, which formed the third prize, and which was the gift of Mrs A. W. Alley was annexed by Mr N. A. Welch, Hikutaia. Mr Thomas Hays, Thames, was the winner of the water-colour donated by Mis's Frost, while the painting executed and presented by Mr T. Newman, Thames, fell to Miss E. Ludwig, Hikutaia. The winners, on presenting or forwarding their tickets tp the secretary, will receive their prizes. • HOLIDAY-MAKERS. The Thames Coast as a holiday resort has proved more popular than ever with many residents of Hikutaia, but the end of'last, month saw the return to toil of several familiesAmong those who spent some weeks at the Coast were Mr and Mrs Han*;len and family, Mr and Mrs H. L. Morrison and family, Messrs M. and W. K. Morrison, Mr and Mrs Av RRobinson, and Mr and Mrs' I. M. Robinson. Week-end trips were, and still are, popular, though the State of hte Thames-Hikutaia road is so bad that travelling is anything but a pleasureQuite a number of Hikutaia young men are at present camping near Puru. SOCIAL. The adjourned social organised by the Bazaar Committee came off last Friday night Though the weather was unpropitious the hall was comfortably filled, and all present appeared to enjoy themselves hugely. The ladies- in charge, Mesdames A. W. Alley, Collins, Elliot, -and I. M. Murdock, are to be congratulated on the recherche supper provided, while the good floor and the music added considerably to the general enjoyment. Mr F. H’ll, as M.C., was as assiduous as he was efficient, while the stewards did their duty right manfully. In the euchre competition three ladies. Mrs Ji. .Martin, Misls A. Alley, nad Miss Nelly Corbett, tied for the lady’s prize, which on playing off •was won by the first-named, the winner of the gentleman’s prize being ' found in Mr C. J. Reid. The committee in charge are to be congratulated on the social, if not on the financial, results of their efforts. PERSONAL. His many friends and acquaintances will be glad to learn that Mr A: .Greenwood, who is at present an inmate of the Thames Hospital, is making satisfactory progress towards convalescence. Mr A. Duncan has made so rapid a recovery from .a fractured wrist, that the splints have been discarded, though the hand is still out of action. ACCIDENT. The serious and painful accident that befell Mr V. Brown last Thursday occasioned his. hasty and immediate removal tp the Thames Hospital. While unloading a cart a full •crate of corrugated iron slipped, and in the course of its fall caught Mr Drown, whom it bore to the ground, the full force of the wind behind adding to the pressure of the impact. The result was a fractured pelvis, from which, as well as from severe bruises on' the back, the victim suffered excruciating pain. He was conveyed to Thames by train, and is making as good a. recovery as can be expected. Unfortunately, the accident happened while Mrs Brown, who was hastily recalled, was spending a holiday in Auckland.