HIKUTAIA HEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4531, 23 February 1923, Page 3

HIKUTAIA HEWS.

ACCIDENT. While going home from the factory last Saturday morning the horse driven by an employee of Mr R. Alexander, named Curwen, bolted. Taking the Bank corner at a very acute angle, the driver was thrown Out or' .the cart, and fell on his head on the metalled ro,ad with such force that be remained unconscious for nearly half an hour. On regaining his senses\ Curwen was taken home, and after the rest rendered necessary has made a rapid recovery. PICNIC. - On Saturday last the' pupils attending the Salvation Army's Sunday Schools at Paeroa, Netherton, Hikutaia, and Puriri held their annual picnic in the fine paddock whose use for the occasion was kindly granted by Mr W. H. Alley. Favoured with genial weather, the outing was a pronounced Success, the various games and competitions, to say nothing of a. generous commissariat, contributing to that end, with the result that it was a happy, if tired, band of 200 to 309 little ones that reluctantly left for home before sunset. SCHOOL SPORTS AND PICNIC. At a meeting of householders, held in the school on Tuesday evening, Mr A. R. Robinson presiding over a re- i presentative .attendance, it was unanimously decided that the annual picnic and sports be held in Mrs Corbett’s paddock (the owner’s permission being taken for granted) on Friday. March 2. Committees were formed from those present to obtain the necessary funds, to arrange for the catering, and to compile the prize list. It was suggested tha tthe various committees should follow on the lines laid down last, year, when the annual function proved so successful. Dhen it was suggested that a Saturday be chosen instead of a school day the chairman, who showed his knowledge ,of child nature, laughingly remarked : “A picnic on a school day would be no picnic at all”—a remark that stultified discussion, those present acknowledging that their school memories justified the holiday. — SALE. - The usual fortnightly sale took place on Wednesday, when there was a fair yarding, though competition was not as spirited as usual. Thoie was ,a fair demand for beef, while the prices offered for mutton did not reach the' reserve, thus causing several pens to be withdrawn. A vei y number of animals changed owners at current market rates. RACES. Quite a large number of Hikutaia residents attended the races at Thames on both days. Tihe great majority, even though they returned with depleted pockets, enjoyed the outing, though they deplored the absence of a band. To one or two car-owners the trip proved expensive, the rough state of the road rendering repairs a necessity. Travellers from the Waikato. and they were fairly .numerous, did. anything but bless the highway, though the heaps l of metal at and nea, Kopu, by evidencing the goods intentions of the'County Council, did much to alleviate the natural irritation and chagrin that bad and rough roads engendered. The state of the road at present is such that Thames is not a Mecca for motorists. TENNIS. The first match on the Hikutaia courts will be played on Saturday against, a team from Kopu consisting of six men and four ladies. In accordance with the wishes' of the visitors the game will take place under the rules governing the Laidlaw Cup competitions now going on ip the Hauraki Plains district. WEATHER. Since Saturday night the weather has been cold, bleak, and showery, while the high wind is'playing havoc with the fruit. The present week has been quite wintry. CHURCH. On Sunday, 4th prox., the service at the Anglican Church 'Will take the form of a Harvest thanksgiving, when, it. is expected, the sacred- edifice will be decorated with, the grain, fruit,\ vegetables, etc., which char.acteris'e the present season. The • Rev. Mr Dobson, will officiate.