DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4558, 2 May 1923, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS.

NG ATE A. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was? a- very small attendance at the meeting of householders at Ngatea on Monday evening. Mr W. McDuff was appointed chairman. As chairman of the outgoing committee Mr McDuff reported that the past year had been a strenuous one. A school teacher’s residence had been secured and the district high school established. A great deal of credit for this was due tp the efforts of Mr E. Walton. The timber was on the ground for. the additions to the school, and the work would possibly be completed in five or six weeks. At. present there were twenty pupils on the roll of the high school and the average attendance was 17. The Education Board expected a bigger attendance than this, but it was not likely that they would close the school down. The balance-sheet showed a credit, of £lB 6s 2d, plus £3 3s 9d from the picnic account, as compared with a balance at the begining of the year of £l5 8s Id. The committee was endeavouring to get a subsidy on donations, and had been advised that the sum of £22 Is 4d was available, and would be paid to the committee on the production of vouchers and a certificate that work had been completed. A little discussion took place on the question of the cleaning of the school. It was explained that as it was impossible to get anyone to do this the children were doing it and donating t,he money 1 for improvements to the school ground. In reply tp a question the headmaster, Mr R. Jamieson, said that pupils were never kept in after 3.50 p.m. Mr Clare said he would like to see a flagstaff in the school grounds. Ngatea had got to that stage at which they should have somewhere to fly the Union Jack. Mr Jamieson, on behalf, of the staff, thanked the committee for their cooperation in the work of the school. Mr McDuff, on behalf of the committee, thanked the teachers for the work they had done. They had been greatly handicapped owing to the overcrowded state of the school and the lack of an assistamt till recently. The inspector’s report was yery good. A little discussion ensued on the question of tjie attendance at the high school. It was pointed out that 30 pupils had been guaranteed, and several people expressed dissatisfaction at the breach of faith of those parents who haid not fulfilled their agreement

Mr Jamieson reported that he had succeeded in getting a suitable person to teach dressmaking, and classes would soon commence. The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year : "Messrs W. McDuff, J. McKerchar, E. Walton, C.W. Schultz, and W. Clare., COMMITTEE MEETING. A committee meeting was held immediately after the householders’ meeting. Mr W. McDuff was re-elect-, ed chairman and Mr C. W. Schultz was re-elected secretary. The matter of the cleaning of the school was left in the hands of the chairman. The wages for sweeping the school daily was fixed at £4 a quarter. It was decided to procure 30 fence posts, the matter being left in t.he hands of Mr Clare. . | FOOTBALL CLUB. At a meeting of the Ngatea Football Club held on Mpnday evening it was decided to. have gymnasium fittings made at Thames. A mat would be purchased for £5. Mr F. Nicolls was voted £7 14s and Mr S. Bradley £1 2s out of the proceeds of the benefit, social to cover their medical expenses. Mr A. McConnell, who is leaving the district, tendered his resignation, and Mr G. Elvidge was appointed tc fill bis place, as junior selector and Mr It. Turnbull on the social committee. A farewell “smoker” will be held on Wednesday, May 9. It was decided t,o invite a team from the Auckland Y.M.C.A. to give a gymnastic display on a date to be fixed later. A vote of thanks was .accorded Dr. Bathgate, of Turua, for his offer to attend, free, any player injured on the field. UNION MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday last Mr ACleaver presided over an attendance of about 12 members. The balance-sheet, showing a satisfactory balance, was adopted. The question was raised as to whether, in view of the establishment, of a branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union in the district, the branch should be disbanded, but after much discussion ;t was decided to defer the question for twelve months. Mr Taylor, Lands Drainage Engineer, attended the meeting by request and discussed drainage question, and it was decided that the settlers concerned should meet him at various places on the following Monday. A vote of thanks to Mr Taylor for attending and for the way in which ne had attended to all matters brought under his notice by the branch was carried unanimously.