HIKUTAIA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4559, 4 May 1923, Page 1

HIKUTAIA.

THE FLOOD. The recent flood and the damage consequent upon its ravages still continues to be the chief topic of conversation. That it was the biggest flood on record was borne out by the testimony of the oldest residents, many farms, hitherto immune from submersion, having been covered by several feet of water, while several dwellings in the township had their floors submerged to some depth. The loss sustained was considerable. The salt stored on the premises of Mr Hannam, and the flour and other goods in Mr Rehm’s were destroyed pr damaged, while great inconvenience was suffered by those householders whole dwellings were below the flood water mark. Several washouts occurred on the railway, with the result that traffic had to be suspended. It was on the farms, however, that the full effect of the flood was felt, hundreds of acres of fertile land presenting the appearance of a huge inland lake. The most seveie sufferers were Messrs I. M. Robinson, Lemon, Grace, Watson, and C. Walker, whoso farms had not, recovered from the damage done by the flood that devastated their land in February of last year. In the same area Messrs L. and R. Alexander, Young, and W. K. Morrison experienced the full effect of an inrush of surplus water so great that the drains were ineffective. Thus milking operations ha,ve been partially, if not completely, suspended, and the state of the grass now free from water is such that keeping stock on it is impossible,, several having been obliged to go considerable distances in order to secure grazing for their milkers. So disastrous has it been that, in several instances the loss, it is said, can only be “cut” by the abandonment of land on which the owners have spent so much time, labour, and money. At a meeting of suppliers held at the cheese factory on Saturday morning it was decided that cheese making should be discontinued for the remainder of the seaspn, and that the milk be utilised for butter and casein. WAITING-ROOM. Mr A. R. Robinson, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, has received intimation that the Railway Department, recognising its urgent necessity, intends to proceed with the erection of a ladies’ waiting-room at the station. i FOOTBALL. The football match, Suburbs v. Netherton, which was to eventuate at Hikutaia last Saturday, fell through owing, it is stated, to the inability of the visitors t,b make up a full team. The pupils of the Hikutaia and Hikutaia West schools met on Saturday in a seven-a-side match, the game ending in an easy win for the former by 22 pointe to 8. The senior footballers, with their Usual generosity, have presented the school club with a fine, new ball—a gift that the juniors and all connected with the school highly appreciate. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. The annual meeting of householders was held in the school on Monday night, Mr A. R. Robinson presiding over a somewhat poor attendance. The report, as presented by the secretaiy, Mr I. M. Robinson, inferred to the .highly successful opening of the newschool, and complimented the staff o-n the efficiency of the work done, this being evidenced by the fact that all the candidates presented at the proficiency examination had been successful. The buildings and grounds, with the exception of the boundary fence of the horse paddock which collapsed during the flood, were in a very satisfactory state, while the cleaning of the school, undertaken by the pupils themselves, had been well done. A tennis court was nearing completion, and would prove a valuable adjunct. The balance-sheet at March 31 showed a credit balance of £5O, which, however, would be reduced oy some £3O when accounts outstanding were met. • On the motion of the chairman the report and balance-sheet were passed as being highly satisfactory, several of those present eulogising the work of the .chairman, the secretary, and the teachers. The following were elected as members of the committee for the ensuing year : Messrs' W. H. Alley, H. Cameron, A. Gubb, F. Hanlen, B. McSweeney, A. R. and 1.. M. Robinson. A vote of thanks tp the outgoing committee brought the meeting to an end. At a meeting of the new committee held immediately after the annual meeting Mr A. R. Robinson was re " elected chairman and Mr I. M. Robinson secretary-treasurer, both being empowered to sign the necessary cheques. The chairman intimated that in a communication received the Board notified the committee that Miss Smith, at present in charge of the Hiktuaia West school, would be transferred to another school, and that her successor would be Miss E. McCullough, who would take up her new duties on or about May 2. It was decided to effect the small repairs as notified by the headmaster. TENNIS AND CROQUET CLUBS. At a meeting of the executive committee of the Hikutaia Bowling and Tennis Club it, was resolved that, as the membership was now large, the tennis and croquet clubs should have sepal ate organisatoins for ,the control of the play, the finances of all clubs, however, to be controlled still by the executive. Accordingly, meetings of the members of both clubs have taken, place and officers elected as follows : Tennis Club. —President, Mr A. W.

Alley ; vice presidents, Messrs M. C. Smith and V. Young; secretary, Mrs A, W. Alley; representative on executive committee, Mu M. Z C. Smith ; general committee, Mrs J. Elliot, Misses Frost and Walker, Messrs E. Alley, G. and C. Gibb,, and E. Lemon ; selection committee, Miss Walker, Messrs L. Alexander and C. Gibb. Croquet Club. —President, Mr G. Avery ■ vice-presidents, Mesdames Avery and A. R. Robinson ; secretary, Mrs E. Elliot (Omahu) ; delegate t,'o the executive, Mr G. Avery ; committee, Mesdames Alf. Alley, W. H. Alley, Henwood, Ingham, I. M. Robinson, Shine, and Winder. Several new members were elected to both clubs. SOCIAL. The large attendance at,the social organised by a committee of the Tennis Club, and held in the hall on Saturday night, proved, if proof were required, the increasing popularity of these pleasant, ’though short, evenings. The floor was in good order 1 , the music by Mrs Potter was highly commended by the dancers, and the light supper prepared by the ladies gave every satisfaction. The euchre competition, which provided enjoyment for no fewer than 40 contestants, was keen, the ladies’ prize falling to Miss smith, who won seven out of the eight games played, and the men’s to Mr J. McKenzie, who had to play off with three others. The young ladies of the Tennis Club are making elaborate preparations for their social, to be held on the evening of the 10th inst. SPORTING. Owing to the paucity of pheasants and quail little excitement was displayed over the opening of the shooting season. A fairly large party went tp the Awaiti after ducks. The reports of the success or otherwise of the sportsmen have yet, to come to hand.