HIKUTAIA NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4598, 7 September 1923, Page 4

HIKUTAIA NEWS.

« I SPECIAL SALE. On Thursday, August 30, the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co. held a special sale of dairy cows. Though the attendance of buyers was comparatively small, good prices were made, anything good bringing fair value. The prevailing lack of feed made buyers cautious. ACCIDENT. While in the milking shed on Monday morning one of Mrs Geo. Avery’s hand’s became entangled in the macljinery, with the result that the top joint of one of her fingers was cut off. Mrs Avery was immediately taken to Paeroa, where she received the medical attention necessary. SOCIAL. A very successful social was held in the Hikutaia Hall on Thursday, August 30, the object being the augmentation of the painting fund in connection with the Anglican Church. There was a large attendance, and everything passed off well. The floor was in good condition, t,he music supplied by Mrs Potter was excellent, the suhper was all that could be desired, and the M.C., Mr Cedric Murdock, was assiduous in the performance of his duties. The euchre competition was keenly contested,, the prizes being won by Mesdames G. Avery and A. Duncan. Mrs I. M. Murdock and her committee are to be congratulated on the result. CHURCH. The Rev. Mr Dobson held his usual monthly service on Sunday when the attendance was not quite up to the usual standard. The coming Hickson mission formed the subject of the sermon. The gift of healing as evidenced by the Master was continued by His disciples and the fathers of the early church. For many years the power evidently sank into disuse, but lately had revived, Mr Hickson’s mission affording the latest evidence .that, though latent so long, the gift of healing under the influence of Providence remained a possession which could be exerted for the good of suffering humanity. Mr Dobson iirtanced several cures that had been effected in the cases of friends of his own and others duly vouched for his informants,, one of the latter being Bishop Averill. After the service Mr Dobson announced that the account for tihe painting of the church was £33. Of this sum there was in hand • some £2B 10s, thus leaving still due the small balance of £4 10s. The latest amounts handed in were £2 15s from the Methodist friends in Hikutaia, and £6 10,s from Mrs I. M. Murdock, the latfter sum representing the net proceeds of the social recently held. He also intimated that as a new vicar had been appointed to take over portion of his former parish in the Havraki Plains, he would be enabled t’J hold services in Hikutaia twice,, instead of once, a month as formerly. He proposed to staflt; the new services on Sunday, 16th inst., at 11 a.m., with the Holy Communion. BOWLING CLUB. The annual general meeting of J:he members of the Hikutaia Bowling Club was held in the District School on Monday night,, Mr A. W. Alley presiding over a. very fair atendance. After congratulating the members on their possession of a green, and the great success which had attended the opening ceremony in January last, the annual report deplored the fact that of those .who at the initial meeting had signified, their intention of joining the club, only one half had carried their promise into effect. In .this way the finances did not come up to expectation, and the burden borne by those who did join was heavier than anticipated. However, the grounds were free of debt and all work had been paid for, so that the new season could be faced with equanimity, there being no creditors who could harass the club. Thanks t,o. the Efforts of the grounds superintendent,. Mr H. Morrison, and his band of willing voluntary workers, the ground* though new,- had played well, and there was no reason to doubt that every succeeding year would show increased improvement,Owing to the late date of opening there had been on inten-club matches, although many visits had been pai l to Thames and Paeroa by members who on every occasion had received a very hearty welcome and had been most hospitably entertained. The local bowlers hope to have many opportunities of reciprocation. The club was represented by one rink, consisting of Messrs Maxwell (skip), H. Morrison, W. H._ Alley, and E. Elliot, on the South Auckland Bowling Tournament held at Thames last January. The competition for. the silver rooster so kindly donated by Mr Harris, of Paeroa, had to be abandoned on account of the weather, as also had that for the paii- of bowls presented by the president, it was anticipated that club competitions as well as interclub marches would be more numerous during the ensuingseason. The treasurer, Mr F. Maxwell, showed that he had on hand some £IS), made up of levies voluntarily contributed by the members of the club for the purpose of making improvements, top-dressing, and manuring the green—work that was now being done. The report and balance-sheet, on the motion of the chairman, were approved. The following were elected as office-bearers, for the ensuing year :— President, Mr W. H. Alley; VicePresidents, Messrs A. R. Robinsou and W. K; Morrison; secretary, Mr James Elliot; committee, Messrs HBrash, E. Elliot, G. W. Hannam, I. Hitchcock, F. Maxwell, I. M. Morrison, and M. C. Smith ; representative on executive committee, Mr A. R. Robinson; delegate <t,o Auckland Bowling Centre, Mr A. R, Robinson ; match and selection committee, Messrs H. Brash, F. Maxwell, and I. M. Robinson. It was resolved that all money held by the club should be paid over to the treasurer of the executive committee. Eleven new members were elected. Before the close of the meeting

last year’s office bearers were cordially thanked for the excellent work they had done, especial reference being made to the services of the secretary. WEATHER. During August the rainfall —as obtained from the school records taken daily at noon—totalled 3.76 inches, rain having fallen on 16 days out of 31. The temperaiture (in the shade) averaged 53.4 degrees F, and the pressure 30.05. August 6th, 7tn, and 9th accounted for 2.15 inches of rain.