DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4935, 5 February 1926, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

HIKUTAIA. TENNIS. On Saturday afternoon a very enjoyable inter-club match was played on the Waihi tennis courts between the Waihi and Hikutaia “A” teams. Although the weather seemed doubtful in the early pail of the day, the afternoon was fine. Following are the scores, the Waihi players) being mentioned first: — Men’s, Singles. —Hulton beat Morrison, 7 —3 ; Skiffington beat C. Gibb, 7 —3 ; Chappell lost to G. Gibb, 5 —7 ; Rowe lost to C. Elliot, 5 —7 ; Rev. Barnett loist to W. Paetai, I—71 —7 ; Redpath lost to R. Rare, 4 —7. Ladies’ Singles.—Mrs Coutts beat Miss,-Gibb, 6- -3 ; Mrs Redpath lost to Miss. G. Gibb, 3—6 ; Miss Patterson beat Miss B. Elliot, 7—2. Men’s Doubles —Chappell, and Skiffington lost to Morrison and S. C. Gibb, 5—7 ; Hulton and Rowe lost to G. Gibb and C. Elliot, o—7; Rev. Barnett and Redpath lost to Paetai and Rare, 6—7. Ladies’ Doubles. —Me'sjdames Redpath and Coutts lost to Misses Gibb, 3—6 ; Mrs Johnston and Miss Patterson. beat Misses! Elliot, 6 —2.

Combined Doubles. —Mrs Redpath and Chappell, lost to Miss G. Gibb and Morrison, 6—7 ; Mrs Coutts and Skiffington beat Miss Gibb and S. C. Gibb, 7—4 ; Mrs Johnston and Hulton beat Mis's, M. Elliot and G. Gibb, 7—3; Miss Patterson and Rowe lost to Miss Knight and C. Elliot, 6 —7; Miss French and Redpath lost to Miss B. Elliot and Paetai, 2 —7. Totals: Hikutaia, 102 games; Waihi, 92 games.

Mr J. Elliot thanked the Waihi ladies for their hospitality and expressed the wish that the Waihi team would in the near future visit Hikutaia for the return match.

The Rev. Barnettt suitably replied, hud wished the visiting club every success for the ensuing season.

NGATEA. HALL COMMITTEE. The Ngatea Public Hall Society’s executive committee met last evening, Mr G. T. Davidson presiding over Messrs W. J. Clare, C. McTaggart, G. Phillips, S. Phillips, and S. Tarver (secretary). It wasi decided to accept Mr H. A. Hamilton’s offer, of a hall benefit picture entertainment on March 5. The secretary was instructed to produre six dozen cups. A deputation from the promoters of the weekly dancing class waited upon the committee and sought a’reductibn in the hall hire from 2fe for a short night. Numerous defects were mentioned,. including the broken strings and untunefulness of the pi"no and the dirty* state of the hall. at times. The chairman thanked the deputation for pointing out the defects, and promised the matter consideration. Members commented on the fart that the piano, required attention again so sobn, and expressed the opinion that the society .could not afford to spend .the seven or eight pounds to have the repairs effected. At a later stage it was decided that no reduction could be granted, and th.a,t the caretaker be communicated with in regard.' to this and other complaints. A suggestion from another outside source that the scale of charges should be reconsidered and amended ■where necessary, so .as to encourage the use o£ the hall rather .than have it stand non-revenue producing, was discussed at length, members being adverse to making any alteration in the scale of charges in view of the need bf reducing the bank overdraft. In accordance with instructions! the secretary presented a statement bf the revenue earned and the expenditure incurred during the month of January. The earnings were £l9 6s, and the expenditure, including the proportion of the cost of insurance, rates, interest, and depreciation for one month, was' £lO 9s 2d, leaving a profit of £8 16s lOd. The bank overdraft was £370 4s 9d.

Consideration of an application by the caretaker for an increase in wages to 15s a week was deferred, members expressing the opi’noin that the finances could not stand .the increase, and that .tenders should be called for the position at the end of the financial year.

At the suggestion bf Mr Clare it was decided .that the secretary endeavour .to obtain the scale of charges for hall hire ruling at the other townships on the Plains. This would be interesting for the purpose of comparison with the Ngatea charges in view of the criticism.