OHURA VALLEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 11, 4 January 1907, Page 3

OHURA VALLEY.

£ The Matiere public school picnic was held in Brodie's paacccx on the 2lst ult. The any being fine, there. r was a large attendance, all the Iccvi school children bein:; prestn--. besides a considerable nit mb.: r from a distance. The Committee had fixed tents for the provisienr. Christmas tree, etc. A good spread of light refreshments and sweets was provided, also a number of toys, which- were given as prizes for various races, the remaining children received a ticket which entitled them to a prize from off the 'Xmas tree. During the afternoon Mr T. De Vere Hunt, Chairman of . the School Committee, presented the school prizes, each scholar receiving a suitable book. Master Harold O'Brien and Miss "Mary Barrett were the recipients of the special prizes, presented by Mr Crespin (of H. M. Smeeton and Co.) for the best behaved boy and girl respectively in the school, and Miss Taylor the prize donated by Messers Upton and Co., booksellers of Auckland, for the most popular scholar in the school, a vote of the scholars being taken to decide for this prize. In addition to the children's races, the usual games were indulged in. Mrs Hyde gave a special prize for the married men's race, and Mr T. Bell a prize for the married women's race. In the evening a social was held in the Public Hall, the funds derived therefrom going to the school fund. Mrs Hyde and Mr Wind supplied the music, and Mr H. O'Brien acted as M.C. for the dancing. Several songs were given, and the evening passed very pleasantly. In addition to the provisions, a sum of about £lO in cash, was collected by the Committee, scholars and business people, which, after paying expenses, will leave a credit balance of £2 15s, to go towards the next annual picnic. The Committee are to be congratulated on the successful manner in which they carried out all the arrangements. The Rev. J. J. Pendray, of Waitara, conducted divine sendee, in the hall, on the 23rd ult., the congregation being the largest seen in Matiere. A considerable amount of road work is now being put in hand in the district, and it is to be hoped the result will be beneficial during the coming winter. The road, through Matiere township, is to be treated with pumice for a distance of a mile, and a start has been made with the widening of the Matiere-Paemako road.