ASHHURST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 114, 12 April 1940, Page 2

ASHHURST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ASHHURST, April 11. On Tuesday evening a meeting was held with the object of forming a committee which wouldd see that suitable arrangements were undertaken to farewell all members of the Forces who were accepted to go overseas from the Ashlnirst district. Prior to the main business of the evening, the chairman of the local Returned Soldiers’ Association (Air M. Murphy) briefly explained that the committee which had undertaken the arrangements for the farewelling of the local members of the Second Echelon was formed from representatives of the various local committees, and it was its view that a general public meeting should be called in order to form a committee for future occasions. The secretary of R.S.A. (Rev. Air Farnell) read the statement of the last function, and stated that from the proceeds donated by, the public each soldier had received presents to the value of 30s. It was decided that the meeting form a comnnjteo for patriotic purposes, the members being: Alcsdamcs R. Cook and Knapp, Messrs W. N. Brewer, AI. B. Wilkin, J. A. AlcDonell, J. Flowers, R. N. Finlay, Aluldrock, R. ]>. Davis, AI. J. Afurphy, A. 'Stephens, W. Drummond, F. A. Deinstall, H. Woodroofe. At a subsequent meeting held by the committee Mr AI. Alurphy was elected chairman and Air R. A. Jonas secretary, with Air AV. X. Brewer treasurer. The secretary was instructed to communicate with tlie chairman of the Palmerston North Patriotic Committee (Air A. E. Alansford) to secure lull details of the functioning and regulations governing such committees. On receipt of the desired information and notice of the approval of the committee, a house-to-house canvass is to be organised for cash or goods. Information is to be sought about securing wool and other materials for making comforts for the soldiers; the local Women’s Institute is to undertake the making of such articles as are considered most useful.

On Monday the final monthly meeting of the present School Committee was held and was presided over by Air J. H. Sumner. The headmaster reported that there were 105 pupils on the roll, and an average attendance of 984 had been maintained. The Education Board advised that the school’s environment certificate had been endorsed. The school roll of honour is to have an additional four names added, the local R.S.A. branch undertaking to have this completed. At the householders’ meeting a review of the committee’s work and the presentation of the balance-sheet, which shows a small credit balance, will be made. The school’s capitation grant for the two years is £96 below the sum for the previous two years owing to a lower number on the school roll reducing the school’s 1 grading. Air Jones expressed thanks to the chairman and secretary fer their work during this term in office. The chairman thanked the committee for their splendid co-operation and eulogised the work of the secretary (Air Davis), l’he chairman also thanked the headmaster (Air Findlay) for his and the staff's co-operation. Air Findlay suitably acknowledged the remarks.