Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 8

Foxton

(From Our Own Correspondent.) At the monthly meeting of the Foxton School Committee Mr. E. Titcombe presided. Also present were Messrs. Fletcher, Small, Bodmore, Waaka and Hamer. Notification was received from the board that the Foxton School had again been awarded an Environment Certificate for the high standard inside and outside the school. The committee stated that they appreciated the efforts of the headmaster, staff and caretaker responsible for thi* report. The secretary reported that he had received word that the pound for pound subsidy for the erection of the school baths liad been approved by the Government. The headmaster’s report showed that the school attendance was higher than ever despite the prevalence of summer sickness. It egret was expressed by the members present that Mr. F. Robinson was still indisposed after his recent accident. An enjoyable function was held at Paranui Pa as a farewell gesture to Pte. J. Pitihira, who is proceeding overseas. Dancing was preceded by a dinner prepared in traditional Maori fashion. Addresses suitable to the occasion were made by various speakers and the guest of honour was the recipient of several cash presentations. At a meeting of the committee of the Flax, Textile and Combined Sports Picnic Committee Mr. H. Podmore presided. The workers for this annual event reported progress and a good deal of enthusiasm was shown. All work appeared to be well in hand. The majoirty of the business houses in Foxton hav.o signified their willingness to cooperate with the committee by closing their shops at 11.30 a.m. on the day of the sports and a request is being sent to the management of the Flax, Textile Factory also to close early tin that day. Nominations for the undermentioned events were received by the secretary, and considered very satisfactory: Rawing, W. Graham and ,T. Graham, H. Timmins and Mate, F. Ogle and J. Mansfield, H. and A. Winiata, C. Leach and J. D. Hell, E. Robinson and N. Brown, E. Corlett and \V. Williams, V. J. Shanks and C. E. Torrv, S. llemara and J. Poutou, M. Mansfield and J. D. Harper. Wood chop: E. Gregory, N. Brown, 11. Timmins, P. W. Bcrkalm, P. Keihana, F. Ogle, A. Winiata, T. Ivimera and J. Graham. Tug-o’-war: Woolpacks Ltd., A. Merryman and team; Buisnessmen, 11. Small and team; A. Winiata and team; P. Keihana and team No. 1; P. Keihana and team No. 2. Flax cutting: W. Graham, J. Graham and H. Timmins. At a committee meeting of the Foxton. Chamber of Commerce, the secretary (Mr. 11. Dawson) slated that owing to the death of Mr. H. Osborne the election of a chairman would be necessary. The only nomination for this position was Mr. E. A. Field, who was elected. The new chairman referred to the passing of the late chairman (Mr. Osborne) and asked members to stand in silence as a mark of respect. The election of a trustee was also necessary, to which position Mr. G. F. Smith was elected. Messrs. K. Parker, .T. Prosser, K. Anderson and Rev. Datson were elected new members. It was decided that a letter be forwarded to Mr. A. R. Tarr, late stationmaster of Foxton, who had been transferred on promotion to Wellington, expressing the chamber’s appreciation of services rendered by him for the chamber ami the public in general. Borough Council matters were discussed and it was decided to w r rite the council requesting that a cycle stand be erected in front of the Post Office, and to point out that Foxton was the only town which did not possess such a convenience at the Post Office. Members also decided to embody in the letter the chamber’s appreciation of the improvement in the town hall by the reduction of noise whilst pictures were in progress, and express a hope that the improvement will continue. Reference was also made to the bad ventilation in the town hall and to request that exits be opened during the progress of a picture. The secretary was instructed to notify the council that the chamber had received reports that the council’s equipment, was being used for other than council business and asked that the same be investigated and stopped in future. Post Office matters came up for discussion and it was decided that the local postmaster be written to asking for a ‘‘Late Fee” box to be installed and cleared by the Foxton-Levin mail contractor, who would in turn post any correspondence from this box on the train at Levin. This was felt to be very necessary owing to the early

morning mails closing at 0.00 p.m. on the previous evening, before the inward mails were received at 6 p.m. It was decided to approach the businessmen of Foxton and invite them to attend the next meeting of the chamber to I discuss tlie ** further advancement of I Foxton. and also to consider keeping all shops open on the late night. At present only a few premises take advantage of this late closing once a week.