HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8882, 6 August 1907, Page 3

HALCOMBE.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent). Mr Purkiss’ numerous friends will rejoice •with mo to learn that the Wellington specialist whom lie last week consulted emphatically pronounced his throat trouble nou(Kiucorous, thus again showing how doctors differ in their diagnosis. When I last saw Mr Purkiss, which was a few hours before ho left for 'Wellington, lie was bravely winding himself up for an operation which lie was assured, if successful, would necessarily render him speechless for rest of his life. Readers will ;rathcr front this what parting from did friends under such circumstances meant, and how the good nows banished our gloomy forebodings and gladdened the hearts of us all. Our school children marked their loving appreciation of Miss Lynch on the eve of her departure for the Newbury school by giving her a silver hacked comb and brush. The Chairman of flic School Committee, m making the presentation on their behalf, spoke in eulogistic terms of Miss Lvnch’s character and ability. “No money,” he said, “could pay for the priceless services rendered them by an able, and sympathetic teacher.’ ’ Miss Minnie Bradbury followed with a nice little speech, in which was expressed the regret she and her fellow pupils felt ju saying good-bye to their beloved instructress, to ■whom they all _ felt deeply indebted for the never-failing patience and consideration she haa shown them, and expressed the hope that their little present would oft remind her of their gratitude and the happy relationship which_ had existed" between them. Miss Lynch, in suitably acknowledging this gift and littje speech from her pupils, said JhG. had not fully realised what; parting from them all would mean to her, and in faltering accents thanked them for their handsome present, which, though not necessary to remind her of their love, would be always rcagrded as one of her special treasures, The little Misses Robertson also gave their ’ departing teacher- a handsome pair of vases, trad" the recipient desires me to thank them and all other Kalcombe friends who have been exceptionally kind (o her and ; mado her stay there so pleasurable. Having listened to an instructive address from the head teacher, Mr Robson, the children were granted a holiday for the remainder of the afternoon. ;

Though not; a largo or particularly demonstrative crowd, we Halcombcites are patriotic and proud of our dominion itud its products, so' that it vtas'not passing strange on Saturday night to find everyone jubilant Over Webb’s ‘ winning the rowing worjd’s championship. This means another big advertisement for a comparatively small country, and will induce many in the old lauds to look (ip the world’s map, and if possible find the pretty ■waterside town of Wanganui. While listening to the flattering news of Webb’s victory, a fire was announced by a -pgssing 'engine: tirirpr, and ‘ inspection proved if to be the residence of Mr {fodder, a railway employee. He and his wife were away from home, and when noticed by the neighbours the flames had a fast hold of the building, which,.'With, its contents, was soon reduced to ashes. I understand the

house and furniture were insured, but, as is usual [in such cases, the amount will not cover the loss of home and its furnishings The secretary of the School Ball Committee, Mr W. McLennan, informs me that the net monetary result of that most enjoyable and well managed function is £l2 4s lOd, which, I think is a record for our periodical efforts to raise funds for the ever recurring incidental ex-' ponses of school prizes and picnics. Our devotees of the light and graceful have a full programme for this month, commencing with Miss Fyke’s assembly on Wednesday, the Tenuis Club’s social on the ICtli and winding up with the Rifle Club’s popular aud annual dauce ou the • yotii.

While doing a little school inspection this week, I hoard this from a local essay upon “The Day’s Work”—“Got up aud milked and fed the dogs.” Describing the modest sweet-scented violet, the budding botanist wrote: “There are two kinds of violets, one wild, the other tame. ” The equator was described as “an imaginary lion ruuuiugjronud the earth.” The last two gems were not mined in Halcombe.