HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9395, 16 March 1909, Page 6

HALCOMBE.

From Oar Own Correspondent. At tbe last meeting of our school committee there were present: Messrs Barohatn (chairman), MoElroy, Wisknowsky, Thomas, Bell and Adam. The headmaster, Mr Bob* son, was also in attendance, and presented a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with tbe school concert, which showed a net return to the fund of £7 Us 2d, which was deemed highly satisfactory by members of committee, who conveyed their cordial thanks to Mr Robson and bis assistants, Miss Thompson and Mr Henderson, for their successful efforts to augment tbe committee’s funds, and it was resolved to devote this money together with a £ for £ subsidy from the auxiliary fund to tbe establishment of a school library, and tbe secretary' was instructed to again request the Board to provide shelving for the £ls worth of books that tbe committee would provide for the free use of the school children.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr MoElroy, it was resolved to run; the school excursion to Castle Cliff on tbe 18th inst., and that the secretary ;invite the Stanway, Kakariki and Tokorangi schools to join in the trip, the teachers of each school to obtain tioketa for and control their own pupils. The secretary was farther instructed to request the Town Board to proceed as agreed with the formation and metalling of tbe road to tbe school residence. The chairman and secretary were appointed a visiting committee for'ensuing term. Accounts totalling £1 6s 6d were passed for payment, and Mr J. Graves, having returned tbe amount of his account, viz., ’Bs 6d, that gentleman’s generosity was 'fittingly acknowledged by tbe committee. Seeing tbe chairman ot our Town Board on a sweltering hot day at a culvert job with pick in hand and perspiring freely, I was anxious to learn the “why because’’ and was informed that tenders had been twice called for the work without result and determined not to be beat he had taken it on, as it was necessary that the work should be done at once in order that the recreation ground drainage scheme could be carried out as soon as possible. This action by the head of our public works department, not only shews what manner of man Mr Eew is, but also the state of the labour market in Haloombe, and 1 think that many members of “Boards” and “Unions” would do well to take their cue from him.

The millinery and dressmaking classes hare been reopened here, Mrs Potts on behalf of the technical classes, and Miss Gilbertson, who formerly occupied that position, haying established private classes. A combined concert and dramatic entertainment is being organised in connection Jwith onr Literary and Debating Society, the members of which propose to raise the necessary funds in this pleasant manner rather than levy a membership fee upon those attending its popular meetings. I must hare been 'in touch with the spirits of living and dead friends of forty years ago when I recently wrote of digging days and old West Ooasters, and thus referred to the present position of one of them who took what the “brotherhood” con* sidered a thick bead to the centre of civilisation (London) and there invented and developed things which now return him £30,000 a year,” for I was astounded when last week I received a wire requesting me to meet this same old boy at onr railway station —the old chum I had farewelled at Westport so many years ago—imagine that meeting and what memory was doing with us during that 60 seconds interview. How we scanned the dear familiar forms and faces and noted what time had written upon them. “The same old whiskers, though whiter now Charlie” as he grasped my hirsute appendages. “The same old plug Jim” 3 as£ my released hands descended upon his broad and bowed shoulders. How the words crowded quickly up and were half strangled in their utterance “she’s off, jump on board.” Ahl.twas then I noticed that there was little jump In him and that his limbs were also getting stiff. It was a near thing. “I’ll see yon”—toot, toot. . . . the broken sentence being finished in another wire. “Who was the stranger B , who held yon up by the beard?” queried a spectator of the little scene. “Who! Ah well; the whole story is too long to tell just now. Let me see how long is it since the present system coeducation was proposed and discussed throughout this country. I can’t remember dates. Well, that man you saw takin g liberties with my whiskers seconded an amendment I proposed to the resolution before a big meeting which approved and confirmed the denominational system then in vogue; my amendment embodied the free secular and compulsory features of the existing Act. The result of the voting was two in favour of the amendment (my mate and myself) and several hundreds for the resolution. The local paper complimented us upon our speeches and damned our arguments. The representatives of the religious bodies were also dead “agin us” and regarded us as lost sheep, and we certainly felt that we were orphans. Yes, times are changed since we were young. Folks aren’t so foolish now.” Unless indeed these reminiscences ('which in connection with my visitor I purpose to continue) may be considered evidence to the contrary. • We have again received a large parcel of stamps sent by the Wairarapa Daily Times for Mrs Haase, and on her behalf we cordially thank the donors.