Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 5

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

TIN HARE SPORT NO ROOM IN MANGERE The promoters of the “tin hare” racing syndicate, have approached no fewer than three land owners in Mangere East, whose properties are near, or adjoin the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s property, to secure a course, and in each case their overtures have been turned down. MANGERE CENTRAL ANNIVERSARY CONCERT A very successful anniversary concert, was tendered by the scholars of the Mangere Central Presbyterian Sunday School, in the Mangere Hall last evening. There was a good attendance of members of the school and friends present, and the children’s efforts were well received. The programme consisted of a varied assortment of chorus work, recitations, action songs, solos, and two very clever playettes. The first, "That Girl Again,” was rendered by members of the Bible Classes. Much credit for the success of the entertainment is due to Miss Rain, who organised the concert. HARD-UP SOCIAL GATHERING AT WIRI A very successful hard-up social was held in the Wiri Hall on Thursday night, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the funds of the Papatoetoe Catholic Church. Arrangements for the evening were in the hands of Mesdames Greigg, Brewer. Holmes and Mr. Drabble. Handlin’s professional dance band supplied the music, to the entire satisfaction of all. During the evening a dainty supper was served by a women’s committee. The duties of M.C. were ably carried out by Mr. M. Maloney. The trophies for the best "hard-up” costumes were awarded to Miss Mavis McKerras and Mr. M. Maloney. EX-SOLDIERS’ RALLY -SMOKO” AT DEVONPORT Ex-service men who have homes at Devonport held their first reunion in the Masonic ITall, Devonport, last evening, Captain W. E. L. Napier, presiding. The 0.C., Auckland District, was represented by Major Miles; Takapuna Borough Council by the Mayor, Mr. J. Williamson, and Mr. I. Lyons was deputed to do the honours for the Devonport Borough Council. Major A. H. Wilkie toasted the ‘Combined Forces,” which Major Miles acknowledged. Complimentary remarks on "Kindred Societies” were made by Major Cameron and gracefully replied to bv Mr. E. H. Sharp, secretary of the Tt.S.A. ... Captain Napier and Mr. J. Williamson handled the toast of "The Visitors,” while the honours to “Fallen Comrades” were paid by Mr. N. C. Cameron. , . Concert items were supplied by Messrs. Massee, Anderson, Wright, Yates, Naughton, Waldran, Mulholland, Applewhite and Callagher; Mr. Bert. Watts handled the piano. SWIMMING AT NGATEA NEW CLUB FORMED With the idea of improving the somewhat meagre facilities for swimming in the Piako River at Ngatea, a swimming club was formed at Ngatea last Tuesday evening at a well-at-tended meeting called by Mr. J. E. Reid. It was recognised that before progress could be made, the permission of the Lands Drainage Department, which controls the river, would have to be obtained to erect a dressing shed and to level an area at the water’s edge. A committee was set up to locate a suitable site and to aproaeh the Lands Drainage engineer. The following officers were appointed: President, Mr. J. E. Reid; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. L. Walton, H. Dent and W. P. Wylde; secretary, Mr. S. McKerchar; captain, Mr. R. C. Abel; vice-captain. Miss L. Luks: committee, Miss T. McKerchar, Miss J. Rountree, Messrs. H. Kirkman, K. Clare, F. Franks and S. McDonald. CLAY BIRD SHOOTING TAUMARUNUI MATCH Perfect weather conditions prevailed for the sixth clay-bird shoot conducted by the Taumarunui Rod and Gun Club. There was a large attendance of competitors and visitors, and some good shooting resulted. The cup, presented by Mr. R. W. Beresford, which was for the principal event of the match, was won by Mr. J. Richards, off the 15 yards mark. Results were: S weepstake, 10 birds.—F. E. Cox, 13 yards, 10 birds (the 1; K. Kelland, 13 yards, nine birds, 2; H. Pawson. 18 yards, eight birds, 3. Mr. Beresford’s cup, and a sweepstake drew a field of 15 competitors. J. Richards, 15 yards, nine birds, 1: D. McElroy, 13 yards, nine birds. 2. Richards and McElroy tied, and the shootoff resulted as above. Four other competitors shot eight birds each. Seven-bird Sweepstake.—B. McElroy. 13 yards, five birds, 1* J. Richards,

yards, five birds, 2. The competitors tied and McElroy won the shoot-off. Quail Drive.—lT. Pawson, four birds out of five, 1; K. Kelland, three birds out of five, 2. HUNTLY POLITICS LABOUR PARTY BRANCH The recent by-election in Raglan proved that ITuntly was very strongly in favour of the Labour side of politics, and a meeting was held on Thursday night to form a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party. J*r. E. George presided, and the following members were elected to office: President, Mr. E. George; committee, Mesdames George, Walker, Cox, Chisholm, Curnow and” Burndred, Messrs. IT. Gavin, R. Sheeran, T. Chisholm, T. Brocklebank, J. Melling and T. Cox; secretary, Mr. C. Bowron. Addresses are to be given by leading members of the (to include lady speakers), and a social held in the near future. BANDMASTER’S DEATH MR. CURREEN. OF TAUMARUNUI Fifty years ago, Mr. J. P. Curreen arrived in New Zealand from Ireland. At Taumarunui on Friday morning he passed away after a short illness, at the age of 67. Mr. Curreen was well known in connection with brass band work, having taken a keen interest in this form of music for many years. He lived for a time in the Ashhurst district, and later in Feilding and Wanganui. Last February he was appointed conductor of the Taumarunui Boys’ Silver Band, which he raised to a state of remarkable proficiency. In all of his 50 years in the Dominion, the deceased gentleman was associated with band work. HUNTLY SOLDIERS HOLD A SOCIAL The function held by the eßturned Soldiers’ Association at Huntly on Friday proved to be a very jolly one. Novelty dances were a feature, the "machine-gun waltz,” flares arid lighting effects being unique. Music was provided by Messrs. Dobson (piano) and Roberts (violin), while Mr. A. Berry was M.C. The president, Mr. W. Bullough, secretary, Mr. J. Porteous, and a strong ladies’ committee worked hard for the success of the entertainment. The prize-winners were:—Mrs. Luke, Mrs. Satherswaite, Mr. T. Wililams, Mr, W. Power. Competition winners were:—Miss M. Hill and Mr. R. Shand, and Miss Curnow and Mr. J. Connolly. TE KUITI HOSPITAL BENEFIT CONCERT A meeting convened by the Mayor of Te Kuiti, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, to make arrangements in connection with the hospital benefit Concert to be given by the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ Association on November 26 was held in the Municipal ITall on Thursday evening. After the admission charges had been decided on, Mr. A. D. McLennan stated that it was the policy of the association to help all charitable institutions which carried a Government subsidy, and therefore the matter of the utilisation of the money raised would havo to be left in the hands of the Waikato Hospital Board. Captain Dawson stated that while they would have to comply with the association’s wishes, he was anxious to see a radio set established at the hospital for the benefits of patients. As radio sets were being installed In the majority of hospitals throughout the country, it was desirable that the matter should receive earnest consideration. The following committee was appointed to make arrangements for the concert: Mesdames W. J. Broadfoot, T. Carroll, J. D. Vernon, C. Boles and Miss H. Graham, the Mayor, Mr. Broadfoot, Messrs. Bryden, Craig, Henderson, Blackman, Smyth, Bundle, Hall, Luxford. Carroll and Hitchcock. NEW NGATEA SCHOOL OFFICIAL OPENING The new classroom and laboratory at the Ngatea District High School were officially opened by the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. A. Burns, on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of parents and committeemen from other schools on the Plains. The new room, which will accommodate the secondary department in place of the sheltershed to which it was shifted when the growth of the primary department dispossessed the high school of the room provided by the people of the district as a war memorial, is a fine, well-lighted and well-ventilated room 25ft. wide and 30ft. long. Along its walls are ranged benches and cupboards accommodating the apparatus for the science department. In a conspicuous place is the district’s roll of honour containing the names of Plains’ men who fell in the Great War. A strong plea for greater support by the whole of the Hauraki Plains for the secondary department was made by Mr. Burns when opening the new room. Mr. Burns deprecated the action of those parents who sent theix; children,

to high schools o'ut of the district, and pointed out that equally good results had been obtained in small district high schools in other parts of the country as in the big town institutions. There was now a permanent staff of highlyqualified teachers, and the roll numbers should greatly increase next year. Mr. E. L. Walton, county chairman, expressed the pleasure of the district at the provision of a suitable room for the secondary department, and added his plea for the co-operation of parents in increasing the attendance. Afternoon tea was served, and exhibits of school work were shown to the parents and visitors.