Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 312, 24 March 1928, Page 10

Province and Suburb

(From TEB BUN'B CorrespondentM)

BIRKENHEAD FAIR SUCCESSFUL OPENING The fair and bazaar in aid of funds to liquidate the debt of £l7l on the instruments of the Birkenhead Band was successfully opened last evening by the Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, in his grounds at Highbury, Birkenhead. There was a large attendance. The Devonport Band gave a good selection of music, and the numerous stalls did brisk business. The fete will be continued this afternoon and evening, with added attractions, including dancing on the lawn. HUNTLY SCHOOL SOCCER The annual general meeting of the Huntly and District Schools’ Association was held in the Town Hall, Huntly, on Thursday, the president, Mr. E. George, presiding. The annual balance-sheet, showing a credit of £7 0s 6d, was adopted. The annual report indicated that the coming season would be an eventful one, for the competition for the Webster Shield, open to all .schools in the North Island, would be competed for here. In addition, a visit to Australia would probably be made between August and September. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. E. George; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. Stewart; committee, Messrs. T. Rodgers, J. Bate, C. Bowron, A. Bowie, J. Wallace, H. Gavin, G. Baber, J. Nairn, J. King, A. Bullock, and W. Davidson. Mr. A. Bowie has consented to coach the boys at the local school. HAURAKI NOTES An indication of the productivity of the Hauraki Plains and of the good season experienced, was the departure for the freezing works this week of a flock of 550 fat lambs. The lambs were in splendid condition and had been fattened on grass alone on a few dairy farms about Ngatea. The present season has seen an enormous increase in the number of sheep grazed on the Hauraki Plains. 'At a meeting of the Farmers’ Veterinary Club at Ngatea on Thursday evening a letter was received from the Hauraki Plains County Council expressing sympathy with the club’s request to have abattoirs established within the county, but advising that it did not consider the time had yet arrived when this could be done. Members agreed that the position would probably right itself in the near future, when the competition of outside butchers would compel the local butchers to have their stock slaughtered under inspection. The club decided to appoint a collector to get in its outstanding money. * * * The Turua Rugby Football Club held its annual meeting on Wednesday evening, Mr. T. H. White presiding over 40 players and supporters. The annual report stated that from a playing point of view the past season had been a very successful one, but financially the club had gone back. Great regret was expressed at the departure from the district of Mr. R. D. Macklow. whose position as secretary would be difficult to fill. The following officers were appointed": Patron, Mr. G. Porteous; president, Mr. T. H. White (re-

appointed); secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. D. Wallace: executive committee, Messrs. W. Taylor, W. Madgwick, J. Hamilton. IS. Tynan, F. Clotworthy and L. Young, together with officers; social committee, Messrs. E. Hill, C. Blacklaws, F. Walsh, H. Owens, F. Scott and F. Clotworthy; auditor, Mr. ,T. Gibson ( re-appointed); senior selector, Mr. W. Madgwick and team captain: junior selectors. Messrs. L. Pentecost and L. Young; delegates to Hauraki Plains Rugby Union, Messrs. W. Madgwick and W. Taylor. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL WANTED AT PAPAKURA A request for a district high school at Papakura was made by a deputation, which waited upon Mr. T. B. Strong, Director of Education, when he visited the town yesterday. The deputation was introduced by Mr. E. D. McLennan, M.P. .for Franklin. The Rev. W. C. Wood, chairman of the Papakura School Committee, said they all appreciated the director’s visit, and he did not want the director to look upon their request for a high school as merely a local one, but as one for the whole district. He pointed out that the school had been established 50 years and there was a large number of pupils who, in order to receive a good secondary education, had to travel by bus to Papakura and thence by train to either Pukekohe or Auckland. When they had interviewed the Minister of Education, the Minister frankly admitted Papakura had a strong case, but the Council of Education had negatived the proposal. Mr. Wood 1 mentioned that Papakura was a natural centre, so much so that the Health Department had selected Papakura for a dental clinic, which served 14 schools, and these schools would be drawn on for a high school. Mr. Patterson, of the Auckland Education Board, said the board was absolutely unanimous in the matter, and last May recommended a district high school for Papakura. Mr. J. E. Elliott, headmaster of the Papakura School, said one drawback of children going to the cities was that all their association and atmosphere was city and they were all looking for “a collar and tie job.” They did not come back to rural occupations. Mr. T. B. Strong, in reply, said he was glad to get first-hand information at Papakura. He was not prepared to give the reasons why the Council of Education advised the Minister against a district high school in Papakura. He dwelt on the .question of providing the money, which he emphasised was important, also the fact that many parents preferred sending their children to the large schools in the city. With regard to placing boys on the land, it was an important point, but facilities were not always available for boys to go on the land. He acknowledged that sending them into the cities would not tend to .wean them away from city life. The department provided an agricultural college for the purposes, but although some farmers would like to send their boys they could not always afford it. A point he appreciated was the time taken by the pupils to reach the larger centres. The problem of bridging the gap between primary and secondary education was a real one, and where was the break to be; it might mean a sort of high school system at points between Papakura and the city. The first duty was to provide the primary schools, and their

ever-increasing numbers, and the problem was partly financial. In conclusion he asked for complete information with regard to the distance the pupils had to come, how long they have to «vait about for trains and buses, and their duties before leaving and arriving home. The chairman of the town board, sir. Jas. McCall, Messrs. A. Willis and * . S. Beecher also endorsed the school committee's recommendation. WHANGAREI SCOUTS COLOURS PRESENTED More public support of the Boy Scout movement was urged by the Mayor of Whangarei, Mr. 1.. J. brake, at the presentation of colours to the Whangarei troop last evening. Prior to the handing over of the ensign, which is the gift of the troop committee, demonstrations of bridgebuilding and of signalling were given. A trek cart competition was won by the Fox Patrol, which also secured the challenge cup for inter-patrol competition. Eight of the Volf Cubs went up” as Scouts. Assistant-Scoutmaster Churston received his warrant. and Scout E. Reynolds was presented with his life-saving badge. A number or other badges were awarded. UOCAL BODIES CONFER PAPATOETOE MEETING Delegates from the Otahuliu Borough Council, Papatoetoe and Manurewe Town Boards, and the Manukuu County Council met in the Papatoetoe Town Hall last evening. Mr. A. W. Hall, chairman of the Papatoetoe Town Board, presided. j A recommendation from the traffic inspector that the combined local bodies purchase a set of loadametei s was adopted. These will be u »‘'“ check the loads being carried on be various classified roads throughout i..e combined area. g-iwcuio An application from the Town Board for the services of the traffic inspector was acceded to. CLOSING ERUA BUSH PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT A deputation consisting of Mr. 'ireloar and Mr. Lachlan, representing local bush workers, and Mr. T. fahort, representing the Timber "VV orkers Union, waited upon the Kaetiin borough Council on Thursday evening, in connection with the closing down of the Erua bush. Cr. Lalvli, in introducing the deputation, said that the men in the Government bush had received notice, and so far as could be ascertained, it was not intended to reopen the Pokaka bush. It was going to affect many men, some of whom had large families, and if these men were not found work it would vitally affect the town and district. It had been suggested that the council could help in the matter by protesting against the Government’s action in not reopening the Pokaka bush and to ask Mr. Coates whether the question could not be reconsidered. Mr. Treloar said that the men had received notice three weeks ago, and as far as they knew the Pokaka bush was not going to be reopened. Last year, when the bush was closed, a deputation waited upon the Prime Minister, and the men were found employment. Some were transferred to Erua and relief work was found for others, and all married men were

found work. At the time w r said that when Erua was cu* Co *’ i kaka would be reopened. \ “ Ul tv ago the Prime Minister said h t “ i > doing all he could for the unen! , *»» and yet at the same time he SS missed the local men. The 4 ’’- sidered that the local bodies them by lodging a protest to the e • eminent, especially as the P P®*- i bush is all in readiness for start. * or * 1. ! Mr. Short said that when ib« , ber workers' union heard of *h.' being discontinued he got j with industrial bodies and member ParliameiX in Auckland and - ton. asking_them to lodge a n IT5 * They had done as requested thought that a protest coming n) local public bodies would have r weight with the Government ® <lr The chairman, in reply, saja . were alive to the fact that i- ' bad time for men to be thrown » work, as it would be placing the.-. '' an already glutted unemployed „ ' ket. A protest would not weight if full details of facts were 11 available, and lie thought deo' should be obtained first. A lengthy discussion followed finally the following resolution i" carried, and will be telegraphed tn* Prime Minister:—"lt is reported ,1 the Erua and Pokaka bush work i be closed down, and it is respect'* asked that the men be not disehaw without serious consideration. i n of the existing unemployment in Dominion. If the position dema. the closing operations, we sugge,, 7” men be employed in Preparing land ' ready worked over, for grassing r.V season. This land at present is ;‘ n deplorable condition.” TAUMARUNUI NEWS MUSICAL COMPETITIONS A concert, consisting of vocal, forte, elocutionary, and musical con petitions, and in which over 100 coir petitors participated, was held uod the auspices of the Anglican Chur on Thursday evening. Results are: Singing.—Solo for competitors 10 to years: Paula Ginders 1, Mont Carta Solo, 13 to 17 years: Imelda Haekett Miss Mattar 2. Contalto solo: Mis* y Hughes. Tenor solo: W. Harcou.t 1, k Fitton 2. Pianoforte Solo. —Class 9 (undtr M\e years): Allan Gordon. Class 10 (serf to 10 years): Herbert McKay 1, Mi: Hales 2. Class 11 (10 to 13 years): Edit McCracken 1, Effie Munn 2. Class i (13 to 17 years): Edith Carroll 1, Ver Frank 2. Adult class: Miss Phyllis Frar. 1, Miss Edith Carroll 2. Elocution. —Class 15 (seven to 10 year. Merle Boles 1, Marie Williamson 2. Cla--17 (10 to 13 years): Betty Williamson Joan Horton 2. Class 18 (reading ? sight): Jean Sanders 1, Rojna Smith : Class 19 (13 to 17 years): Imelda Hack* 1, Mavis Jarvis 2. Adult class: W. Ha: court. Dancing.—Highland dance (under mwyears): Beulah Morgan 1, Lorna Trotes 2. Fancy dance (seven to 10 y«u> Rita Naylor 1, June Somerville 2. But dance: Rita Naylor. Highland dancer to 13 vears); Jean Henderson 1, M. Deve reux 2. Turkish dance: Misses Ginders