PAHIATUA NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9549, 22 July 1909, Page 6

PAHIATUA NEWS.

Oar Resident Reporter)

Wednesday. The annual meeting of the Fire Brigade was held last evening, Captain MeAlister presiding. There was a good attendance of members, and the balance sheet showed a credit of £l4 lis Bd. The resignations of Fireman Gibbons and Fireman Clarke were received with regret. Accounts amounting of £4 10s were passed for payment. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —Captain, Mr MeAlister, re-elected. Lieutenant, Mr S. Wallis, re-elected; foreman, Mr F. Parkes; Senior Hydrantman, Mr J. Stokes, re-elected, Junior Hydrantman, Mr H. Wilds, Senior Branchman, Mr R. Lawry; Junior Branchman, Mr J. Wilds; Assistant Branchman, Mr C. White; Pioneers, Messrs A. Campbell and S. Moore, re-elected; Caretaker and Sta ior.keeper, Mr J. Munns, reelected; Secretary, Lieutenant Wallis; Treasurer, Captain MeAlister; Librarian, Lieutenant Wallis. The I art union in connection with the fciigade will be drawn on Friday, July oOthAmongst those who wc*'c successful in obtaining First, Aid certificates at the recent examination in Wellington of the St. John Ambulance Association, was Miss N. Thomaa, daughter of Mr H. Thomas, of this town. Mr. A. S. Patterson, who for the | past two years haß been in charge of the Mangatainoka Cheese Factury, has been appointed manager of the Dannevirke Co-operative Cheese and Butter Factory, at Umutaroroa. The Borough road scraper was used for the first time in the Main street this morning. The want of a street crossing in the busy portion of thy town was keenly felt by a largs number of ladies who were in town yesterday. Mr W. I. Husband, land agent, reports the sale of Mr W. Geange's 200)icre, L.I.P. property atNireaba, at £l(s per acre. The football match between the Pahiatua and Konini Wednesday teams, on the Recreation Ground, this afternoon, resulted in a win for the home team by 12 point to 3. HOCKEY. The Ladies' Hockey Tournament took place on the local grounds this afternoon, six teams competing. The following were the results:~ First round—Oete beat Huia B; Kouini beat Huia A; Kotoroa A beat Kotoroa B. Second round—Oete beat Konini; Kotoro a bye. Final Kotoroa defeated Oete. The games were very evenly contested, each one being played over the alloted time, before the winning goal was scored. Interesting and exciting play was at times witnessed by the large number of spectators present. The winning team consists of the Misses F. Allen, captain, E. Manifold, L. Hughea, J. Gilbert, Burgess (2) and J. Wilson, Messrs T. Verry, Dallaston and Fairbrother, gave every satisfaction as referees. At the conclusion of the tournament the teams adjourned to Mr John Hughes' residence, where afternoon tea was partaken of. THE NEW SCHOOL. OPENING CEREMONY. Weather conditions were exceedingly favourable for the opening ceremony this afternoon, and between 500 and 600 parents, children and visitors from various parts of this district were present, also the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, Miss Fowlds, Sir Edward Gibb, Under Secretary to the Education Board, and Mr A. H. Vile, a member of the Board. The Rev. Specrs, chairman of the School Committee, in a neat speech, said that he hoped that now the new buildings were erected, with more space, better results would be achieved in the future. He was very pleased that the Hon. Minister, who was a busy man, attending to the duties of his country, had honoured them by attending, and he extended a hearty welcome to Mr Fowlds. Mr D. Crewe, Mayor, also welcomed the Hon. Mr Fowlds on behalf of the Borough, and stated that the people of Pahiatua hoped to see the Ministers more .frequently they had in the past. If the Education Board could only see the future of Pahiatua as he did, they would have erected buildings of brick instead of wood. Mr Crewe also spoke on the need of a techni-

cal school, and also made reference to agricutlure classes. The Hon. Mr Fowlds expressed his pleasure at being present to take part in the opening ceremony. He especially wanted tn attend this function, as it was in the country. He knew that children in the country often had to travel long distances and over bad roads to receive education. The hon. gentleman spoke at considerable length on the secondary school and technical school questions, and also on the proposed agriculture classes. Regarding the latter the speaker contended that children should receive an education to equip them for the daily life before frhem, and he believed these classes would be a splendid thing for a district like Pahiatua, which he was pleased to note was making steady progre&s. Speaking' to the boys and girls, the hon. gentleman said that boys and girls had many, privileges and opportunities in this country, and urged them to take every advantage of them, so that they would grow up to be a credit to New Zealand. In declaring the school open, Mr Fowlds said that he hoped that the splendid institution would be a source of intellectual inspiration to both the young and old of Pahiatua. The flag was then unfurled, and the school children sang "The Red, White and Blue." Mr A. H. Vile apologised for the absence of the chairman and secretary of the Education Board. He was pleased that the Minister of Education had not followed up the hint he had dropped up North, regarding the cost of Education falling partly on local bodies. He would also like the Hon. Minister to go out into the back-blocks and see the conditions that some of the children had to put up with in order to get to school. The Hon. Mr Fowlds then planted a tree, Miss Fowlds, Mrs D. Crewe and Mr A. H. Vile, doing likewise, after which refreshments were partaken of in one of the schoolrooms, the School Committee men's wives and the teachers attending to the wants of those present. A word of praise is due to the ladies in this respect, as the tables of good things were very daintily set out. The School Committee are indebted to Mr A. Eddie, of Mangahao, for drawing out elaborate landscape plans in connection with the beautifying the grounds. During his speech Mr A. 11. Vile stated the cost of the new buildings was as follows: —Removal and reerection of infant room, £262 15s 3d;'removal and re-erection uf District High School, £292 4s; erection' of new School, £1,459 12s 4d; site, £390; total. £2,404 lis 7d. All the members of the School Committee and the teaching staff worked very hard to ensure the success of the function.