OPUNAKE

(From Our Own Correspondent.) A POPULAR TEACHER. Miss S. R. Hickey. head teacher of the public school for over five years, relinquished her duties on Thursday.\ Miss Hickey has won the esteem of all with whom she came in contact, and has done excellent work in connection ,with the education of fie children. A On Wednesday afternoon the parents and other friends assembled.at the school to mark their appreciation of the worth of the departing teacher. Mr. T. P. Hughson, chairman of the School Committee, presided. In his opening remarks the chairman referred to the capable manner in whiteh Miss Hickey had carried out her duties, and in doing bo she had won the love and respect'bf each child in the school. On behalf of the committee, he presented to Miss Hickey a beautiful bronze hanging lamp as a slight token of the esteem in which their teacher had been held. He also extended best wishes for her future happiness arid prosperity. ' Mr. Jas. Young spoke of the good work performed by Miss Hickey while on the staff of the Oaonui school, and, on behalf of the' Oaonui people he tendered their very best wishes for her future success. Miss McLean, on behalf of the children and staff, presented Mirs Hickey with a piece of beautiful Doulton ware and a silver bread fork. The Rev. Father Doolaghty, 031 behalf of* the friends and parents, in a neat and appropriate address, spoke of the many good qualities of Miss"Hickey and presented her with a cabinet gramaphone

In returning thanks to the various donors of gifts, Miss Hickev referred to her work as one of love. She had aimed at inculcating in her pupils strong moral principles, and had found that a policy of kindness brought the best results. ■ An energetic committee of ladies supplied afternoon tea, which was freely partaken of, especially by the children. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held on Thursday, Mr. Orr Walker, S.M.. presiding. Judgment by default was entered for plaintiffs in the following cases:— Egmont . County Council v. A. J. Feayer, claim £23 2s 2d; Lyttle and Holmes v. G. Parsons £10 12s 6d; Egmont County Council v. Raki Pukuwai, £9 Is lOd; Egmont County Council v. Noho Te Whiti. £35 12s 3d'; Egmont County Council v. Tame Waiwiri, £14 Is 10d; Hughson and .Sons v. Poi Wharepouri, £5 7s lOd; Hughson and sons v. Hanata Patanui, £32 10s 9d In the following judgment summons cases^ orders were made:—W F Burke v. Fred Inia, claim £16 18s; E. Marshall v. M. Coffev. claim £10 &s 6d • E Marshall v. C. Hanson, claim £11 17s od.

Upon the information of Mr. A. Cook Noxious Weeds Inspector, Ihanga MoWnikau was convicted and fined £10 for failure to clear blackberry and oither weeds.

On similar charged the following were convicted and fined: Taungata Te Ratahi £12 10? : Ripo Tautaki £10Kuramaheao, £10: Ngauto Tamue, £12 Ws : with costs in each case Mar-. .Bailey was convicted and ordered to pay costs.

WEDDING

A wedding of considerable interest tresidents of this coast was celebrated" at the Catholic Church on Wednesday the contracting parties beiiirr R t" Wright, second son of Mr W ' I?" Wright, of Rahotu, and D oro t hy C lETF SW° n M daUght^°f Mr- »"d rtl £\ir- Ias °n- of Pihama. The Rev. Father Doolaghty officiated