SUMNER ITEMS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20280, 4 July 1931, Page 11

SUMNER ITEMS.

GENERAL. High tides are still aa everyday occurrence. The sight of the waves breaking against the protective Avail on. the beach, impressive though it is, has now lost its novelty. North of Euston street, where the sandhills are unprotected, the formation of the sand cliffs is reminiscent of last year's serions scour. North of the Surf Club pavilion, the sandhills have suffered very little,-and the sea when reaching its highest point appears to have been satisfied with depositing quantities of debris. Along the stone wall near the end of Grafton street sand has collected and in tue vicinity of the pier the same process is markedly evident. With the completion of the Ferry road, residents have little to cavil at in the journey by car to the City. Formerly this section of the journey spoiled an otherwise pleasant drive, but now the result is that the remaining portion from the Heathcote bridge to Sumner suffers by comparison. Mr G. r. Allen Retires. After occupying the position of headmaster of the Sumner District High Sahool for nearly twenty-three years, Mr GF. Allen handed over to his successor, Mr H. M. Stevens, yesterday. Of the many changes taking place year by year, Mr Allen is proud of the fact that the Sumner School was the first to adopt the principle of "open-air class-rooms. It was during his period of office, too, that the District High School was established, this and the adoption of open-air class-rooms being regarded by Mr Allen as' the salient features of his career.^ Mr Allen began teaching at the St. Albans- School in January, 1890. His appointment as headmaster of the Spotswood School followed, where he "remained for 5i years. After having charge of the Springston South School foT three years, and of Springston North for two and a half years, he received his appointment to the Sumner School on August 12th, 1908. The growth of the scnool during his term of office has been very steady. New rooms were built in 1912 and 1914, and in Septem'ber, 1919, three fresh-air class-rooms were opened. During these years, too, playground accommodation also increased. In May, 1925, one of Mr Allen's ambitions was realised when the District High School was opened. Mr Allen will continue to live in Sumner and the many pupils who haie passed through his hands will wish him every happiness in the future. Personal. j Mrs C. G Armstrong ( Wellington)_ is visiting Sumner, and is staying with her sister, Mrs R. Lally, Richmond avenue. Mr and Mrs H.M. Stevens will go into residence in Euston street very shortly. Mr Stevens is the newly-ap-pointed headmaster of the District High School and commenced lii? duties there yesterday. • sForensic Club. The next debate will be held on Tuesday evening, when the Bubject for discussion will be, "That that portion of the national revenue now secured through Customs duties should be replaced by the collection of income tax, etc., on local industries, protected by a prohibitive tariff." Mr F. Ellis will be in the chair. The speakers for the .motion will be Messrs J. S. Barr and L. H. Fee and against it Messrs J. Rhodes and E. Hullett,

Burgesses' Association. The monthly meeting of the Sumner Burgesses' Association will be held this evening, in tlio Committee Boom of the, Town Hall. Pound Scheme. It has now been decided to have the receiving and distributing depot under one roof. This will be-located at the rear of Miss Pender's Kindergarten in Grafton street. At a meeting of the executive held this week it was reported that most of the canvassing had been done, and that there had been a very good response.. It was decided to hold the first collection on Tuesday, and the first distribution on Wednesday. At a meeting of the Investigation Committee the names of Nurse Gverton and Mrs W. Lee were added to the committee. The Rev. J. M. Simpson was appointed convener and Mr J. F. Menzies secretary. This committee will investigate cases of necessity, and will decide on the amount of assistance to be given. It was reported that a number of people dealing with grocers in the City had instructed these firms to deliver contributions direct to the depot. Illconvenience might arise when a delivery took place when the depot was closed, and it was therefore arranged that these goods could be left either with Mrs W. Lee, Main road, Redcliffs, or with Mr G. A. Alexander, Nayland street, Sumner. The secretary reported that gifts ineluded cash and two tons of potatoes. The offer of Adjutant Coombes, of the Salvation Army, to superintend the first distribution was accepted with thanks. Association Football. There will be no official matches for the Sumner Association Football. Club this afternoon. A game will be played at St. Leonard's Square at 2.45, between members, and it is possiblo that the senior team will be matched against the juniors. Rugby Football. Last week, at St. Leonard's Square, the third grade team played a very interesting drawn game against Linwood, the leaders in the competition, each side scoring nine points. To-day the team meets Richmond, at Polo Ground No. 1, an-1 the fifth grade side is to play Riccarton at the Polo Ground. Sumner's under sixteen team meets Boys' High School at the Polo Ground. Volunteer Fire Brigade. At a meeting of the ' committee of the Fire Brigade, held on Wednesday evening, further arrangements were made in connexion with the dance to be held on July 2oth to raise funds for unemployment relief. Tickets were issued, and the borough was divided into blocks, each to be covered by two canvassers, who will begin on Monday evening. The monthly practice was also held on* Wednesday evening, and there was a full attendance. The billiards room, which is open every evening, continues to be well patronised. In all probability billiards matches against other local organisations will be held later in the year. General Election. The first sign of the approach of the General Election has appeared in Sumner. • A circular was issued this weeK inviting •'Anti-SoemlUt» elector, to meet the Reform candidate, Mr Freeman, nest Thursday evening m the Supper Room of the Sumner own Hall. It is understood that the Reform P a jty intend to make a big effort to win the seat, and a keen contest is certain.