MR AND MRS J. O’BRIEN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 4

MR AND MRS J. O’BRIEN

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AT HOKITIKA TRIBUTES PAID TO WORK FOR DISTRICT On Saturday evening in Hokitika a public presentation was made to Mr and Mrs J. O'Brien, as an appreciation of the services given by Mr O’Brien as member of Parliament for Westland. There was a large gathering in Weld street around the platform erected for the purpose. The Mayor of Hokitika (Mr G. A. Perry) presided, and others on the platform included the visiting parliamentarians, representatives of local bodies of the West Coast, and the president of the Hokitika branch of the New Zealand Labour Party. Mr E. W. Heenan, secretary of the committee responsible for the presentation, read telegrams from the Prime Minister (the Hon. M. J. Savage), several members of the Cabinet and members of Parliament, and other friends of Mr O’Brien. The various speakers made eulogistic references to Mr O’Brien’s sincerity of purpose and the services he had given. References were also made about the assistance Mrs O’Brien had given her husband. Mr O’Brien was then presented with an illuminated address and a substantial wallet, Mrs O’Brien was the recipient of a handsome fur coat. Later in the Soldiers’ Hall, a banquet was held, at which Mr and Mrs O’Brien were the guests of honour. WEEK-END TENNIS AT GREYMOUTH UNITED BEATS RUNANGA Although United Tennis Club was successful in both the A and B sections in its match against Runanga during the week-end, there were close results in each section. The United A team won by 13 sets to 11 sets. In the B team’s match. United won by 13 sets to 11 sets. A win by 17 sets to seven sets was gained by the Cobden Tennis Club in its match against St. Columba at the St. Columba courts on Sunday. Paroa beat Punakaiki at Punakaiki by nine sets to six sets on Sunday. GREYMOUTH MAGISTRATE’S COURT For allowing two persons to be on the running-board of a motor-lorry while the vehicle was in motion, Thomas Eugene Shanahan was fined 10s and ordered to pay costs in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth yesterday. Messrs N. V. Lovell and J. Kyle, Justices of the Peace, were on the bench. A fine of £l, with an order for costs, was imposed on Walter James Inglis, who was charged with driving a motor-lorry over the South Beach railway crossing vfhen the line was not clear. Charles O’Keefe was fined 5s and ordered to pay costs for riding a cycle without a light after sunset. The defendant was allowed a fortnight in which to pay the fine. GREYMOUTH PERSONAL NOTES Mr H. Morgan, S.M., who has been transferred to Timaru, left by the express yesterday to take up his new position. He was accompanied by Mrs Morgan and family. Mr and Mrs R. P. Kania left yesterday morning to make a 12 months’ tour of England and the Continent. Mr Kania, who is a teacher at the Greymouth Technical High School, has been granted spepial leave to make the tour. Mr P. G. Beary, railway yard foreman at Greymouth, will leave to-day on transfer on promotion to Christchurch. He was presented with a case of pipes and an electric jug by fellow railwaymen on Saturday. The Hon. W. Hayward, M.L.C., was a passenger from Greymouth to Christchurch by the express yesterday morning. HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided at the meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council. Before the ordinary meeting a special meeting was held to receive the bal-ance-sheet, returned by the AuditorGeneral. The tender of Mrs W. E. Richards was accepted for printing the sheet. The Westland County Council advised that it proposed to convene a meeting of local bodies of the district at Hokitika in January to discuss the amalgamation schemes under the Local Government Act, 1936. The council was asked to supply a copy of the latest balance-sheet, together with particulars of loans, system of rating, and position of sinking fund. It was agreed to appoint delegates later. The Christmas Carnival Committee was granted permission to erect a platform at the corner of Weld and Revell streets, and to use Cass square for a sports meeting and for a fireworks display. It was resolved to add 10 per cent, to unpaid rates, and also to apply to the Valuation Department for a revaluation of the borough. The Mayor was reappointed to the library committee, and Mr C. L. Harper was appointed in lieu of Mr H, L. Michel. Mr J. V. Canning was appointed assistant at the abattoirs. FAREWELL TO DENNISTON RESIDENTS MR AND MRS J. PALMER HONOURED Many residents of Denniston met in the Orange Hall to say farewell to Mr and Mrs J. Palmer, who are leaving the district after 40 years’ residence on the hill. A travelling rug and a crystal vase were presented to the guests of the evening by Mr W. Henderson, for residents. Mr Palmer replied for himself and his wife. Dancing to music played by Mrs Erskine’s orchestra occupied the greater part of the evening. Extras were played by Mrs Findlay. Messrs T. Dellaway and W. Hewitson, jun., were masters of ceremonies. The following items were given during intervals between the dances;— Piano duet, Misses Mary and Nettie Adams; yodelling song, Mr P. Blythe; song, Mr H. Smith; recitation Mr A. Hunter; tap dance, Miss F. McMahon; and song; Mr J. Anderson.

PLACING OF STUDENTS IN EMPLOYMENT

WORK OF TECHNICAL SCHOOL AT GREYMOUTH A pleasing feature of the school’s I activities to which he would like to draw the board’s attention was the success which the school had attained in placing its pupils in employment within the community, said Mr R. McLaren, principal of the Greymouth Technical High School, in his annual report. i This year, because of the increased demand for them, the pupils had been easily absorbed into occupations that were offering—about 80 had left the school for positions and were now actively engaged in work. Every course in the school was contributing its share, and was shaping and adjusting tne boys and girls to fit in with the requirements of the district. The technical schools, with their broad and varied courses in industry, commerce, art, and domestic science, were really good experiments in which to try out the various pupils. The second and third year in a technical trade course, commercial course, or domestic science course should carry with it the State’s approval by the issue of certificates. Thus the long-laboured apprenticeship could be materially lessened and the school age of 15 plus could be reasonably supported and endorsed by the great outside public waiting for the juveniles’ labour. The conscientious teachers in the technical school knew the boys and girls under their charge from their aptitudes, their adaptive responses, and their interests exhibited, quite as well and far surer than was possible from the results of any external examination on paper or in theory- They also could fairly estimate their strong and weak points in character, although many pardonable errors were here made. This recognition and reference from the school authorities should carry weight, effective responsibility, and authority in the market-places of any community. BLACKBALL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Mr C. Hogg presided over the monthly meeting of the Blackball School Committee. The report of the acting-headmaster, Mr Lock, for the month of November, said that the proficiency pupils had done well at the examination. Official visitors to the school for the month had been the agricultural instructor, Mr Johnson, and Dr. E. Baker McLaglen, who had conducted a medical examination. The attendance had been adversely affected by a mild epidemic of chickenpox. A welcome was extended to Mr R. , Allen, the newly appointed headmaster who began duties the previous week, it was decided that the break-up ceremony be a children’s ball, at which the prizes and awards would be presented. ( Women’s Institute The Blackball Women’s Institute held a wind-up social in the Druids’ Hall, Members and friends spent an enjoyable evening in dancing, items, and -competitions. A word competition was won by Miss T. Anderson, with Miss O. Donovan, who both received small gifts. The prizes for a competition, “carrying peas on a knife,” was won by Mrs JP. James. The lucky spot waltz was won by Miss Newman and Mrs M, Anderson, while Misses M. Shields and M. Allen received the prizes for the statue waltz. Are you thinking of selling your business. The quickest route between Buyer and Seller is through “The Press” Classified Advertisements—l2 33-358 —6