HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 260, 29 July 1932, Page 18

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

TRAINING COLLEGES Effect of Closing “EFFICIENCY IMPAIRED” Effect of dosing two of the Teachers’ Training Colleges was discussed at a meeting of the Hutt Valley High School Board of Governors last evening. The principal, Mr. H. P. Kidson. suggested that the hoard write to the Minister of Education expressing the hope that it was merely a temporary measure. Mr. D. A. Ewen thought that the board should do its best not to hamper the Government,' which was necessarily effecting economy. Mr. J. Burns was of opinion that the closing of the colleges was impairing the efficiency of the teaching staffs. “It is a serious thing and. will result in a definite drop in the standard of the' personnel of the teaching profession,” said Mr. Kidson. “There has been drastic cutting down by having classes of 60 in the primary schools. It means that children will be retarded.” . It was decided to inform the Minister that, the board realised the necessity for economy and expressed the wish that the closing of the training colleges would. only be of a temporary nature, and that the colleges would be reopened as soon as circumstances permitted. GOVERNORS MEET Hutt Valley High School The Hutt Valley High School Board of Governors met last evening, the chairman, Mr. 11. G. Teagle, presiding. There were present Messrs. J. Burns, D. A. Ewen, J. Kerr, J. Stonehouse, H. Sladden and the principal, Mr. H. P. Kidson. Following the visit of a departmental inspector, the Education Department advised that an agricultural course be carried on in a small way by the present staff. It was agreed that the principal ask permission to establish plots in the two sections adjoining the school recently purchased by the Education Department to give access to the lower ground. The principal reported thht as the result of endeavours to place boys in employment four had been given positions. “It is the crying need to-day,” remarked the chairman, “and I think the employers are realising, the necessity of helping the boys.” - The board decided to inform , the Education Department that several of the window sashes were becoming rusty and to suggest that the department should send out an inspector. Thanks were expressed to Mr: J. Mitchell for the loan of a valuable microscope to the school. >•' FIRE AT UPPER HUTT Old Building Gutted Fire almost completely destroyed a small building in Station Street, Upper Hutt, early yesterday morning. Mr. A. W. J. Kearns, who : sleeps on the pre? mises, was awakened at about 3 a.m. by the smell of smoke and sound of burning. He then summoned the Upper Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade, which was quickly on the scene, but was able to save the shell of the building only. Built some 50 years ago, the building until recently was used as the courthouse, but since the construction of the new courthouse has been used by the Returned Soldiers’ Association as a clubroom. The building, which was owned by the Department of Justice, was insured for £lOO, and the furniture and effects were also insured for £lOO. ODDFELLOWS’ DANCE Gathering at Moera The weekly dance of the Moera branch of the 1.0.0. F. Lodge was held in St. Paul’s Churchroom on Wednesday evening. Mr. Bert Ray, pianist, supplied the music, and Messrs. Jones and Pritchard acted as M.C.’s. Among those present were Mesdames Smith, blue satin; Rushton, crimson eelancse; Walls, tangerine silk; Kite, black velvet; Partridge, black celanese; Guest, blue crepe de chine; and Misses Adams, orange' crepe de chine; Van Overloup, white crepe de chine; Copeland, scarlet taffetas; Kite, black velvet: and Messrs. Wardlaw, Hennessy, Grainger, ■ Moncrief, Harris. Kite, Smith,'Walls, Rushton, Butterfield.’ RELIEF OF DISTRESS Upper Hutt Committee The Upper Hutt Citizens’ Unemployment Relief Committee has been making strenuous efforts to alleviate the distress . in the district, and has appealed to residents for support. As a result, many donations have been received through the efforts .of Mrs. M. Adams, of Silverstream, the committee acknowledging the following:—Mrs. Adams, £lO/10/-; Mrs. Hun-ter-Brown. £lO/10/-; Mrs. S. Blackley, £2: Mrs. -Ewen, £1; Mrs. and Miss Duthie, £l.; Mrs. Blundell, £1; Mr. Ferguson. £3; Mr. Green. £1; Anonymous, £5; “Toby,” £l;'Nurse Cowie, 7/6, Grocery orders have been received from Mr. Mlrams£l, and Mr. and. Mrs. Findlay £l/1/-.-PARK IMPROVEMENT. Erecting Gate and Fence In an endeavour to have an improved entrance to Riddiford Park from High Street, the Lower Hutt Borough Council has been, negotiating with the owners of an adjoining property to acquire a portion of their land. The negotiations have proved unsuc- • cessful, bnt the council lit its last meeting decided to proceed with .the gate, and the fence on the present alignment. A balance of the amount given for the fence and entrance gates to the recreation ground still remains, so that the improvements will not be a tax on the ratepayers. PETONE LIBRARY z ? • Details of the activities of the Petone Municipal'Library show that during the quarter ended June 30, 25 hew members joined the library qud 28 subscribers left. Subscribers then totalled 260, as compared with 263 at the close of the last quarter. ■ New books to the number of 54 were added to the library throughout the quarter. To date 32 children had joined the juvenile section.

INTEREST MAINTAINED South African Veterans MEETING AT UPPER HUTT Keen interest in the work of the association was shown by all members present nt the annual meeting of the Upper Hutt branch of the South African War veterans’ Association, hold in the Record Hall, Upper Hutt, recently. . Remits for the Dominion Conference were fully discussed, and Mr. A. J. Harper was appointed delegate. The report of the president, Mr. W. A. McKenzie, was adopted, and the bal-ance-sheet Showed a satisfactory credit. Notification was received from the Christchurch Association that it intended holding a South African reunion on August 10 at its rooms. It was pointed out that being the Wednesday in Grand National week it provided a good opportunity for any member who might be visiting Christchurch during that week to renew acquaintances. It is anticipated that there will be a good muster of veterans from all parts of the Dominion. The allocation of grants was discussed at length, and it was finally decided to bring up this matter at the annual conference at Christchurch. Votes of thanks were accorded Mr. A. J. McCurdy. Mr. W. A. McKenzie, Mr. Robt. Tomkins, and Mr. O. H. Ritzcma. Election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr. A. J. McCurdy; president,.Mr. A. Collins: vicepresident, Mr. Robt. Tomkins and Mr. T. M. Milligan ; executive. Messrs. J. Pesciiu, F. Kitchener. W. A. McKenzie. L. Robertshaw, W. Gibbons. L. Cloake, P. W. Wilson, and A. J. Harper; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. C H. Ritzema. APPEAL FOR FUNDS Hutt Relief Committee ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED An urgent appeal for funds is made by the Lower Hutt Relief Committee to carry on its activities. The extent of these may be realised when it is shown that during the last .13 months, the committee had been able to assist some 800 families by supplying at a cheap rate meat, potatoes, fuel, boots, etc. The relief committee's activities are organised on strict lines. No goods are distributed free, all are sold to those in need at approxhnatelv half. the usual retail prices, according to a statement handed to “The Dominion” last evening. The magnitude of the work undertaken by the committee will be better understood by an enumeration of the quantity of the principal items sold during the three months from April 1 to July 2, and during the three weeks ended July 2, which are as follow: —-Heat, 27,2041 b.; potatoes, 26 tons; wood, 526 bags; coal and coke, 1704 bags; 225 pairs'of men’s working boots; 202 ■ pairs of children's boots and shoes; and 228 boots and shoes repaired. .. " •< Commencing on Monday,. July 4, the system was'extended to include bread, butter, and milk, and for the three weeks ended July 23 the principal items sold were: Bread, 11,495 loaves; butter, 33591 b.; milk, £534 quarts; meat, 11,0321 b.; potatoes. 11 tons: wood, 141 bags; coal and coke,. 814 bags; boots (new), 161 pairs; boots repaired, 64 pairs. The fact that those receiving relief got nothing free enables them to keep their' self-respect. • . The cost to the committee, since June of last year, has been over £lOOO, and an additional £lOOO is necessary to maintain the existing service. At the present time the committee is enabled to carry on only through the timely assistance of two citizens who have contributed very generously. ' The committee is most thankful to those who have assisted it in the past, and, while realising that practically all are passing through more or less troublous times, confidently appeals to all to assist to the best of their ability. The committee is most anxious to do its best for those in need, and contributions to the fund will be gratefully received by Mr. W. P. Williams, bon. secretary Lower Hutt Relief Committee, Borough Council Chambers, Lower Hutt.