HUTT VALLEY NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 15

HUTT VALLEY NEWS.

Congratulations to all who took part in tlie recent concert given by pupils of the Hutt Valley High School were extended' by the Board of Governors last night. Passengers carried by tlie Eastbourne ferries from April 1 to Seiitember 30 total 149.304. as against 143.719 for the corresponding period last year. During September the t.s.s. Muritai carried 13,317 passengers as against 12,337 last year, and the s.s. Cobar carried 12,045, as against 11,993. Following a request from the owners of the Victoria Estate, the Lower Hutt Borough Council lias decided to carry out certain stormwater drainage at the expense of tlie owners, the estimated cost being £7O. DEBATING SOCIETY “Is Life a Boon?” WIN FOR AFFIRMATIVE Keen discussion on the question, “That Life is a Boon,” took place at the publicnight of the Hutt Debating Society Lower Hutt Borougli Chambers on Wednesday night. Mr. A. J. Smith was in tlie chair, and Mr. F. Martyn Renner the judge. The movers were Mr. Assheton Harbprd and Mr. R. S. Martin, and the opposers were Mr. Francis M. Renner and Mr. C. 11. James. The debate was awarded to the affirmative by the judge, and also by a showing of hands. The debate was preceded by lour speeches, Mr. IL J. Bishop, speaking on “The Angels of Mons,” Mr. L. Stokes on “Conscientious Objectors,” Mr. AV. Little on “Count Felix von Luckner,” and Mr. A. R. Grimwood on “The Value of Debating Societies.” Tlie movers admitted that there were many things in life which were sad ; but on the whole these were vastly outweighed by the happiness enjoyed by every man. In many cases those who were unhappy had themselves to thank for it. and could not say that life was not a boon merely because they had failed to take advantage of its many opportunities for enjoyment. In debating the motion it was necessary to cast aside all philosophies, creeds, faiths, and beliefs which people wound around their lives, and consider life as a mere matter of birth, life, and death. The opposers argued that orig’nally Ute might have been a boon, but men had made such a chaos of economic and social systems that it was doubtful whether ufe was worth living, and whether one was justified in bringing new lives into the world With millions of unemployed and tliouf/ands of hospitals and prison's, it could not be shown that life was a boon ; rather was it a burden which one wouid be letter to throw off. The reason why men did not take their lifes was that they feared death, and what, if anything, lay behind it. , In delivering his judgment, Mr. Kenner said that the motion was a very wide one. and consequently many of the speakers were tempted to wander from the poijit and lose the es'sentirJ. issues. On the whole, the speakers had reached a high pT>«; of oratory, and hiid given evidence of keen thought, lie considered that, the movers of the motion- had had the easier side of the debate, and that the opposes had been faced with greater difficulties, having to dance to the tune set; by Lie opening speakers, for the affirmative. While the onposers had made the best of a difficult position, they could not quite overcome the strong attack made by the movers. AMATEUR ATHLETICS Petone Club’s Meeting A satisfactory credit balance was shown in the annual report of the I’etone Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, presented at the annual meeting. The report stated that the first, meeting of the season, the Laykold Cup, was held in December. Owing to the Kia Toa Athletic Club (Palmerston North) not advising a date for the triangular contest until late in the year the contest was not able to be held. z The club was honoured by G. Bayne again winning the Wellington provincial and New Zealand one mile championship, and also J. Hamilton being one of the team which won the relay race at the New Zealand championships. The report also commented on the improvement in the women’s section, of the club. The club thanked all donors of trophies, and .all who assisted at the meetings, especially Messrs. G. Winter (cycling handicapper), L. Price (handicapper, running), 11. Saunders ‘ (starter), A. Cates, C. Horman, J. W. Longman. D. McCarthv. D. Morris, T. Blyth, L. Hall, and McWhirter. Thanks were also expressed to the Wellington centre for assistance at the Laykold Cup meeting, The following officers were elected : — Patron, Mr. W. Nash, M.P.: president, Mr. James Kerr; secretary. Mr. R. Wilson; treasurer. Mr. Dunbar; club captain, Mr. C. Goddard; vice-captain, Mr. L. Lacey.; handicapper (athletics), Mr. L. Price, (eveling) Mr. G. Winter; starter. Mr. H. Saunders; delegates to Wellington centre, Messrs. Lippitt, 'Winter, and Morris; committee. Messrs. B. Lippitt (chairman), E. Campbell. J. Morris, W. Wallace. L. Price, Bryan, 11. Saunders, and K. Tuckwell.

HUTT HIGH SCHOOL The Hutt Valley High School Board of Governors met last evening, the chairman. Mr. H. G. Teagle, presiding. There were present Messrs. I). A. Ewen, J. Kerr, J. C. Burns, J. Stonehouse. W. V. Dyer, and the principal, Mr. 11. I‘. Kidson. The principal reported that, arrangements had been made for repairing several of the Steel window frames in the school. . Discussing the problem of keeping down the "rass in the school grounds, the principal mentioned that the lower ground would probably he ready next year, lie suggested that an old motor-ear be bought to tow two or three cutters. The matter was left in the hands of the grounds committee to compile a report for the next meeting. ■ . , ... A proposal of the Parents’ Association to add a kitchen to the gymnasium for providing afternoon tea at garden parties was left in the hands of Messrs. IL Slndden. W. V. Dyer, and 11. P. Kidson. The board decided to ask Mr. J. S. Barton to speak at the breaking-up ceremony. TENNIS CLUB DANCE Despite the unseasonable weather, about fiftv couples were present at the annual opening night dance of the Petone Central Tennis Club. The pavilion was tastefully decorated in the club colours, blue and goldMr. Noel Wilson attended, and expressed regret that the unfavourable weather bad prevented his attending the opening ceremony, but expressed pleasure at being present at the dance. Many visitors from other clubs were also present. This dance gave members of the club an opportunity of meeting each other, and the committee ensured this by providing dances designed to break up parties and make for the mixing of the dancers. . , Mr. McLean provided the music, and prizes to all winners of novelty dances were presented. Mrs. Webster and her assistants served a dainty supper. The exhibition dance by Mr. N. Wilson and Mrs. Neilsen was greatly nppre- | elated, and the singing of Auld Lang I Syne brought the evening to a close.