KOTUKU NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1934, Page 12

KOTUKU NOTES

[OUE OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Mr and Mrs G. Jack and family have left on a holiday visit to the North Island. , t \ Mrs C. Gurdler is visiting Cimstchurch. Mr Victor Marlin, who, in company with Mr Gordon Jack left Kotuku to attend the Melbourne Centenary celebrations, has accepted a position in Australia, and will not return to. New Zealand for some time. Miss Molly Mears leaves to-day lor Wellington, where she will reside. Mr and Mrs C. O’Leary are spending the Christmas holidays at Atarau. The Tennis Club held a successful euchre and dance on Wednesday evening, prizes being won by Miss Ella Foster and Mr M. Nestor. An amusing mistake (whether intentional or not has not been asceitained) on a poster recently, which read: “The Stork will be visiting Kotuku; come along to Jack’s Hall, Monday evening, and see the fun! Prize giving and Christmas Tree.” The disappointment of the children could be better imagined than described, had the stork with his traditional bundles been sent instead of the .jovial Father Christmas. In common with other West Coasters, Kotuku residents are experiencing some difficulty in dealing with the water problem. A small stream has been cleared out, and although the water is not drinkable, it serves for ordinary household purposes, and helps to conserve the other water supply. Bringing coals to Newcastle adequately describes the position at the Hotel Chateau, Moana, which situated on the banks of Lake Brunner, has been depending on the Kotuku creeks tor waler, for some time past. Ordinarily the Chateau draw its water supply from a reservoir in the hills, but the dam is now empty. Several heavy showers iu the past few weeks have momentarily raised hopes of a final orgy of washing and spring cleaning before Christmas, but as succeeding days invariably dawn bright and clear, anxious housewives again find their hopes deferred. “Just sufficient rain.” one enthusiastic gardener explained, “to put fresh heart into the drooping cabbages.” The flower gardens, however, are at their best. There is a fine show of Canterbury Bells, standard roses and Christmas lilies in the various gardens, while flowers which do not usually thrive in these parts, have flourished in the continued sunshine. The numerous bush fires make working conditions difficult for the bushmen, who have had to leave work early on several occasions, owing to the heat and smoke. On one occasion they had to make their escape quickly, and some of their belongings, coats, lunchbags, etc., were burnt in the flames. A much greater loss, was sustained by several young fellows working on the gold subsidy. On returning to their camp one night, they found the three tents and all the contents destroyed by fire, which had started in the dry scrub. On Tuesday afternoon the Aratika and Kotuku school children accompanied by their teachers, Misses Smith and Tizard, and Mr Satherly, tramped to Molloy’s Look-out. Although the day was hot, and the distance long, the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, running and singing all the way. A number of pigeons and tuis were seen, feeding on the fuchsia and supplejack berries. A tourist who has visited all the beauty spots of New Zealand, considers the walk one of the pretties he has ever seen, and says that it compares favourably even with the famous Milford Track. A wonderful view of the lakes at Te Kinga and Poeruoa and miles of surrounding virgin bush may be obtained from the summit. On returning from the walk the children were taken to the swimming hole, where they had a picnic, and alter spending an hour or so in the water they were marched back to the school to bid a final farewell to Mr Satherby. The annual breakup concert was held in Jack’s Hall on Mofiday evening. The hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion, while the various items rendered by the pupils, were much enjoyed, and reflected great credit on their teacher. Miss Frank proved an able accompaniste. After the concert, Father Christmas appeared and distributed toys from the well laden Christmas tree. Little Joan Mattson, on behalf of the children, presented a pipe to Mr Satherly, who is leaving the district, and a box of handkerchiefs to Miss Smith The residents presented Miss Smith with a crystal powder bowl, and Mr Satherly with a travelling rug In thanking the people for their gift, -Mr Satherly urged the residents to endeavour to supply for the children a long-felt want —namely, a school library He also spoke of the important part which music plays in the education of the modern child, and deplored the lack of a musical instrument at the local school. His assistant had tried to overcome this difficulty by taking the children twice a week, in all weathers to Jack’s Hall, but the hall was poorly lighted and ventilated, and much val-1 liable time was lost in walking to and ' from the school, also the school ' grounds were sadly in need of atten- 1 tion, and would have to be improved before the gardens would give encour-i aging results. Mr Satherly gave out ■ the school prizes for the last time, and presented Proficiency Certificates to the four successful entranst. Misses Alice Mattson, Agnes Crimmins, Faith Davidson and Master Kevan Molloy. Mr Satherly’s speech came as a great surprise for his listeners, as his longsuit ha alway been to avoid public speaking on every occasion. Parents like to feel that a master takes an interest in the welfare of his pupils, and they respect him all the more if he gives them an occasional stir concerning their own obligations. Had his wishes been known to the people before, probably many of the things for which he has sighed in vain, would have come io pass long ore this. For instance, Jack’s Hall with its spacious billiard room attached and the nice piano, is the finest hall along the Otira Line, and as it has only been used at night when it is brilliantly lit by electric light, the fact that the hall is in semi-darkness in the daytime, had escaped the observation of the residents, and again, until the last 12 months when the children began giving public performances, even the parents did not. know their children had talents worth developing. An effort will certainly be made to make things a little less difficult for their teacher in future. After supper, dancing was continued till a late hour, Mr N. Nestor supplying the music, with extras by Miss Frank and Mrs C. O’Leary. Messrs G. Gurgler, P. Simpson, J. Clements, J. Preunis, J. Davison, E. Butler all of Kotuku are leaving tor Christchurch this evening.