KUMARA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 29 April 1929, Page 3

KUMARA NOTES.

Municipal Election. It must be gratifying to Kumara people to have such keen interest shown in the forthcoming elections. The seats of Mayor and Councillors will be contested, also the seat on the Westland Hospital Board. In the latter election, Ross electors will join with Kumara in selecting a member to represent them. Mr Spiers has been Mayor for the past four years and has shown interest in Borough affairs, particularly his interest in the Memorial Hall, over which he exercises his control. His opponent, Mr J. A. Peever, is well-known, and his ability as an organiser has on several cccasions been abundantly proved. In particular, his handling of the Kumara Jubilee, as organising secretary, is well renumbered. He has been a tower of -trength to the Cricket Club and is largely responsible for the respectable niche the club has earved for itself in cricket affairs. Other local matters have benefited by his association with them, and his organisation of flower shows, concerts and entertainments have helped considerably the funds of flic societies concerned therewith. As an earnest and enthusiastic advocate cf local requirements he has much to commend him. A keen contest is anticipated. Of the fourteen nominated for the Council, it is safe to say that any nine elected would support a good leader to naise the town from its present state which, as is generally admitted, is pretty slow. For the seat on the Hospital Board the present member, Mi A. B. Spiers, who has been elected unopposed on several occasions, is being opposed by Mr W. H. Evenden, who has had lengthy service as secretary of Friendly Societies, and has been honorary secretary to the Medical Committee since its inception. He has done great service to Kumaira by his energy in helping to retain the services of a doctor in Kumara. The electors will probably recognise his services on election day. Householders’ Meeting.

At the annual meeting of householders, the attendance was poor. Rev. M i Vickers was voted to the chair, anil ir- his remarks said he regretted the small attendance as during the year the new school had been destroyed by fire and the committee had been exceptionally busy inducing the Education Board and Education Department to rebuild the fine structure in which they were holding their meeting. He voiced the best thai’Ls of parents, and asked the Secretary to read the balance sheet, which showed a small credit balance. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the late Chairman, who had taken a very keen interest in the committee for over 20 years, he asked if the Secretary (Mr H. Hamer) could give a brief resume of the year’s work. Mr Hamer said that the year had been a busy one, and explained the many calls made oh members, who had done everything possible to assist. The unfortunate fire in August last had destroyed a fine new school. An inquiry as to the origin was held, but no clue was obtained. Temporary premises were fortunately secured at a very reasonable rental, and during the latter part of 1928 the school was conducted at the once Old People’s Home. Every effort Was made to get a new school as quickly as possible,. and thanks to the activity of Mr Bignell, the work w"« proceeded with with all possible speed, and the scholars started the 1929 year in the new school. The very best thanks of the Committee were due to the Hall Committee, —bo had assisted on two occasions to give a picture benefit to raise funds to relieve the committee of financial anxiety, and the townspeople had responded very well. The Roll of Honour had been destroyed in the fire, and voluntary contributions for its re placement had been received from three gentlemen who had heard the committee’s deputation to the Minis ter for Mines. On Rnzae Day the Roll of Honour would be unveiled at 10 a.jm and the committee extended an invitation to the general public to be present. The Secretary then explained the financial position and many ■nn ters which had been accomplished Mr J. A. Peever slid that the work done by the committee was wort iy of •he people’s thanks. One had little idea of the amount of work and correspondence which the Committee had dene and he felt sure that everybody appreciated the speed with which the -job of replacing the school had been carried out by all concerned. Several other householders endorsed the remarks of Mr Peever. Election: There ‘were eight nomina •ions for the five seats on the Committee. M" Burrell who has left the town, did not seek re-election. The following were elected: Messrs D. A. McLean. J. Reedy, T. W. Walker, Ivor Steel, and 11. Hames. Mr McLean was elected chairman, and Mr Hamer was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. The first Monday of each month

•s to be the meeting night. A vote nf thanks to the chairman was carried by accalamation. Anzac Day. Ansae Day was beautifully fine and 'he Kumara State School was crowded ni 10 a.m. for the purpose of formally unveiling the new roll of honour, the other one having been destroyed by tire. Mr McLeon, the new chairman, briefly introduced the speakers, Rev. Mr v-ekers and Rev. Mr Cocks, also the Mayor (Mr A. B. Spiers). All "poke, particularly to the children, of the duties of citizenship and the noble Sacrifice made by Kumara boys of the schoo 1 , whose names are on the honours' beard. Mr McLean in a very approbate speech referred to the destrue cion of the school by fire and its rebuilding during the year. The conr mittee’s representatives had asked i it were possible to get a subsidy f IO7I J Hon. Mr Veitch, but it was found icould not be given. Three gen lcmen had made the necessary contribution, and others had offered donations. . Committee and parents would 3°_ n with him in. tendering the best t ia« > to the donors, w r ho had so enhance the school with such a beautiful 0P -

ours board. He then unveiled 'the Bon rd, which is placed in the middle of the main corridor. After Rev. Mr Cocks had delivered a very stirring address, all present sang the National Anthem. An adjournment Was then made to the Memorial Hall, where a public service was commenced at 1 1 . a.m. The Anzac Day commemoration service wn s held in the Kumara Memorial Hall presided over by Rev. H M. CocksJ with a large attendance. After the opening hymn, “O God ou r Help in Ages Past,” Rev. H. M. Cocks led in prayer and afterwards read some well-connected passages from the s< riptures. Mr W. Vickers, who addresesd the meeting, briefly recapitulated the features of the Gallipoli campaign and the great sacrifices made by those who took part. lie voiced the possibility of fa.ure world wars with their consequences if civilisation gave way to militarism, and suggested a line of future conduct. After the Dead March in “Saul” bad been played, the Mayor unveiled from Kumara who had made the sua tablet bearing the names of those preme sacrifice. Wreaths were then placed in position, the Last Post played, and the commemoration service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.