HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1936, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, August 13. The death took place to-day at Westlahd Hospital of Mr. William Punch. Deceased was a native of Ireland and 69 years of age. He had recently been in the employ of Mr. E. Kirby, at Harihari. Hokitika Whippet Club is holding another race mooting at the racecourse on Sundav afternoon. Mr. G.W. Keller returned to Hokitika by the rail-car this morning. _ To-morrow evening, the Hokitika Musical Society will hold their third recital for the 1936 season, in All Saints’ Hall.. Miss Bessie PolMrd, will be the pianiste, Miss Lilian Hanham (coprano soloist) and Miss Nancy Estall (eelliste). The opening feature for All Saints Church in connection with the dedication of the new building will be a public fete on Cass Square. Visitors in considerable force are expected from Greymouth, Kuniara, Ross and South Westland, and in addition Bishop WestWatson and a number of former clergy of All Saints. At a special, meeting of the parishioners last evening.. the Vicar presiding, a committee of the congregation was set up to Dike charge of the jubilee festivities. . On Sundav, November 1 (All Saints’ Day) 'the final services will be held in the present church in the forenoon, while in the afternoon the new church will be dedicated, the evensong will be held therein.

At the Soldiers’ Hall kast evening the Kiwi Football Club’s annual dance drew an attendance of 400. The West Coast fox trot championship was won bv Mr. R. Steel (Grevmouth) and Miss Hannah (Wellington), who also won the trophy last year. A competition was won by Mr. A. Mitchell. Mr. F. McGregor presented the junior competition cup to Mr. G. Stapleton. Mrs. E. Creagh broadcast the function very successful I v.

A Rugby match between the Hokitika' and Greymouth branches of the Public Service was played at Cass Square yesterday afternoon, resulting in a win for Greymouth by 15 points to 3. Mr. IV. Eastgate was referee. The game was interesting, the winner’s back division being seen to advantage. In the evening a smoke concert was held.

A substantial rise in cattle prices marked yesterday’s sale at Arahura. There was a very large and representative attendance of buyers, with orders also from Westport. Over 90 head of good quality' cattle were yarded, but it was apparent from the outset that there would be an unsatisfied demand, and as a consequence prices rose to an exceedingly' high level as the sale progressed, in fact, it was the dearest sale held at these yards for very many years. The bulk of the ox beef sold' at over 40s per hundred, while light heifer beef made up to 445. Owing to the high prices for the better class of beef there was a keen demand for cow beef which realised on an average of 36s per hundred. Top price was secured by M. Houston and Co., for Mr. W. R. Adamson, for two prime heavy' bullocks, bought by A. T. Cumming at £l7 2s Gd aniece. Messrs. W. Jeffries and Co’s entry totalled 61 head for which there was a spirited demand, their sales being as follows:■ On account of W. 11. Chinn, 2 steers at £l5 17s Gd. 2 at £l3 2s 6d, 2 at £l2 12s Gd, 2 at £9 17s 6d, 3 heifers at £lO 17s Gd. 2 at £6 17s 6d, 1 cow at £lO 7s Gd, 1 at £8 2s Gd, 2 at £7 17s Gd, 2 at £8 17s 6d, 2 at £7 7s 6d, 1 at £7 10s, 2 at £6 12s Gd, 2 at £6 10s, 1 heifer at £6 7s Gd; on account of T. W. Butler. 3 steers at £l6 ss, 2 at £l5, 2 at £l3 7s Gd, 2 at £l2 15s, 1 at £9 17s Gd, 4 heifers at £lO 12s Gd, 3 heifers at £9 15s, 2 cows at £9 17s Gd. 1 at £5 2s 6d; on account W. R. Adamson, 1 steer at £l3 17s 6d, 2 at £l2 15s, 1 heifer at £ll 2s Gd, 1 at £lO ]9s, 1 cow at £ll 2s Gd, 1 at £lO 19s, 3 heifers at £7 10s; on account of a client. 1 cow at £lO 15s, .1 cow at £6 15s. Messrs. M. Houston and Co. sold the following lines: On account of, W. R. Adamson, 1 cow at £9 17s 6d, 2 heifers and 1 cow at £7 2s Gd, 6 heifers at £8 17s 6d, 2 bullocks at £ll 2s Gd, 1 at £ll 2s 6d, 1 heifer at £9 12s 6d, 1 bullock at £ll 17s 6d, 2 at £l7 2s Gd. 2 at £9 17s Gd, 2 ;it £lO 17s 6d,. 1 cow at £lO 12s Gd, 3 heifers at £lO 17s 6d, 3 at £ll 12s 6d; on account of client, 1 cow at £9 7s 6d, 1» at £5 17s Gd; on account A. Bradley, 1 cow at £5 17s 6d.

A motion placing on reebrd the School Committee’s appreciation of what Mr. J. L. Menzies had done in the interests of the sehood during the six years he had been rector, was passed by the Hokitika District High School eommitte last evening when members said farewell to Mr. Menzies who is leaving at the end of the term to assume the headmastership of the Waimatc District High School. The chairman presented him with a travelling rug. Messrs. A. C. Armstrong, W. E. Richards, W. H. R. Sweney, W. 11. Shannon, J. Conning, J. Phillips and A. Leslie joined in paying tributes to Mr. Menzies, who replied that it was with sincere regret that he was leaving. He referred to some of the difliculties he had encountered, and hoped that in the future more adequate arrangements would be forthcoming in connection with staffing. He was pleased to see so many pupils leaving to go to good positions. His association with the staff and Committee had always been pleasant, although there had been times when he did not see eye to eye with the latter. He was grateful to the minister of religion for the instruction at the school under the Nelson system. In conclusion he asked the Committee to extend its support to the Ex-Pupils’ Association. He stated that last month six secondary pupils had been placed in good positions. Teaching to-day was harder than it was twenty years ago. Neither was the home life to-day what it was at that time, there being too many distractions. It was deplorable that some parents were not more careful in the home-training of children. One thing he regretted was that the Rector had no opportunity of meeting the parents of pupils, so that each might understand the other’s views. He had been anxious to see the inauguration of the parents’ association. Mr. Menzies was also entertained by the committee of the Ex-Pupils’ Association, of which he had been president since its inception. Mr. H. M. Coulson presented him with a gold pencil, and the good wishes of all ex-pupils. His remarks were endorsed by Messrs. D. J. Evans and G. Delbridge. Mr. Menzies thanked them for their appreciative remarks and gift. <\t the School Committee meeting last evening the Rector’s report was: Number on secondary roll, July 1, 119 (average 100), 6 withdrawn ' during month. Primary roll, July 1,. 330,. Jtjly

31, 333 (average 288). The chairman said the visit of the Board’s engineer had been delayed for a short while, but when he came to Hokitika they [ would go into the matters concerned. Mr. Biguell wrote thanking the Committee for their support in his election to the Education Board. Regarding improvements to school grounds, Mr. Bignell wrote stating the Minister had advised that work would be commenced when labour was available. The committee was asked to forward particulars of work desired. It was stated the matter had been attended to. The resignation of Miss L. White, who had received an appointment at Rotheram, was accepted. It was decided to take steps to have the vacancy filled. The visiting committee recommended attention to several small matters, the suggestions being approved. The dental ■ nurses reported .165 attendances during July, the operations numbering 344. The committee was advised that the dental clinic would be closed from August 24 until September 5 inclusive. Mr. J. G. Johnson, who has been appointed to succeed Mr. J. L. Menzies as Rector, wrote thanking the Committee for his appointment. The Defence Department Officer (Staff Sergeant-Major Johnson) wrote advising that the committee’s application for the formation of a unit at the school had been approved, and it was suggested that it commence operations at the beginning of next term. The chairman said he thought the question of uniform might be left to the staff. The incoming Rector advised that he would like the matter deferred until he arrived in Hokitika on October 1. Mr. Leslie thought they might well leave the matter then until the new year. Mr. Menzies said Mr. Johnson held a captain’s commission in the Timaru Technical School cadets. It was decided the whole matter be held over until Mr. Johnsou’s arrival.