REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1937, Page 3

REEFTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. REEFTON, December 16. Mr and Mrs P. Kane, of the Bank of New Zealand, who have been on holiday to Christchurch and Blenheim, returned on Tuesday morning. The condition of Mr T. O. Patterson, of Reefton, who is in hospital at Christchurch, has so improved that it was anticipated that he would be able to leave the institution to-day. He hopes to be able to return home towards the end of the week. The many Reefton friends of Mr R E Lechner, formerly postmaster at Reefton, will learn with regret of the death of Mrs Lechner, which took place suddenly at St. Albans, Christchurch on Sunday last. The death took place in Wellingaon last week of Mrs Rothwell, wife of the late Rev. B. P. Rothwell, at one time minister in charge of the Methodist circuit in Reefton. • Mrs Rothwell was predeceased by her husband some nine years ago. Mi G. Maunder, Nelson, who has been acting as manager of the Bank of New Zealand during Mr P. Kane s absence, left on return this morning. ~ _ The funeral of the late Mr P. Strachan took place yesterday afternoon, and was very largely attended, the workers on the public works, where the deceased was employed immediately prior to his demise, taking a holiday to attend. There were present also a large number of members of the Inangahua Miners’ Union. The sev'ee at St. Stephen’s Church were conducted by the Rev. C. Tanner, who also read the prayers at the graveside in the Suburban Cemetery. The pall-bearers were Messrs G. Ward, T. Baird, T. L. Bennett and r. Allen The large number of floral tokens testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held. Heavy and continuous rain has fallen since last- night, and up to the present has shown no signs of abating or clearing The swimming carnival announced for this evening has been postponed to a later date. Reefton Convert School pupils last, evening gave their annual concert at the Criterion Theatre, when they staged the operetta “Princess Ju Ju before a large audience and acquitted themselves with great credit, lhe dressing was courful and brilliant and the programme carried through with an absence of waiting. The principa parts were played by the following: "Princess Ju Ju” Ngaire Mercer, Maidens at Court: Lily Blackadder, Betty Wicken, Joan O Flaherty, Joan Hannah, Ivy Cleaver, Verna Millar, Gloria Johnston; Emperor Hokipokitipitop, Pat Gilroy; Chief Adviser, Pierre Conlon; Prince Shee Ma Gues, Erin Molloy; Prince Fu Fhu, Veronica Crompton; Prince Go Bang, Kathleen Amsalom; the Lord High Executioner, Basil Crompton; the Magician, Miss Burns; Lunar the Goddess of Night, Elma Hindmarsh. The following items were also contributed to the programme by the pupils: Violin solo Harry Wicken; “The Hunters, the juniors; pianoforte solo, Marie and Nomice Buist and Margaret Wicken, violin solo, Master Jim Hodgins; piano duet, Patricia and Gregory Conlon. The audience was very appreciative and many of the numbers were encored. The accompanists were Mrs Nicholls who played for the tap dancing, and Miss Esme Bartlett, and Miss Costello assisted with the violin. The gathering sang God Defend New Zealand. Rev. Father Butler thanked the audience for attendance and expressed pleasure at the efforts of the pupils. He presented the prizes won during the year.