RIVERLEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 December 1927, Page 7

RIVERLEA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) END OF .SCHOOL YEAR. Friday lasi- saw the end of the school year and a short programme of athletic spouts for -the children was iieul in the school grounds. The weather, though otherwise .lair was very cold, there being a strong south-east, wind blowing. In spite or this the children appeared to enjoy 'themselves, and entered with zest into all the- events. There wasi a. fair attendance of adults, but the weather kept many a,way. A., iter tile races were finished all adjourned tX> the hall where the ladies had prepared a generous alternoon tea. Prior to> partaking of this, Air \ oullaire, oil behalf of the conimiitttee, expressed pleasure' at seeing so many present. He regretted the fact' that Air Webby, the chairman of the school committee, was still too ill to be present, but added that' he- -had been asked to express Air "Webby's personal thanks "to the teachers lor their work during, the past- year and to express his good wishes for an enjoyable holiday, also to wish them -and the children a. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Speaking for the remainder of the committee generally. Air Voullaire added that they, too, left that the Alisses -Vloiecraift and Broker deserved cungratulaitions for their work. It would be noticed that this year the committee! had made a. change, and instead of giving «. book to each child had made the collection of funds for the purpose of improving the- library. There had been some criticism of this act-ion, but the members of the committee! present at the meeting had been absolutely .unanimous on the subject-, and so far as he was personally concerned lie had always favoured this idea. The lists had been returned that day and he was pleased to' say that the sum of £8 5s had been collected, and this would carry a subsidy of the same amount from the Education Department. Of the amount given, some 14s was money won by .some of the children for prizes of one kind and another, which prize money these children desired should he used tor the library. That was a- most excellent spirit, and lie hoped it would be an example to others, not only tilii!dren, to- assist the. school. He was pleased to have present Air It. Syme, the Education. Board agriculture inspector, who had come along especially to present t'o the winners of last year’s calf-rearing and root crop growing competitions the trophies won by them.

Air Syme said it gave him great pleasure to be- present to -hiaaid out the trophies, the number of which reflected great credit on the children of the River lea. School. They had done very well indeed last year, but he was afraid that this year, so far as calf-rearing, at -any rate .was concerned, they were opt of it. He hoped next- year to sec many more entries at the Riiverlea. School, both, in. calves and plots. The system of finance and management of the children’s clubs had been altered recently and .instead of being run by the Farmers' Union they were now being run by a. special committee which had appointed organisers for all centres. The- organiser for Riveiiea was Air Webby, but unfortunately owing to ; his illness Air Webby had not been able to get around lately. Air. Syme further explained the working of the scheme, and then presented the trophies, which were asfollows: Rose bowl won by Elsie Frost for best calf in group; trinket box won by Thelma Gargan for calf; cup'won by Alf. Rothe for mangold crop; cup won by Wiliam Brock for carrot crop. In regard l to the latter. Air. Syme said this was a really outstanding crop for the higher districts, reaching a weight of 55 tons 18cwt, and was little less in weight than the highest crop on the very best land. Mr. Voullaire thanked Air. Syme for having come along and given out the trophies, and then presented the proficiency certificates won during the year, the recipients' being Thelma Cargo n. Elsie Frost. Donald McLeod and Wilfred Hooper. There was also a conmetency certificate ■ for Robert McLeod. who had sneciallv de,sired to sit. though only in tlie fifth standard.

GENERAL NOTES. 'Che wintry weather of the past week has had u bad effect on the cows, causing a considerable drop in the milk supply. In spite of this the quantity of cheese made at the factory i_s keeping up well, and still stands at •36 pdr day. a drop of lour from the highest make of Go. Considerable trouble lias been experienced lately at the factory owing to non-acid milk, and every endeavour is being made to discover the cause. Haymaking has begun in one or two cases of autumn-sown oats, hut as usual this district will pot get to it properly until after New Year. PERSONAL. Mr. ,J .tmcs Southern, who sustained a badly broken leg nearly four months ago, is at last making good progress, and lias* been able to leave bis bed. He hopes to ho home shortly. Miss Morecraft left on Saturday evening for Auckland, en , route for Honolulu, where she intends spending her vacation. ” Older residents of Riverlea were sorry to hear of the demise in Hawera if Mrs. d. F. Knight, who with her husband and family resided here for some years, during which time they had the Riverela store. Mrs. Knight was of a kindly disposition, and l well liked by all who knew her. YEAR’S END. In all probability. unless something startling occurs, these will he mV last notes prior to the end of the year. Tt has been a year of no great events locally. At this time last vear many seemed to think the end of'the world had conic because butter and cheese wore low in price. This year thev are more happy, and may they continue so. In conclusion, I desire' to extend fo the editor and all members of the Mar staff, including my fellow correspondents. the Star proprietary', and all who may feel interested at times in these notes of mine, a verv Merrv Christmas and Hnppv New Year and many more to follow.