PATEA

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 1 May 1934, Page 8

PATEA

PUBLIC SWIMMING- BATHS PUBLIC YTBWiS SOUGHT The Mayor (Mr F. Ramsbottom) presided over a good attendance -of the public at a meeting to discuss the erection of public swimming baths in the town. Air A. Maxwell, president of the suf and life-saving club, stated that the club members-were anxious to find the sympathy of the town .towards the proposition. The view might be taken, he said, that with so much other water, the river and the sea, there should be no need for -baths, -but he pointed out the small percentage of children who cou.d swim. Neither river nor sea were entirely' suitable for teaching the youngsters to swim. Baths had been proved the -best means of doing, this, and he felt assured that the people of -Patea would support this eause. The borough engineer, Mr J. O. Cunningham, gave his opinion as to the necessary expenditure on the erection of baths either in the town or down on the riverbank. It was pointed out that the ccdurc was to take a poll of the ratepayers, and levy a small rate to raise the necessary-funds. -The Mayor said that this could hardly be done as the Borough. Council lyould not be able to raise the small loan, just as it had a £3OOO loan still not. lifted. Further discussion resulted in the surf club being empowered to make a canvass of the town to test the feeling of the people. ST. GEORGE’S FESTIVAL. (St. George’s Day was celebrated on Sunday -by St. 'George’s Sunday School children, commemorating the Anglican Church’s patronal saint’s day. After a service all' the children joined hands forming a .ring surrounding the church, and san'g the hymn “We Love the Place, O God.” Afterwards they marched -to the Town Hall, wherie a (tea had been provided by the Girls’ Club -under the leadership of Miss F. Hemingway. Children from When-uakura, Manutahi, Kakaramea and Patea Sunday Schools wore all treated -to a bountiful tea, with many' teachers and friends. After the Doxology', -the -ceremony of cutting the cake was performed, little Miss Beryl Mitchell lighting -the six large candles and four small ones representing'the 64th anniversary of St. George’s Sunday School. The candles were extinguished by Miss Beryl Martin (Whenuakura), Miss Shirley Jenkins (Patea), Keith Southcomibe (QVTanu tahi), and Gladys Baker (Kakaramea). Miss Jean Sheild, who has been a faithful and regular teacher for many, years, ha-d the honour of cutting the cake, after which Miss Kathleen' Blackman presented her with a handsome wooden fruit stand as a wedding gift from the teachers and scholars, expressing their love and wishes for a happy future. Miss Sheild returned thanks and wished the children goodbye. “For She’-s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung lustily by the youngsters. The St. George’s birthday cake was made by Mrs Ramsbottom’and iced -by Miss Bond. CROQUET. Closing day for the past season was celebrated at the Patea Croquet Club’s lawns on Saturday, when there was a large attendance of members. Competitions were played during the early part of the afternoon, the lawns being heavier 'than was experienced during the warmer weather. Afternoon tea served in' the club’s pavilion, andi the trophies won during the year were presented by -the Mayoress (Mrs F, Earnsbottom) and cheers were given for the winners, especially Mr A. J. Gibbs, who won Bitch renown for himself and the elutb at th-a Dominion championship tournaments during -tho season.