PIO PIO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 972, 12 May 1917, Page 5

PIO PIO.

Own Correspondent.

The first monthly meeting for the year of the Pio Pio school committee was held on May 7th. There were present Messrs Laughton, chairman, Tunnicliffe, Wallis, Webb, and Kelly, while according" to custom of the committee the head teacher, Mr Francis, attended by invitation. Several accounts were passed for payment, and then the preliminaries over, the committee settled down to its year's programme. The committee has down a full list of improvements, the members being fully cognisant of the requirements They intend to erase the list of "wanteds." Of course improvements resolve themselves into a question of £. s d., and therefore, practically the whole effort of this meeting was concentrated on swelling the exchequer at the beginning of the year, so that the committee will be able to pursue its course of progress through the year unimpeded by financial embarrassments.

First attention Was directed to the ordinary expenditure of the school. Preliminary arrangements were made to hold a school concert early in the year—in two months' time —instead of at the end of the year as usual, so that the committee will have the money in hand to work upon throughout their whole session. Visiting committees to the school were set up consisting of one member a month in turn round the committee, with the chairman The committee intends to know all that requires to be done, and to have the money to do it. Routine business occupied the committee till a late hour.

On Tuesday, May Bth, the residents of Pio Pio and surrounding district took the opportunity of saying farewell to their postmistress, Misß McClean, before she leaves to take up her new duties in Auckland. Miss MeClean has been a most popular official, and hurried though the notice of her departure was, quite a large number rolled up to the social and dance. Practically everyone in the district interested in the post office helped towards the memento presented to Mi'sb MeClean. Mr Hattaway acted as M.C. daring the first half of the night, while Mr Kilmartin later took up the position. Mrs Robinson, of Te Mapara, ably presided at the piano and rendered good dance music. Mr Laughton made the presentation, and said an old method of judging a person's services was to find whether the person was any use or ornament. He declared that Miss MeClean had been a most decided adornment to the town. He referred to Miss McClean'a capable handling of the postal business, and recalled the unfailing courtesy extended to all with whom she did business. Concluding, Mr Laughton presented her with a handsome gold bracelet in which she will take away with her in personified form the good wishes and remembrances of her many friends. Mr Hattaway replied on behalf of Miss MeClean in a most felicitous speech, and stated that Miss MeClean wished him to say that she had always endeavoured to be obliging to the public. An appetising supper followed the presentation. The floor was still well filled with happy couples when your correspondent thought it time that all good benedicts were turning homewards.

The Waipa County Council had no sympathy from other County councils in regard to its resolution suggesting that the age of men in the first division be raised to 50 years. The various replies are somewhat interesting. The Paris Journal states that a French steamer responding to the Norwegian Bergen's S.O.S. call went at full speed for 90 minutes to the supposed wreck, which lay motionless and lifeless. Suddenly a searchlight blazed, the German flag was hoisted, and a volley of shells struck the steamer. The majority of the crew took to the boats, which the Germans repeatedly shelled, killing four, a German officer meanwhile jeering the men. The French captain and officers stayed on the ship, the orchestra playing the "Marseillaise." A British cruiser responded to the French S.O.S, whereupon'the Corsair bolted.

, Every member of the Expeditionary Force Reserve, that is' every man of military age who is not a discharged soldier —with service abroad —ought to possess his certificate of enrolment by the present time. If he has not received his certificate the fault is his, and he may find himßelf in trouble presently. It is his business to get into communication with the Government Statistician to make sure that his name is properly on the roll of the reserve, and secure his certficate of enrolment. If he is already enrolled and in possession of the preliminary acknowledgment sent out by the Government Statistician, then hiß certicafite probably is waiting for him at the post office. The Military Service Act makes provision for the summary arrest of men who cannot produce their certificates when requested to do so by a military officeE or the police, and this portion of the Act will be put into active operation shortly.