FOXTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 13

FOXTON

(l'Vom Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Sept. 19. One of Foxton’s early residents in the person, of Mr W. J. Staif, of Wellington, was a visitor a few clays ago. Mr Staff 1 , who is now 88 years of age, arrived in Foxton about 78 years ago from Boston, Lincolnshire. At that time, of course, Foxton was merely a site of a Maori pah and very few Europeans were in residence in the district. During his youth Mr Staff was closely associated with the late Rev. James Duncan and can recall most of those - who were known along the coast in the early days. The name “Foxton” does not find favour with Mr Staff, who is of the opinion that the Maori name “Te Avahou” should have been adhered to. This Maori name, Mr Staff explained to a “Standard” representative, was given to the locality by the Natives through the small stream running through the area having cut a now channel for itself, hence the meaning of the term is literally “the new channel.” Mr Staff is a brother of Mrs Honore, senr., of Foxton, and, although verging on ninety years of age, is still active and enjoying good health. Owing to southerly winds, shipping has been held up at the local port during the past few days as there have been mountainous seas on the bar and along the coast. Mr I. Corn is visiting Foxton. Mrs G. W. Morgan who has been spending a holiday in Foxton has returned to Wellington. Mr and Mrs H. E. Baughen, of Otaki, .have been on a visit to Foxton. The monthly meeting of the Presbyterian Ladies Guild was held at the home of Mrs J. M. Thomson, when a most enjoyable time was spent. Two amusing competitions were won by Mesdames McEwen and Yardley. Arrangements were made for holding a series of social evenings and a committee sot up for the purpose. The afternoon concluded with a vote of thanks to the hostess. The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Womens’ Mission Union was held in the church on Tuesday when Rev. W. H. Nicholas presided. Miss Duncan read the annual report and balance sheet, together with the Maori Birthday League and Harvest Field reports. All the officers were unanimously re-elected for a further term. During the afternoon Air Nicholas briefly addressed the gathering. Air F. Robinson, Foxton delegate to the Horowhenua Rug;by Union, explained Foxton’s position with regard to the recent controversy over a proposed severance from the Horowhenua Union to members of the District Council on Tuesday evening. He explained what had led up to the proposed severance from Horowhenua, but stated that no club had been formed. There was no suggestion of the Foxton Club pulling away fnom Horowhenua, said Air Robinson: The financial statement submitted to the meeting disclosed the fact that the council now had a small credit balance and hoped to wind up the season on financial lines. A replay was granted for the matph Shan-non-Foxton which ended in a draw last Saturday although extra spells had been played. The venue of the match will be Shannon. The venue of the final match for the junior championship to be played between Wanderers and Foxton was discussed at length, Foxton being decided upon.