RANGITIKEI.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 197, 22 July 1931, Page 12

RANGITIKEI.

■ MARTOX, July 20. Saturday's Rugby saw Rata, the leaders of the senior competition strengthen their position the result of a narrow win over Halcombe, while Old Boys, who last week accounted for Rata by' a substantial margin, had their colours lowered by Athletic by one point. At Bulls the homo team outclassed Huntervillo to win by 19—6. Rangitikei junior representatives were defeated at Hunterville by Taihapo by 9 points to 6. There were several defections from the originally selected Rangitikei side and' the local lads did well to escape defeat by such a small margin. Old Boys continued their winning way in the third grade competition defeating Athletic by 6 points to nil. Bulls fourths were too good for Athletic, running out winners by 12 points to nil. The following team ha 3 been selected by Mr A. Henwood to represent Rangitikei against Te Kawau at Bulls: —Full-back, Henry Taiuru; three-quarters, L. Anderson, F. Gallagher, M. Down; five-eighths, W. Hayward. G. Hartley; half-back, *T. Hartley; wing forward, M. Waldin; hookers, L. Homes, J. Preston; lock, I. Mclntyre; supports, R. Walker, and J. Taiuru; back row, J. Waters and P. Gronn. Reserves: Backs, G. Harro and T. Clapham; forwards, J. Potaka aud L. Davies. On Saturday afternoon an old and highly esteemed pioneer of the district in the person of John Thomas Wilkins, aged 79 years, was found lying dead in a shrubbery before the home of ni3 daughter, Mrs H. S. C. Morrison, Fern Fiat 3, j with whom he had resided for many years. Two daughters and three sons are left to mourn their father’s death. They are Mrs H. Morrison, Mrs J. D. James (Wanganui), Messrs G. T. Wilkins (Cam- j bridge), A. E. Wilkins (Feilding), and |H. C. Wilkins (Raglan). A very happy and enjoyable function took place in the Cliff Road Hall on Wednesday evening, when a large number of local residents met to do honour to Mr H. T. Whale, who celebrated his birthday that day. Originally it had been planned to take a surprise party to Mr Whale's house but this was abandoned owing to the wet weather. The accommodation in the hall was taxed to the utmost, and the floor was in perefect condition for dancing. Prior to the serving of supper Mr A. Stuart, on gehalf of those present, wished Mr Wale many happy returns, and many more such birthdays. The speaker referred to Mr Whale's high standing as a Rangitikei resident, and paid a tribute to his' sterling qualities. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent by members of the Marion Ladies’ Golf Club at the links, despite unpleasant weather conditions. The afternoon wa3 held in honour of Mrs S. A. Gover, who is shortly leaving Marton, and a nine hole competition waa played. Miss Howard won Mr 3 Wheeler’s trophy, and Miss P. Gould won Mrs Fullerton-Smith’s trophy. Afternoon tea was dispensed by members, during which Mrs J. A. Harris, Ladies’ Club captain, presented Mrs Gover with a handsome crystal bowl as a token of the members’ esteem, and made a neat speech. All sang “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and Mrs Gover feelingly replied. The afternoon concluded with a little celebration to mark the recent success of the club in winning the Rapley Cup from the Wanganui Ladies’ Club, and members toasted their team, as an earnest to future successes. The concert given recently at the St. Stephen’s Parish Hall in aid of the funds of the Active Service Guild was an outstanding success. The guild will be greatly strengthened by the substantial sum realised to carry out their work in helping the needy of this town and also in providing clothing, etc., for the various orphangaes and babies’ homes. The items were all enthusiastically received and encores were frequent. Rev. B. D. Ashcroft gave a very interesting talk on the Active Service Guild and its help to the orphans and babies, and stressed the need of supporting the guild in its efforts. ■The concert numbers were arranged by Miss J. Sutcliffe and a sketch was the result of Mr A. Finnemoro’s efforts. An innovation in the Parish Hall was a set of footlights and lighting effects, installed for the occasion by Messrs W. Winstanley and N. Meredith. At the monthly meeting of the Plunket Society Mrs Siadden presided. The president welcomed as now members of the committee, Mrs -Holdaway and Ensign Summerfield, who has joined as the representative of tho Salvation Army. Various accounts were passed for payment and letters read. Ul9 administrative secretary had forwarded a supply of reports of the general conference. The pupile of the Marton District High school held a pleasant function among themeelves in. the school building on Friday, the proceeds from which went to purchasing firing for the school. The infants had their own party in their rooms, under the able management of Misses Edwards, Gould, Mclndoe and F? Hunter and enjoyed playing parlour games and singing action songs. Standards one to six foregathered in the quadrangle, and participated in folk dances interspersed with ballroom dances to much relayed from a gramophone. The secondary school held their gathering in another room, dancing to gramophone music, and after the prim, ers nud supper and gone homo, all the seniors repaired to the quadrangle where dancing was continued until eleven o’clock. Tlie Ladies’ Welfare League kindly supervised supper arrangements, and as usual contirbuted largely to the evening’s succss. Messrs H. L. Wilson and J. C. Johnson acted as M.C.’s.™