FITZHERBERT

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 220, 18 August 1931, Page 10

FITZHERBERT

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FIT/HERBERT, Aug. 17. Last Monday night a meeting of the Fitzherbert East School Committee was held, Mr Lankshear (chairman) presiding. Others present included Messrs .l). 11 ?, Greves, Woods and Mrs \V. J. rieid (secretary). Arrangements in connection with the children’s fancy dress dance were finalised. It was decided to give no prjtos this year for the best costumes worn. lh° children will occupy the floor from 7.30 to 9, after which a daneo will bo held for the adults. The toachers and committee will leavo no stone unturned in making the evening an enjoyable one for all concerned. The Aokautere Rifle Club entertained the ladies of tho district at a shoot and social evening last Monday night. The. first part of the evening was devoted to shooting and some of the ladies present put up creditable scores. Supper was served after which Mr J. Kyle, president of tho Rifle Club, extended a hearty wclcomo to the ladies and said it had indeed given the members of tho club great pleasure to have so many of them with them that evening. Mrs W. F. Field, on behalf of the visitors, thanked Mr Kyle and members of his club for tho hospitality extended to the ladies, who sang “For They Aro Jolly Good Fellows” and gave three hearty cheers. A danco was then held and during an interval, Airs L. Hastings gavo an amusing recitation entitled “The Army Mule.” On Friday afternoon Arbor Day was celebrated at tho local school. There was a fair attendance of parents and friends of the school and good work was done by the men who planted an ornamental hedge and also dug a new plot of ground for a school garden. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the teachers —Mrs Brereton and Mrs Sinclair assisted by Mesdames Field, Cox and Fcrgusson. A sho'rt programme by the scholars was much enjoyed, items being given ny Elsio Woods and Rone Jannett and songs by the pupils. A prize donated by Mrs Brereton for the best essay on “Arbor Day” was won by Lorna Oxnam and presented by Mr Lankshear, chairman of the School Committee. Mr Lankshear spoke a few words of welcomo to all present and specially thanked the men who had attended and given their time and labour for the benefit of the schools. He also thanked the ladies of the district who had provided afternoon tea and tho teachers for their help and interest. On Friday evening there was a good attendance at the local hall, when residents attended to give a send-off to Mr and Airs Francis and Mr Wat Francis, who have been residents of this district for the past seventeen years. For many years of this period, Air and Airs Francis lived at. Tararua and the distance prevented them from taking an active part in local affairs. However, in recent years, tho family have re-j sided in Aokautere and during that time have taken an interest in all that was done for the good of the district. Air Francis was a member of the school committee and occupied the chair for one year, during which timo he carried out his duties in a zealous manner. Air R. R. Scott, on behalf of the Aokautere settlers, spoke eulogistically of Air and Airs Francis’s residence here and referred to them as pioneers, inasmuch as they had lived at Tararua for many years and had put up with all the inconvenience of the days before the advent- of telephones and motor cars, having to trayel a long distance over bad roads, etc., to get into town or even as far as Aokautere. Air Scott said that Tararua seemed really to have always been part of Aokautere and ail present regretted the departure of Air and Airs Francis and their family from this district. _ Ho then presented Mr and Airs Francis with a case of dessert cutlery as a token of the esteem in which they are held in Aokautere.. He also asked Air Francis to accept for his brother (Air W. Francis) who was unable to be present, on account of indisposition, a pocket wallet, and. on behalf of all present wished Mr and Airs.. Francis and family every success in the future. Air Lankshear also spoko a few words and referred to Air Francis’s work on the School Committee, which had been carried out in an energetic and enthusiastic manner. Air Francis suitably roplied, and tho singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Follows” concluded an interesting part of the programme. Supper was provided by tho ladies of the district, and thanks aro duo to Alesdames Anderson, Lankshear and Gosling who saw to the dispensing of same. Dancing was^ indulged in until the early hours. Air AI. Kristensen made an efficient AI.C. and voluntary music by the local musicians and some Linton friends left nothing to be desired. The euchre party held in conjunction with the send-off was well attended. Prizes donated by Air Fergusson were won by Airs Scott and Air J. Campbell.