FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 110, 9 April 1936, Page 5

FEILDING

PARTY AT CHELTENHAM,

At tlie residence of Mr and Mrs A. Humphrey, Cheltenham, a pleasant party was given by the Cheltenham Tennis Club to Miss J. Wood, who is leaving to reside at Wliakarongo. Competitions and games provided the entertainment, and, following the refreshments served, Mr E. Sinclair, president of the club, spoke in high terms of the good work done for the club by Miss Wood during the years she had been a member. On behalf of the club he presented Miss Wood with a leather handbag and wished her good luck and every happiness in her new sphere. Mr Sinclair also referred to the unfortunate accident that recently befell Mr' L. Newell, another member, and wished him a, speedy recovery.

A bouquet of flowers in autumn colouring, made by Mrs A. Humphrey, was given to Miss Wood. A midget golf competition was won by Mrs J. McFarlane and Mr F. Hill and a parcel competition by Miss J. Wood, Mrs Iv. Bismark, and Mr R. Ireland. Those present at the party were Mesdames E. Sinclair, It. M. Anderson, H. Bismark R. Ireland, M. Finlayson, A. W. Humphrey, M. Mills, J. McFarlane, R. O’Dea (Thames), Misses H. and J. Wood, T. Anderson, E. Hill, M. Sinclair, D. Hill, N. and A. Ireland, D. McFarlane, N. Mills, R. McKenzie (Palmerston North), and L. Hocken (Wellington). ST. BRIGID’S TENNIS CLUB. COURTS CLOSED. ' St. Brigid’s Tennis Club, Feilding, closed its courts officially at the weekend, a sealed handicap competition being played in which Mrs C. Crisp and W. Worsfold were the winners. During the afternoon tea adjournment, the president of the club, Mr G. E. Pollock, took the opportunity of reveiwing the year’s activities, congratulating the club on being now free of debt and finishing the year with a credit balance. He eulogised the work of the committee, particularly that of the club captain, Mr C. Crisp, to whose

i untiring energy and interest the harmonious and successful conduct of the club was largely due. He also thanked the following for donations of trophies : Mr L. J. Mcßeynolds, Mrs H. Dooley and Mr J. J. Murphy. Mr Pollock then presented them to the winners "for the 1935-36 season Murphy Championship Cups: Ladies, Miss N. Price; men, 1). Julian. Mcßeynolds Cups, handicap singles: Ladies, Miss F. Price; men, 1). Julian. Dooley Cup, mixed handicap doubles: Miss F. Price and C. Cheetham. FORESTERS’ LODGE. FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. C.R. Bro. Feakins presided at the fortnightly meeting of Court Loyal, Feilding, on'Monday. A detailed report was presented by one of the senior trustees on the Court’s investments, which were verified as exceptionally sound. One candidate was initiated and two proposals were accepted, following which P.C.11. Bro. Batten completed the reading of the District President’s address, which was of an interesting and educational character, Members expressed their appreciation of the address at the conclusion of the reading. LANTERN LECTURE. MISSION WORK DESCRIBED. At St. Paul’s Hall on Monday night an interesting address, illustrated with lantern slides, was given by Rev. 11. .H. Barton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the speaker dealing with the mission work overseas of the Church Mr Barton prefaced his address with an outline of the activities of those preparing for service in the Church. He said that some seventeen young people had entered colleges in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in preparation for the ministry of the Church ; also that an institution for women was at present established in Dunedin for the training of young girls for work with the Church. Miss Mary Salmond had been brought to New Zealand from India, “where she had contracted an illness, and it was in this country that her health was restored. She was at present the head of the institute for girls and women in Dunedin, but would be shortly leaving for England foi a holiday. Mr Barton went on to describe some of the numerous colleges and homes which the Presbyterian Church had under its care. The Moderator also described some of the children’s homes founded in New Zealand. There were three in Auckland, one in Wanganui, Wellington, Timaru and Dunedin.

Dealing then witli the overseas mission work, the Moderator detailed the progress being made in China. “We in New Zealand have no idea,” he said, “of the enormous population and congestion of the Chinese cities and villages. What they call a village might have anything up to 20,000 inhabitants. It seems amazing that such a dense population can pass through the little narrow streets which are so prevalent in China. If one was to stretch - ' out both arms one could easily touch the dwellings on either side.” In 1901 the first Presbyterian missioner was sent to China, and this brave man, Rev. G. H. McNeur, had to face-a country of people who despised all Englishmen. In reference to the dwellings of the Chinese, the lecturer said that between 100,000 and 300,000 people lived in boats along the Pearl and many other long rivers.

Mr Barton said that in India the missionaries were faced with a much liardder task owing to numerous religions in that country. The Presbyterian misioner, Dr. W. J. Porteous, was sent to India in 1910. “The towns and villages,” continued Mr Barton, “are extremely unhealthy and enormous masses of flies are prevalent wherever you go." At the conclusion of the address, Mr Bartholomew, who was deputising for Bev. A. L. Dixon, conveyed the thanks of those present to the Moderator for his entertaining talk. • '

BOROUGH COUNCIL. MONTHLY MEETING. The Feilding Borough Council met last night, the Mayor (Mr T. Collins) presiding. Also present were Crs. E. Pair, W. W. Andrews, A. C. McCorkindale, V. E. Smith, G Darragh, P. G. Guy, and G. J. Fitzpatrick. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. T. L. Seddon and A. J. Kellow. The Auditor-General forwarded a copy of the new award obtaining between the Feilding borough and the Oroua county in regard to payments due.on the conversion of loans in repect of the property now merged in the county and which was formerly part of the borough. The Mayor traversed the negotiations which had taken place and which led up to tlie fixing of the charges annually payable by the County Council to the borough in respect of the merged property. He pointed out that under the new adjustment the County Council was saving £43 per annum, and moved that the County Council be notified of the increased payments due in respect of the £2OOO general improvements repayment loan and the £3500 footpath formation repayment loan in terms of clause 2 of the original adjustment. The motion was seconded by Cr. Fair and carried. The postmaster (Mr J. B. Purcell) wrote .requesting that stands for bicycles be placed outside the Post Office. Cr. Fitzpatrick moved that the request be granted and urged also that stands be provided in other parts of the town, in Manchester and Ferguson Streets. Cr. Guy supported the motion, which was agreed to. BOROUGH ABATTOIR. rebuildingTproposal. Recently the Feilding Borough Council made a considerable investigation into the question of renovating and altering the borcugh abattoir, but at last night’s meeting the abattoir committee recommended in its report that, in view of the state of the present building, the estimated expenditure of £I6OO for the proposed renovations was not advisable, and that in lieu thereof the council consider the question of erecting a new abattoir. The council engineer (Mr T. K. Hay) submitted a detailed report on the condition of the abattoir, and following consideration of it the Mayor said the position came down to whether the council was going to spend £I6OO on repairs or £6OOO on a new abattoir. It was finally decided to adopt the re-1 port and the engineer was instructed to prepare a sketch and estimates of a new abattoir, making provision for the Bacon Company’s requirements. MONTHLY BUSINESS. For the month of March tlie abattoir manager reported the business to be as under: —ll cows, 3 oxen, 40 heifers, 114 ewes, 260 wethers, 10 lambs, 2453 pigs and 10 vealers were dealt with. Fees amounted to £369 12s Id, as compared with £l9O 8s 5d for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of £179 3s Bd. The killings in the extended abattoir district were:—lo3 sheep, 219 lambs, 41 pigs, and 8 cattle. Fees amounted to £l4 13s. ATHLETICS AT JOHNSTON PARK.

The reserves committee reported that Air O. Scotney, representing the Athletic Club, was present at its meeting and outlined a proposal to enlarge the sports ground at Johnston Park to permit of a larger track, to be independent of the football ground. The proposal involved the removal and re-erection of the fence and hedge at the western end of the ground and the purchase of additional land from the property facing Drake Street. It had been arranged that the Athletic Club ascertain the possibility of acquiring land for inclusion in the park and submit a proposal stating the limit of their financial assistance to the council, the borough engineer in the meantime to ascertain the estimated cost of shifting and re-erecting the fence. Cr. Smith outlined the proposals in further detail and the report was adopted. MANAGER’S ANNUAL REPORT. The manager’s annual report stated as follows, on the quality of the stock handled at the abattoir during the year : Beef: Over all, the quality can be termed poor. Too ma’ny cows of the daiiying breeds have been killed as against a small

percentage of the recognised beef breeds. Sheep and lambs: Good, except for an increase in the number of ewes, although over all of good quality. Lambs again show a decrease in numbers. Pigs: A very decided increase. Grading returns show that the overfat, short dumpy pig is still witli us. This applies more particularly to pigs from whence the major portion of our supply is drawn. Local pigs have shown some improvement on recent years and will still improve. During the year a demonstration day was held at the abbattoir and although not overcrowded, those present were unanimous by of the opinion that they had learned much in regard to the type of pig necessary to best suit the requirements ol the consumer both abroad and in New Zealand. A further improvement would be the elimination of the uneconomic pig, namely between 100 and 1201 b. Vealers and bobby calves: Excellent throughout, and a decided increase on the previous year’s figures.

After dealing with the condition of the plant and the alterations required the report continued :—Killings: The following is a summary of the killings for the year 1935-36. (Figures in parenthesis denote killings for the year 1934-35) : Cows 1319, (1458), oxen 61 (102), heifers 403 (226), ewes 1177 (905), wethers 3035 (3317), lambs 115 (210), pigs 14,662 (10,184), vealers 52 (56), bobby calves 6407 (2954). Total fees,) £2798 16s 7d (£2091 4s 8d); increase, £707 11s lid. BOROUGH FINANCES. CREDIT OF £2397. Reporting on the year’s working, the town clerk (Mr C. H. Tate) said that after starting the 1934-35 period with a credit of £1706 15s 8d in the district fund account, the 1935-36 financial year ended on March 31 last with a credit of £239/ Is 6d, including £1153 Is 6d on current account and £1244 on fixed deposit. The gain for the year was therefore £690 5s lOd.

Air Tate’s report continued as follows : —Receipts: A review of the different items shows that the estimates in most cases have been slightly exceeded, noticeably so in the case of 1 the abattoir where the pig turnover was purposely under-estimated. Rates: Of particular interest is the fact that rate collection has been well main-tained—-a collection of 95.8 per cent of the current year’s rates is a splendid result and may be taken as an indication of the soundness of the borough financially. The statement showing the progress collection of the rates for the various years is interesting in that it shows, in the case of the rates for the year 1932 for instance, that the council collects (ultimately) 99 per cent of its rates, less than 1 per cent being eventually written off for various reasons, including reversions to the Grown. Payments: Here again most items compare favourably with the estimates. The excess in the case of streets is more than offset by corresponding increases in receipts for highways subsidy, reimbursements and petrol tax refund. The abattoir, for the same reason previously given, shows a sympathetic increase.

Summarised, the improved position of the accounts may be attributed to three causes: (1) A slight all-round improvement in receipts and payments generally within the estimates; (2) a natural (and unavoidable) saving to the general account by reason of the employment for some of their time of the permanent staff, and the use of plant on streets loan work, although, in the case of plant, running expenses only are charged to loan; and (3) the improved turnover of pigs at the abattoir. Reasons (2) and (3) indicate that the greater part of the saving for the year is really a false one in the ordinary sense, and apart from the fact that the council will this year be called upon to meet heavy expenditure for repairs to the waterworks and to the abattoir, the council will be well advised to conserve the credit balance against the time when, with tlie loan works completed, the general account will carry the full weight of maintenance expenditure and loan charges. In moving that the report be adopted, the Mayor said the figmes were i„gu,y illuminating. The, motion was carried without comment.

MANCHESTER ST. SCHOOL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Manchester Street School Committee on Tuesday night, there being also present Mesdames P. G. Guy and 11. Ross, Messrs W. 11. Oliver, and Jas. Campbell (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Mrs S. McDowall and Messrs E. liosking and Z. McLeod. The headmaster (Mr A. K. Itobertshaw) informed the committee that the school had lost by death a pupil, Moera Pask, eight years old. The children and teachers had forwarded wreaths and had oftered their heartfelt sympathy with the parents.—The committee added its sympathy with the bereaved family. In his monthly report, the headmaster stated the roll stood at 346, and the average attendence for the past month was 319.2. During the month 11 children had been admitted and six had left. The Wanganui Education Board was assessing the grade of the school on 95 per cent of the roll number at March 31, which would be 331, and the school could retain its 5C status. The board's • painters were at present painting the school building and the quadrangle would be painted. He hoped also that the class-rooms would receive attention. The painters would replace broken windows if the committee provided the glass. This would cost £4 10s. The front lawns had been extended and sown in grass, and this gave a greatly improved appearance. Regarding the library, the teachers were at present compiling lists of books and the completed lists, with the application form for the subsidy, would be forwarded to the senior inspector within the next few days. The committee agreed to the proposed arrangement for replacing broken windows.

It was recommended, in connection with the dental service, that a more businesslike method be adopted to ensure that those who received treatment should pay. It was thought the fee should be paid in advance. It was stated that at present there was about £6 10s in fees owing for last year’s treatment. The committee decided to adopt the suggestion, and that fees must now be paid in advance. The headmaster informed the committee that he proposed to hold the Anzac memorial service on Friday, the 24th inst., with a programme similar to that of last year. The committee approved, and it was decided to ask Mr Oliver, who is a returned soldier, to give the address. Good support continues to be given to the school savings, bank, reported the headmaster, the deposits totalling about £3 a month.

PERSONAL.

Rt. Rev. H. H. Barton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, who with Mrs Barton, has been the guest of. Rev. A. L. Dixon at the Manse, Feilding, left yesterday for Marton to attend a session of the Wanganui Presbytery. Mrs E. Sinclair, of Cheltenham, with her sister, Mrs O’Dea, of Te Aroha, left yesterday for a holiday in the South Island.

HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. COMMITTEE MEETING. The executive committee of the Feilding Hockey Association met on Tuesday, evening, president (Mr F. J. Hallen) being in the chair. It was decided to open the season on Saturday, May 2, entries from clubs to close on April 20, when a hockey rally will be held. Committees were elected as follow Grounds, Messrs F. E. Moore, T. Tricklebank and E. A. Garlick; postponement, Messrs F. E. Moore and A. Hendry; fixtures, Messrs S. Chesterfield, A. H. Packer and E. A. Garlick. It was resolved to visit the outlying districts with a view of obtaining more teams to enter the competitions. Every endeavour is being made to start a, Wednesday competition for women. If was decided to continue with junior hockey and this matter will be dealt with at the next meeting. The matter of insurance of players against accident was brought forward and further details are to be obtained. Enquiries regarding the annual King’s Birthday tourney have been made by clubs and efforts are being made to make this bigger and brighter than ever. The date this year will be June 23. | MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Mr It. M. Watson, S.M., presided at the fortnightly sitting of the Feilding Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. For riding cycles at night without lights attached, H. G. Walker, A. Harford and P. Milner were each fined 15s, with costs 10s. R. A. Hopwood, of Palmerston. North, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a car in a manner likely to be dangerous to the public, and was fined £1 10s, with 13s costs. For exposing lice-infested sheep for sale, the following were fined:—S. H. W. Gray, 20s, costs 12s; Iv. M. Wright, 20s, costs 10s; D. Managah, 30s, costs 12s; W. Iteid, 10s, costs 10s. Failure to clear land of blackberry and ragwort, as required under the Act, cost E. M. ltoulston, who was proceeded against on two counts, £2 and 11s costs on the first and £3 with 11s costs on the second. notes’ At yesterday’s meeting of the Oroua County Council a tender from a Feilding firm of contractors for £499 4s was 'accepted for a new concrete bridge at Arapata.