FOXTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 3

FOXTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Aug. 22. Thursday marked the fourteenth anniversary of the formation of the Alanawatu Rabbit Board and os it also coin-cided-with the birthday of one of the foundation members, Trustee W. E. Barber, Mr Barber took the opportunity to extend hospitality to tho board. At the close of the meeting the toast- of his health was about to be honoured "'hen tho secretary (Mr R. Rangiheuea), placed a large cardboard box carefully on the board table. On opening it, a handsome birthday cake, complete with candles arranged around a miniature rabbit nibbling a carrot, was brought into view. For the time boing the tables were reversed on Air Barber, who was called on to extinguish the candles, in the lighting" of which the board members participated, while extending good wishes. Subsequently, Mr Barber entertained the board to luncheon, at which a pleasant social hour was spent. Mr Barber, in a brief speech, reviewed tho activities of the board extending over tho past fourteen years and said that wonderful results had beon accomplished. At the close of the luncheon tho chairman (Air B. G. Gower) thanked Mr Barbor for iiis hospitality and after congratulating him on his birthday, referred to the years of service he had rendered to the district and to rabbit eradication work in particular. As a mark of appreciation and a token of esteem Air Gower asked Mr Barber to accept a fountain pen. Mr Barber suitably acknowledged the presentation. A procession and gala were staged by the local woolpack factory in ordor to raise funds for a children’s playground on Easton Park. There were numerous attractions, many of them very humorous. A number of tug-of-war ■ competitions were conducted, and resulted: Finishing Department beat Day Shift; Engineers beat Batching. Department; Woolpacks v. Counoil A, a draw; Woolpacks v. Council B, a draw. As a result of tho effort a considerable sum has been raised towards a very worthy cause. Miss Shirley Barron, of Mangapurua Valley, is spending the holidays with her parents, Air and Mrs D. R. Barron, of Robinson Street. A publio send-off was accorded Mr J. M. Thomson in the Town Hall supper room, when there was a representative attendance of citizens present. The Mayor (Mr M. E. Perreau) prmided and tho function took the form of a smoke concert, Air W. J. Ross (president) said Air Thomson had been a foundation, member and one of those responsible for the drawing up of tlie articles of the association. On behalf of the association he presented him with a gold life badge and a oheque in recognition of faithful service. On behalf of the bowlers, Mr Trueman ex-

tended best wishes to Mr Thomson and also made him the recipient of a token of esteem, Mr Thomson returned thanks.