RONGOTEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 134, 8 May 1945, Page 3

RONGOTEA

'From Our Own Correspondent.)

At the annual meeting of tlic Rongotea branch of the Fanners’ Union Mr I). 13. Howe presided. Members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with Mr and Mrs N. Knight in the loss of their son. who was killed in action. It was decided to make a donation of £2 2s to the prize funds in the farm root produce section of the Rongotea Horticultural Society. The election of officers resulted President. Mr Rowe; vice-presidents. Messrs J. C Gibbons and N. Remnant; secretary, Mr ■J. C. Scott; committee, Messrs C. S. Hunt, J. 11. Robinson, L. Burne, RScott, A. Hayden, J. Warren, F. Zajonskoivski, M. Frecklington, R. Brown,' D. Waugh, IJ. Burne, 0. Arnold, and A. Podloy; executive committee, Messrs D. B. Rowe. J. Gibbons, N. Remnant, J. C. Scott and A. C. Dear; representatives on Manawatu provincial executive, Messrs D. B. Rowe and J. 0. Scott; delegates to annual meeting of Manaivatu provincial executive, Messrs J. Gibbons and A. Cl. Dear; delegate to in-ter-provincial conference, Mr Dear ; delegates to Rongotea Patriotic Committee Messrs L. Burne and D. Waugh. A welcome was extended to the members of the Rongotea Young Farmers’ Club, the opinion being expressed that closer co-operation between the (wo bodies would prove of mutual benefit. A resolution was passed inviting the club to appoint three delegates to the committee of the branch. Considerable concern was expressed at the delay in the formation of the Federated Farmers organisation, and a remit to this effect was forwarded to the provincial executive, as were the following three remits: —(1) That the union support the R.S.A. in its request to set up a loot'd committee for the purpose of investigating land for settlement of returned servicemen; (2) that an investigation be made into the allocation of superphosphate; (3) that the branch intends to move at the annual meeting ol the Manawatu provincial executive that branches of the. Farmers' Union have the right to elect three members of the Young Farmers’ Club to their committees, with full voting powers. Members of the Kunane Lodge. 1.0.0.1 1 ., held their installation ceremonies in the presence of the largest gathering of the fraternity ever held in Rongotea. I hey were favoured with a visit irom the Grand Master (Bro. A. L. Robb, of Wanganui), accompanied by officials to assist. Proceedings were opened with a meeting of the district lodge, when Bro. R. Perrson, P.G.. was received, and then, proceeded to install Bro. W. A. llurst, P.G.. as District Deputy' Grand Master. The district lodge was then closed and Ivopane Lodge opened Bro. Robb was welcomed with traditional honours, and later, assisted by his stall, proceeded to install the following office.s N.G., Bro. W. A. llurst; V.C., Bro. G. Amort; secretary, Bro. A. S. I’edley; treasurer. Bro. D. S. Wood: rce. secretary, tiro. C. Donovan; conductor, Bro. L. Fraser; warden, Bro. A. Hepburn; R.S.S. Bro. J. ValJcndcr; L.S.S.. Bro. C. Hall; R.S.N.G., Bro. C.. Batter; L.8.N.G., Bro. D. Murray; chaplain, Bro. M. Wright; R.S.V.G., Bro. D. Doyle; L.S.V.G., Bro. H. Bcttcher; 1.G., Bro. .R. Clausen; 0.G.,' Bro. T. Hogg. Delegates from Wanganui, Pa:merston North, Feilding, Rangiotu, Kiwitea, and Kotvhai Rebekah Lodges brought fraternal greetings. Bro. llurst thanked the Grand (Master for attending, ami all other visitors, and made special mention of Bro. .1. Major. P.G.. who had just returned from active service in the Pacific. Slipper and a dance concluded the function.

There were nearly 50 members present at the annual meeting of the R.S.A. The president (Mr K. N. Rowe) made mention of the deaths of Airs Fraser, wile of the Prime .Minister. Hon. -I G. Cobbc and Mr W. C. Watkins, and members stood in silence as a mark ol respect. Alter the president had spoken of the annual report, and the balance-sheet they were adopted. The election ofodicei-s resulted :—President, Air K N. Rowe: vicepresident, Air N. Ingpcii; secretary, Air J Dufter: treasurer, Mr D. S. Wood; committee Messrs W. A. Churchill, A. Bush, R. Hill, D. 11. Beattie. Alex Dear, C. Donovan and J. Cameron. The Wait old School concert, held in the Coronation [lull, drew a crowded audience. Well-merited applause greeted the children s efforts, and the pretty (rocking was admired by all. The first item was -‘Uld .Mother Hubbard,” and then came “Winnie the Pooh,” folk dancing, “The Bag of Gold,” junior folk dancing, Dutch songs and dances. 'The chairman ol the School Committee (Air F. N. Rowe) thanked all who had helped to make the function such a success, especially Miss Ralfc (school unstress) and Airs D. B. Rowe. Tlic 64ih anniversary ol the opening of a Methodist Church in Rongotea was further celebrated- in the local church last Thursday evening, when the choir of St. Paul's '.Methodist Church, Palmerston North, gave a high-class concert under the lead of Air Tregurtha. Rev. 11. Spencer presided and welcomed the visitors. The report and balance-sheet, read by Air A. S. Pedlcy in the absence of Air C. B. Hunt, showed that the year s work had been progressive in all departments.

The Rongotea Branch of the R.S.A. held its annual reunion on Friday night, when, in addition to a large company from this district of veterans who had taken pari in two Avars, there were a number of visitors from Rata, Bulls, Palmerston North and other centres. The loyal toast, was proposed by the president (Mr E. N. Rowe); “Fallen Comrades,” Mr J. Cameron: “New Zealand Forces Overseas;” Mr N. Ingpcn, several recently-returned men re-, wiving: “The Ladies,” Mr L. N. Rowe \lr A. Bush; and “Civilian Tribute to R.S.A.”, Mr L. 11. Yarrall. A professional orchestra supplied music. Mr C. A. Donovan led a community sing featuring Great War choruses and songs and musical items were given by Messrs Carr F 1. Pike, R. Algar and R- N. Roavlv junr. A welcome home to Messrs E. Sunan sen, M. Gardner, C. Jennings, and C Maxwell, who recently returned from 'ltaly, was arranged by the Social Farewell Club. Tint proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm, the men being well known locally and having served overseas tor periods up to five years. They were fittingly congratulated on their safe' return by Mr E. N. Rowe, lor the R.S.A., and Mr W. Amoy maclp each man a presentation on behalf of residents. Mr Gardner expressed his own and ins comrades’ gratitude for parcels received from local women's organisations. The arrangements for the programme were in the capable hands of Mrs D. B. Rowe, Supper and a dance concluded a successful function.