Pahiatt.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7032, 16 December 1932, Page 8

Pahiatt.

From Our Own Correspondent. At the Hamilton motor sports trio Pahiatua rider, Henry P. Ahrens, won tho Hamilton Handicap, coming tnxru in the Claudclands Handicap. The Pahiatua boxer, Ted Oxley, was nor bu successful at Blenheim, being beaten on points in a 15-round contest by Jimmy Simonson, of Blenheim. His companion from Pahiatua, Harold Reeves, the New Zealand amateur light-heavy-weight champion, was decisively outpointed in a six-round contest by Alex Easier, Marlborough. A resident of Pahiatua who has attained a greater ago than any or ner fellow townsfolk is Mrs. Mario Petersen, of Tyndall street, who celebrated her 97th birthday on Saturday last. Mrs Petersen is in possession of all her faculties, good sight, good hearing and a wonderful memory. She was bora in Denmark in 1835, and she li.od through tho stirring times of tho Austro-Ger-man war with her native country, when Schleswig-Holstein was taken from Dc .mark, and through the FrancoPrussiun war of 1870-71. Mrs. Peterson, together with her husband and only child, now Mrs. A. E. Ollivcr, of Maugatainoka, arrived in New Zealand ra 1875 and lived at various times in Nap’er, Dannovirke and Norsewood, finally coming to Pahiatua about 189 V. Several of her old local friends visited her on Saturday to extend congratulations and good wishes. Much regret has been expressed at the sudden death of Mr. J. P. Boyle, licensee of the Commercial hotel. He had been rather unwell for some months, but nothing serin- - was suspected by his friends and his passing at tho age of only 42 years leaving a widow and two sons 10 and six years respectively is deeply regretted, junior championship: Plo Eooro 1, Joan Htirrou 2. Time, 20secs. 25 yards junior championship: l*’io Poore 1, Joan Barron 2. Time, Hi 4-ssees. 25 yards senior championship: Connie Robinson 1, Rita Thane 2. Time, 18 2-ssecs. 00 yards senior championship: Connie Koffi rason 1, Rita Thane 2. Time, 41 4-5 sees. 25 yards breaststroke senior championship: Connie Robinson 1, Rita Thane 2. Time, 23 2-ssecs. 25 yards handicap: Joan Barron 1, Rita Thane Tho Ist Pahiatua . Company of Girl Guides entertained tho Ist Pahiatua (St. Peter’s) Company of Boy Scouts at a party on Friday evening last. Members of the Guide Company Committee acted as chaperones, tho company Guiders, Acting-Captain Miss I. Ruskell and her lieutenants having charge of tho girls. A large number oj. scours under their officers, members of the Scout Committee and several Rovers had accepted the invitation of the Guides and a happy evening was the result. Each patrol of Guides contributed an item to the programme and these were interspersed with games, competitions and dances, while streamers at the latter part added to the fun. An appetising supper was handed round by the Guides. The monthly meeting of the Pahiatua Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Tho Mayor, Mr. J. u. Wilson, presided and Crs. Murch, J. 0. Davidson, Murphy, W. T. Brown, F. Britland, Siddells, Donald and P. R. Boagcy were also present. A letter was received from the County Council stating that, on the advice of its consulting engineers, it had decided on additional river protection in the form of a stone weir to be constructed on the up stream side of the new traffic bridge. Of the estimated cost of the work the Main Highways Board would provide £2BO 4s and tho balance of £93 8s would require to bo met by the two councils in equal shares. The question of the unsuitable nature of boulders as compared with boom groynes was referred to and it was decided to mention this fact when replying to the communication. It was decided to give tho sum of £5 towards the cost of special street illuminations for tho holidays, as has been done in past years. Mr. H. F. Pearcey was appointed dog tax collector for 1933. The fee was lixed for sheep and cattle dogs at 2s 6d each and for all other dogs at 10s each. A deputation comprising Messrs J. A. Walsh, W. R. Richardson and A. J. Fairwcather waited upon the council with a view to obtaining some monetary assistance towards the funds of the Pahiatua Swimming Club to enable them to pay a caretaker’s salary. It was stated that approximately SOO children had been taught to swim in the local baths, and in past years had improved the accommodation of the baths. Their present balance sheet shovred a credit balance of 4d only, the takings last year being only £53, as against £l3O tho year before. After some discussion it was decided to voto £lO to the Swimming Club.

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held to discuss the question of the water supply in the ' summer months. As it is not certain as to whether a by-law will bo necessary to prevent residents watering their gardens at that time it was decided to defer the matter until legal opinion had been obtained from Wellington. The iinance committee reported on the cost of a new water supply for the borough, which it was decided, Giving to the economic conditions, to postpone indefinitely. At the meeting of the executive of

the Pahiatua Swimming _ Club _ threo application; 1 , for the position of caretaker were considered, Mr. J. C. ltichardson being appointed. It was decided to place on record the club’s appreciation of the services of the past caretaker, Mr. Douglas, who had been brimful of energy and enthusiasm and always had the interests of the club at heart. The annual public speaking contest of the Pahiatua District High School was held on Wednesday evening. Mr. J. Marsh was in the chair. The judges were Mr. G. Harold Smith and the Kov. V. A. Biancki. Those taking part ucre Kita Williams, Audrey Aston, Zona Stevens, Marjorie Taylor, Margciy Aston, Constance Austin, Lawrence Patchctt, E. Williams, Gordon burgess and Tom McKenzie. The lives of prominent and less well-known characters had been chosen by the young contestants to discourse on, some being Challctte Bronte, Bishop Sclwyn, Lord Kelson, Ben Hall, Elizabeth Fry, Bismark, Kobcrt L. Stevenson, etc. These prepared speeches were followed by impromptu speeches on subjects handed to the competitors by the ■ chairman, each one being allowed one minute to think the subject over. When announcing their decisions the judges congratulated all the'- competitors on the absence of “twang,” on the clear simple language used which was the keynote of successful speaking as attempts at oratory generally fail, and the stage deportment which was very creditable. They had awarded their marks quite independently and on comparing found them almost identical. In the prepared speeches Tom McKenzie who spoke on 1 Bismark was placed first and Marjorie Taylor (Charlotte Bronte) second. In the impromptu speeches Marjorie Taylor was first and E. Williams second. The total points gained placed Marjorie Taylor first and she therefore won the contest for the second year in succession and her name would be placed on the shield. Tom McKenzie came second on the total marks ana is. Williams third. Mr. G. Harold (Smith presented the shield to Marjorie Taylor and congratulated her on her success. After a delightful supper had been served by the pupils a dance was held, those supplying the music being Mrs. Graham, Miss E. Chatwin and Mr. F. Burge. Len Barraclough acted as M.C. and a littlo later he presented Mr. G. L. Stafford, of the secondary staff, with a brass bowl on a wooden stand as an expression of affection and his pupils' good wishes for his future happiness. The recipient was accorded musical honours and then suitably responded, being again accorded musical honou.., and- cheers for himself and his future wife.