Pahiatua

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7250, 1 September 1933, Page 5

Pahiatua

Prom Our Own Correspondent For many years the local sheep and cattle fairs have attracted large numbers ■ of residents from the country districts - into the town on “Fair Day.” On Mon--1 day last the fair took the unusual form of a horse fair when over SO horses were disposed of at prices ranging from £4 for hacks to £4O for good farm horses. The novelty of such a fair probably accounted for the number of country people in town that day being quite equal to a stock fair day. Buyers had come from Palmerston North, Dannevirke, Feilding and other distant townships. Mrs. McEwen Mason and ner two children are spending the school holidays with relatives in Hawke’s Bay. As an appreciation of the many years of service given by Mr. W. R. Richardson as choirmaster of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church choir, a surprise party visited his home last week, when the Rev. K. R. Warren, on behalf of the choir members, presented Mr. Richardson with a leather wallet and paid a high tribute to the manner in which he had always carried out his duties. Mr. Richardson had filled the office for 21 years, and Mr. J. E. Macdonald also spoke of his long and faithful service. The evening took the form of a social with musical items and games. Mrs. W. R. Richardson has entered the Pahiatua hospital for the purpose of undergoing an operation, and her many friends will wish her a speedy recovery., A party of Pahiatua revellers attended a social evening at Ballance organised by the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Uion and put on a splendid programme of musical and other items. The Revellers’ Band comprising Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Murch, Messrs H. Burt, R. Davey, F. Merrie and A. South, played an overture and provided music for dancing. A former resident of Pahiatua, Mr. George Ashbrklge, now of Wellington, has been appointed secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Until his appointment the position had always been filled by a member of the teaching yrofession. Mrs. Ashbridge was Miss Gclderd, of Pahiatua. The Foresters of Pahiatua held a very delightful dance in their recently renovated hall last week. In addition to the largo number of residents, visitors were present from Palmerston North, Woodville and Eketahuna and other country settlements, and representatives of sister lodges also attended. Mr. I.eith Parker acted as M.C. The lodge members looked very gay in their regalia and the permanent scheme of decoration of the ceiling of tiie hall was favourably commented on, the shading of the colours in the squared canopy being most effective. Mrs. East had charge of the supper arrangements which took the form of a savoury repast. During the absence of Mr. D. O. L. Howden, manager of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand, is on his annual leave which he and his wife and family are spending at Rotorua. Mr. Norman Gow, of Wellington, is acting as manager. Nurse Violet Bason has resigned her position on the staff of the Pahiatua Public Hospital, which she has held for the past six months. Her mother, Mrs. T. Bason, who has been ill for some time, is now on the road to recovery. At the monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. held at the residence of the president, Mrs. PI. Paterson, last week, Miss Moore, of Palmerston North, gave a very delightful lecturette entitled “A Visit to Palestine.” There-was- a bring and buy table for the Dominion organising fund. Owing to the prevailing colds and ’flu the attendance of members at the spring rally of the Bush group of Women’s Institutes was not on the'scale of previous gatherings, but those who did attend had a very happy informal meeting with helpful talks on matters of interest. Mrs. N. M. Burnett, of Woodville, was in the chair and with her on the platform was Miss A. Sargent, of > Makomako, group convenor. The chairwoman warmly welcomed the members from all the institutes ,'n the group and extended a special welcome to Mrs. H. Paterson, Dominion

president, Mrs. J. D. C. Crewe, president, and Miss M. Grant (Palmerston North), vice-president of the Northern Wellington Federation, and to Miss Woodhouse, of Palmerston North, who had kindly come to give them a talk on music that day. All stood for a moment in silence as a mack of respect to those members of the group who had re-’entiy lost lelatives. There was some discussion as to whether there should be one or two large rallies in the year and clear reasons were given by speakers as to the reason of their support of whether carrying on -.s in the past or reducing to one meeting. All were unanimous in the advisability of holding a meeting for office bearers only once a year, when they could disother, get to know each other, and be other, get to know each other, and he given advice and help by those with the knowledge to impart it. Miss Grant, of Falmerston North, who was introduced by the chairwoman as a lady with no leisure but one who always managed to find time to help the institutes, gave a very delightful talk on institute matters, making many forthcoming activities clear to her listeners and drawing attention to them in a helpful way. She referred to tne recent Dominion conference, the Women's Institute drama festival to be held in Palmerston North oil September 8 and 9 when Miss Elizabeth Blake will be present, to “the institute rest home recently opened at Foxton, to the Royal National Flower Show to be held in Palmerston North in January with its sections for institute members, and the proposed pageant that it is hoped institute members will stage, to the Dominion Institute cookery book, asking members to send forward contributions that were thoroughly reliablo . In the afternoon the Dominion president gave an address and took as her subject ’’•.Vhat are women of the Bush Group doing with our opportunities,” putting in a plea for members to take advantage of the niany facilities given by institutes in their lectures' and demonstrations to make themselves capable of talking with knowledge on the subjects of the day, and the old saying, “Knowledge is power.” She suggested the group taking up the work ot making a history of Pahiatua from its earliest days. Miss Woodhouse, of Palmerston North, said she would ask her listeners to take a journey down the ages with her to the icnth century when music was first written down. In a most delightful manner she carried her tall; through each century, showing the gradual development of music until now it is a part of our daily lives. Several selections were played to illustrate her remarks and she closed her remarks with a plea for the best music, a music that leads one to better things. Mrs. J. D. C. Crewe, president of this federation, was the next speaker and she referred to the forthcoming council meeting of the federation to be held probably in the hah they were in that day. She presented the prizes for the various competitions.