Makerua Plains

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 105, 5 May 1937, Page 7

Makerua Plains

From Our Own Correspondent. Sports Club. Mrs V. Claridge presiaed over the annual meeting of the local clpoiTs Club on Thursday last. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs V. Claridge (reelected); vice-president, Mrs G. J. Wilde; secretary and treasurer, Miss B. L. Beard. It was decided not to join the Basketball Association this season but it is hoped that friendly games may be arranged uuring the year. The usual table tennis and card evenings will be held each Tuesday, commencing on May 4, at 7.30 p.m. A small charge will be made for admission. j Ganerai. Congratulations to tho Opiki Women’s j Institute on winning the trophy for the | best report at tho half-yearly council meeting of the Northern-Wellington Fed- . eratlon, held in l J almerston North last October. This was presented to Mrs B.! A. Norman, president, at the council meeting held last Thursday. As the result of a working-bee held in th© school grounds on Saturday, tho gardens present a very neat and attractive appearance, a credit to tho men who volunteered their services. A large area of ground immediately behind the school has been dug, levelled and paths put down. Tho elder of the l J resbytei lan Church has been instruetd to write to Mrs Akers, thanking her for her permission to us© tlio organ for services; and also to the Opiki school committee for the use of tho school over an eight-year period. Tho church service will be held in the hall as from Juno 6. Saturday, May 1, dawned an ideal sportsman’s morning, dull, low grey clouds and with hardly a breath of wind to disturb the stillness. This was soon broken by the sound of shooting in all directions. Many an unsuspecting duck found its way, along with an odd pheasant or two, into the sportsman’s bag. : Y'arying degrees of success were shown at ! the different lagoons along the Manawatu river. Perhaps the largest number in the district fell at tho Opiki lake, where 17 ducks were secured. Shooting continued over the week-end and according to reports coming in, ducks axe still plentiful. . A largo number of visitors for the opening of the season put in their spare time ; shooting shags and hawks. One sportsman said his supply of “feet” would more than pay the • party’s expenses for the day’s sport. Autumn colours of red, gold and brown are brightening up many gardens in the 1 Plains. Berried shrubs, particularly the j cotoneastor, spindle berry and snow ber- J ry, have done well this season. The flow-I erlng cherry grove fronting the school-j grounds, has made remarkable progress 1

during the year and the leaves slowly turning to a dull red make an interesting patch of colour along the main highway.