HIKURANGI NEWS.

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1916, Page 2

HIKURANGI NEWS.

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

A special meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association was held on Thursday night at the Parish Hall, Hikurangi. It was decided to enrol members for the formation of a new class to be commenced shortly. Dr. Eabt ha.-, again, very kindly promised his services in the training of the class. The results of the recent examination were reported as given below. Th e examination was conducted by Dr. Walker, of Whangarei, and showed twenty passes out of twenty-five, a very fair percentage. The value of the St. John Ambulance training can scarcely be overestimated, especially in a mining district. At any moment a knowledge of first aid may prove of vital importance in preventing unnecessary suffering or saving life. The names of those who passed in the examination are as follows: —W. H. Davies, John Henderson, T. H. Kells, Bert Ludlow, A. S. Pendergast, James Boyd, W Reid, Thomas Shore, J. R. Scott, W. Tunstall, H. Tipton, Richard Trimble, John Wfcird, Frank Wardrope, and T. H: Davies. Passed, first-class: George Cross, C. B. Gager, Malcolm Phillips, J. P. Ponifrett and Adam Tunstall. FIRE BRIGADE. The Hikurangi Volunteer Fire Brigade was founded' some twelve months ago by the organising labours of Mr T. R. Gager. During this short period it 'has acquired under expert, advice a carefully selected plant, including 1000 feet of hose, patent spear couplings, one reel, 2 ladders, 2 double-headed stand pipes, .and 2 single.headed stand-pipes with requisite unions and nozzles. The Hikurangi water system carries a kydrant every three chains, with a pressure of about 85 pounds. The need for so many stand pipes is that provision is made for one each at the northern and southern ends of the town, with 200 feet of hose each besides a central supply, near the station, carrying 600 feet of hose. Mr Gager is the president, Mr E. Hayward superintendent, and Mr R. Richards the foreman. Towards the end of April the Brigade gave a concert. All the peformers were amateurs, and some of them had never before faced an audience, but so well did they prepare for their platform work that the concert proved an astonishing success, and Hikurangi woke up to the presence of local talent with abilities it did not suspect. Many requests have been made for the concert to be given N again, and this evening the whole concert party are repeating their programme at Kawakawa. Their concert in Hikurangi realised a net sum of £18 10s which goes towards the purchase of brigade uniforms. It is hoped that presently, some one or more of the leading members will be on the telephone. Now, the alarm is given by means of fire bells, of which there are three in different parts of the town. Th': names of those who combined to make the programme of the recent successful concert, were Messrs D. Cochrane, C. Wallace, T. Gager, R. Brinsley, G. Kennedy, J. Smith, Hugh Reed, Master W. Smith, Mrs J. Sparkes, and Miss V. Johnson. PRETTY WEDDING.

Miss Lena Pearson, second daughter of Mr John Pearson, of Hikurangi, was recently married at the Church of England, to Mr Joseph Pickles, also of Hikurangi. The bi:de wore a charming dress of white silk with an overdress of lace,

and looked very pretty is her veil and orang e blossoms. She carried a beautiful shower bouquet of white cosmos and asparagus fern. The bride's sister, in white silk, acted as bridesmaid, and Mr Andrew Wilson as best man. There was a large gathering at the church and many guests assembled afterwards at the reception given in the bride's home. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of many presents, which were displayed at the reception.

NEW MINISTER

The Rev. J. Reid has just set. tied in Hikurangi as the minister of the Methodist. Church, succeeding the Rev. Mr Nelson who has been removed to Timaru. Mr Reid comes from the Bay of Plenty.

STOCK SALES RUMOUR

It has been lately rumoured that stock sales may be again started in Hikurangi by a Farmers' Association. It is i bought that Hikurangi occupies a very favourable position as a stock centre for the North, owing to the converging of so many roads upon the town. Some years aero successful sales were held at Hikurangi by Mr A. Carter.