COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN* COKiUiSPONUENTS.] THAMES. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Thames High School Board was held this week, Mr. H. Lowe presiding. The report of the headmaster, as read, gave the roll number of pupils as 96. It was pointed out. by the headmaster in the report that a number of the girls did not wish to sit for pi'blic examinations. It was suggested to widen the scope for such by introducing shorthand and typewriting, elementary domestic science, and extending the needlework and drill course, and thus provide an alternative course. This would give them a wider choice of high school work without in any way interfering with the present work of the school. It was also suggested that the Board should engage a medical man to give a course of instruction in first aid to the senior pupils. With regard to theso suggestions it was decided to appoint a subcommittee to confer with the headmaster and report to the next meeting of the Board. With reference to the proposed additions to the school building, it was decided to instruct the architect (Mr. Currie) to proceed with the .work of preparing the necessary .plans and specifications at once so that the work could be gone on with during the Christmas holidays. HENDERSON. FRUITGROWERS' MEETING. At a meeting of fruitgrowers (called at the invitation of the Ratepayers' Association) discussion took place on the question of establishing a local canning factor}'. Mr. Shepherd, secretary of the Riverlev Factory at Waikumete, explained the method and capabilities of his company,. and strongly advised the co-opera-tion, as shareholder! , of the Henderson growers with his com pan v. However, as the meeting was not. fully representative of commercial grower.;, the question of co-operation was deferred. An enormous demand has r,cl in f-*'* Henderson property, no fewer than 50 additional settlers bavin.}: taken up subdivisions of Woodward', l ; estate in the valley. As there arc wo more larger estates of about 500 a.r * each ready for subdivision in that locality, great, progross is anticipated. FRANKTON. NEW METHODIST CHURCH. The. foundation stones of the new Methodist Church wore laid on Wednesday by Messrs. A. C. Caughey (Auckland) and J. G. Tidd, who each delivered appropriate addresses on the subject of Methodism, and the great expansion of the work inaugurated by Wesley in 1.739. Mr. J. Harris," secretary- and treasurer, presented a report upon the financial position of the church as follows —Cost of two allotments, £140 ; cost of organ, £11; contract price, £332; probable cost of seating accommodation, £25 : total, £508. Raised by subscription, £97; proceeds of concert. £13; donation, £1 Is; collected by the baptist Church, £20: trustees of Hamilton Methodist Church, £120; total, £251 Is. Debit balance, £256 19s. The ladies, ho said, were preparing for a bazaar, and lectures and concerts would be held 'in the new church in aid of the funds, and he hoped they would -be able to start with a balance well within their means of financing. Rev. W. Ready, president of the Methodist. Conference, congratulated local adherents on their good work. HAMILTON. TUB ROWING CLUB. The following have been chosen to represent Hamilton in the race for the Waikato challenge cup, to be rowed for at Ngaruawahia on Saturday, November 16 —J. I Bettley (stroke), E. Vincent (3), G. Win (2), G. Smith (bow), and A. Bettley (cox.). This crew is open to be challenged by any other crow in the shed. At a meeting of the Waikato Cricket J Association the following fixture*? were arranged : —November 6, Frankton v. Hamilton United B ; November 23, Frankton v. Hamilton United A; November 30, Waikato v. King Country. Should Morrinsville join the association" tho team having a bye on the above dates will probably travel to that centre. It. was announced that King Country had challenged for the South Auckland shield. Sir. It. Pattison, who has been secretary for almost a year, handed in his resignation, which was accepted with regret, and a vote of thanks for his services was accorded him. Mr. It. F. Knight was elected to the vacant position. A special meeting of tho Borough Council was held on Wednesday night to discuss a letter received from Mr. E. H. North croft, solicitor, in regard to tho refusal of the borough engineer to grant a permit for certain drainage in Elswick Chambers. A good deal of controversy has taken place over the matter, and Mr. Northcroft suggested that before the case was taken to the Court a conference between the parties be held to try and come to an amicable settlement. The question was discussed at some length, and a settlement was . finally arrived at. At the monthly meeting of the Domain Board transfers of several Domain leases were approved, others being referred to tho Legal and Finance Committee. An application for the restoration of the water pipes to the cricket pitch at Seddon Park was referred tp the Works Committee. Recommendations by the caretaker of reserves in regaad to Seddon Park a.nd the Ijjike Reserve were also referred to the Works Committee. At the meeting of the winter show committer the president (Mr. F. G. Smith) submitted a proposal to raise £2000 by debentures at 5 per cent, per annum. Consideration of the matter was deferred. TE AROHA. PROGRESS COMMITTEE MEETING. At a meeting of the Eastport Road (Lower Waitoa) Progress Committee a proposal to raise a special loan for metalling was discussed at length, but a decision was put off pending the receipt ox further information. The Auckland Education Board wrote stating that the application for a school on Eastport Road had been referred to the chief inspector and tin; committee of the Elstow and Waihou schools. It was decided that the subcommittee wait upon the school committees named, and also that of Waitoa, with a view to obtaining their assistance. Several other miters connected with dairying, etc., were discussed. The 30th anniversary of the Methodist Sunday, which was honoured by services on Sunday, was further celebrated with a social and concert. Tho church was crowded with the parents and friends of the children and a most enjoyable evening • resulted. Short addresses were given by the Rev. G. B. Hint on (Methodist), Rev. W. Bliiir (Presbyterian), and Mr! F. Hubbard (Sunday superintendent). A musical programme was also submitted. The cycling club opened its season on Wednesday with a parade of decorated bicycles. Despite tho rain there were good entries and a large muster of the public to witness the show.