BEAUTIFYING WHAKATANE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18273, 14 December 1922, Page 10

BEAUTIFYING WHAKATANE.

WORK OF. MR. P. J. MAIRS.

RECOGNITION BY CITIZENS. [BY TELEGEAPH. —OWN CORKESPONI^NT.]

WHAKATAITE, Wednesday.

Mr. P. J. Mairs, who has been in charge of the Methodist Church here foe the past three years, is leaving this district this week. Last night a sociil w&s given in appreciation of his publio services to Whakatane. All the local bodies in the district and all sections of the publio wero represented at the gathering.

On behalf of the citizens, the Mayor, Mr. W. B. Boon, presented Mr. Mnirg with an illuminated address and a wallet of notes. Beference was made 1o the splendid work Mr. Mairs had done in promoting the beautifying of the town. He had superintended the improving of the Domain, and had laid out in gardens the area round the rock, a weJI-known landmark at the entrance to the town. He had also superintended the planting of tho sandhills near Whakatane with marram grass and lupin, and what waa formerly a barren waste was now covered with vegetation. In all movements which made for the welfare of th© district Mr, Mairs had been pror^jent. Several of the puunc men of Whakv tane bore testimony to the splendid put' lie spirit which had always been manifested by the departing minister.

TRIBUTE TO MR. TIBBS.

EDUCATION BOARD MOTION.

Mention of the forthcoming retirement of Mr. J. W. Tibbs, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, was made yesterday by Mr. J. D. McKenzie, whe presided at the Education Board's meet ing. Ha spoke of the very high standard set by Mr. Tibbs, and of the fine influence of his personality en the boys who had passed through the school. Th» board placed on record its high appreciation of the work done by Mr. Tibbs, a motion to this effect being carried by acclamation.