WATTAHUNA NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20811, 2 September 1929, Page 5

WATTAHUNA NOTES.

(FROM OUR Own COBBESrOXDEXT.) WAITAHUNA, August -29. VALEDICTORY. Several very popular functions have taken. place, recently , when Miss E. K. M'Neilly, assistant •at the local public school for , the past eight years, ( was entertained by various' organisations. A public social was held in. Brown’s Hall, there being an excellent, attendance of parents, children, and- friends. The chairman of the School Committee (Mr B. Skinner) presided. The speakers (Mr R. M'Caw, Rev. E. E. Andrew, Mr' H. G. Simpson, Mr R. Murray, and Mr Skinner) all made eulogistic reference to Miss M'Neilly,; both as a teacher and a resident. In her school work Miss M'Neilly was- exceedingly popular. She won the confidence and respect of the children and . the parents, and, as one speaker put it, she left the imprint of her influence and character upon the children.. Mr-Skinner presented Miss M’Neilly with a roll of notes as a token of_ the appreciation of ' parents and friends in the district. . Misa M’Neilly suitable responded,' and spoke of the help she, received in the confidence and cC operation of-all connected with her work in- the school. The, Horticultural Society also met and presented Miss M'Neilly with-a gift, and at - the break-up of the . school for the term holiday the children presented their teacher with a handsome oak tray, suitably inscribed. The members of the Waitahima Presbyterian Church choir and the Sunday school teachers also entertained, Mij=s M'Neilly in, the ’.Sunday School Hall, where complimentary. - references' were made -by the speakers to their guest's .Qualities as a teacher.-.and a choir member, and presented her With' a sum of money. i -Miss M'Neilly was also. tendered a kitchen party by Mrs E. Skinner, and also . to a social afternoon at the school residence of Mr H. G. Simpson, headmaster. WAITAHUNA FARMERS’ CLUB. The annual’meeting of the Waitahima Farmers’ Club'was held on'Monday evening. There was a, good attendance of members, Mr A. J. Lunan presiding. The following officers were elected tor the. ensuing year;—President, Mr A. J Lunan (re-elected); ■ vice-presidents— Messrs .R. . M'Caw and H. B. M'Corbindale; committee—all loca 1 members; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Murray; auditor. Mr 3: B. Crozer. .The meeting decided to grant £5 to the earthquake fund. The annual show date was.' fixed for December 27. It was decided that the annual canvass for funds towards the' prize fund be made by med'um of circular letter in lieu of the previous personal canvass. OTAGO POWER BOARD; . ‘The .recent issue of the rate assessments in connection with the Power Board’s finance has revived the agitation for’a clearer and more accurate estimate of the boards position *as regards its overcoming the present shortage of receipts. ‘ over' expenditure. The replies through the press from both the chairman aud engincer-manager are not considered to be. to the .point, and the ratepayers, /•especially the fanners, are considerably exercised over the matter. Possibly at the present time this subject overshadows nil others. That- there is a distinct hardship in the rate is. unquestionable, and the ratepayers recognise that the position of the,board is difficult. The bone of contention ;appears to be that, right from the inception of the reticulation of the Lawrence area, estimates have been woefully under-estimated, . and the present scheme of rating to bring revenue up to the expenditure'is equally misleading. and that the’ facts should be faced by the board "and the position be made clear to the ratepayers.-