WAIROA MEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17945, 24 November 1932, Page 12

WAIROA MEWS

(Herald Correspondent.) Information from Mohaka shows that preparations arc in band for the rebuilding of the Mohaka Hotel, and the Spring-hill homestead. At the monthly meeting of the Opoutnma branch of the Women’s Institute Mrs Craig presided over a good attendance of members. The roll call, “A Maori Sentence,” was well responded to and caused considerable merriment. A Gisborne visitor, Miss Shanks, judged the competitions, the results being:—Article made by Maori member: Miss Namana, a rag mat, 1; Mrs Johnstone, plate of home-made sweets, 2. Mrs T. Rarer© demonstrated the making of flax kits and mats, an industry in which the ancient Maori people displayed great artistry, and it is pleasing to see it being revived. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Jobson and Hapi, and Miss Johnstone. The fortnightly meeting of the Wairoa Band of Hope, and the final one of the 1932 season, was hold in St. Andrew’s Hall on Monday evening. Mrs J. Macdonald presided over a fair attendance of children and adults. Mr Bissett opened the meeting with prayer, and also addressed the .gathering on the evils of introducing intoxicating liquors to the Islanders, who had, hitherto, been free from the devastating evils. A good programme was presented, including songs and recitations. The annual picnic will be held in the Recreation Ground on December 10. The parents of those children on the cradle roll arc specially invited to attend and bring the little olios. Racing commenced on Monday night for the Svcnscn Fours on the up-river course. Gay met Hale; the former established a lead from the start, and won by two lengths. On Tuesday night Gilligan, Wairoa’s veteran oarsman, met Scott, who is no mean opponent. The latter got a lead : of a length at the start, but Gilligan soon settled down to reduce the distance, and after a great race Gilligan won by about a canvas. The schools medical officer, assisted by the district nurse, carried out his annual inspection of the Mohaka school pupils last week. Owing to the recent fall in the price of butter on the London market the local dairy factory has adopted the conservative policy of paying fid per lb. for finest cream supplied. 'There is very little rise and fall in the tides on the bar, and the Tangaroa grounded off the west pile wall, but got off on Wednesday’s tide. Additional sums received by the Prime Minister bring the earthquake relief fund (including Hawke’s Bay) to £923 ss. 'Mr F. L. Faram has been appointed headmaster of Opoutaina 'School.—Mrs A. L. Ogilvy, who has been on a lengthy holiday in England, has returned to Wairoa. —-Mrs McLeod, Napier, is staying with Mr ami Mrs Cyril Watson, Wairoa.—Mr J. Anderson, Hawera, and Mr W. Fuller, Waitara, were visitors to Wairoa this week and later went on .to Gisborne, en route for the Waikato. Fostered, no doubt, by the Horticultural Society, Wairoa is showing an abundance of bloom in the gardens just now, and the entrance beds at Coronation Square do credit to the gardener, Mr G. E. Jane, and the committee. Mr G. Dunbar, Waitara, a well-known horticulturist, has expressed his pleasure at what he saw on his recent visit. Cr J. O. Scott is hoping, as soon as the now bridge is finished, to have a similar, though a smaller, beauty spot at the bridge head, and his fellow councillors should give him all the encouragement they can. On Tuesday evening Mrs T. Rees gavo a social at her residence, there being a number of guests present. Community singing and dancing drove dull care away for a few hours, and all present had an enjoyable time. A competition was won by Mr J. Gemmell and party. The music ■was supplied by the Assembly orchestra. A tasteful supper was provided by the hostess. The singing of Mr Reg. Herbert was a feature of the evening. The proceedings closed with Ike singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Mr Huston, who is a very capable preacher, is to hold a Presbyterian Church service at Mrs Steed’s hall, Frasertown, at 7 p.m. on Sunday. A very enthusiastic welcome social was held on Tuesday evening in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian schoolroom when a largo number of the members of the congregation gathered to welcome Mr B. M. Bissett. Mr Bissett, who is a student of Knox Hall, Dunedin, and who has arrived to assist the congregation during the vacation period, will occupy the pulpit of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church until the end of February, 1933. Mr V. E. Winter, sen., acted as chairman for the evening, and in a very happy speech outlined the purpose of the gathering. Later numerous humorous competitions were held, interspersed with vocal and elocutionary items, principally by the members of St. Andrew’s Church choir. Those contributing items were: Miss J. Hamilton, song; Mrs A. Simpson, song; Mrs McMillan, song; Mr Huston, humorous reading; songs, Messrs. R. Bauld and J. Silson, and the Rev. Mr W. C. Jonkin. The programme was a lengthy one, as practically all the items were enthusiastically encored. The accompaniments were played by Miss Macpherson and Messrs. Huston and Jonkin. During the evening Mr W. Smith, on behalf of the session, extended to Mr Bissett a very hearty welcome. The Rev. Mr Jonkin also wished him a very happy and prosperous ministry in Wairoa, and assured him of his own co-operation in all his activities for tho extension of God’s kingdom. Mr Jonkin further suggested as a good working basis that Mr Bissett’s congregation could help him much by criticising less and praying more. At tho conclusion Mr Bissett thanked all fior 'their kind expressions of goodwill anil said that ho looked forward in anticipation of great things as a result of his labors among them. The meeting closed with tho Benediction, after which tho younger folk remained for a few games.

(Captain Knight, pilot to the Harbor 'Board, is a patient in the hospital, anil his many friends wish (him a speedy recovery.