COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18929, 1 May 1923, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS

OTAUTAU. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (From our own Correspondent). The last meeting of the retiring School Committee was held on Friday, when there were present: Messrs G. H. Stevens (chairman), Brooker, Sinclair, T. J. Walker and Lumsden (secretary). Letters in connection with departmental business were received. The resignation of Mrs Hope as janitor of the school was received, and the action of the secretary in calling for applications for the position was approved. The headmaster submitted the following report: "For the month ending March 31, the roll number was 234, the average attendance 218.7, and the percentage 93.5. The tea club controlled by Mr Saunders is now firmly established, over thirty children having tea at lunch time. Our thanks are due to Mr Cole, manager of the Western Trading Co., for a considerable reduction in the cost of material required for the club. Mr McCaw visited the school in connection with the application for the alteration of school furniture. The Visiting Committee’s attention was drawn to several matters which require looking into, viz., coal and firewood, thistles in garden area, hedge trimming, weeds on path, and a tin for garbage. As mentioned by me to the Visiting Committee, I shall be pleased, with the assistance of the committee and staff, to arrange for a concert and jumble sale (or something of that kind), to be held some time early in June. The proceeds, subsidised by the Education Department, would go far to improve the school grounds, asphalting top-dressing in school grounds and beautifying the garden area. The school library is very poorly stocked, and this valuable adjunct $o the school requires attention. Mr Miller also informs me that the band could do with financial assistance.”— Adopted. Accounts amounting to £l4 15s Id were passed for payment. The Methodist Church was again taxed for accommodation on Sunday night, and extra seating had to be procured, when a musical service was held. The members of the "Diggers’ ” Orchestra provided delightful music, and during the service Mr H. L. Hogg sang "Comfort Ye,” (the Messiah), and "King Ever Glorious” (Stain, er’s Crucifixion). Rev. Richards occupied the pulpit. ORAWIA. A combined service was held on Anzac Day in the Public Hall, Orawia. The gathering which was a large and representative one was presided over by the local Prr’sbvterian missionary, Mr R. Taylor. Suitable hymns were sung and during the service the “Dead March” was played by Mrs Battersby, who presided at the organ. An address appropriate to the occasion was delivered by Mr Taylor. At the conclusion of the service in the Hall, the congregation adjourned to the soldiers’ memorial stone where after singing a portion of the 46th Psalm addresses were delivered by two returned soldiers, Mr A. Findlay, Orawia, and Mr Norman Moffatt of Eastern Bush. Wreaths and floral tributes were placed ou the monument by returned men of the district, the relatives of the fallen soldiers, the public schools of Orawia, Pukemaori, Feldwick, Eastern Bush and Otahu Flat, and by the residents of the district. A most impressive service terminated with the pronouncement of the Benediction and the singing of the National Anthem.