STEWART ISLAND NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22192, 7 December 1933, Page 9

STEWART ISLAND NEWS

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION. (From Our Correspondent.) A special meeting of the Stewart Island branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Wednesday evening, Mr G. M. Turner presiding over a full attendance. A long discussion took place concerning the memorial and it was decided that the unveiling take place on Sunday, December 10. Captain R. J. Hamilton has offered to convey the Bluff Watersiders’ Band to the island for the occasion, also to carry any returned soldiers at a reduced rate. It is hoped to have representatives present from Invercargill and Bluff. The Tamatea sails from. Bluff on Saturday and returns on Sunday after the ceremony. Mr G. M. Turner, the president of the local branch, will perform the unveiling and the Rev. J. Bate, acting official padre to the association, will conduct the service assisted by Mr J. T, Gardiner. School Committee. At the monthly meeting of the School Committee Mr R. C. Hicks presided over the following: Messrs H. Jordan, J. Bragg, P. Moore-Carter and A. E. Farrant. The headmaster’s report was as follows: “The roll number is SS, there being one addition during the month. The average attendance was 50.95 and the percentage of attendance 93.06. Colds and bad weather have again had an adverse effect on the attendance. During the month the drains etc. round the grounds were attended to and the grounds are now in fair order. The term examinations are now in progress and the first section of the proficiency examinations v/as taken on November 15 followed by the second section on the 30th. The dental nurse returned

for her second periodical treatment. During the month the school dental service inspector - inspected the teeth of all children under treatment and expressed satisfaction at the general condition of the children’s teeth.” The headmaster also reported that next April would be the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Halfmoon Bay school and he submitted a brief history covering the period. In considering the report the committee decided that effort should be made to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the school. It was resolved to call a public meeting to discuss the matter and if possible elect an executive committee for organizing purposes. It was decided that instead of giving prizes at the annual break-up, the money be used to purchase a number of books for the school library so that all the books purchased will be available to all the children. The Weather. Mr T. Bragg, official Government recorder, reports as follows:—Rain fell on 15 days during November, the maximum of l.Olin on the 14th. The total

rainfall for the month was 2.91 in. The average temperature was 49 degrees. The weather during November, especially the latter half, was both fine and warm with the result that gardens are well forward, many of the residents enjoying new potatoes. The continued dryness is causing housewives some concern as the water supply is getting very low. The spring and early summer have been exceptionally fine, and

the indications point to a continuance throughout the season. First the lawyer- bloomed in solid masses of creamy sweetness along the tracks, then the clematis was prolific. The birds have been so numerous that it has been difficult sometimes to follow the song of any one bird, so many others have been calling. To pluck a spray of fuschia has brought the honey down on. one’s face like rain; and the tuis

have scrambled and darted about the bushes in dozens. Warblers, thrushes, linnets, tomtits, cuckoos and. alas for our garden seeds, finches have been numerous, loud and eloquent. The summer bird (shining cuckoo) is giving that final trill at the end of his call which Maori lore claims is the promise of a fine summer.