STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1924, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

WORK OF PROGRESS LEAGUE. MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. REPORTS ON ROADS OUT EAST. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Dec. 18. The executive of the Stratford Progress League met last night. Present: Messrs L. T. Aylward (chairman), C. R. Finnerty, A. K. Masters, and J. G. Nichol. The chairman welcomed Mr. Nichol to the executive, and mentioned that in him the league nad. secured a man well versed in public affairs, 'whose experience would be a decided acquisition in their deliberations. Mr. Nichol suitably replied. “If people could be impressed with the fact that there are good roads through the eastern districts, a good number of motorists would be induced to use them,” said the chairman, when speaking upon matters . connected with the Ohura Road. He thought it would be a good plan to obtain periodic reports on these roads, and have these reports .published. If a prominent notice board were erected at Pio Pio, advising motorists that they could reach Taranaki by the Tangarakau route, and at the same time traverse roads running through magnificent scenery, a large number would take the opportunity to do so. Mr. A. R. Masters also favoured efforts to divert to-urist traffic. He thought the route was much superior to the Te Kuiti-New Plymouth road as far as scenery was concerned, but that route was popular at present because of the publicity given to its attractions. ’

After further discussion the chairman and Mr. Ward were appointed to go into the question of erecting a sign at Pio Pio. It was tilso decided to communicate with the Waitomo, Ohura and Taumarunui County Councils, requesting that if possible periodic reports as to the state of the roads be supplied. It was suggested that the league cooperate with the Stratford Chamber of Commerce to arrange, if possible, a trip through the Tangarakau Gorge and see for themselves the beauties of the locality. The weather had already been mooted by the chamber.

Mr. Nichol suggested that, in the event of the information asked for regarding the state of the roads coming to hand, it should be passed on to the southern automobile associations. Further suggestions were to the effect that photographs, and perhaps plans giving all necessary information, should be set up in hotels and other places in the cities. SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE. After approaching many members on the subject, the secretary of the Kohuratahi Settlers’ Association advised that the Saturday railway time-table would be a suitable service for Christm.is Eve. The Tahora Settlers’ Association suggested that the train leave Tahora at 8 a.m. and return at 8 p.m. The Affiliated Settlers’ Association wrote expressing their willingness to fall in with the 1923 arrangements.

The chairman remarked that the league should co-operate in the matter with the retailers, to whom the matter had been referred.

After discussion, it was agreed to approach the Railway Department to arrange for a train on Christmas Eve, which would leave Tahora at 8 a.m. and Stratford at 8 p.m. It was also decided to endeavour to arrange for special excursion fares.

In detailing the progress of arrange ments for Christmas attractions, the chairman stated that everything was well in hand and a great number of people would be attracted to Stratford on Christmas Eve in consequence. DELIVERY OF MAIL. Reporting upon the matter of mail delivery on Warwick Road, Mr. Finnerty said that in company with. Mr. S. Ward he had waited on the postmaster (Mr. R. Peebles) and explained ths position. Mr. Peebles said he had no power to accede to the deputation's request, but was prepared to forward any representations to the department. Mr. Finnerty stated that the deputation then requested the residents in the locality concerned to prepare a petition, which was now being circulated.

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL. BREAKING UP CEREMONY. RAIN POSTPONES SPORTS. Owing to heavy rain which fell all last night and this morning, the sports which were to mark the breaking-up ceremony in connection with the Stratford Primary School .had to be postponed, but an enjoyable function was held in the cocoa-shed, when the prizes were distributed and the school was formally closed for the Christmas holidays. The pupils of the school were assembled in mass formation in the body of the hall, and many parents and friends, as well as the headmaster (Mr. L. J. Furrie), the chairman of the school committee (Mr. W. Pinhey), and members of the committee, were present. Mr. Furrie referred to the disappointment of the children in the postponement of the sports owing to wet weather. The function that afternoon had been arranged at the last minute and he apologised for any slight delay. He welcomed members of the committee and the numerous parents and friends who were present. SPORTS NEXT TERM. Mr. Pinhey promised the children that the sports would be held early in the next term. He congratulated the sixth standard upon the excellent results and the very high percentage of passes recorded. This, he thought, reflected great

credit upon the staff as well as the pupils, and disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. Mr. Pinhey also thanked Mr. P. Aitken for the interest taken in the school by the Scottish Society, and referred to the splendid system by which prizes were given for essays on Scottish subpects. To those leaving school, he took the opportunity of impressing upon them that their education was by no means completed. In fact, it had only just commenced. He wanted all the boys and girls to study hard on leaving school. There was plenty of room at the foot of the ladder, but hard study and application would soon help any boy or girl up the ladder to the top. To those going on to the high school, he urged that they remember at all times to maintain the reputation of their old school and never to do anything that would not reflect credit upon the Stratford Primary School. In conclusion, he congratulated Mr. Furrie and the teachers upon the very successful year’s work, snd trusted all would have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. SCOTTISH ESSAYS. On behalf of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society, Mr. Aitken (chieftain) presented prizes to the winners of the Scottish essay competition as decided by the examiner. He explained the reasons which had prompted the essay competitions, and sincerely hoped the efforts of the society would bear fruit in promoting interest in the study of Scottish history among the rising generation. In his report, the examiner (the Rev. J. VV. McKenzie) had said the primary school essays were very good. If anything, he had more difficulty in selecting the winners than in the ease of the high school essays. The essays on David Livingstone were less difficult than those on William Wallace. He gave first prize to E. Faull, but she was very closely followed by H. Collard. The latter wrote a very solid essay, but Enid Faull had more style and finish. Third place was allotted to Joyce Doncaster. In the essay on William Wallace B. Thompson won by a narrow margin from Jean Tich'bon, with Marie Villers third, H. Black fourth and K. Kear fifth. Fourth and fifth prizes in the essav on David Livingstone went to Phyllis McCluggage and F. Young. Mr, Aitken then presented Mr. Furrie with a handsomely bound copy of the works of Burns for the school library. The cricket competition was won by the team known as the “willow wielders,’i captained by Frank Young. In presenting his prizes to each member of the winning team. Mr. C. Mcl. Young hoped that when the boys left school they would not drop all interest in cricket matters, and would not imagine that because their school days were over, so also were their cricket days. Metaphorically speaking, he asked all who did not* go in for the game to ‘ play cricket” all their lives. They would be better men and women in consequence. Prizes amounting to between £9 and £lO, won by pupils of the school at the recent A. and P. show at Stratford, were also distributed, after which Father Christmas visited the school and distributed small gifts to the infants, including Miss Papps’ present to pupils of her class.

CLASS PLACINiGS. (Had prizes been distributed for scholastic attainment, the following list would have represented the prize winners. Under the circumstances £he headmaster read out the names and congratulated the children upon their success. The list was: 'Standard I. —A, Division: Henry Kivell. B. division: Joe Richardson 1, Elsie Wellington 2, lan McAllister 3. C. division: Joan Cottier 1, Vivian King 2, Betty Anscombe 3. The winners of Messrs Purser and Suisted’s competition were: Vina Hunger 1, Elsie Wendelborn 2, Rita Marshall 2, and Bob Morrison 3. Standard II. — A section: Winnie

Rawles 1, Upham Steven 2, Mabel Birket 3. B section: Myrtle Berg. C. section: Allen Johnson. D. section: Clem Potts. Special: Ida Taylor. Purser and Suisted’s writinz prizes: Ron Hall 1, Thelma Algie 2, Grace Hale 3, Florrie Anderson 4. Standard HI (boys).—A. division: S. McCormick 1, Ronald Thompson 2, Dick Malfroy 3. B. division: David Thom* son. C. division: Brie Jones. D. division: Tom Lamason. Purser and Suisted’s prizes: Mark Whittington 1, Teddy Hunter 2. Archie Pettigrew 3, Stewart McCormick 4. Standard HI (girls).—A. division: Mary Fulcher 1, Zoe Grubb 2. Marjorie Foley 3. B. division: Ruby Tubby. C. division: Gwen Horn. D. division: Annie Stevens. Purser and Suisted’s prizes: Connie Martin 1, Mita Bendall 2, Zoe Grubb 3, Mary Fulcher 4, Edna Bullot 5. 'Standard IV.—A. division: (Marjorie Young 1, lan Aylward and Ken Cottier equal 2, Hazel Trotter 3. B. division: Lucy Crofton. C. division: Annie Fulcher. D. division: Albert Kuch. E. division: Grace Wibberley. Purser and Suisted’s prizes: Joyce Dudding 1, Terry Thompson 2, Merle Chong 3, Joan Ward 4.

Standard V.—‘A. division: Jean Tichbon 1, May Mcllroy 2, Beth Thomson 3. B. division: Marie Villers. -C. division: K. Kelly. D. division: Jean Moore. E. division: Uzilla Thompson. Purser and Suisted’s prizes: L. Martin 1, J. Moore 2, K. Lilley 3, N. Bevins 4. Miss Shelton’s books for cookery and sewing were won by M. Grubb, N. Jones, Jeanne Tich'bon, N. Fawkner, M. Femmel and M. Thompson. Standard VI.—A. division: H. Collard 1, P. McfCluggage 2, E. Faull 3. B. division: H. Cottier 1, E. Ferguson 2, H. Lilley 3. C. division: P. Ellis 1, A. Rudings 2, F. Sanderson 3. D. division: E. Brown 1, V. Inglis 2, B. Franks 3. E. division: M. Kelly 1, F. Fergusson 2, E. Worthington 3. Progress prizes: Mona Kelly 1, Andrew Milne 2, J. Klee and C. Brown 3. Purser and Suisted’s prizes: A. Rudings 1, M. Kelly 2, A. Broadley 3, R. Reid 4. Model School. VI: Dorothy Ward; standard V, lan Johnstone; standard IV, Lucy Shields; standard HI, Ina Anderson; standard IT, Hazel Hancock; standard I, Molly Ward.