WAITARA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1927, Page 15

WAITARA NEWS.

SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS. HEALTHY STATE OF CLUB. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Waitara, April 6. The Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Club held their anual meeting on Monday evening in the elub’s rooms, Mr. A. Rawles presiding over a good attendance of members. Apologies were received for the absence of Rev. G. H. Gavin, J. Peebles absence of Rev. G. H. Gavin and Messrs. J. Peebles and T. Wood. Resolutions of sympathy with the relatives of Messrs. A. B. Fulton and J. W. Laing were passed. The annual report and balance-sheet showed that the year had been a progressive one, insomuch as the previous year’s liabilities, amounting to £4O, had been liquidated, and further, an amount of £3O had been spent on the billiard tables during the year. The prospects for the ensuing year were particularly bring. The credit balance for the year amounted to £l4 18s lid, and the excess of assets over liabilities was £570. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr. J. C. Rolleston, M.P.; president, Mr. A. W. Ogle; vicepresidents, His Worship the Mayor, Drs. Adamson and Barclay, Rev. G. H. Gavin and Mr. P. J. Allen; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. Brabant; auditor, Mr. D. H. Purdie; committee, Messrs. D. Purdie, A. Rowe, E. George, D. Butchart, A. Rawles, H. West, T. J. Wood, A. Jones, J. Morris, S. G. Fraser, E. D. Tate and F. Locke. Twelve new members were elected, and the annual subscription was fixed at £1 Is. During the evening, Mr. L. H. Sampson presented to Mr. E. A. George a case and cue, won by him in the snooker tournament, presented by the late Mr. A. B. Fulton for competition. Mr. Gdterge suitably replied and very generously handed it to the club for further competition, for which he was heartily thanked. Mr. S. G. Fraser intimated that he desired to donate a gold locket for a billiard competition, to be open to novices. The meeting closed with hearty votes of thanks to the ladies’ committee, Messrs. Borthwick and Sons, secretary and chairman and the Press. The Clift'/n footballers are opening the season on Saturday, by playing a friendly match with Inglewood, at Inglewood, and the following team has been selected:—T. Cooper, W. Soffe, R. Williams, Hogan, Barriball, Tai, McAsey, G. Knuekey, Giddy, Sutton, Tottey, C. Tate, Parata, Puki, and Pepperill. Emergencies, Petersen, Bourke and K. McFarlane. Mr. J. C. Rolleston, M.P., in expected ih Waitara to-morrow, on a visit to this end of his electorate. SCHOOL COMMITTEE AFFAIRS. The Waitara School Committee held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Mr. L. Wilson presiding. The headmaster’s monthly report was as follows: —“The average attendance for the five weeks ending March 31 was 282.7. The average attendance for the quarter was 304.4, the present roll number being 360. The attendance has been considerably affected by an epidemic of mumps, which caused the absence of 122 children. Influenza also accounted for another 45 children. “On March 16 the school survey, including tests in reading, arithmetic, spelling and educable capacity was made. “Matters for consideration of your committee are fuel for the winter, and attention to the drain from the septic tank.” The headmaster also enclosed a request from the teaching staff for a hot : point and electric heater for the teachers’ room. It was resolved to apply to the board for the installation of the point and radiator asked for, the committee undertaking to purchase an electric kettle. Fuel for the winter was left to the chairman to arrange. It was pointed out by the chairman that the drain referred to by the headmaster was in a very bad condition. It was considered that the liability rested with the board. A letter to the board, pointing out the matter was authorised. The board wrote stating that it could not undertake to roof the bicycle shed. They also regretted not having notified the committee of the members of the board’s visit to the school. Regarding the application for a new school, the board wrote stating that instructions had been given to the architect to draw up plans and estimates.— The letter was received with satisfaction, the Rev. Gosnell being deputed to draw up a resolution to put before the householders’ meeting regarding the new school, as suggested by the board. Regarding the travelling expenses of the school football team, the headmaster reported that a Waitara man had offered to make a canvass for funds for the object. He would like the committee’s Opinion whether the offer could be accepted. Neither the committee nor the headmaster thought the offer could be accepted, but thanked the gentleman for the spirit in which the offer was made. It was decided to apply for a subsidy on a donation of £5 by the teachers, towards library books for the younger children. This being the last meeting of the committee before the annual election, the chairman took the opportunity of expressing his thanks to his committeemen for their hearty support during the year and for the good work accomplished. Thanks were also passed to the headmaster, and the secretary of the committee. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The quarterly meeting of the Waitara Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Chambers on Monday evening, Mr. Johns presiding over a small attendance. The chairman reported that, since the last- meeting, the executive had been in touch with Mr. J. C: Rolleston, M.P., and the Minister of Public Works, regarding the rough state of the main road two miles this side of Mokau. The replies received were that the Highways Board had -been communicated with, and no doubt that that body would give the matter favourable attention. In, regard to further advertising Waitara’s attractions in co-operation with the Seaside Society and Retailers’ Association, it was decided to allow the contract to lapse. In view of the approaching municipal election, it was decided to nominate a “ticket.” After discussion the matter was left to the executive. The chairman reported that the executive considered that Harbour Board

sections, at the beach, had not been utilised as hoped for, those which were taken up not having been built on in the prescribed time.—lt was decided to write to the Harbour Board on the matter. In reply to Mr. C. R. Stead, the chairman was of the opinion that in view of the Prime Minister’s advocating economy, the time was inopportune to persist in the commencement of the new post office. It was decided to forward to the owner of S.S. Wetere an expression of regret at the recent accident to that vessel, and the hope that the boat would scon be ready to take up her running again.