South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1928, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporters.)

Telephone No. 2706, Haw#.

P.O. Box 133, Hawera.

RUGBY ENTHUSIASM ATHLETIC CLUB MEETING. RECORD MEMBERSHIP REPORTED. Enthusiasm ran high at the fourth annual meeting of the Athletic Rugby Football Club on Wednesday night when the 60 members present constituted a record attendance. “There’s no doubt it is only by good football,” said Dr. Sinclair in speaking of the financial side of the club when moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, “that you will receive the support of the public,” The gates last Beason, he continued, had been poor, and therfore, to maintain and better the financial state the football this year would need to be better. It was decided unanimously that the club should be incorporated as “The Athletic Rugby Football Club, Incorporated,” the rules being approved with the exception of a few minor amendments.

Thirty members were reported as being eligible for third grade and 22 for fourth grade play, but as no third grade competition was conducted in the southern division last season, and because tho eight players ineligible for fourth might and probably would be utilised in the first junior ranks, it was decided that senior, junior and fourth grade teams should be entered in the competitions. Early commencement of practice was advocated and decided upon unanimously, it being agreed to start next week with the senior and junior gymnasium practice on Tuesday and Thursday, with Wednesday or some other suitable night at the discretion of the coach for the fourth grade team.. A general daylight practice will be indulged in on Saturday week. That before matches be played outside the ordinary competition games, the consent of the committee be procured, was tho motion of Mr. L. Hunt, which was carried unanimously.

INSURANCE OF PLAYERS. In regard to the problem of insurance which, it was thought, would be dealt with by the Rugby Union at its annual meeting, the opinion was expressed by the president that “insurance companies would jump at the offer of 5 per cent, of th© gates” as a premium for insurance against injuries. Subscriptions were fixed at £1 and 12s 6d*respectively, reducible if paid before May 1 next. A credit balance of £1 6s 3d was disclosed. Office-bearers for the coming year were elected a.: follow; —Patron, Mr. 11. G. Dickie, M.P.; president, Dr. R. G. B. Sinclair; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. C. Ryan; hon. auditor, Mr. E. J. Insull; delegates to the Rugby Union, Dr. Sinclair and Messrs. D. C. Ryan and W. J. Linkhorn;) club captain, Mr. L. Hunt; executive committee, Messrs. A. Grant, C. Allen, T. Underhill and G. J. Bayley, together with ex officio officers; senior and junior coach and senior selector, Dr. Sinclair; junior selector, Mr. L. Hunt; fourth grade coach, Mr. F. Brown.

Forty vice-presidents were elected. New junior grade members enrolled at the preliminary meeting were.— Messrs. Rodie, Reading, Hancock, Brett, Moore, Cann, Watts, J. Young, R. Sargent, Tarrant, Meharry (2), A. dement, G. Scott, Campbell (s2), M. Nolan, G. Meyrick, W. Dymond, E. Badcoek, S. Garrett, R. Keys, R. Johnston, Bell (2), Riley, E. Nolan, M. Foster, D. Henry, S. Savage and Hamer.

Other new members elected were:—Messrs. R. Syme, J. Pease, N. Lovegrove, E. Morrissey, P. Eaves, J. Bnckeridge, J. Tarrant, P. Spragg, Reeves, Tidswell, Gardiner, Milroy, Beauchamp, H. Greenbanks, Hovind, H. Mason. STRANGE DIET OF A CAT. When the members of a household in Hawera yesterday noticed the family cat, which had been absent from the house for many days, on the premises of a fruiterer, they were not surprised at that discovery so much as to find the motive of the cat’s frequent visits to .the premises. It was just an ordinary cat to all appearances. It purred, stretched itself lazily, rubbed its glossy coat against strangers’ legs lovingly and behaved normally as far as could be seen until the proprietor of the shop, who held the key of the secret, disclosed the reason for its changed habits and abode. The domestic pet became a furtive hunter and showed great interest in events when an ice-cream wits placed within reach for its consumption. There was no doubting tho definiteness of the taste shown, for it consumed tho frozen delicacy with obvious relish. With the disappearance of the iee cream the animal gazed longingly at the donor as it preened its whiskers. It was stated that the cat had been a regular visitor over a long period and preferred ice creams-to any other item of diet.

WOMEN’S NATIONAL RESEP.VE. The annual meeting of the Hawera branch of the Women’s National Reserve was held last night, the president, Mrs. E. A. Paeey, occupying the ehair. The annual report stated that the reserve had managed the kiosk at the motor-cycle sports but, owing to the amount of work involved and the difficulties of transport, it had been decided that, since the branch finances "were good, they would not undertake work so far from town. This year when the request had come from the motor-cycle committee it had been declined. The reserve, on the request of the matron and tlie Hawera Hospital Board, had assisted with the afternoon tea at the openng of the new hospital. The U.S.A, gave tho entire management of Poppy Day to the' reserve which, with the yaluabel assistance of the Boy Scents, sold ail the poppies by 1 p.m. The rest room had been thoroughly renovated, and in this connection the reserve was indebted to Mr. Old for his help and advice. On “Mother’s Day” a very pleasant afternoon had been held in the Soldiers’ Club. In alleviating distress and unemployment the reserve had given groceries, wood and coal in 20 eases and clothing to an old man. and Aus wife; Night lodging had had to b»

provided to several men who passed through Hawera penniless. The report went on to give instances of deserving cases where assistance from the reserve had relieved distress. A case of books and writing materials and a box of cakes and jam had been sent to the superintendent of the Porirua Mental Hospital. For Violet Day three boxes of flowers and two cases of vegetables had been sent to Wellington for funds for the residential nursery. The annual ''president’s afternoon” was much appreciated by the reserve and it had supervised the afternoon tea’ at the main school garden fete. At the prim[ary school sports and Dixon banner | competitions two stalls had been run by I the reserve. The Hawera Borough I Council had been asked to take over the weeding of soldiers’ graves at the cemetery, which they decided to do, and the Girl Guides were putting flowers on the graves every week. Office bearers were elected as follow: President, Mrs. E. A. Paeey; vice-presi-dents, Miss D. Corrigan, Mesdames Henry and Stevens; secretary, Miss A. Ballantine; treasurer, Mrs. Harding; auditor, Mr. C. D. Arlidge. CROQUET CHAMPIONS.. SOUTH TARANAKI PLAY. THE TOURNAMENT COMPLETED. The South Taranaki Croquet Association’s first tournament was concluded yesterday, when, the trophies won were presented on the lawns in the presence of a large gathering. “Because it was the first tournament,” said Mr. G. J. Bayley, president of the association, “it haa been the most successful.” The association was fortunate, said Mr. Bayley, in having in Mesdames L. J. Bull and M. Dowling two ladies who knew how to manage a tournament. They had sacrificed games for themselves and that meant a great deal for croquet players. He thanked Mrs. McDonald for the management of morning and afternoon teas and luncheon, and Mr. McDonald for the eare and preparation of the lawns.

Quoting the nursery rhyme, Mr. Bayley made reference to the splendid feats of Air. Horner, of the Patea Club, who had pulled from the pie not one but several plums. The standard of croquet in the tournament had been of a very high order. Mrs, Bayley presented the trophies to the following winners:— South Taranaki championship singles (Bennett and Sitton’s Cup). —Mr. Horner; runner-up, Mr. Clague. Open championship singles (Bayley Cup).—Mr. Clague; runner-up, Mr. Horner. B grade handicap doubles. —Mesdames Ball and Wood; runners-up, Mesdames Knight and Jenkins. Handicap singles (Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs’ Cup).—Mrs. Masters; runner-up, Mrs. McKay. Handicap doubles.—Mesdames palmer add Milrioy; runners-up, Mrs. Meredith and Mr Homer. Campbell Cup (teams’ event). —Pates team; runners-up, Hawera team. Consolation doubles.—Mesdames Ward and Williams; runners-up, Mesdames Ashton and Manners.

FIRE IN HIGH STREET. OUTBREAK IN DWELLING HOUSE. But for the prompt action of the Hawera Fire Brigade yesterday morning, severe, damage may have been caused when a fire broke out in a small cottage in High Street West, owned by Mr. E. H. Hall and occupied by Mr. A. Bibby, bootmaker, of Union Street. Smoke issuing from the front room drew the attention of a passerby, who informed Mrs. Bibby, and she rushed along to the fire alarm box at the corner of High Street and Camberwell Road and sounded the alarm. Within a few minutes the brigade was on the seene and the fire was extinguished with the use of the first-aid hose, but not until ihef wardrobe in which the outbreak started was carried bodily outside and thoroughly hosed down. Apart from damage to the wardrobe and to several suits of elothes, as well as to the wall and eeiling, the loss was negligible. The house was insured for £6OO in the Commercial Union Office, but the contents were not covered. The cause of the fire is unknown. CARE OF THE BABIES. PLUNKET COMMITTEE MEETS. The Hawera branch of the Plunket Society held its monthly meeting on Tuesday. Present: Mesdames Goodson (chwirD Jobson, Haggett, Carter, A. Corrigan, Fyson and Crompton. Apologies were received from Mesdames Tait, Veale and Rae. The nurse's, report for the month was as follows: New cases 33, hygiene and mothercraft 26, visits to Plunket rooms 1010, visits to homes 339. The nurse has had a very busy time with babies lately owing to many suffering from summer sickness. It is necessary to hold shop days, ete., from time to time to obtain money to keep the funds going. Subscriptions were received froip Mesdames Reid, G. Duncan and Piper, each ss. It was reported that a “bring and buy” afternoon would be held in the Scouts’ Haß on March 22. COMPETITIONS AT NORMANBY. Weight-judging competitions at the Normanby Horticultural Society’s Show on Tuesday and Wednesday resulted as 1 follow: Sheep (actual weight 671b.)—Both Messrs. W. T. Hair and B. C. Gibson ’judged the correct weight. | Pig (191 b.— Mr. James Linn judged the correct weight. No. 1 cake (71b. 9oz.}.—Seven tied with the correct weight and the draw resulted in favour of Miss I. Parslow; No. 2 cake (91b.).—Mr. F. Pidge o n won with .Fib. 15Joa

IMPROVED MILK RETURNS. SEASON S PAY-OUT PROBABLY 1/8. More favourable weather, especially a better rainfall, for the past month has done a great deal to stimulate the yield of milk in South Taranaki, but although a few dairy companies expect to equal last year’s figures it is doubtful if many will do so. Any drop in production on last year, however, should be compensated for by the good prices ruling at present. Many factories have now sold the balance of their season’s output at satisfactory prices, some even receiving 9d for cheese. Reports from London indicate very good markets, particularly for cheese.

So far as other districts are concerned it seems that there will be a substantial decrease on last year's production, even as much as 20 per cent. Pay-outs for this month in South Taranaki will be in the vicinity of Is 4d or Is sd. Although the present market prices are equal to a considerably higher figure, it is the policy of most dairy companies to keep an amount in reserve for contingencies. Furthermore, bonuses and other payments in the off season are appreciated by suppliers. From present indications it appears that many South Taranaki dairy companies will pay Is Bd, or even more over the current season. LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS. WORK OF HAWERA SOCIETY. With the dispatch of 24 pheasants to Eltham on Tuesday for liberation by Messrs. P. Jenkins, R. J. Knuekey and F. Vincent, the -Hawera Acclimatisation Society has completed its programme of pheasant liberation for the season and has sent out 250 birds from the hatchery. This constitutes a record for the society and reflects great credit on the caretaker (Mr. J. J. Miller).

Recently Mr. A. Dobson, proprietor of the Arawa game farm at Tuakau, paid a visit to the hatcheries. So pleased was he with the birds that he wished to purchase 100 to take north. The society, however, required all the pheasants.

The next phase of work to be undertaken at the hatcheries will be the liberation of yeitrling trout, of which the society has over 50,000. This work will commence shortly.

ELECTRIC GENERATING ENGINE. INSTALLATION AT MAWHITIWHI3I Because of the installation at the Mawhitiwhiti power house of a new generating engine the consumers of electric power in the Hawera eleetric district will be placed in the happy position of having at all times a supply more than equal to the demand. It was a big day yesterday when the Vickers-Petters semi-diesel engine recently installed at the power house was put through an initial test for an hour and 17 minutes. The result was satisfactory from every point of view. The installation was made in consequence of the policy to provide a reserve during the dry spell and low water at the head works. The engine will be permanently connected with the lines in a few days, when the consumers will have the benefit of an extra 500 h.p. which will make a further power shortage impossible. GENERAL ITEMS. There is apparently no shortage of electric power so far as Eltham is concerned; at least that is the impression formed by motorists who passed through the town at about midday yesterday and were surprised to notice that most of the street lamps were alight. To wind up the forty-fifth annual show held by the Normanby Horticultural Society, a concert and dance was staged by the Normanby Tennis Club on Wednesday evening. The hall was packed to the doors and the proceeds from the concert amounted to £l9 16s, while the takings at the dance realised £8 2s Gd. Supper was provided by the ladies’ committee of the society. As an outcome of the Rev. E. O. Blatnire’s address on the Bible in Schools’ League in Hawera on Wednesday, a branch of the league was formed, and the following officers were elected: — President, Rev. W. X Young; convenor of meeting to appoint executive committee, Mr. E. Dixon. To represent the Anglican Church Mrs. Hobbs and Messrs J. M. Townsend and S. E. Corry were elected. It was decided that the executive comprise representatives of all sympathetic churches and the Salvation Army. . . <

Five thorasand pounds was paid out yesterday to suppliers by the Normanby Dairy Company. This represents Is Id per lb. butter-fat. ’The production .figures for February show that although the milk yield has fallen .64 per cent, the butter-fat test ha» risen .64 per cent. The supply for the season to date, compared with that for the same period of last year, shows increases in milk of 2.61 per cent, and in butter-fat of 5.39 per - cent.

When a party in a car driven by. a well known Hawera resident was on a Sunday morning excursion after mushrooms they passed along a by-road and grew alarnied at the signboard which greeted them on a corner. It read: “The Ford is dangerous on this road.” Love of mushrooms, however, persuaded the driver to proceed, leaving tho question Why a Ford?’ unsolved. The car soon found itself in difficulties; a river was in the way which was sufficiently deep to make the journey risky.' It took the (driver three-quarters of an hour to extricate his ear in reverse gear. No mushrooms were secured, but the party found the meaning of the notice and answered their own question.