STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1928, Page 10

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone No*. 552 Office 718 Private

Telephone No*, 552 Office 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

STRATFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held last night, Mr. W. Hoskin presiding. The headmaster, Mr. L. J. Furrie, reported that the average attendances for the four weeks to September 21 were 429, 531, 544 and 539 for each week. During the same weeks the roll numbered 591, 603, 602 and 604 respectively, while the highest attendances were 486, 557, 564 and 546. The average absentees numbered 162, 72, 58 and 65 for these weeks. A few cases of measles, scarlet fever and "feverish colds combined with severe weather conditions had combined to keep the average low. Last Friday, the day of the highest attendance for the week, out of 62 absentees, 41 were from the infant department, only 21 being from the six standard classes.

Acting on the chairman’s suggestion, Drs. Steven and Gordon had paid a visit to the infant building for the purpose of reporting on the suitability of the rooms when viewed from the aspect of health. On Tuesday last the school had been closed to allow the pupils to visit Hawera to see the arrival of the airmen, About 250 pupils, each class under the guidance of its own teacher, made the trip.

The dental nurse (Nurse M. J. Oliver), reporting on the clinic, stated that she had made 228 operations during August and 177 in September. As she had more than half finished the Stratford school it was deemed advisable by the inspecting dental officer to extend her operations. Cardiff had applied for treatment and permission had been obtained for her to take this school subject to the children being brought into Stratford. These children had been examined and would receive treatment soon. This did not mean that the Stratford school was being neglected, but merely that, in accordance with the policy of the department, the nurse was keeping a good reserve at Stratford so that in case of need she should always have some children to fall back upon. On the recommendation of the visiting committee it was resolved to make repairs to the roof near the belfry. Messrs. Sorenson and Vosseler were appointed the visiting committee for October. FIRST AID INSTRUCTION. Opportunity to thank Dr. W. P. Gordon for his work in conducting the first aid class at the Stratford Technical High School was taken by the principal (Mr. A. H. R. Amess) at a recent gathering at which members of the class were present. In recognition of the work he had done for the association, the St. John Ambulance authorities forwarded a certificate of honorary life membership to Dr. Gordon. This was presented by Air. Amess, and the pupils expressed their gratification at the recognition accorded the doctor. The following members of the class passed the examination: Molly Nicholl, Margaret Tarrant, Enid Rowe, Janet Lilley, Gladys Richards, Bernard Horrocks, Amie Alley, Lily Longbottom, Jessie Longbottom, Vera Eversfield, Dorothy Roberts, Mary Nutting, Margaret Morrison, Joan MeCluggage, Nettie Parker, Doris Mather, Nadina Carryer, Elizabeth Dickson, Dorothy Dickson, Pat Brown, Joyce Dudding, Mary McElroy, Ruth Reede, Alma Kennedy, Elsie Kaye, Norman Crossland, Clifford Crossland, George Wellington, James Pratt, Wilfred Ferry. Dr. Steven was honorary examiner of the class, and to him also the thanks of the pupils were conveyed. STRATFORD TENNIS CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. There should be many good games on the Stratford Tennis Club’s courts during the coming season, judging by the enthusiasm of members at. the annual general meeting of the club held in the Central last night. The president (Mr. E. C. A. Gaw occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet, which disclosed a steadily improving position, were adopted without discussion, the secretary explaining that the chib was now practically out of debt. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. E. C. A. Gaw; vice-presidents, Messrs W. A. Mackay and W. A. Brown; club captain, F. J. Kendrick; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. E. Lawrence; committee, Misses J. Carman, B. Masters and P. Weston, Messrs C. P. Johnstone and. J. Pooley; delegate to the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. E. C. A. Gaw; honorary auditor, Mr. G. A. Carter. The following new members were elected: Airs. W. Dearfove, Misses J. Oliver, M. and P. Brown, E. Fulcher, G. and J. Ward, Messrs J. H. Blair and T. J. Withers. The date of the opening day was left to the committee. It was decided to appoint two ladies to control the afternoon tea arrangements and Aliss Z. Masters and Miss E. Moon were elected. Following a statement of the position by the chairman, the- secretary was instructed to advise the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association that the club desired inter-club competitions to be revived. The club’s delegate was instructed accordingly, and was also recommended to favour the travelling team being given the choice of day. Votes of thanks were passed to the Press and the chairman. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. “I think we should endeavour to develop a certain amount of air sense,” said Mr. L. J. Furrie, headmaster of the Stratford school, when reporting to the committee last night on the children’s recent trip to Hawera to see the fliers. Alilitary sense had been greatly developed, while naval work had received considerable attention through the Navy League.

Mrs. Edgar Wills, Douglas, who recently underwent an operation at a private hospital, is progressing satisfactorily. Aliss Mona Jackson, of Auckland, is at present visiting Stratford and. is the guest of Air. and Mrs. C. Al. Y'ouiig. Mr. and Mrs. J. Simmonds, late of Stratford, who have returned from a trip to Great Britain, are now living temporarily in New Plymouth. Mr. and Airs. F. Bishop, of Christchurch, are on a visit to Stratford, staying with Air. and Airs. C. Moore. Mr. Bishop is a brother of Mrs. Moore. Mr. J. Weston was the winner of the. snooker tournament held at the Egmont Club last week. Air. and Airs. L. D. Lowers left yesterday morning to spend a holiday at Napier and Wellington. The town clerk has forwarded a letter to Kingsford Smith conveying the thanks of citizens for his action in flying low over the town on Sunday, expressing Stratford’s pride in the achievement of Kingsford Smith and his comrades in flying the Tasman, and wishing them success on the return journey. Fire totally destroyed a six-roomed, house, owned by Mr. Benjamin Crofsky and occupied by Air. Alfred Crofsky, at York Road on Sunday afternoon. When the family were sitting by the fireplace, smoke was seen emerging from the mantelpiece, but efforts to stop the outbreak proved unavailing. The building was insured for £2OO in the National Office, but the furniture was not insured. The calf-rearing and root-growing competitions promoted by the organisers of the boys’ and girls’ agricultural club have drawn good entries from the Stratford school, reports the headmaster. Seven have entered for calf-rearing and six for mangold and carrot-growing. These competitions are having a distinctly beneficial effect through creating a greater interest in rural pursuits. When travelling from New Plymouth to Stratford on Sunday, Mr, A. C. Hill, of Stratford, in passing another car, had a puncture, with the result that his vehicle completely overturned. Mr. Hill escaped without injury, though the car was somewhat damaged.

For the 24 hours ending at 9 a.m. yesterday 2.55 inches of rain fell in Stratford.

During the week-end storm a substantial shed belonging to Mr. A. Aluggeridge, Eltham, was lifted bodily from its foundations, carried over a 3jft. fence and deposited at the other side of the garden, 14 or 15 yards from its former position. KING’S THEATRE PICTURES. BIG DOUBLE BILL PROGRAMME. "Wolf Fangs,” another thrilling and colourful story of the adventures of a dog starring “Thunder,” the wonder dog, discovered by Fox Films last year, opens at the King’s Theatre to-night. The picture, according to all advance reports, is a scintillating gem set against the gorgeous background of Aft. Baker National Park in Oregon, one of the newest, but one of the most picturesque of the United States forest reserves. Charles Morton and Caryl Lincoln are said to give exceptionally good performances. Newspaper ’ men who have seen “Headlines,” the new Encore drama coming to the King’s Theatre, say it is probably the truest portrayal of that profession ever brought to a silver sheet. Characters who really represent those who make up the news staffs of the modern daily, have been chosen, while actual scenes in the New York World have been taken for shots in the city room and the press rooms. E. H. Griffith, the director, was formerly a newspaper man, and several others who have brought the production to the screen were trained for journalism. MAKAHU NOTES. • September is again upholding its reputation as a bad month. The- continual rain, accompanied, by strong winds with little or no sun, has made the ground too cold for vigorous growth in the pastures and gardens. Last week the district was visited by a very heavy thunderstorm. Despite the adverse weather, the milk supply is gradually increasing, and the factory is kept busy. A light frost was experienced on Saturday night, but was not heavy enough to do any damage. The new bridge over the Mangaehu stream, which has been a long-felt need, is completed. It is a fine structure and credit is due to the contractor, Mr. McAlillan. It gives access to the property of the Messrs. Coyne, Hopkirk and Ford. Mr. J. Manning is recovering slowly from his recent illness. Miss Kopke, New Plymouth, spent the week-end with her parents. Mr. F. Brockway has returned from Marton, where he spent a holiday with friends. Air, F. Manning, Waverley, spent the week-end at home. Mr. J. Moore spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Kopke. DOUGLAS NEWS. Despite the adverse weather on the occasion of the recent combined bachelors’ and spinsters’ ball, a considerable number attended the function, visitors coming from all the surrounding districts. The hall had been decorated by members of the committee, lycopodium being much in evidence. The mus--ical programme was supplied by Boulton’s orchestra, while extras were rendered by Alessrs. Scott and Bredow. Novelty dances were held. Honours went to Air. D. Ray and partner in the lucky spot one-step, while the Monte Carlo was won by Aliss Duncaa and partner. Supper was served, after which the enthusiasts danced until tie small hours of the morning.

During the recent storms the power has been off for a short time on more than one occasion, but the only real in-

convenience was caused when no current was forthcoming for the milking on Saturday morning.

Mrs. Wills, who has been very ill, is on the road to recovery. Little Margaret Walter is a patient in a private hospital in-Stratford. Aliss Al. Woulfe, Hamilton, is staying with her sister, Airs. Wylie. Mr. Ormond, Palmerston North, is on a visit to his uncle, Mr. Howat.