DANGER TO PEDESTRIANS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 6

DANGER TO PEDESTRIANS

THE SOUTH ROAD SUBWAY. Danger to pedestrians using tho South Road subway at Hawera was mentioned to Mr. H. W. Beasley, district railway engineer, and Mr. P. 11. Hartland, district traffic manager, while in Hawera on Friday by Mr. B. C. Bennett, president of tho Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bennett said he had been requested by the chairman of the Hawera County Council (Mr. J. B. Murdoch, who was unavoidably absent, to point out that owing to tho limited width of the subway pedestrians encountered illconvenience and a certain amount of risk when cars met in tho subway or stock passed through it. Tho council had suggested as a remedy that pedestrians bo allowed to use the track over the line. In that event tho council would have turnstiles erected to prevent stock straying on tho line. Tho suggestion appeared a reasonable one, said the railway officiate. Such permission might bo granted. The request would be made to the department. HAWERA RETAILERS. REVIEW’ OF YEAR’S WORK. At the annual meeting of the Hawera Retailers’ Association tho vice-president (Mr. J. M. Westaway), in the absence of tho president (Mr. L. A. Bone), presented the following report:— "The work of the association, in spite of the lack of interest at the beginning of the term, has proved the urgent necessity of carrying on the association. Ten ordinary and special meetings of the executive have been held and the necessary formal business has been carried on. The main feature of the year’s work has been the carrying out of the Wednesday half-holid / campaign. Had the Retailers’ Association not been in reality a sufficiently live body to at once 'take up the fight, there is little doubt but that a serious position would have arisen for the retail people of Hawera to combat. Even after a strenuous campaign the poll was not won by any too big a margin of votes, in view of the importance of the issue to the retailer.

“The executive members therefore feel it their duty to stress upon members tho urgent necessity for keeping the association together. From some points of view it appears fortunate that the campaign arose, as it caused many retailers to realise the necessity for such an organisation and to offer their membership voluntarily. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the coming year will. bo an effective one from the point of view of the association.

“Tho president, Mr. Bone, is leaving for a trip abroad for several months, and it will oe necessary to fill his position.

“The finances of the association are on a much better footing owing to the alteration in the subscription charges, and it has been enabled to meet all liabilities and carry forward a balance to credit.

“During the year Mr. G. H. Reading, the nightwatchman, resigned his position. Mr. S. H. Howells was appointed in his place and the duties have been carried out in a very satisfactory manner. Tho executive considers that members of the association and subscribers to the nightwatchman’s fund should be advised of the importance of this branch of the association’s work, and desires to emphasise the necessity for its being carried out.”

Mr. Westaway stated that a circular letter had been forwarded to all retailers’ associations in tho Dominion and chambers of commerce, requesting support for proposed amendments to legislation dealing with tho method of lodging petitions concerning tho half-holiday question, also proposing that tho quota of electors required, to cause a poll should be increased and that the right to vote should be restricted to business people only or ratepayers. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Bone for his services to the association as its president for the past- two years. At a meeting of tho executive after the annual meeting the following officers were elected: —President, Mr, J. M. Westaway; vice-president, Mr. E. A. Shackleton; committee, Messrs. F. C. Bone, M. Barraclough, W. G. Strange, W. Crompton, J. C. Robb, A. Blair, L. A. Nelson and J. C. Smith! auditor, Mr. C. D. Arlidge; secretary, Mr. R. S. Sage. New members elected were Mrs Bridge and Messrs. F. Boase and W. V. Patterson. PERSONAL ITEMS. i ; Mr. and Mrs C. Hurley, of Harleyville, have left for a holiday trip to Auckland and Rotorua. Mr. H. C. Stacey, Nolaniown, Hawera, who was seriously injured through being struck by a motor-cyclo on Thursday morning, is reported to be improving in health. Mr. Harold Ackroyd has returned to Hawera from Napier, where he sang the baritone solos in the Napier Choral Society’s production of “Hiawatha.” Mr. Ackroyd's singing was highly praised bjNapier critics. The death occurred at Manaia on Friday of Mr. John Aitken at the ago of 70 years. Mr. Aitken, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, arrived in New Zealand in 1887. He settled in tho Waikato district, being associated with Air. R. Reynolds in the foundation of the dairying industry. Later he came to Taranaki, being engaged at Lepperton and Otakcho in dairy factory work. For a time he was flaxmilling at Pungarehu and later he took up farming at Sutherland Road, Manaia, retiring from active work several years ago. Mr. Aitken was held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. He leaves a widow. The funeral took place at Manaia yesterday.

DRESSING-SUED WRECKED. CYCLONIC VISITATION- ASSUMED. MOKOIA SURF CLUB'S LOSS. On being Informed that the dressingshed erected at the beach had been wrecked, the president of the surf club, Mr. S. J. Tidswell, and the secretary, Air, B. L. Duff, paid a visit to the scene. Tho information was found to be only too true. To those who know the beach, but have not seen the remains of the building, the impression would be conveyed that strong winds had caused the destruction. This, however, is not upheld by the two club officials. The whole building has been lifted bodily, the piles being still attached. Two distinct marks are to be seen on the uphill grade, one ten feet and the other 15 feet further on from tho building site, where the edge of the building appears to have touched the ground in its fight to the head of a gully some 30 yards distant. Here the bulk of the building lies in a wrecked condition. In their opinion this is the result of a cyclone. For a distance of 390 yards due east from the main wreck, and in a very narrow space, portions of the building may bo seen. Most of the timber work is completely smashed, but it is thought that the bulk of the iron may be used again. This is a severe loss to a young chib. Fortunately the reel and its equipment was not in tho shed. It is understood that the executive is to meet shortly to discuss the situation.

.. .. MAORI CHIEF’S DEATH.

SOUTH TARANAKI LEADER.

One of the leading .‘laoris of South Taranaki, Marokopa Tahuata, died at Taiporohenui on Saturday morning. A member of the Ngati Ruanui, he had lived in South Taranaki for 40 years. Prior to that ho resided in the King Country with the Ngati Maniapoto, to whom his people belonged, the great Maniapoto being one of his ancestors. He was also a nephew of the famous Taranaki chief Hone Pihama, and was related to many of the leading Taranaki families. When the Duke and Duchess of York visited Rotorua, Marokopa Tahuata was one of tho chiefs selected for presentation to them, and he received one of the ten walking sticks bearing the Duke’s crest that were given to the leaders of the native race.

Marokopa Tahuata was a real leader of his people, striving always for their improvement. He leaves a widow and two daughters. The funeral will probably be attended by Maoris from all parts of the North Island. LIFE IN THE SOLOMONS. NATIVE LECTURES AT AUROA. The Auroa Church was well filled on Wednesday for the most interesting address on the Solomon Islands given by the Rev. Sinclair and Geina, an islander. The Rev. W. W. Avery presided while the Rev. Dudley managed the lantern slides for the many illustrations. It was Air. Avery who started the Methodist services and the Bible class in Auroa. Since that time he has visited the district in connection with mission work,

Geina, a fine typo of native aged 18 years, speaks English fluently and is a good singer and player of the cornet, which instrument was presented to him by friends at Te Kuiti. He sang three hymns and played several cornet solos. Geina gave an interesting and humorous address on his life in New Zealand and in the Solomon Isles. The first train scared him and he exclaimed “Look at the fire running.” Then people without limbs or on crutches made him feel very sad and frightened and he ran away!

live years ago Geina entered Pacrata College, where the main subject taught is agriculture and the management of cows, pigs and horses. He was set to milk a cow and as he could get nothing into tho bucket the first time, he complained to the manager that he had been given a dry cow. He related how a Alaori boy there wanted to use the telephone and he was told to go to the post office and put in a penny. This ho did but exclaimed afterwards: “Bygolly, I want to speak on telephone but stamp co file out!”

Only 27 years ago the missionaries went to spread Christian ’ ideas among tho islanders. They found them in a continual state of fighting and of fear, so much so that the children could not make any noise for fear of an enemy coming. Although musical to the fingertips the natives could not even sing so that the general countenance of young and old was one of glum sullenness with no bright or hopeful outlook on life. They did not know how to smile. Geina described the cruel practices the natives followed, especially, when headhunting, and how little babies were tortured before being ea<ten. The women were painfully disfigured to keep away evil spirits. The natives worshipped inanimate gods made by their own hands and some worshipped the sun, moon, stars or fish, because they believed there was a spirit in each of these. Since the advent of the missionaries from all of the Christian churches a complete change had been wrought in the lives of these islanders. Geina. was applauded for his able address. Mr. Sinclair expressed his pleasure at seeing so many children present. In May, 1902, the Anglican Church sent the first missionaries. The Rev, J. Goldie was the pioneer who worked so hard among the primitive people in the Solomon Islands. It was a great sight to see 20,000 natives at prayer together.. A large number of interesting pictures of the islands and their inhabitants was shown. GENERAL ITEMS. The story of life and missionary work among the people of the Solomon. Islands told by the Rev. John F. Goldie. is thrilling. Mr. Goldie, who was the pioneer Methodist missionary to the Solomons, and is now president of the New Zealand Methodist Conference, is visiting Hawera and will epeak to-night at the Methodist Church. He is accompanied by Nathan Kera, a Solomon Islander, who will also speak and sing. The mission was established in 1902, and. for the past seven years has been maintained by the Methodist Church of New Zealand. After the meeting of the Hawera Aero Club on Thursday night .the members of the committee were entertained at sup-

per at Mr. W. G. Walklcy’s house by Mesdames Walkley, Latham, Freyberg and Buist. The toast of "Success to the Club” was honoured, and those present expressed tho greatest confidence in the club's future now that it had been decided to lease a ground on the Turuturu Road from Mr. J. Dunlop.

Reporting to the Chamber of Commerce in. connection with the conference with officers of the Railway Department on Friday in regard to the Tawhiti level crossing, the chairman said it appeared hardly possible for a subway or overhead bridge to be put in there. The suggestion now was* that a new roadway should be created 150 yards south, and plans and details would be sent along later. The public might not like the change, but it might not be possible to make the suggested alteration.

The final euchre party of the series in aid of the Alanaia school was held on Friday evening, there being a good attendance. The prizewinners were Airs. W. AlcCook and Air. T. Butler. Consolation prizes were awarded Airs. G. Edwards and Air. E. Bennett. The travelling prizes were secured by Mrs. J. T. Clague and Air. W. Cunningham and the hidden prizes by Miss 0. Parker and Air. E. Hooper. Tho points prizes for the series were won by Mrs. A. Gamlin and Air. T. Butler.

Tho prizewinners at the Auroa Hall Society’s euchre and ping pong tourney on Friday evening were: —Euchre, Miss Withell (set of jugs) and Mr. Jas. McCarthy, junior, (tobacco pouch); ping pong, Miss Bremner and Air. J. Gibson. The next tournament will be the final of tho series and the points prizes will then be awarded. The following Friday will be devoted to a children’s ball and. the succeeding Friday to a social in aid of the earthquake relief fund. At the fortnightly euchre party and dance to be held in tho Kapuni hall to-, morrow a presentation will be made to Air. F. Schwaiters, who is leaving the district. AUROA NEWS. A. meeting of the Auroa Library Committee was held in the hall on Alonday evening, when Mr. Ross presided. Mrs Al. Evans was elected secretary in lieu of Air. Bicheno, who has left the district. A number of accounts were passed for payment, leaving a credit of £9. The management of tho library reflected credit on Airs. Buxton. Mr. and Airs. C. White’s little daughter recently died. They have since suffered the further misfortune of a fire. Miss P. Bradford has commenced nursing at the Hawera hospital.