FAREWELL AT OKAIAWA

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1930, Page 6

FAREWELL AT OKAIAWA

MR. AND MRS. P. BREMER. DEPARTURE FOR WAIKATO Although it would have been more pleasant to have remained indoors before the fireside, a large number of Okaiawa residents ventured forth into the wintry atmosphere on Wednesday evening to attend the Okaiawa Farmers’ Union’s annual ball. Advantage was taken of the occasion to bid farewell to. Mr. and Mrs. P-. Bremer and family, who are leaving the district to take up residence at Tamahere, near Gambridge. The' president of the Okaiawa Farmers’ Union, Mr. E. W. Booth, stated that while Mr. Bremer was a member of the union and the presentation was being made at a farmers’ union function, it was really from all ;the settlers of the district.

Mr. A. Lees, in asking Mr. and Mrs. Bremer to accept a silver tea service and oa'k tray, said that they had been respected residents for a great many years and it was only fitting - that the residents should show their respect with a small tangible token. He regretted that they were losing such valued residents from the district, but all joined in wishing them the same success in the future as in the past. He remembered the old. times when Mr. Bremer’s father had a- large farm at Okaiawa. This was afterwards out up and carried on successfully by the two sons. Mr. Phil Bremer had done his share in the promotion of farming and had been very successful in breeding the best in Ayrshire cattle. His reputation in this respect was known- all over New Zealand. At the various shows he was also known as a successful sheep-breed-er, his stock always being to the forefront in the prize lists. “A few of us remember Phil, as a boy at school and also as a member of the Okaiawa senior football team. A very good forward he was and anyone' who came up against him had to look out. He was as good in sport as in farming,” concluded the speaker. Mr. E. A. Washer said he had been associated with Mr. Bremer on the A. and P. show committee and he was always there when required, working with his coat off and doing his share willingly. He joined in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Bremer and family the best of health and happiness in their new home.

Mr. E. J. Betts referred to the long period he had known Mr. Bremer ami said that he had always found him to bo a true sport. He wished him and his family every happiness. Mr. Bremer sincerely thanked the speakers for their remarks and the residents for their gift. He had been resident at Okaiawa for a great number of years, he said, and he had no cause to regret it. His time had been a very happy one amongst his numerous friends, and he wished to extend an invitation to all friends to visit them in theim new home at Tamahere if they should ever be in the Waikato,

A bouquet was presented to Mrs. Bremer by Miss Edna Washer. A jolly time was spent in dancing until a late hour, the music being played by Henderson’s Star Orchestra. During an interval Mr. O. Crawford, the master bf ceremonies, referred. in sympathetic terms to the death of Mr. N. Coburn, and asked those present to stand in silence as an expression of condolence with Mrs. Coburn and family. The novelty dances were won as follows: —'Spot dance, Miss Lees and Mr. Harris; balloon dance, Miss Barr and Mr. South. A competition for a cushion donated by Messrs G. Syme, Ltd., was won by Mr. E. A. Washer. MANAIA SCHOOL AFFAIRS. MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ' The correspondence considered at the monthly meeting of the School Committee included advice from the Taranaki Education Board of the appointment of Mr. R., V C. Reed as subassistant,' dating from May 26, also a notification of a by-law referring to the exchange or disposal of lapd in connection with the school grounds. Appreciation of j,he school’s assistance was conveyed In a circular from Mr. Clutha McKenzie, director of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind.

A schedule of duties for. the caretaker was adopted. Reference was* made to the necessity for increased capitation, and the secretary advised that he had been in communication with the member for the electorate, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, asking his aid in the matter. Mr. Wilkinson had promised to give his assistance and advised having already brought the matter before the department. The headmaster reported that the school roll for the month showed an average attendance .of 224 in the primary division of a roll number of 242, while the secondary division gave a roll number of 47 with an average attendance of 44.5. The school had been visited by Inspectors McKenzie, Griffin and Henry, also by Dr. Mecredy and Nurse Ingles. It was reported that approximately £lO would accrue to school funds as a result of the recent basketball and football tournament. -

A suggestion that it was desirable to procure a copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica or other encyclopaedia was held over for later consideration.

It was decided to purchase a gramophone for the use of the school pupils.