GEARS OF LIGHT VAN FAIL

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1933, Page 10

GEARS OF LIGHT VAN FAIL

PLUNGE BACKWARDS DOWN HILL. OCCUPANTS’ FORTUNATE ESCAPE. Fortunate escape from possibly fatal injuries was the experience a few days ago of Mrs. Winne and her son and daughter, Miss Nira Winne and Mr. Harry Winne, Tawhiti. . They were returning from their business at Hawera when in the changing of gears at the top of the Tawhiti side of the bacon factory hill the gears broke and the brakes failing to hold the car it ran backwards for practically the whole length of the hill, finally turning over twice and coming to rest at the bottom of about a 10ft. drop off the side of the road. Miss Winne was thrown clear, but Mr. Winne and his mother were pinned under the remains of the cab of the van. Mr. Winne was able to crawl out and extricate his mother from the wreckage. Apart from a few bruises and scratches no one was hurt, but the van is beyond repair.

TAWHITI DISTRICT NEWS. PRIZES AT EUCHRE PARTY. There was a good attendance at the fortnightly euchre party and dance on Wednesday night at Tawhiti. Prizes were won as follows: Miss Ruby Bublitz 1, Mrs. Muir 2; Mr. G. Parnell 1, Mr. L. Philpotts 2. In the supper interval Mr. W. V. Parker, deputy-chairman of the hall . committee, in the absence of the chairman (Mr. H. Thrush) referred to the sad news that they had just received of the death at Hawera of Mrs. Grant. Mrs. Grant had in earlier years been one of the chief supporters of the hall and was always a willing worker in anything connected with it. She and her husband and family had lived in the district for years, and to her two children, Mr. Norman Copeland and Mrs. E. Paterson, was extended the sympathy of them all. He then asked all present to rise as a mark of sympathy for them in their bereavement. After supper a few dances were enjoyed, music being played by the Maori String Band. Extras were played by Misses E. Pepperill and E. Ogle. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Mrs. J. Pennell and Mr. Woodhead. Mr. R. Thomson was master of ceremonies. Many crops of potatoes in the district suffered from the sharp frost which was experienced on Tuesday night, many blackened tops being evidence of its severity. ■ HORSES BRING UP TO £47. t FARMERS’ CO-OP. HAWERA FAIR. There was a substantial firming In prices at the Farmers’ Co-op. September horse fair held at Hawera on Saturday, and prices well above those at the same sale last year. A good class of horse came forward and met with good competition, making up to £47. About 40 were sold under the hammer. The top price was paid for an 8-year-Olct bay gelding sold on account of D. McLachlan, Pihama, while a 3-year-old mare on account of G. Grantham, Hawera, realised £46 10s. Other good prices were £43, £4l 10s, £36, £3O 10s and a number between £25 and £3O. PERSONAL. Nurse Wilkinson has returned to Hawera, accompanied by Miss Howard, much benefited by her stay at Auckland. There was a very large gathering at the funeral of Mrs. Ward at Hawera yesterday, the farming community being strongly represented. About 80 cars were in the procession and about 100 wreaths were received. The pall-bearers were Mrs. Ward’s four brothers, Messrs. G. W. t H. B. and D. Taylor, and Mr. Ward’s two brothers, Messrs. A. and A. H. Ward. A service at St. John’s church was conducted by the Revs. A. G. Irvine and J. Ings and a service at the graveside by Mr. Ings. The Rev. T. Field Taylor, Wellington, visited Hawera at the week-end. He attended services at Mokoia and St. Mary’s yesterday and preached at St. Mary’s in the evening. GENERAL ITEMS. A successful ball was held in the Pariroa pa hall on Thursday night to celebrate the installation of electric lights, which were switched on by Mrs. Tonganui, daughter of 'Tutange Waionui. The balloon and the streamer waltzes were interesting to the onlookers. Winners of the balloon waltz were Mr. Powell and. partner 1, Mr. Rangiwahia Toss and partner 2. Winners of the Monte Carlo were Mr. J. McCarthy and partner 1, Mr. J. Heremaia and partner 2, Miss Huatahi and partner 3. Good music was played by the Hawera Hot Water Syncopaters and Wills’ Merrymakers. Messrs. T. Broughton and H. Wills were masters of ceremonies. Supper was provided by the ladies. Fraser Road Dance. There was an exceptionally good attendance at the final dance of the series organised by the Legion of Frontiersmen and held in the Fraser Road hall. A large busload from Hawera helped to swell the throng. Mrs. Atrill played the music. Sergeant Briggs was master of ceremonies. Extras were played by Mr. and Mrs. A. Campbell, Mrs. Druce and Mrs. Finlay. A Monte Carlo dance was won by Miss Coleman and Mr. Stevens and a statue waltz by Mr. I. Campbell and partner. Major Finlay, officer commanding the Ohawe troop, thanked all who had helped to make the series a success. School Cricket Match. A draw, the honours being with the Hawera team, was the result when the Fraser school cricket team played Hawera Main school. The bowlers were on top throughout the match and in the first innings Hawera scored only 13 runs and Fraser 12 runs. In the second innings Hawera made 50 runs for eight wickets declared and Fraser 14 for eight when time was called. 310 Cars Parked. Excellent service in the parking of cars was given by the South Taranaki Automobile Association officer at the Okaiawa jubilee on Friday. In all 310 cars were parked during the day, 180 being counted in the afternoon and 130 in the evening. Unemployment Relief. Assistance was given to 35 families on Saturday at Hawera and Normanby by i the weekly distribution of rations to rei gistered unemployed in their standdown week.

RETIREMENT OF CONSTABLE. MR. FITZGIBBON AT WAVERLEY. A large and representative gathering of residents of the Waverley district met at the supper room of the town hall on Thursday night to pay a tribute to Mr. J. Fitzgibbon, who recently retired from the position of officer in charge of the police station at Waverley. Mr. Fitzgibbon has held the position for the past 14 years and on relinquishing office has decided to settle in Waverley. Mr. J. Currie, who presided, made eulogistic reference to Mr. Fitzgibbon’s services during his period of office. Many people, he said, were apt to look upon members of the police force merely as officers of the law and regarded them with some apprehension, but during Mr. Fitzgibbon’s stay at Waverley he had shown all the virtues associated with the British police—kindliness, fairness and a desire to help those in trouble rather than harass them. Constable Fitzgibbon had always done his duty with honour to himself and the force of which he was a member and they were all pleased to know that he had decided to settle at Waverley as he was esteemed, not only in his official capacity as a public officer but also as a good citizen. These remarks were endorsed by other speakers, including Messrs. G. Aiken, J. H. Cowdell, C. Staite, W. H. Watkins, H. Heginbotham and J. Mills. Mr. Currie presented Mr. Fitzgibbon with a morris chair, wishing him many years of good health and enjoyment during his retirement. He presented Mr. Fitzgibbon with a clock, remarking that it was not often that they had the opportunity of giving a police officer “time.” On behalf of. the residents of Waverley he extended good wishes to both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgibbon. Mr. Fitzgibbon said the expression of goodwill was most unexpected and he felt honoured. He had been at Waverley for many years and had a high regard for the people of the district, where he had now decided to settle on retirement. He said his service had begun at .Wellington in 1901. He gave some interesting reminiscences of his early service in that city. After three years he had been transferred to Wanganui and was then officer in charge at St. Johns, whence he was promoted to Officer in charge at Kimbolton. He was there 10 years and had since been in charge of the Waverley district During the evening the following toasts were honoured; Local Bodies, proposed by Mr. W. P. Wallace, replied to by Mr. W. H. Watkins; Sports and Pastimes, proposed by Mr. W. H. James, replied to by Dr. P. Graves, Messrs. J. Mills, H. Heginbotham, J. Newland and J. Johnston; Old Identities, proposed by Mr. G. Aiken and replied to by Messrs. F. O. Matthews and P. Bremer. Songs were sung by Messrs. D. McCluskey, J. Patterson, P. Cunningham, C. Staite, J. Johnston and R. Leo, and elocutionary items were given by Messrs. B. Parkinson and J. Currie. The accompanists were Messrs. R. Marks and Gilmour.

MANAIA. DRAMATIC CLUB. END-OF-SEASON SOCIAL. The Manaia Dramatic Club concluded its season’s activities with a social in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday. There was a good attendance of invited guests and an enjoyable time was spent. The first portion was devoted to playreading, after which there was dancing and bridge. Supper was served by the ladies. The president, Mr. D. G. Sherson, ■ thanked all who had assisted the club with its winter readings. He specially mentioned the kindness of those who had acted as hosts and hostesses, also the musical assistance given by the orchestra. He hoped the club would experience another successful season next year. The first reading of the evening was “Five Birds in a Cage,” those taking part being Miss M. Chilcott (Duchess of Wiltshire), Mr. S. Blyde (Lord Porth), Mr. T. Black (liftman), Mr. N. Walker (Bert, a workmafi), Miss Cottom (Nellie, a seamstress). A short sketch, “Moonshine,” was ably presented by Mr. F. H. Garner (Luke Hazey, a “moonshiner”) and Mr. F. Dick (a revenue officer). “Birds of a Feather,” a small humorous play, caused much amusement. It was presented by Mr. G. Hammonds (Twin Tinker, a poacher), Mr. N. Walker (Dickie Bach-dwl, his associate), Mr. B. Scarmell (Jenkins, a gamekeeper), Mr. T. Black (Bishop of Mid-Wales), Mr. C. Sproull (voice and other noises). For the dancing music was played by Miss T. Jones (piano), Mr. V. F. Winter (violin), Mr. P. Mullins (violin), Mr. C. Sproull (comet), Miss A. Betts (’cello), Mr. M. Walker (trombone) and Mr. J. Lloyd (comet). Mr. F. H. Garner was master of ceremonies. “THE WHITE SISTER” SEASON. FINISHES TO-NIGHT AT HAWERA, To-night there will be given to Hawera theatre patrons the last opportunity of witnessing the presentation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s talking version of “The White Sister.” Helen Hayes and Clark Gable find scope at the head of a fine cast for the poi-trayal of the emotional scenes between them. Helen, the aristocrat and Gable the gallant airman are lovers whom war separated. Believing her lover dead'the girl enters a convent, but after she takes her holy vows her lover returns, but her vows must be fulfilled. Life in the convent and hospital is splendidly depicted, as is the encounter between the rival airmen. There is a wealth of poignant acting right through the picture. “The First Mrs. Fraser,” renowned as St. John Ervine’s stage play, will be shown at the Opera House to-morrow and Wednesday nights. It is one of the finest comedy-dramas presented in audible form, and stars the British Harold Huth and Joan Barry. Reserves are at Miss Blake’s.