AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1933, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS

PUKEARUHE ACHIEVEMENTS TWO FINE SHIELDS ANNEXED. SCHOOLMASTER FAREWELLED. The Pukearuhe school has a remarkable record in agricultural work, having won against Dominion-wide competition the Henry Lane Shield, which is awarded the school showing the greatest percentage of eligible competitors together with pointe for prizes won in the field, at A. and P. shows and at winter shows. Previously' the shield had been won as follows: 1928, Tikorangi; 1929 and 1930, Ararata; 1931, Egmont Village; 1932, Makarewa (Southland). The school also annexed the Trimble Shield for the North Taranaki school showing the most interest and best work in the Boys and Girls’ Club movement. The shield was held for Pukearuhe last year also, previous winners having been Egmont Village 1928, 1929 and 1931, and Dudley Road 1930. The Margaret Challenge Cup for best grade calf was also won by Walter Baker,- a pupil of the school. . , ■ The hall was crowded on Friday night, when a social was held for the presentation of prizes. The gathering also marked the farewell of the teacher, Mr. E. Cuming,, whose work has contributed much to the success of the school. Among those present were Messrs. A. E. Washer (president of the Boys and Girls’ Clubs), H- Trimble (chairman of the Stratford Technical High School Board of Governors and donor of the shield) and Duncan Mackay (senior agricultural instructor).

The early part of the evening was devoted to dancing, music being provided by the Mecca Orchestra. Mr. Cuming was master of ceremonies. > Mr; A. E. Baker, chairman of the school committee, congratulated Mr. Cuming and the boys and girls of the school on the outstanding success achieved. He also thanked the parents for their co -operation, without which, he said, they could not achieve much. SCHOOL CONGRATULATED. Mr. Washer said he considered it an honour to be associated with the school’s outstanding success in winning two coveted trophies, and he congratulated the boys and girls, the teacher, the parents and particularly Mr. Baker (supervisor for a number of years) on the success achieved. He referred to the growth of the club movement in Taranaki. On all but one occasion the Henry A.' Lane Shield had been retained in Taranaki. Pukearuhe would have to strive hard to the shield as several schools had made marked improvement, notably Kaimata. He then presented prizes as follows:— Phyllis Baker: First dairy type Jersey/Ayrshire section; championship mangold growing; best-kept plot in rootgrowing competition (cup). Walter Baker: Second dairy type Jersey/Ayrshire section; second prize mangold growing. Ella Savage: First equal condition pedigree Jerseys; second breed type pedigree Jerseys. Eva Savage: Third prize condition pedigree Jerseys; third prize breed type pedigree Jerseys. Richard Purdie: Championship for carrots. Nelson Rowe: Third prize mangolds. Robert White: Third prize carrots. /The school: Henry Lane and Co. Shield. ' In presenting the Trimble Shield' and. the Margaret Cup Mr. Trimble congratulated all concerned on their success. He was pleased to find that the small schools as well as the large ones could win the shield, showing that their work , was of a high order. It was a splendid thing to see the shield go round, as it was. an indication that all were trying to improve the standard of the work. In accepting the shields Mr, Cuming caid he considered, the -credit, .was due to the. work.and enthusiasm.of Mr. Baker as supervisor. l lt was splendid. to; see parents so enthusiastic. over . the work of the clubs, as that played an important part in . the scientific training of the children.. Mr.; Baker’s thoroughness and enthusiasm were, shown by. the success of -his children, and that had been transmitted also to other, families. Though leaving the district he would, watch - its progress with interest, Mr. Cuming added. • ' BEST IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr. Mackay apologised for the absence of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of the Taranaki Education -Board, and.. Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Agricultural Department. He also paid a high tribute to the excellent standard of work’ that; had been attained by Pukearuhe—a •standard that had not been excelled anywhere in Taranaki-or New Zealand.- He congratulated Pukearuhe on its .meritorious performance in winning back from Southland the Henry Lane Shield, which .was a tribute to the co-operative spirit that existed in ; the district. On behalf of the school committee he presented Phyllis Baker with-a gold medal as: a -recognition of her outstanding work'in the clubs over a period of years, remarking that one of her performances was a crop of 152 tons of mangolds. Mr. Baker then presented the school prizes as follows:— - ; .. Proficiency scholars (books): Phyllis Baker, Brian Lambert and Nelson . Rowe. Boys and Girls’' Club , competitions: Phyllis Baker,' Eileen Lambert, Shirley Baker (cups and saucers); Walter Baker, Brian Lambert, Bob White, Nelson Rowe, Ron Cocker, Dick Purdie and Vai Allen (a book each).' Each pupil was presented with a book, Father Christmas handed each :of the younger children a gift from a wellladen tree. Other special prizes were presented' as follows: Tennis racquet (Mr, C. A. Wilkinson), most improved player, Ron Cocker; ■ book (Mrs.- P. Carey); for child showing most improvement in school work; Dorothy Purdie. 1 A tribute to the work of. Mr. Cuming was paid by the chairman, in calling upon Mr. S. E. Moodie .to present Mr. .and Mrs. Cuming with a mantel chiming clock. Ever since their arrival Mr. , and Mrs. Cuming had taken an active part in anything for the welfare of the district, he said. They had been of great assistance in cricket, tennis arid other activities. Indeed, it was largely .due to Mr. Cuming’s energy as secretary that Pukearuhe now possessed a tennis court free of debt, where six months ago there had been a grass plot. Residents of Pukearuhe were proud to show their appreciation and could assure theft guests that their good work would never be forgotten. In reply Mr. Cuming said they had been- very happy in the district, which, they had no desire to leave but for the necessity of gaining experience. He had been pleased to assist in their sports activities as he held that farmers more than anyone else should take an interest in sport, for though they might think they had sufficient exercise, in their ordinary work, sport did not weary them physically but toned them iip mentally.