SHOW OF ANTIQUES OPENS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1934, Page 10

SHOW OF ANTIQUES OPENS

EXPRESSIONS OF ADMIRATION.

BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EXHIBITS.

Many expressions of admiration were voiced when the exhibition of antiques was opened at Hawera yesterday and the large numbers that visited the display were surprised to find such a wide range of beautiful relics of past ages. The exhibition was opened by the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell. When Hawera undertook anything, Mr. Campbell said, it usually did it well and he would say emphatically that the exhibition was a case in point. It had excelled the most sanguine expectations of the promoters and was a tribute to the goodwill of the people of the town and district in lending what were undoubtedly treasures for the benefit of the cause and that others might receive some benefit. The value, he understood, was tremendous while it would be impossible to replace many of the articles. Besides having great intrinsic worth, the exhibits had great sentimental and educational value. The town was fortunate in having a committee which would put such time, thought and indefatigable work into arranging the exhibition. He had been told by a connoiseur that it was doubtful whether a better collection had ever been assembled in New Zealand and it had impressed him in its variety, its interesting character and the value of the' exhibits. All the profits would be devoted to the relief of distress among the unemployed. Apart from the beauties of the exhibits themselves the show is notable for the excellent arrangement and dear labelling. None of the' large number of items is likely to be overlooked By anyone visiting the exhibition while as much information as can be. secured is condsely set out. The old china, both English and Chinese, containing rare and valuable specimens from collections known the world over, attracted a great deal of attention yesterday. The Maori section, too, is of the highest order and experts were loud in their praises of this portion of the exhibition. These are the largest and most comprehensive portions of the exhibition but there are other single pieces of a remarkably fine nature. The exhibition’ will be open all this week. PATEA PRIMARY SCHOOL. / MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. The generous support given the Patea school committee by the public of Patea on the occasion of the annual picnic was the subject of favourable comment by members at the monthly meeting of the committee. Mr. R. E. Moore presided. A request from the Manaia Brass and Pipe Band contest committee that a holiday be granted scholars to attend the contests was received. No action was taken as it„was considered unlikely that any Patea children would attend. Appreciation of the committee’s efforts on behalf of the children and the care of the school grounds was expressed by Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board. Members stated that it was gratifying to know their efforts were appreciated. The headmaster, Mr. W. T. Armstrong, reported a roll number of 175 with an average attendance of 158. As this average was two below the number re.quired to keep the school at its present grade it behoved parents to see that their children missed as few school attendances as possible. Otherwise the school would lose grade and a teacher would be withdrawn. Mr. Mays moved that a protest be sent to the Education Board objecting to the purchase of “extras” for school work by the committee and parents. Though fully realising that the board had cut' down grants, chalk, ink, pens and paper were absolutely necessary to enable the children to learn. Many parents must feel the continuous call for these things exceedingly hard. The motion was carried.

It was reported that Mr. Hogg, agricultural inspector, had expressed himself as very pleased with the general appearance of the school grounds. Mr. F. Lund’s offer to mow the school playing fields was gratefully accepted.