PATEA’S SEASIDE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 8

PATEA’S SEASIDE

SOCIETY’S SUCCESSFUL YEAR. IMPROVEMENTS AT THE BEACH. “The work of the society has occasioned favourable comment from visitors from other centres, and I hope success will continue to attend its efforts,” the Mayor, Mr. F. Ramsbottom, stated at the annual meeting of the Patea Seaside Improvement Society on Friday. The president, Mr. T. J. Scott, submitted a report which stated that the society's credit balance was not large, but as the speed-boat carnival resulted in a loss and several works had been carried out the position was satisfactory. The carnival had to be postponed but those who attended the later fixture had an enjoyable time. Speed-boats from New Plymouth, Waitara and Palmerston North were present and some exciting racing resulted. Mr. G. Jones erected a large fireplace which should prove a boon to visitors.

The road had been widened and made safer and no bad bends have now to be negotiated. A garage which obstructed a view of a bend in the road had been moved to the owner’s section. Pine trees had been planted in the area above Mr. Waterland’s residence, thanks to the generosity of the Domain Board, the" area being enclosed with a fence. Mr. J. Fairweather supervised the planting and the Borough Council provided soil. In a few years the plantation should look well.

The roads were in fair order, the report continued, with the exception of the river road near Mr. Stanford’s section. It was proposed to have this road attended to in the course of the next few weeks. The society’s thanks were due to the Harbour Board and other’s who had assisted.

Regarding the society’s cup for school children’s swimming it had been asked if this could be competed for at the Waverley baths at the annual sports, but it was the society’s wish that it be com-' peted for in the river or sea, as the object was to encourage swimming in open water. This was agreed to by the schools association.

In moving the report’s adoption, Mr. E. F. Hemingway congratulated the chairman and secretary on their efforts to develop the area and attract country people and others to the town. The members of the society had done magnificent work on what a few years ago was a wilderness of- sandhills.

Mr. Ramsbottom said the greater part of the society’s income was spent on useful maintenance work, and the planting of trees would do much to reduce ’the movement of sand. Probably no beach on the coast offered small children safer bathing areas. The society was unfortunate in having a rough day for the carnival after such a large expense had been incurred. The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mr. A. T. Christensen; president, Mr. T. J. Scott; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Haworth; auditor, Mr. L. W. Austin; committee, Messrs. Naismith, Locker, Coad, Boagey, Cunningham, Jones, Waterland, Clark, Quickenden and Herbert. The resignations of Messrs. Roots and Gilbert were accepted with regret and appreciation of their service to the society was placed on record. Appreciative reference to the work of Mrs. Scott in catering for the speed-boat race competitors and the Domain Board’s gift of trees was made. A letter expressing appreciation of his work in tree planting is to be sent to Mr. J. Fairweather. It was decided that if possible Maori canoe races would be included in the New Year Day regatta programme. OCTOPUSES AT HAWERA. LARGE HAULS OF SHARKS. A Hawera fish shop on Saturday displayed a fair-sized octopus in the window. Inquiries revealed that unusual numbers of the species have been seen and caught in the last two or three weeks. At the “Zig-Zag” beach below the golf course one couple who fish there constantly have reported catching as many as four octopi in a day, the average size being from three to four feet across. The couple have also caught a large number of sharks, and on Thursday secured a haul of a dozen, the largest four feet - six inches long. Schnapper lines were used, and though the species was not known, the fish were good fighters when landed. GENERAL ITEMS. Pig Marketing. On Tuesday evening there was a large attendance at the presentation at Mokoia of a film illustrating modern pig keeping and improved marketing methods. Mr. L. F. Bell, president of the MokoiaWhakamara branch of the Farmers’ Union, presided. The picture, which was fully explained by Mr. Hastings, was of exceptional interest and educational value. After questions had been answered, the women of the district provided supper. Mokoia Flag Five Hundred. The final of the series of flag five hundred games was held in the Mokoia hall on Friday evening. There was a good attendance. Miss N. Montague, Mrs. W. Marsh and Messrs. T. Hey and E. Johnston tied for the prizes with Misses L. Lander, J. Wills, Calver and Mr. Southcombe. Mrs. E. Dunn secured the most flags amongst the women, and Mr. E. Johnston most flags among the men. Music for the d .ice that followed was played by Mrs. W. Cornwall, Miss J. Lander and Mr. D. S. Richardson. STAR’S PERSONALITY. GRACIE FIELD’S SUCCESS. There have been few motion picture players with so much personality as Gracie Fields, whose latest success, “Love, Life and Laughter,” began a three-day showing at the Hawera Opera House on Saturday night. From beginning to end the picture is screamingly funny, with the Lancashire lass dominating every situation with her native wit and cleverness. Some of the songs she sings are more “catchy” than any she has yet sung. Sung with typical gusto, they are a joyful addition to her splendid repertoire. The supporting cast, too, is excellent, and John Loder as a Puritanian prince (Gracie by the way is a modem Nell Gwynn) wins further laurels. On Wednesday “When Sinners Meet," an adaptation of A. A. Milne’s famous “Dover Road,” will be shown, with Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard co-starred for the first time since their triumphant success in “Cavalcade.”