GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18557, 2 May 1930, Page 12

GERALDINE.

DIAMOND JUBILEE OP SCHOOL. That the Geraldine District High School would soon have to consider the holding of its diamond jubilee was referred to by the chairman (Mr A. M. Fyfe) at the annual meeting of householders. He read an advertisement which had appeared in 1872. It read:—“Wanted for the Geraldine District School (Canterbury, N.Z.) a duly qualified teacher (a married man preferred). Salary £165 per annum, with residence and garden. To enter upon his duties not later than July 1. 1872. Robert Fish, chairman of Committee.” IS HOMEWORK NECESSARY? “Is Homework Necessary?” was the subject of a short discussion at the annual meeting of householders of the Geraldine School, and the meeting was of opinion that it was not necessary for children under Standard 4. The subject was introduced by the Canterbury School Committees’ Association remit that homework be abolished in classes under Standard 4. The headmaster (Mr A. F. Barrell) said that a little homework was good, and gave the children an interest. However, it should not be new work, or work that would be of a worrying nature. Mr D. Callan.an said that he was opposed to homework. The work should be taught in school; that was what the teachers were paid for. Ths children did enough work at school, and should not be worried with more at night. That was the time they should have for relaxation. (Apple use). The remit was carried unanimously. FOOTBALL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Geraldine Football Committee was held on Tuesday night. It was reported that the fourth grade team had travelled to Timaru on Saturday, only to find that Star B. had defaulted.—As the matter was in the hands of the Union, it was decided to take no action.

The chairman referre.d to the condition of the No. 2 ground, which was not satisfactory. Wet weather had interfered with preparation, and the hay had been raked off the field only on the morning of the match.—lt was decided to approach the Geraldine Hockey Club to see if they would grant the use of their ground for fifth grade matches.

It was reported that neither of the referees appointed for Saturday’s ' matches had turned up.—lt was also I i decided to write thanking the coach of the Star fifth grade team, who had refereed the third grade match to the satisfaction of all parties. SCHOOL COMMITTEES. ] The following are further results of elections of school committees in the Geraldine district:— Pleasant Valley;—Messrs, W. Webb (chairman), J. Brophy (secretary), R. G. Waldie, S. Gale and s J. R. Sharpe. Hilton:—Messrs E, O. Winmill (chairman), B. B. Jones, A. Archibald and Brenton. Gapes Valley:—Messrs P. Barker (chairman), C. G. Hibbs (treasurer), W. M. Patrick, George Patrick, and E. Walker. Peel Forest: —Owing to the wet weather, there was a poor attendance at Peel Forest, and the meeting was postponed. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr W. D. Barker, of Geraldine, has been visiting Christchurch. Mr Cousins, Government Poultry Inspector for the South Island, is visiting the Geraldine district. Miss Burrows, Geraldine, has been visiting Christchurch. Included among the recent visitors to the Hermitage was Dr. L. C. Mail, Geraldine. At the annual meeting of householders of the Geraldine District High School, Mr A. M. Fyfe referred to the fact that Mr M. G. Williams, who had served on the Committee for fourteen years, was not seeking re-election. Mr Williams had put in much good work for the school during that time. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring committeeman. MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Pleasant Valley M,.nature Rifle Club, the following v officers were elected:—President, Mr E. Murphy; committee, captain and Messrs A. Parr, T. Robinson, R. Waldie. S. Rae. D. Shaw, and J. Gregan; captain, to be elected; secretary, Mr J. Gregan; armourer, Mr R. Waldie; target checkers, Messrs R. Waldie and T. Robinson; rifle testers, Messrs S. Rae, J. Crotty, A. Parr and W. S. Crotty. Subscriptions were fixed at 10/-, the same as last year. 1 DANCE AT PLEASANT VALLEY. i In connection with the formation of a tennis club at Pleasant Valley, a successful dance was held in the Pleasant Valley Hall on Tuesday night. There was a good attendance, I and a most enjoyable evening was spent. A lucky spot waltz wes won , by Mr and Mrs Pat Bennett jt 1

CRIBBAGE ASSOCIATION. The draw for the first round of the Geraldine and District Cribbage Association’s competition, which wall commence on Tuesday night, is as follows: Bowlers v. Citizens (Walker’s rooms); Farmers’ Union v. Gapes Valley (Walker's rooms); Hilton v. Oddfellows (Cain’s rooms); Orari Bridge v. Orari A. (Woolhouse’s); Orari B. v. South End (Woolhouse’s). METHODIST FAIR. A successful Methodist fair was held in the Geraldine Presbyterian Hall yesterday. There was a good display of produce, cookery and handwork, and patrons found much to interest them. Luncheon and afternoon-tea was obtainable, and those in charge experienced quite a busy time. As a result of the function, the funds of the church should benefit materially. Those in charge of stalls were as follows:—Home produce, Mesdames E. Undrill. W. Fyfe, W. G. Sherratt and F. Wallach; sweets. Misses Coomber and Prouting; jumble stall, Mesdames George Loach and J. Southern; Young Ladies’ Guild stall. Misses I. Logan and Mrs L. Neutze; produce stall. Messrs George Loach and H. D. Neutze; luncheon, Mesdames H. D. Neutze. W. Henry, E. Smith. A. Smith, A. South. Sutherland, McKeown, Jones and others. \ERO CLUB'S VISIT.. Zooming and circling aloft, three aeroplanes visited Geraldine, under the auspices of the Canterbury Aero Club yesterday. Despite the southwesterly drizzle that set in early in the day, the many hundreds who visited the landing ground, and especiallythose who made a “joy flight,” and became members, spent a most pleasurable afternoon.

Shortly before 12 o’clock, three ’planes came out of the distant clouds, and only a short time elapsed before they were droning over Geraldine. A good landing was made in one of Mr J. Tiplady’s paddocks, and the following Aero Club members and officials stepped out of the ’planes:—Captain J. C. Mercer (instructor), Mr R. P. Climie (secretary), Miss Aroha Clifford and Messrs D. C. Grigg, H. R. Sampson and A. W. Burbridge. The Mayor of Geraldine (Mr J. Kennedy) extended to the visitors the best wishes of the people in the district, and stated that he was sure interest would be aroused by the visit. It was unfortunate that there was not more sunshine, but airmen were usually prepared to take things as they came, and he was sure they would do the very best possible under the circumstances.

Speaking on behalf of the Town and District Association, Dr. P. W. Hislop, the president, endorsed the remarks of the Mayor. He hoped that the visit would prove successful, and that it would not be the last of its kind. It would do much to arouse interest in aviation, and would assist greatly in developing an air-sense.

On behalf of the Club, Mr R. P. Climie, the secretary, acknowledged the welcome they had received. It had been the Club’s intention to visit Geraldine for some time, but their ’planes had experienced a busy time during the summer months. It was hoped that, during the next few months, visits would be made to other parts of South Canterbury. The Canterbury Aero Club was by no means confined to Christchurch—Canterbury was quite small enough from a flying point of view. As an illustration as to how flying would shorten distances, their trip fif)m Christchurch to Geraldine that morning had been done in a little under an hour. The main object of the visit was to stimulate interest in aviation, and to enrol members, who would be taken for a free flight. The Club had now over 700 members on its books.

Captain J. C. Mercer, the instructor, said that like most aviators he would sooner fly than speak. It was nine to nine and a-half years since he visited Geraldine last by air, and on that occasion it was in connection with the Timaru Aero Transport Company’s ‘:j°y flight” day. It was the aim of the Aero Club to visit all the smaller places. Commercial firms had visited the larger centres. They had brought the Club's two Moth machines with them that day, and, in addition, Miss Aroha Clifford and Mr Grigg had flown down in Miss Clifford’s own Avro-Avian machine.

At one period of the afternoon there must have been in the vicinity of five hundred people present. Those who were unable to make the visit watched the flying birds as they winged their way across the skies, from their own windows and d6ors. About fifty were taken aloft during the afternoon, including a good proportion of the fairer sex. and all spoke in high terms of their experience.

Mr Grigg piloted one of the Moths high above the ground, and indulged m graceful stunts, which drew forth gasps of suspense and considerable admiration. Included in the stunts were looping-the-loop, spiralling, rolling, nose-diving, and many others of an equally picturesque nature. Those present commented on the rapid progress that had been made by aviation in the past twenty years. What was once an adventure had become a commonplace and regular services link the globe. To-day, flying is a commercial reality, and aeroplanes, whether they are wanted for rapid transit, fighting diseases in isolated parts, locating fires in forests, or even in the less romantic circles of business, have proved *sheir worth. Mr A. J. Macdonald, a flying enthusiast, nygc local arrangements, including thr \ and fires for

wind indication, and Mr G. N. Valentine arranged for supplies of petrol at the ground.

DIRECTOR OF AIR

A flying visit to Geraldine was made by the Director of New Zealand Air Services (Wing-Commander S. GrantDaltoni on Wednesday. Flying from Christchurch in an Air Force Moth, with Captain Borrell as pilot, he landed at the homestead of Mr and Mrs J. M. H. Tripp, at Orari Gorge, where they were guests. The machine made a splendid take-off, iooped-the-loop as farewell, and soon disappeared into the hazy distance.