OTOROHANGA NEWS

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1574, 15 November 1924, Page 5

OTOROHANGA NEWS

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

(Resident Representative.)

A party. of enthusiasts contemplate •.going through to Hamilton to see 'the performance of "The Country Girl" by the Hamilton Operatic Society. By jove! there'll be some keen criticism I expect. The Otorohanga School Committee to at last appreciate the fact that the late proposal for a consolidated school here was merely a red 'herring drawn across the path in connection with their request for a new school as had been promised. This was suggested through these columns :at the time, but the Committee would have none of it, not realising that -even the Minister of Education could Mend himself to such dealings. However, the School Committee have at last awakened to the position and passed a resolution at their last meeting strongly protesting against •the non-provision of a new school ,on the new site which had been bought for the very purpose. It was pointed out by Mr A. K. Closey that the present school was being worked un--der very unsatisfactory conditions and was going back rather than forward. 'They would have to start fresh with the agitation for a new .school and repeat their request month by month. Even Mr Atkinson, with whpm it had been "consolidation" or .... nothing, .agreed that the motion should be supported, the auestion of consolidation to be left to the country districts .to initiate. Mr Liddy said the Department had used the consolidation proposal as a means of side-stepping the new school. The position is exactly what the Waioa Post's representative contended' it was fully six months .ago. It is for the Otorohanga School Committee to keep on agitating for the promised new school until it is "un fait accompli." The final performance of "Les -Cloches de Corneville," was attended by a fairly large house of enthusiasts there being several there who had patronised the performance before. 'Though one, or perhaps two, of the principals appeared to have tired, the chorus was better than ever. It .speaks we'll for these latter to mention that their enthusiasm had not diminished at all and that expressions of regret at being the last performance were heard on all sides. The orchestra was excellent and special thanks are due to those members who hailed from Te Kuiti and Te Awamutu. The presentation of bouquets to the lady principals was a feature of the •evening's entertainment, all the ladies, viz., Miss Atkinson, Miss Henderson and Miss O'Rorke, being thus recognised and honoured for their performances, as was,also Mrs A. E. Cooke, pianiste. After the close of the performance -of "Les Cloches" the members of the •company were served with supper provided by Mrs F. Phillips on the stage and the compliment was greatly appreciated. Occasion was taken to present Mr J. A. Sparks, the conductor, •with a memento of the season in the •shape of a very nice and comfortable arm chair, in which he could rest after his arduous labours. In making the presentation Mr Rowland, the president of the Association, referred to the debt of gratitude they owed to Mr Sparks, who had not only discovered latent talent but developed the same so that it had been possible for. the Otorohanga Operatic Society to put on a performance of a difficult opera in a manner far and away above the average to be seen in even the larger centres. Mr Sparks briefly acknowledged the gift, but showed he much appreciated the compliment. Four trucks of fat hoggets were to be seen at the railway yards yesterday, consigned to the freezing works at Waitara. On enquiry I find they were from "Chindi" (Mr Oudaille's) and are no doubt a credit to this district. The sheep in question gave 10 lb.'fleeces.