HALCOMBE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19478, 22 December 1925, Page 3

HALCOMBE.

HALCOMEE SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. (From the 4 4 Chronicle’s" Special g Correspondent). The annual prize-giving took place on Friday at the local school before quite a small crowd of parents and friends. In addition to the ordinary prizes, each scholar received a wellbound copy of the New Testament, an anonymous donor being desirous in this way of showing appreciation of local efforts on behalf of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Mr W. Stansell, the headmaster, congratulated the scholars upon tho year’s [work and attendance, and < omniended those who had worked hard and been promoted. He wished the children a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a pleasant holiday. Other speakers were the secretary of the School Committee (Mr W. Faulding), Messrs Climie (Presbyterian minister). and Flower (Methjdist). After the prizes had been presented tho children sang, finishing up with ‘‘Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem, land three cheers all round. The prizes [were presented as follows: Certificates. Proficiency.—Ronald Seigel (Dux), Trevor Clapham, Eric Stitt, Bella Managh, Lily MeGreal, Doreen Rogers. Flora Ward, and Violet Wilson. Competency.—Dick Hughes and Leslie Ward. Prizes. Standard Vl.—Ronald Seigcl 1, Violet Wilson 2, Bella Managh 3. Standard V.—Frank Heappy 1, Douglas Hughes 2, Andrew' Seigel 3. Standard IV.—Martha Te Punga 1, Eric Orr 2, Margary Mitchell 3. Standard Hl.—Paul Te Punga 1, Estelle Mit 'hell 2, Royden Gibbs 3. Standard If.—Aileen Managh 1, Andrew Deere 2, Maurice Heappy 3. Standard 1. —Ray Blows 1, Gladys Whisnowsky 2, Jean Noffke 3. Lower Standard I.—Edna MeGreal l n

Norman Voss 2, Allen McLean 3. Primer ll. Ray Hubncr 1, Jonas Hughes 2, Fern Hughes 3. Primer II. —Roy Tc I’unga 1, Muriel McLean 2, Teddy Gibbs 3. Attendance Frizes. For those not having missed one halfday during the year.—Trevor Clapham, Richard Hughes, Ronald Seigel, Bella Managh, Nellie Rogers, Doreen Rogers. Violet Wilson, Allen Francis, Douglas Hughes, Norman Williams, Dorothy Voss, Jack Deere, James Hughes, Eric Orr, Joyce Hubner, Mavis Wheeler, Agues Ward, Jack Mitchell, Bert Monk, Leonard Smith, Paul Te Punga, Mona Hughes, Estelle Mitchell. Ivy ’ Stitt, Andrew Deere, Maurice Heappy, James Wishnowsky, Amy Horn, Gladys Wishnowsky, Jonas Hughes, Fern Hughes, Alexia Mennie, Phyllis Monk, and Archie Horn. For those not having missed more than five half-days during the year: — Walter Voss, Royden Gibos, ' Violet Wheeler, Trevor West, Jessie Orr. Ray Blows, Edna MeGreal, Gladys Smith. Madge Clap ham, Martha To Punga, Margery Mitchell, Brenda Williams, Lily MeGreal, Eric Stitt, Maurice Faulding, Andrew Seigel, Reg MeGreal, Vai Kreegher, and Jack Heappy. AVOIDING THE CROWD. So many people are acting on thr advice “Shop early” that discriminating buyers have now decided to make their purchases in comfort during the rush hours. WEATHER AND WORRY. Day by day news grows scant as the festive season approaches; ail events seem to compress into a small record. Yct a little reflection shows

I that this is not the case. For instance, ; I had at least three discussions on weather conditions on Sunday. In J “ Scott’s Last Expedition ’ ’ the author .complains that the kind blew “continuously from one quarter for five days.” It docs better tlwn that on this coast. For five weeks we have had heavy wind from the west or thereabouts. The weather has been accused of drying up the pastures, flattening crops, spoiling holidays, and ruining tempers. The. records >how us that the rainfall has been quite a lot below normal, and that so far Ihe sun has shone nearly every day. The drying winds are having a bad effect on cows, and butterfat returns for December will, it is stated, be much below what they ought to be. NO REGRETS. Local shareholders in the Wellington Meat Export Company do not appear at all sorry that the company’s assets have been disposed of. People in these parts were induced to take up shares in the company when the Kakariki works wore proposed, and I understand that it was the shareholders of this district who caused the “ white elephant ” on the Rangitikei to be erected. Much water has gone under the bridge since then, and all the time more money has being going out than has been coming in. Hence it is that local shareholders, seeing little prospect of ever getting interest on their money, are not sorry to cut their loss and let others take up the burden. Many people in and around Halcombe think that now the works have changed hands killing will be started immediately at Kakariki. I am, however, informed by a man who professes to know that there is r.o more likelihood of the Kakariki works opening under the now company than there was under the old. There is, he says, not enough stock offering to warrant the step being taken, and if the new company can keep the Ngahauranga works going at top that is about all that can be expected. HOBSON’S CHOICE. “Why people buy motor-cars,”

caught my eye in a contemporary. One very potent reason is the fact that attempts to raise them from seed are doomed to failure, while taking slips or cuttings is equally futile. A POPULAR GIRL. Just before the break-up of the local school presentations were made to Miss Robbie, who has finished her term as a probationer. Her fellow-teachers gave her a toilet cabinet, and Mrs McLeod, in handing over the gift, said they were extremely sorry that Miss Robbie would not be with them next term. Miss Robbie, by her gentleness, patience, and amiability, had won their esteem, and the little* token, evidence of their goodwill, carried with it their best wishes. On behalf of the scholars, A iolct Wilson, a sixth standard girl, made a speech, in which she expressed ■ the regret felt by the children at losing Miss Robbie, whom they had all learned to love, and to whom they extended their good wishes. Edwin Waapu, a popular little Maori boy in Primer IT., then passed to Miss Rob bio three boxes of handkerchiefs, and the recipient feelingly replied. COME INTO THE GARDEN. man who appeared before the magistrate recently at Auckland complained that his neighbour’s sow would persist in coming into his garden. And for some, unknown reason the magistrate did not ask if the sow was named “Maud.”