PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 3

PATEA

PERSONAL Miss N. Luxton left yesterday morning for Wellington, sailing from there for Sydney to-morrow for a holiday. Mrs and Miss Burgess, of Hamilton, were visitors to Pater* during the week-end before motoring through Wellington. Mrs Burgess spent the days in Patea with her son, Mr T. Burgess, of the staff of the Bank ot New Zealand. Rev. and Mrs O. S. Gibson and their young son Paul passed through Palea yesterday, returning to Tauranga by motor from a holiday in Wellington. They lunched with Mrs W. F. Sheild before proceeding in the afternoon. Mr Dan Burley, of Daunevirke, is staying with his brother, Mr E. Hurley, Whenuakura, for the opening of the new school. Mr Dan Hurley was one of the first pupils of the school in 1877, and told many tales of his schooldays. His old schoolfellows and neighbours spent a great deal of time listening to the tales of his wanderings since he left homo in Whenuakura 40 years ago. Mr W. F. Sheild left yesterday by car for Auckland on a short business visit. HOSPITAL BOARD Following on the receipt of a letter from Dr. Watt, Director-General of Health, the Patea Hospital Board entered into a lengthy discussion on the question of the provision of a maternity ward at the hospital. This discussion took place at the board’s monthly meeting yesterday, those present being Messrs C. R. Honeyfield (chair), W. H. Watkins, C. E. Johnston. W. Back, A. T. Christensen, R. J. Watt, and J. Lupton. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs R. G. Scown and 11. Middleton. Dr. Watt forwarded a report on the proposed change from the isolation to maternity ward, and submitted plans of this and the alteration to the nurses’ accommodation. After discussing the matter a committee was appointed to meet the department’s officer for discussion, this committee comprising the chairman, Messrs Christensen, Johnston, the medical superintendent (Dr. W. T. Simmons) and Matron Kelly. Messrs Lowrie and White’s offer for the cutting of firewood for the hospital was accepted from among eleven tenders received. Dr. Simmons, as medical superintendent, reported that there were 25 (13 male, 12 female) patients in hospital ‘at the beginning of the month, and 25 (13 male, 12 female) at tne end of the month. Twenty patients (7 male, 13 female) were both admitted and discharged during the month. Matron Kelly reported that Nurse Wilmer had been taken on. as staff nurse in Miss Breamer’s place for three months. Nurses Forlong ana McKee had passed their hospital examination with honours. They would both sit at Wanganui on June 6 ana 7 for their final State examination. Both reports were adopted. NEW WHENUAKURA SCHOOL

There was quite a reunion of former pupils at Whenuakura last Monday afternoon and evening, when- the new school building was officially opened. Many reminiscences were told by both pupils and the several of the parents present. Among these were Messis Daniel Hurley (Dannevirke), John Sheahan, senr., C. R. and Ivo Honeyfield, Mrs P. Bourke, Miss Ellen Hurley, Mr E. Hurley, -while expressions of regret at not being present were made by Mr A. E. Symes (Waverley), Miss E. M. Nicholson (New Plymouth), Major Coutts, V.C., the last three with Messrs D. Hurley and Sheahan being the last remaining original pupils. During al’tcriioon tea time in the school, both Mr D. Hurley and Air J. Sheahan delighted those present by relating anecdotes of their schooldays. Mr D. Hurley recalled that- he and his brother (Mr J. Hurley) and Mr J. Sheahan, who were also present, were among the first pupils in 1877. That was in the days of six-horse coaches and red-coated soldiers. He was one of the first to pass the sixth standard, others he could remember being the Hawken brothers, W. Powdrcll, T. Taplin and W. Gibson.

Mr Sheahan mentioned some of his most vivid recollections. He urged parents to prevent their children coming home with tales about the teachers. He did that once and lus ears were boxed.

In the evening a dance was held in the Whenuakura Hall, which was decorated frith suspended variegated streamers, and large punga ferns hid the walls. Wills’ Melody Makers supplied the dance music and were playing at their best, introducing several of the newest dance tunes for the first time in this district. Many dancers were present from the surrounding districts, including Waverley, Alton, Mokoia and Patea, there being more than 70 couples on the floor. That veteran of Whenuakura dances, Air John Sheahan, acted as ALC., and he truly kept the ball going. Supper was served by the wives of the school committee members, and helpers, and altogether the evening’s entertainment celebrating the school’s opening was a great success.