MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 228, 28 September 1935, Page 5

MARTON

' THE CIVIC THEATRE “LITTLE MISS MARKER” Bringing Io life the famous characters in Damon Runyon’s celebrated story. “Little Miss Alarker,” Adolphe Menjou, Dorothy Dell, Charles Bick ford ami Shirley Temple, together with a host of other talented players, are featured in the Paramount film version of “Little Miss Marker,’’ which comes to the Civic Theatre this afternoon and evening and Alonday evening. The picture tells how Menjou embittered, friendless and mean is forced to adopt a little girl originally le-f’t with him as security for a bet. As time goes on the curly headed little tot teaches him how to be tender and loving and stimulates him to win back his selfrespect and honour. In a startling rapid-tire climax' he sacrifices a fortune to save the child from death and wins the love of (Dorothy Dell, whom he had been worshipping at a distance for years. Mickey Mouse’s Birthday For most people a birthday is a personal affair, to be celebrated with a few personal friends in private. For Alickey Mouse a birthday is au international event, observed by the whole world in public. Alickey’s birthday falls ou September 28, and the most will be made of it by millions of friends among children —and grown-ups too —the world over. The day is to be made joyous with parties that will include all the traditional trimmings—birthday cakes, games, sKXigs and costumes. Alickey Mouse’s birthday will be celebrated at a special matinee at the Civic Theatre at 10.30 this morning, when every child atteding will receive a piece of birthday cake. SIRES OF THE SEASON OH A M PI( )N CLYDESDA LE NG AIO DENE The champion Clydesdale stallion Ngaio Dene (Bonnie Dene —Ngaio Jean) will be at the service of breeders in the Wanganui, Fordell, Wangaehu and surrounding districts this season. Ngaio Dene has won numerous championships and prizes during the past two years at Hawke’s Bay, Feilding Wanganui and Hawera Jubilee Show, and is a typical Clydesdale sire. Full particulars may be obtained from Air. N. Williamson, Bonny Glen. AIARTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL ARBOR DAY CEREMONY

Two ceremonies of wide interest took place at the Marton D.H. School on Thursday afternoon. First, in the observance of Arbor Day, there was the planting of trees m which each member of the staff participated, and also one of the first pupils to attend the school in Marton —72 years ago—namely, Airs. Baird, of Station Street, who planted a memorial golden oak to mark the jubilee of the coronation of His Majesty King George 25 years ago. Following the tree-planting ceremony, a panel containing photographs of the winners of the cup presented by the late Air. J. J. McDonald in 1921, was unveiled, after which afternoon tea was dispensed. There was a large attendance of parents for the occasion, which was marked by appropriate addresses. Before the tree planting, the chairman of the School Committee, Air. H. J. Fowler, gave a delightfully understanding talk to the children on the beauty of trees and their usefulness to man, illustrating his points with similes to appeal to the child mind. He exhorted his young listeners to take care of the trees to be planted that day by their teachers. “Remember,” he said, “that if you injure these trees you will be hurting your teachers, too.” The children were urged never to countenance the useless destruction of trees, and were told of the droughts and floods, with their attendant damage, which had been caused by the denudation of forests in other lands. The assembly then adjourned for the planting of planes and chestnut trees at chosen parts of the playing area by each member of the staff in turn. After this pleasant task had been performed, all those present gathered round the flagstaff, where Airs. Baird, displaying marvellous energy for her 84 planted the King George memorial golden oak. “This occasion must be almost unique in the Dominion,” said Air. Fowler. ‘'‘Airs. Baird was one of the first pupils to attend the Alarton School. 72 years ago. It was then situated at the top of High Street, where Dr. Harpur’s residence now stands, and in those days there were no shady trees and fine surroundings such as you see here to-day, but instead there were toi-toi and flax.” When the planting was completed in masterly fashion, the children cheered lustily. The scene of activities then moved inside the building to the quadrangle for the unveiling of the J. J. Al’cDon aid Cup panel, in which are mounted photos of the winners of the cup since it was presented by the late Air. J. J. AlcDonald, a former chairman of the school committee and ATayor of Marton,'in 1921. Six previous holders of the cup were on the platform. An address was given by Air. T. Low who was chairman of the School Committee at the time the cup was donated and for many years after. KJ. embers of the McDonald family were present by invitation. “The late Air. J. J. McDonald,” said Mr. Low, “was a man of outstanding character, a natural leader and planner, with that gift of seeing things carried through to finality. Proof of this is very evident in these walls, this building, and the beautifully laid-out level grounds surrounding it. “These are all monuments of a man's unstinted devotion to one of four powerfM influences that made his life one worth living and one worth copying and following. 1 refer to the first—the one we are dealing with today—education and the training of the youth in the very best of surroundings; secondly, his devotion to his Church and his unswerving faith in his Maker; thirdly, his love for his home and family, and all that makes life worth living for in that home; and last, but not least, his attention to his own business, and interest in the civic affairs of the town wherein that living was madftw

“Ln the matter of education, so far as I am able to find out, the late Air. J. J. McDonald first associated himself or interested himself in the year 1903, when he was voted to the chair at the householders’ meeting. In .1901 he was elected to the school committee and chosen chairman, and from that dale, 1904, he continued to act. in that position til! 1920. Sixteen years as chairman is a wonderful record, and I feel sure that had. Death not (‘ailed him he would still be carrying on that work he loved so well. If you will rend the names on the brass plate placed on the wall yonder you wilt find affixed his name along with his committee who were responsible for the erection of this school on February .12, 1913. 1 had been associated with him on the committee of this school for some years prior to his death and I can say that it was a privilege to work with him. It fell to mv lot to carry on the good work after and 1 ran truthfully say it was no light task to attempt, but with the example set before us we committeemen carried on doing our best, and so it has continued, and will continue a duty to perform, by those who are willing and able to give the time and energy for the sake of the children.

“To commemorate the memory of Air. AlcDonald his wife presented this beautiful cup, to he called The McDonald Afemorial Cup. “I had the privilege of accepting it on behalf of the school and presenting it to the first winner, Mr. Alex. Cairn-

“Winners of the AlcDonald Cup to date are:—l92l, Alexander Cairncross; 1922, Alfred Low; 1923, Jack Kerr; 1924, David Barton; 1925, Kenneth Gibbons; 1926, Jean Kerr; 1927, Lenore Wilkie; 1928, Jack Nicol; 1929, Dorothy Field; 1930, Alargaret Lound; 1931, Adeline Griffen and Betty Siccly equal; 1932, Harry Wilkie; 1933, William Dashwood; 1934, Hamish McLean.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls—l now, with pleasure, uncover to the honour of the school the portraits of the several winners to date and exhort all of you children to try to emulate them; be sports in the true sense, help your school, honour your teachers, love your parents, be true to one another, be loyal to your King and country, and above all, be faithful to God who will giude you in all your various walks of life.

“ —‘So live your Jives that others seeing you will follow your example.’ “At this stage I would just like to express my thanks to your headmaster, Air. Wilson, for the privilege of allowing me to come here io-day, and the opportunity given me to speak to you boys and girls. It it some years now since I stood on this platform as your chairman. During my term of office I tried to carry on along the lines set down by AlcDonald and had the satisfaction of seeing the school progress. Through my committee’s nf forts, with the able support of teachers and pupils, coupled with the loyal help of the Ladies’ Welfare League, we were able to add to the school area that portion now partly owned by the Cricket Association of some twelve acres in all, as a further sports ground, also the erection of the secondary school, that fine building standing alongside. When I took over Mr. Ryder was headmaster, then followed Air. de Barry and Air. Bates, all sterling gentlemen, all saturated with tine school patriotism—following in order we have Mr. Wilson. “And now word has come of his transfer to St. Clair, Dunedin, as headmaster. Air. Wilsou, I congratulate and envy you. You are going to reside in the midst of, shall I say, the most sincere, .warm-hearted and loving people to be found anywhere in Now Zealand. I wish you every success, and to you and Airs. Wilson, long life and happiness in your new surroundings.”

After the impressive ceremony, a sumptuous afternoon tea was served by the teachers and senior pupils. Thanks were expressed by the chairman, Mr. Fowler, to the parents of the children for their generosity in providing the good things and the teachers in charge for the efficiency of tho service. TRAVELLING TEA PARTY Mrs. Crooke and Mrs. Gerald H&rpur were joint hostesses ou Thursday afternoon at a “travelling tea party” given at “Astolat,” Mrs. Crooke’s home, in honour of Miss Eveline Smith, who is to be married next week. Each guest brought something suitable for a cabin as Miss Smith is spending her honeymoon in England in order to visit Air. Duckworth’s parents. The arrangement of the gifts was something quite original in design depicting a board-ship scene in a most realistic manner. Alisa Smith, who was assisted in the opening of the many packages by her two bridesmaids, ‘ Miss Diana Smith (niece) and Aliss Belinda Bright (cousin) made a charming little speech expressing thanks and saying that though she was leaving Alarton for the present she very much hoped to return and reside in Rangitikei amongst her many good friends. Tho frocks were: The guest of honour, beige an blue light frock with a large summerweight felt hat to match, and a beautiful bouquet of primroses, grape hyacinths and forget-me-nots; Mrs. Edward Smith, dark grey; Mrs. Crooke, frock in black tulip hue; Mrs. Harpur, liberty silk, patterned in ink blue of two shades; Aliss -Crooke, patterned blue marocain; Miss Betty Crooke, navy blue and white georgette. The many guests present gladly took advantage of the opportunity to wander about and admire the beautiful garden. Tea was served in both drawing and diningrooms, which were decorated with flowers all in one colour scheme—shades of yellow primroses, freesins, bulbs, are-tot is and ranunculus. RANGITIKEI REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION Tho final meeting of the season of the Rangitikei Rugby Rcferccs , Association was held on Thursday evening, Mr. Guy Thomson presiding. Business was merely of a “washing up” nature, and at the conclusion a social hour was spent. Opportunity was taken by the non-activc members, Messrs. G. W. Brown, J. H. Dashwood, J. Sullivan and D. I’. Porteous to congratulate the whistlers on the improved standard of refereeing in Rangitikei. In returning (hanks Air. Thomson referred to the pleasant relations existing between the Rugby Union and the association.