RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 301, 20 December 1937, Page 10

RAETIHI

RAETIHI SCHOOL, PARENTS’ DAY. A gratifying number of parents and others interested attended the Raetihi School on Wednesday afternoon to witness displays of work and the physical drill activities of the children. At 1.15 p.m. those present were entertained with a very effective massed drill display. This was followed by a series of folk dances gracefully performed by the senior girls. All these exercises were dene to music played through the school’s electric amplifying system. Judging of the calves and pet lambs was the next item of interest. This was followed by the exhibition of an educational film which illustrated the natural life of the beaver. The visitors then entered th© class-rooms to inspect displays of handwork, drawing and written work. The high standard of this display reflected very favourably on the work of both scholars and teachers. During the afternoon the headmaster (Mr. A. M. Laing) in place of the chairman of the school committee (Mr. L. S. Vile), who was unavoidably absent, presented a number of swimming, good attendance, and leaving certificates. The occasion was taken to present prizes to the successful ones in Mr. Loveday’s essay competition. The prize-winners were: —June Lee 1, Eunice Jenkins 2, Ralph Robinson (special), Patricia Journeaux (special). The afternoon tea provided by a squad of senior girls was much " appreciated. CALF COMPETITION. On Wednesday afternoon the Raetihi School grounds presented a scene of unusual activity, for it was judging day in the calf club and pet rearing competitions. Not only interest but amusement was provided for the scholars who witnessed the judging. One or two of the animals became “stage-struck" and had to be assisted to lead, while another couple were so placid and contented with the proceedings that they preferred to watch the proceedings from a lying down position. However, on the whole, the animals responded very well to the children’s commands, thus showing that constant care and good handling had been their lot. Mr. E. H. Lange, agriculture instructor to the Wanganui Educaticn Board, accompanied the judge, Mr. T. Ranford, of Palmerston North. After judging each type of competition Mr. Ranford very interestingly explained the points that had to be considered in placing the competitors. The winners were as follow: Dairy Type.—John Ville’s Queenie 1, Shirley Geraghty's Daffodil 2, Leo Geraghty's Pearl 3, Rolland Ciochetto’s Folly vhc, Minnie Wade’s Beauty he, Kim Frederick's Brownie he. Special Class (pedigree).—Trevor i Worthington’s Collette 1. Care and Attention.—Minnie Wade's Beauty 1, Kim Frederick's Brownie 2, John Vile’s Queenie 3, Rolland Ciochetto's Polly vhc, Leo Geraghty’s Peal he, Trevor Worthington's Collette he. Junior Class.—Shirley Geraghty’s Daffodil L Yearling. Creighton Chesnutt’s Patchy 1. Pct Lamb Competition.—Martin Baird’s Winkle 1, Netty Donaldson's Judy 2, Bill Donaldson's Bonny 3 Frank Mabbott’s Betty vhc, Brian Lane's Snowball vhc, Jim Mabbott’s Dally he. The announcement that a jet black lamb was known as Snowbail caused much amusement. RAETIHI BOROUGH COUNCIL. ELECTRICITY AGREEMENT. Following the giving of notice to terminate the present agreement between the Raetihi and Ohakune Borough Councils, by which the Raetihi Borough Council undertook to supply a guaranteed amount of elecwillingness to give advice and prac--1 tical assistance. Mr Price feelingly responded. Mrs C. L. Mullany has returned from a holiday visit to various parts of the North Island. GENERAL NEWS At a special meeting of the Taihape Retailers' Association on Friday, it was decided to observe a half-holiday on Tuesday, December 22, instead of a whole holiday on the Thursday after Christmas as was originally in- j tended.

tricity to the Ohakune Borough, the Raetihi Borough Council has been con- • sidering the terms of a new agreement. This position has arisen owing to the demand: of both areas having increased to such an extent that there was a possibility of the plant being unable to cope with the demands. The main points of a new agreement presented by the electrical engineer, Mr. W. Journeaux, were fully discussed by the council. The chief points provide, inter alia:—(1) That Ohakun*' shall have the right to draw power up to their requirements provided that in no way shall Raetihi be required to guarantee the continuity of this supply' to meet Ohakune’s requirements, but will supply such spare power which may be available after all the requirements of the present and 5 - ture consumers in the Raetihi Power District are first satisfied. (2) Should the combined loads of the Ohakune and Raetihi systems reach such a volume as to reduce the general system frequency below 49.5 cycles per second, Ohakune shall undertake <o recuce that load and demand to such value that the normal 50 cycles per second can be safely maintained over the whole electrical system, or upon request from the officer in charge of the Raetihi supply, to discon.inue their load and demand until such time as it may be safely re-connected. (3) That the price of power drawn from the Raetihi system shall be 0.4 d per k.v.a hour unit, reducible by 5 per cent, if paid by the 20th of the month following the month for which the account is due.

The engineer made the following observtaions so that councillors could have a better understanding of the position: Firstly, the loads of both Ohakune and Raetihi systems have considerably increased, until a possible shortage or Installed capacity appears to be imminent. This possibility could only be met by one of three choices of action:—(l) The full utilisation of all idle plant capacity at Ohakune, together with the Raetihi plant. This would at least give time, until more is known about the future trend of development within this district. (2) The harnessing of further capacity within either the Ohakune or Raetihi areas. (3) The obtaining of bulk supplies from the Government hydro-grid supply system.

The first proposal is given effect to by the adoption of the offer contained herein, and has the advantage of meeting the situation without further heavy capital expenditure, by either party in the near future. The second proposal will require some satisfactory scheme being undertaken either by Ohakune or Raetihi, as no particular scheme has been surveyed or reported on. It is hard to estimate at this juncture what capital would require to be found, but a minimum of approximately £20,000 at least has been suggested. This is probably not far from the true position. The availability of this power warrants serious investigation and consideration by both parties. The third proposal of power from the Government supply—we have it from Mr. Kissel on his visit to this district, would cost approximately £72,000 at least, the standing charges and cost of power would have to met by th? parties requiring this power. When one considers the fact, that it has taken this district from 1917 until the present date to work up a demand for approximately 100 k.w. average 24-hour load, and the very slow progress made in this sparselypopulated district, the amount of power and the costs of same causes one to be very hesitant in reaching a decision to adopt this third alternative. The engineer, in answer to a question, stated that the new price involved an increase of 33 1-3 per cent. The council approved of the points submitted and decided to forward them to the Ohakune Borough Council for their consideration. RAETIHI DOMAIN BOARD. Following the ordinary council meeting the Raetihi Domain Board met, Dr. W. J. Felt ham presiding. Accounts amounting to £9 17s 2d were passed for payment. The board approved of the plans providing for a dressing room and a hot shower room at the camp site. CRICKET. I A meeting was' held at Ohakune on Wednesday to examine the possibilities of commencirg a competition among the various clubs of the district. Present were: Messrs. Bryers and McNicol (Raetihi), C. Paton (Rangataua), and Porter and Snaclden (Junction). It was decided to form an association to control a club

competition, and Mr. 11. Woodward was appointed convener of the meetings. Six teams were nominated for a competition to commence on January 9. The personnel of the association is: Rangataua (two teams), Pokaka, Railway, and Raetihi (two teams). SWIMMING. A short children’s carnival was held on Wednesday night at the Raetihi baths. Results: — Girls 25yds. handicap: A. Langdon 1, L. Chesnutt 2. Girls’ 25yds. breastI stroke: L. Chesnutt 1, A. Langdon 2 Boys' 25yds. handicap: M. Braid 1, A. Oliver 2. Beginners: D. Proudc 1, G. Bolderson 2. Open dive- R. Taurerewa 1. A. Oliver 2. NATIONAL TARTY. BRANCH FORMED AT RAETIHI. ' A meeting comprising approxijina’cly 130 people interested in the formation of a branch of the National Party in Raetihi met at the Druids' Hall* on December 9. Mr. C. D. Scarrow was voted to the chair, and a committee comprising 19 members was elected. Delegates attended from the Taihape, Taumarunui, Kaiticke and I Ohura branches of the party, and outI lined the steps necessary to form ar, organisation in the Waimarino electorate.