NEWS FROM MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 85, 12 April 1940, Page 2

NEWS FROM MARTON

THE DRAMA LEAGUE The Marton branch of the British Drama League decided at a special! hjeejUng on Tuesday night tc go into i recess for one year owing to so many I members being engaged in rued Cross i and nursing lectures and other wartime activities. A committee was set up to deal with any matters that might arise, and it was decided to present a play for the Ohakea Air Force men later in the year. ANZAC DAY SERVICE Arrangements were made at the Marton Borough Council meeting on Wednesday night for the observance of Anzac Day on April 25. The ministers of the Church will have charge of the religious services. At 2 o’clock the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Territorials, Cadets, and Scouts, etc., will assemble at the site of the old drillshed, and march to the Marion Park, where they will lay wreaths on the memorial. The parade will then proceed to the Civic Theatre, where the services will be held. It is understood that the Marton Band will make its reappearance on this occasion and head the parade on its march. Mr. A. E. S. Crozier will conduct the band. There is no doubt that the appearance of the Marton Band will be greeted with pleasure by the residents of Marton. MARTON CIVIC THEATRE “I STOLE A MILLION” If you can imagine an innocent little snowball starting to roll, growing larger, rolling faster until it becomes a veritable avalanche roaring to ?» deafening crash —you have a lair understanding of the maa adventures v» the title roles in Universal’s “1 Stole a Million,” which will be finally screened at the Civic Theatre to-night. George Raft plays the part with such sincerity that one lives every moment of his mad career as the man who wanted to go straight but decided he couldn’t. “The Saint Strikes Back’’ Thrill-seekers will have a gala time at the Civic Theatre to-night over the new exploits of Simon Templar, “The Saint,” colourful underworld character who continues his astounding war upon rival criminals. In “I’he Saint Strikes Back,” George Sanders plays the hero role, with attractive Wenay Barrie opposite him. You'll rove the way ‘The Saint” confounds malefactors and police alike. MARTON GOLF C Ll B The official opening of the Marton Golf Club will take place on Saturday afternoon, when a mixed Canadian foursome and putting competition will take place. MARTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL FINAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The final meeting of the Marton District High School Committee, prior to the biennial householders’ meeting on April 22, was held on Tuesday evening. Dr. R. A. Church presided over Messrs. C. M. Holdaway, J. F. R. Wallace, L. Williams, H. Frederick, A. Grade, T. C. Ward, G. C. Thomas (secretary), and the headmaster, Mr. A. W. Tucker. The resignation of Miss P. E. Peters as assistant-mistress to take effect on May 19, was received. The reason for this step, she wrote, was because she had been appointed assistant-mistress to the Woodville School. The headmaster reported that there had been no improvement in the attendance, details of which were as follow: Primary department: Roll 316, average attendance 289, per cent. 89. Secondary department: Roll 128, average attendance 119, per cent. 93. Dr. R. A. Church, and Messrs. T. C. Ward, H. Frederick and J. H. Dashwood informed the meeting that they would not be seeking re-election at the annual meeting of householders. The headmaster (Mr. A. W. Tucker), paying a tribute to the committee, remarked on the growth of the school since his arrival four years ago. He had asked for extra accommodation and it was due to the energy of the committee that this was obtained. “We have a school equal to any in the Dominion,” continued Mr. Tucker. “We have better accommodation and a better building than some of the larger schools.” Mr. Tucker added that £lO,OOO had been spent on the property during the past four years and the committee had made every effort to make improvements, which he appreciated. He was sorry the committee had come to the end of its tenure. N.Z. NATIONAL PARTY. MARTON WOMEN’S SECTION. The annual meeting of the Marton women’s section was held on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. D. S. McGregor presiding over a good attendance of members. A number of apologies were received for unavoidable absence. Mrs. McGregor stated that Miss M. K. Simpson had apologised for her absence that afternoon on account of ill-health and that she would not seek re-election. A motion of sympathy was accorded Miss Simpson in her indisposition and the wish was expressed for a speedy recovery. Annual Report. Mrs. D. S. McGregor, president, in her annual report stated that no business has been transacted during her term of office except for attending the Dominion conference on July 12 and 13, of last year. I would like to say how instructive I found the conference. It gave one a good idea of the inner workings of the party aricl the problems confronting some of the electorates. Our leader (the Hon. : Adam Hamilton) generously attended | the conference most of the time and his kindly manner and keen under- ■ standing was a tremendous help in I smoothing out some of the difficult I parts. While speaking of the conference, I would like to extend to Mr. Barton and Mr. Vivian Smith, of Taihape (the delegates from Rangitikei) my grateful thanks for their kindness to me at the conference. Rangitikei electorate did not send any remits to the conference and so we as delegates did not take an active part. It was • owing to the outbreak of war that the

Electorate Committee decided that our branches should go into recess and for that reason the women’s section has held no meetings. People's minds are very pre-occupied just now, but it was felt that should an emergency arise, members would rise to the occasion and give their wholehearted support. At the annual meeting of the Marton branch it was decided subscriptions should be canvassed for. An invitation was extended to members of the Party to meet the Hon. Adam Hamilton at a luncheon party at the White Hart a ,few weeks ago. It was a very jolly party after which the leader addressed members in the National Party’s rooms and spoke on some issues before the Party to-day. Before closing I would like to pay a tribute to the work done by Miss Beckett, and Mrs. Gaisford, president and secretary, in their respective offices. They worked very hard during the forming of the branches and during the election period. It will not be possible tor me to seek re-election in an official capacity, but I shall be pleased to give any assistance I can otherwise. The report was adopted. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Gaisford and Miss Beckett and Mrs. D. S. McGregor for past services. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. H. R. Gaisford; vicepresidents, Mrs. E. B. Gordon, Mrs. G. Lampp, Mrs. T. Barton, Mrs. E. G. G. Oliver, and Miss Awdry; secretary, Miss K. Simpson; committee, Mesdames A. Honeyman, A. Wing, D. Frederick, D. S. McGregor, B. Louper, F. N. Dexter, J. Lawson and Misses Beckett and Cook, with power to add; delegates to Rangitikei Electorate Committee, Mrs. H. R. Gaisford, Miss G. C. Oliver, Misses Beckett and Cook; delegates to Wellington Divisional Committee on April 23, Mrs. E. B. Gordon. Mr. T. Barton then addressed the meeting on organising and matters in connection with the Party. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Barton and the president terminated the meeting. RANGITIKEI HUNT OPENING OF SEASON The Rangitikei hunt will open its hunting season on Saturday, April 27, when the hounds will throw off at the master’s (Mr. J. Brice) homestead, "Rosebank,” Fern Flats. On Friday, April 26, the meet is at Mr. R. L. Gibson’s, Bonny Glen; Wednesday, May 1, at Carson's corner; Wednesday, May 8, Williamson’s corner, Wanganui Road; Saturday, May 11, at Mr. G. Lampp’s, Tutaenui Road; Thursday, May 16, “Burleigh,” Bulls, and Saturday, May 25, “Springrove,” South Makirikiri. TREE PLANTING At the Marton Borough Council on Wednesday evening, Cr. Sicely reported that the band of enthusiasts, led by Mr. Tolley, were voluntarily doing' good work with beautifying suitable places in the borough, and stated they were fully deserving of every support and encouragement. Cr. Sicely was asked to convey to Mr. Tolley the council’s appreciation. Crs. Sicely, Howard and Winchcombe were appointed a committee to supervise tree-planting operations in the borough. SCHOOL TEACHER RETIRES EIGHTEEN YEARS’ SERVICE At the meeting of the Marton District High School Committee the following letter was received from Mr. P. H. Hall, who has served on the staff for the past eighteen years as assistant in the secondary department: “In view of the fact that on July 11 next I hope to reach the normal retiring age of 65, I hereby give notice as required by the Act, of my intention to resign my appointment as first assistant in the secondary department of the Marton District High School. I desire my resignation to take effect from July 14, being the end of the week in which I reach the age mentioned. "Whilst I greatly deplore and have made repeated protests against the happenings and statements which during the past three years have so adversely affected myself and my work, entailing also severe strain upon my health, these things I think can be outweighed by the very happy memories I shall always retain of my association with the children and with every one of my fellow members of the staff throughout the 18 years I have been in Marton. “In conclusion and in laying down my task I should like to express my earnest wish for the continued success and future happiness of the school and of all concerned in its administration." Dr. R. A. Church, chairman, in moving that a letter of appreciation be forwarded Mr. Hall for the excellent services he had rendered to the school, said he wished him many years ot happiness and prosperity in his retirement. It was a matter for regret that friction had occurred.