NEWS FROM MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 95, 24 April 1940, Page 7

NEWS FROM MARTON

RANGITIKEI HUNT Once again the Rangitikei Hunt opened its season at “Rosebank,” the home of our ever popular master. Ideal weather conditions and perfect going went a long way towards making Saturday one of the best opening meets for a number of years. Great credit is due to Huntsman Goodwin for turning his pack out in such excellent order. The couple of imported Welsh hounds promise to be quite an asset to the pack when they become more used to the country.

A hare was put up immediately after the throw-off in front of the homestead, but after a short run was lost in the bush behind the stockyard. The next draw was more successful, another hare being pushed out of the swedes. Quite a good run followed over a wide circle towards Dexter’s round to Henderson’s, past “Rosebank” and back into the swedes. Hounds were close up here and soon had “puss" out in the open again. Heading back over almost the same circle again the pack was at a loss near Dexter’s boundary, but after a wide cast the scent was picked up towards Henderson’s. Hounds were now close up on their quarry and another mile at a smart pace resulted in a well-deserved kill, in front of the Brice homestead. Several more paddocks were drawn without success and the field was turning for home when hounds opened in the bush across the “Rosebank” drive. They were soon streaming away towards the Western Rangitikei School with only a bare half dozen of the keener sports to follow them. Turning righthanded along the Fern Flats Road, the scent led over into Gordon’s and away to Corballis’ boundary. Here the pack turned and crossed the road by the Bonny Glen Church, and made for the back of Bellvue. The day was drawing on by this time and horses were tiring, so at the next check hounds were called off and all returned to “Rosebank” to be entertained to a sumptuous afternoon tea by Mrs. J. Brice and her willing helpers. Those following were: Deputymasters F. McLean, on Doodle Doo; P. W. Briant, on Glenleven; W. W. Wilson, Zip; R. K. Simpson, Battle Pomp; Huntsman Goodwin, Marminga; Hon. Whips K. Duncan, Ben Braggie; Q. O. Wilson, Miss Rotorua; Mesdames R. S. Fullerton-Smith, Jackie; E. Duncan, Old Jim; R. K. Simpson, Eileen; Misses N. Lamp, Rangi; E. Fitzherbert, Pirau; C. Wilson, Lone Ranger; Mary Brice, Starlight; Jean Dexter, Comet; Rosemary Burrell, Snowy; M. Shannon, Brownie; A. Bayley, Blackie; Messrs. H. G. Briant, Sunrise; E. H. Duncan, Three Pointer; L. T. McLean, Anak; J. D. Simpson, Black Rock; H. Simpson, Blue Peter; F. H. Dexter, Waituna; J. Pawson, Rollo; S. Patterson, Promenade; I. Higgie, Camouflage; J. Lampp, Sunstar; D. Cameron, on a bay; J. Cameron, Ramona; J. A. H. Dick, Reawanoa.

Following on foot were: —Mr. and Mrs. V. B. Brown (Wanganui), Mr. and Mrs. B. Vallance (Masterton), Mr. and Mrs. Towgood, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. A. Neville, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. A. McPherson, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Sheilds, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Tate, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lampp, Mesdames K. Duncan, F. McLean, W. W. Wilson, H. G. Briant, D. H. Simpson, R. Hatrick (Wanganui), H. B. Bayley, Q. O. Wilson, A. G. Fitzherbert, Geo. Galpin, J. A. H. Dick, F. Brice, F. Brice (junior), Dan Lethbridge, F. H. Dexter, lan Jolly, F. C. Hutchison (Wanganui), Misses K. Simpson, N. Bayley, F. Shield, Joyce Galpin, MontagueJohnston (England), Messrs. Dr. W. S. R. Dick, R. D. McKelvie, K. Reynolds, R. L. Gibson, P. Curtis.

MR. H. C. GRONN’S SPLENDID RECORD 50 YEARS’ SERVICE TO EDUCATION With Mr. H. C. Gronn’s re-election to the Marton Junction School Committee last evening, it is interesting to record his long association with school matters in the district. It is nearly 50 years since he was elected to the Marton School Committee. The old Marton School was then situated on the site where Dr. T. G. Harpur’s residence now stands. The work of improving the school grounds was particularly arduous, Mi. Gronn and other members of the committee working at night to level the playing area. In those days the boys and girls had separate playing fields. Later, owing to pressure of business and other outside interests, Mr. Gronn resigned from the committee, his place being taken by the late Mr. J. J. McDonald, whose, services to the school are well remembered. About 1903 Mr. Gronn shifted to Hawkestone Road. Shortly afterwards he was approached by local residents with a request to seek election on the Crofton School Committee. He was duly elected and for many years did great service to the school. Later, owing to illness, he resigned from the committee. Thi>

chairman of the committee was at that time the late Mr. W. Oldfield. The site on which the present Marton Junction School stands was purchased by the Education Board from Mr. Gronn, the new school being officially opened oh March 12, 1923. During the initial work of improving the school grounds, the school had a “silent” worker ,in Mr. P. Bashford, whose services have not been forgotten. In 1929, Mr. Gronn was again elected to the committee and appointed to the position of chairman. Since then he has served continuously on the committee, working tirelessly in the interests of the school and children. It is through his efforts, together with his associates and Mr. F. A. Hempieman (the retired headmaster) that the school site has been converted from a barren waste into what it Is to-day—one of the show places of the district. During his many years’ connection with the school, Mr. Gronn’s association with committee members and the teaching staffs has always been most pleasant. To-day he is regarded by young and old alike as “the Grand Old Man” of the district.

ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE IN MARTON Anzac Day, which is to-morrow (Thursday), is being observed in Marton in the usual way, with a memorial service in the Civic Theatre and a parade of different units. The parade is to consist of Returned Soldiers, Ambulance, Territorials, men ot the National Military Reserve, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides; and the units are to fall in at the old Drill Hall site in North Broadway, at 1-45 p.m., and will march to the Marton Park headed by the recently reformed Marton Brass Band. A short ceremony will be held at the War Memorial, at 2.15 p.m., when a wreath will be placed by the Returned Soldiers' Association. The Last Post and the Reveille will be sounded. The parade will then move off to the Civic Theatre for the united memorial service.

The service is being arranged by the Ministers’ Association, the Rev. W. Raine giving the address. RANGITIKEI HOCKEY SUB-ASSOCIATION Mr. W. G. Aitken presided over a special general meeting of the Rangitikei Hockey Sub-Association on Monday night. Also present were Messrs. W. H. Coles, T. E. Barton, F. Death, W. J. Mogridge and Mrs. W. H. Coles.

Messrs. Aitken and Mogridge, delegates to the Feilding Association, reported on their recent visit when the meeting decided to support the Rangitikei Sub-Association’s application, to become a major association to conduct the women’s hockey competitions with the present Feilding boundaries. A resolution was passed that the application be sent to the secretary of the. New Zealand Women’s Hockey Association.

It was decided to make application to the Minister of Transport for special petrol coupons for the purchase of benzine to convey teams away from their home grounds, as train arrangements are unsuitable.

Mr. Barton, in addressing the meeting, pointed out that the social side of hockey played an important part in keeping players and supporters together. He suggested that it be a recommendation to the social committee to continue during the winter, a series of card evenings. A motion along these lines was carried. DANCE AT SOUTH MAKIRIKIRI A dance has been arranged, and will take place in the “Runnymede” woolshed, Williamson’s Line, on Saturday, April 27. Dancing will commence at 7.30 p.m. and an excellent supper and good music will be provided. Proceeds will be in aid of patriotic funds, the cause being a worthy one, and a large attendance is expected. AT THE CIVIC THEATRE “FOUR DAUGHTERS” “Four Daughters,” Warner Bros, picturisation of a famous story by Fannie Hurst, which is scheduled to open at the Civic Theatre to-night, poses a unique problem in human relationships as its theme. What happens when four devoted sisters all fall in love with the same man? The man in the case is Jeffrey Lynn, one ot the screen’s newest and most handsome leading men, who makes it quite believable that four girls would fall headlong under the spell ot his charm. ■An unusual bit of casting places the

three Lane sisters —Priscilla, Rosemary and Lola—in the roles of screen sister’s, with Gale Page, a dark-haired beauty recently come to the screen, making a fourth. Of interest to the-atre-goers is the casting of John Gaifleld, the leading young characteractor of the Broadway stage, in another featured role in "Four Daughters,’ which marks his screen debut.