MARTON NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 304, 26 December 1945, Page 2

MARTON NOTES

SOUTH MAKIRIKIRI SCHOOL ANNUAL rRIZE-GIVING AND SPORTS CEREMONY Last. Wednesday was a big day for Hie South Makirikiri district when the annual school picnic and prize-giving ceremony took place. The day was calm, net too sunny, and conditions dry underfoot. There was a good attendance of parents and friend-. Races and games occupied -he early part of the afternoon. The outstanding athlete at the school proved to be Eileen Cooper, who won the majority of the girls’ events, while the boys’ honours were more evenly distributed. Results.—Girls’ bicycle race, Elsie Christie; boys’ bicycle race, George Keith; junior boys’ bicycle race, Brian Wing; bojs’ slow bicycle race, Jim McConachy; girls’ slow bicycle race, Eileen Franke; senior boys' 100yds, Doug Hammond; senior girls’ 100yds, Eileen Cooper; junior boys’ 75yds, Brian Jurgens; three-legged iace, Eric Christie and Tom Marks; boys’ sack race, Graham Hammond; girls’ sack race, Judy Christie; egg and spoon race, Russel McLean. At this stage the childien were treated to ice cream and soft drinks while the adults tried themselves on the running track. Mrs. T. R. A. Marks won the married ladies’ race from a high-class field, staving off strong runs by Mrs. Les. Gudopp and Mrs. B. Fullerton-Smith. Mr. G. Briant showed a good turn of speed among the married men, but the weighi told at the distance ana he was headed on the post by Mr. R. B. Jurgens and Mr. L. A. Wing. Miss Jean Christie and Mr. Cyril Zander were the winners of their respective old pupils’ races. The sports concluded, the assemblage adjourned to the lawns, where Mr. E. B. , Gordon, M.P., gave the address and presented the prizes. Each child received a handsome book as a reward for his years’ work. Special prizes were as follows: —

Girls’ sewing, Valmai Nitschke 1, Margaret McConachy 2; junior giiis’ sewing, Judith Nitschke 1, Shirley Wing 2; boys’ craft (junior), Russel McLean 1, Eric Christie 2; Calf Clubcare in rearing, Geo. Keith 1; (junior), Trevor Gudopp 1 Pre:ent for each teacher, * rs. Mclntyre and Mr. T. R. A. Marks.

The chairman of the school committee, Mr. C. Gudopp, after thanking Mr. Gordon for his interest in the school, proceeded to give an outline of the committee's work during the year. The environment had been maintained and many additions made. He thanked the staff for their work and congratulated them on the pleasant and efficient state of the school ‘Now that the war was over,” raid Mr. Marks in his reply, “teachers were pressing for one paramount improvement in schools —smaller classes. Each infant was entitled to two minutes of the teacrier’s time for reading, each senior pupil 1$ minutes for arithmetic and about 15 seconds for spelling. Let each parent try to teach his own child something in these limes and teachers’ problems would be readily comprehended,” added Mr. Marks. He concluded by thanking the committee and parents for their co-operation and appreciation.

The ceremony concluded when Mr Gudopp thanked the ladies who so readily helped at all times, and presented Mrs. Marks with a Christmas gift as a mark of the people’s appreciation of her constant help. Afternoon tea was then served. Two well-known figures were missing from the proceedings—Mr. Alex Stuart and Mr. E. Gudopp, ex-chair-men and old stalwarts of the school, neither of whom were able to be present. RANGITIKEI CRICKET D. A. CAMERON SHOWING FORM The Rangitikei representative cricketer and former Wellington Plunket Shield player, D. A. Cameron, is reproducing form this season which won for him recognition as a bat man of merit some ten years ago. In club cricket 280 runs have been produced from his bat, for seven visits to the crease, and with two not outs, this gives him the splendid average of 56. To date he is the only player to score a century, when he retired with 112. His other scores have been 3, 44 not out, 64. 0, 57 not out, while last Saturday against North Rangitikei, his innings was worth 49. It usually takes Cameron some half-a-dozen overs to become settled, but once he gets the sight of the ball, fieldsmen are kept busy retueving the ball. He makes some delightful scoring shots with a Hick through point. His total of 329 runs for the season so far, is twice as many as any other batsmen has scored. Not only on the field, but in the administrative side, Cameron makes his weight felt. Ho has been an executive member of the Rangitikei Cricket Association for many years as the delegate for the Porewa Club, whiie he has occupied the position of selector for several seasons. MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR C.0R.5.0. Acting on the suggestion of Miss Iris Crooke, Director-General of Volun ary Aids for New Zealand, and former lady superintendent of the Marten sub-centre of the Red Cross Society, two cases and a box of medical .• applies have been given to C.0.R.5.0. by the Marton branch. The consignment is Doing taken to Greece by the New Zealand team which left the Dominion during the week-end. The goods were foimerly used by the sub-centre for training purposes at the emergency hospital in the old Technical School in High Street, as part of the Emergency Precautions Scheme. The medical supplies, which were hurriedly packed some days ago, will help Io alleviate illne s and distress in warlorn Greece. Some time ago a furliiei consignment of equipment from Marton was despatched to the Red Cross Hospital in Wellington. BUSY CHRISTMAS From early morning, the main street, in Mar.on presented a very animated appearance on Monday. Country folk were in the majority gelling' in provisions Io cover them over the Christmas break and shop d-sislants had a very busy time attending to the many inquiries. In the afternoon and evening* Ihe streets were thronged with shoppers and both sides of Broadway were lined with cars in the afternoon, while there were many vehicles parked in the side streets. In the evening par. of Broadway was barred to cars wheih gave the public the u e of the road. The ai'iival of Santa Claus at. midafternoon outside the Post Office proved a great attraction to the kiddies who swarmed about him with their many requests for gifts. STAFF SOCIAL EVENING The social evening arranged b\ the Chenille Turfing Company's “Twenty Plus” Club, was al tended by some IDO guest.; iii the Parish Hall last week. The evening was spent in dancing, < ommuni-.y singing and competitions. Prize winners were given their pi iz.es Doni a large Christmas tree on the stage. At an appropriate adjournment, during the evening, the club’s president, Mrs. M. Kendrick, referred to the co-operation received from the factory manager, Mr. J. Watt. A carol was .ling by the girls. The M.C. was Mrs. J. Lv i =. The social side is not neglected by liie factory management, the eiri-

ployees each Wednesday night meeting in the Parish Hall for communiiy singing, folk dancing, games and discussion group . The girls have their own basketball team, and the club patron, Mr. G. H. Mooney (Wellington) is arranging for the team to visit Wellimdon next year.