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Wanganui Chronicle, 3 May 1949, Page 2

CHRYSANTHEMUM GROWER’S SUCCESS. Competing in the open classes at the Hastings and Lower Hutt Horticultural Society autumn shows, Mr. Don Oldfield, well known in Marton as a grower of chrysanthemums, received an overwhelming success witn nis blooms. At Hastings he secured 14 firsts, seven seconds and five thirds, and won the Challenge Cup as the points prize in the large flowered exhibition. He also won the anemone centred section xor which there was no trophy. Twt. of his blooms, “Felton Favourite, 1 ’ in the decorative class, and “Esmonde Drake” in the anemone centred section, won championships. These two championship chrysanthemum blooms were also placed first and second respectively in the open classes at the Lower Hutt show, while Mr. Oldfield received a second in single blooms. Mr. Oldfield’s exhibit of cut flowers at this show also came in for special attention and he was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s bronze medal for the best trade display. DEPARTURE OF REV. P. GAMLEN Reference to the departure of Rev. W. P. B. Gamlen last month to take up the position of assistant curate at Tawa Flat, Wellington, was made by the vear, Rev. Nigel Williams, at the annual meeting of St. Stephen’s Church parishioners last night. Mr. Gamlen was in Marton for some two years, as assistant curate.

The venture had been an expensive one for the parish, said Mr Williams, but he believed that in the long run, it would prove that it had been worth while, “if for no other reason than that we have together shared in the task of launching a man on his career.”

Mr. Gamlen had taken away with him many happy memories from Marton, said the vicar. “I hope that he has taken too, from us a sense of real vocation, of generosity of spirit and of self-sacrifice.’ RATANA’S GOOD THIRD GRADE TEAM. Once the Ratana third grade Rugby team acquires better combination, it I will take a power of beating, judging by its display at Marton on Saturday against the Athletic thirds. Of a uniform size and weight they are a good third grade team aod were superior I to Athletic, winning the match by 14 I points to five. Against such a solid I opposition, Athletic gave a good ac- | count of themselves and should win more matches than they will lose. One of the best Ratana players was the full-back, M. Hauparoa, who was sure and safe in everything he attempted. He also has an excellent boot, kicking two penalty goals and i converting a try scored by W. Rogan, lhe half-back. Rogan's try was a gem. The way he shot round the side of the scrum and darted in and out of the players was a good effort. Rogan last season made the Rangitikei \hird grade reps, and then proved that near the line he is a very dangerous player. On Saturday, however, he was inclined to attempt too much on his own in the centre of the field, when passing the ball to his supports may have been more advantageous. Athletic’s points came from a try by a very good forward in R. Hunter, who also added the extra points. He worked tirelessly all the afternoon and his try in the dying stages of the match was a fitting reward to a good afternoon’s work. Goal-kicking was not a strong point in Athletic’s makeup. Had Hauparoa been playing for them, Athletic’s points would have reached double figures. The game was very even throughout, and it was only the better finish of the Ratana fifteen which made the difference. The half-time score wUs 8-0. Mr. W. Kereama refereed. Points Table. With two scries completed the following are the points in the respective grades:— Senior: Hunterville 3, Rata 3, Marton Old Boys 2, Athletic 2, Bulls 2, Ohingaiti 0. Rangatahi 0. Junior: Ratana 4, Marton Old Boys 2, Athletic 2, Turakina 2 Rata 1, Hunterville 1, Bulls 0. Thirds (open): Ratana 4, Marton Old Boys 2, Ohingaiti 2, Flock House 0, Athletic 0. Thirds (intermediate): Marton D.H. School 4, Marton Old Boys 4, Bulls 0, Hunterville 0. FOOTBALL DANCE. At this time of the year it is usual for several of the football clubs in Rangitikei to augment their club funds by the holding of dances. One of the first in the held will be Rata, end tomorrow night all roads will lead to the Rata Memorial Hall for what promises to be one of the club's best social functions on record. One of the features of the evening will be the introduction of several novelties. To mention one, a box of chocolates will be presented to every 25th lady admitted to the hall. Ilec. Waitai's orchestra has been engaged, and tor the benefit of Marton patrons a bus leaves the town at 8 p.m. homeservicemen meet At a meeting of the executive of the Rangitikei branch of the Homeservicemen’s Association held in Marton last week, it was decided tc hold the annual meeting of the branch in Marton on Thursday. May 26. Severn', matters concerning the welfare of the branch were discussed. Two new members were elected, Mr J. Thomson (Marton) and Mr C. B Pnrlane on transfer from Taihapx The meeting was presided over by Mr C. P rost and delegates were also present from Hunterville. DEATHS INCREASE) BIRTHS AGAIN SHOW A DROP The steady rise in the death rate in Marton this'year was maintained last month, and 'already this year there have been 15 deaths compared with only three for the same period last year. Births and marriages continue to show a slight decline. There were 11 birt.ns last month, compared with 12 for April, 1948, while there were three deaths as against one for tile same period 12 months ago. Marriages numbered seven as against 11. For the four-montnly period the statistics are (the figu’.es for 1948 being in parentheses):—Births 43 (47), deaths 15 (3). marriages 24 (27).