MOTION TO DISSOLVE RANGITIKEI BRANCH OF H.S.A. DEFEATED

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 December 1949, Page 3

MOTION TO DISSOLVE RANGITIKEI BRANCH OF H.S.A. DEFEATED

A resolution that the Rangitikei branch of the New Zealand Homeservicemen's Association be dissolx ed and become attached to a neighbouring branch as a sub-branch, was defeated by 15 votes to nine at an extraordinary general meeting of members on Thursday night. The voting was on “parly” ‘lines, the Marton members voting for the motion and the Bulls and Hunterville branches casting their votes against it. The president of the branch (Mr. C. B. Parline) -presided, and before inviting discussion on the resolution, traced the steps leading up to the executive’s suggestion that the branch be dissolved. A Marton sub-branch of the Homeservicemen's Association was formed in August, 1944, and two members from each of the Hunterville, Bulls and Marton sub-branches comprised the Rangitikei executive. Under this system the branch functioned well until a meeting was held in Bulls at which representatives from headquarters pointed out that only Marton could be recognised as the pari t body. Subsequently at a special meeting held in April, 1947, the Marton sub-branch was raised to full branch status and the name changed to the Rangitikei Branch. In actual fact the Rangitikei Branch was really the Marton Branch, with Bulls and Hunterville being sub-branches. The position had now arrived, said Mr. Parlane, when the Rangitikei branch could not carry on any longer with the present income. Of the 77 members only 22 were financial, and it was impossible to conduct the affairs of the branch on £ll annually, until all members gave their support. The apathy, said the president, had been extending over many months, and he explained to the meeting several schemes which had been tried to interest members in the association, but all with negative results. Although Marton members knew the importance of the meeting that night—the future of the branch was at stake —only nine of the 22 financial members had attended, while three had forwarded apologies. Bith the Bulls and Hunterville delegates (Messrs S. Sanson and J. Robinson) said they did not wish to see the branch -go out of existence. While there was an apparent lack of interest in the organisation, there was the future to consider when the association would probably be called upon to assist its members in various ways. Both favoured a return to the old scheme of the three subbranches—Marton, Bulls and Hunterville—with the Rangitikei executive comprising two delegates from each. Mr. Parlane explained that the Marton members felt they could not carry on as the headquarters, of th? association, as they did not have the numbers to support it. Marton delegates suggested that the headquarters of the association be transferred to either Hunterville of Bulls, but both sub-branches intimated that they would be unable to take over the duties of headquarters. In the event of the Rangitikei Branch being dissolved, it was explained that Bulls and Marton members could combine to form a subbranch of Manawatu and Hunterville a sub-branch of Taihape. A keen discussion followed on the various points raised and on the motion being put it was lost on a show of hands. GREATER STRESS ON ACADEMIC SUBJECTS ENVISAGED. The curriculum at the Turakina Maori Girls’ College throughout the years had always included a thorough instruction in homecraft, health allied subjects, said Miss E. M. Kinross, principal of the college, when speaking at the break-up ceremony in Marton yesterday afternoon. However, as flie years had gone on the standard of academic studies had gradually risen and there was every possibility that in the future there might be greater stress on academic subjects. Up to 12 years ago, the standard of the Public Service examination was the highest standard at which the pupils aimed in their studies, said Miss Kinross, but during the past 10 years, about 10 to 12 girls each year sat for their school certificate examination, and this year one was sitting for her University Entrance. The girls had been very successful in the school certificate examinations, said Miss Kinross, last year 11 girls passing out of the 13 who sat. Five of these 11 girls had been back this year doing sixth form work. It was in 1942 that the first girl from the school entered the Teachers’ Training College. This year there were 11 exTurakina girls at present attending a Teachers’ Training College, said Miss Kinross. RAILWAY BUSES TO BE DIVERTED FROM JANUARY 23. An announcement that the New Zealand Road Service passenger buses plying between Wellington and Rotorua and Taumarunui and Wellington would be diverted through Marton for the first time on Monday, January 23, was made by a representative of the Railways Department last evening. The diversion is the result of representations made by the Marton Borough Council some months ago to the Railways Department. The selection of a depot in Marton is to be discussed between railway departmental officers. the Borough Council and the traffic officer. Because of the need for an amendment in time-tables to bring the buses through Marton at the same time each day. it was necessary to select a date in advance of any bookings, and that was one reason why the diversion could not be started before Christmas. explained the railway's representative. T.M.G.C. ABOUT TO ENTER UPON A NEW ERA. With her retirement after 30 years' service, the school was about to enter upon a new era, said Miss E. M. Kinross, retiring principal, when speak-’ ing at the break-up ceremony of the I Turakina Maori Girls’ College yester-, day afternoon. She hoped that early | in the new era the assembly hall and j chapel would be built and an 014 Girls’ Association formed. One or two attempts to form an Old Gills’ Association in separate districts had been made, said Miss Kinross, but ’ there had not been so far any organ- j isation to cover the whole Dominion. | 'Phe school was young yet, and much | remained io be done, but to have had I some part in what little had been done • had indeed been a great privilege and joy, added Miss Kinross.