FATE OF MARTON D.H. SCHOOL BALL WILL BE DECIDED NEXT MONTH

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 May 1950, Page 2

FATE OF MARTON D.H. SCHOOL BALL WILL BE DECIDED NEXT MONTH

Judging by the opinions expressed by members at the monthly meeting of the Marton District High School Committee on Monday night there is little likelihood of the annual school ball being held again this year. “'lf only the parents knew the ‘ins and outs’ and the real difficulties associated with the running of a ball lor such a large school, I feel sure they would be convinced that the oecision to abandon the ball last year was the correct one,” said Mr. D. F. Gorrie. He was afraid, however, that until the committee issued a statements for its reasons in not holding a ball parents would continue to clamour for this annual event. Mr. Gorrie was commenting on a remark made by a parent at the biennial householders' meeting, who expressed disappointment that last year's ball had been abandoned, and in its place a gala day had been held. The school ball was a tradition, she said, and She did not like to see traditions go by the board. The parent requested the committee to give serious consideration to holding a ball during 1950 and suggested that it the roll numbers were too big to accommodate all the pupils in one hall, the school be divided and, if necessary, three separate balls be held. The secretary, Mr. D. Abel, said he would not like to see the committee reach a decision that night until the members had discussed the proposals with the headmaster. Parents had cited the cases of other schools in the district having their annual halls and wanted to know why Marton did not, said Mr. Gorrie. He agreed that the idea of a school ball was a good one, but it was unfortunate that parents were not fully aware with the answers as to why it was not practicable for the Marton school to hold a ball. After further discussion, it was i agreed to defer the fate of the 1950 ball until the next meeting, when the headmaster will be present. On the recommendations of the inspectors and the chief instructor in agriculture, the school’s environment certificate has been endorsed for the year 1949, according to a notification from the Wanganui Education Board. The chairman, Mr. A. Todd, congratulated the headmaster and staff on once again having the certificate endorsed. Messrs R. L. Morgan, R. G. McConnell and V. W. Fullerton-Smith were appointed a visiting committee for next month. Mr. A. Todd presided over Messrs D. F. Gorrie, C. Hamer, R. G. McConnell, R. L. Morgan, V. W. Fuller-ton-Smith .and the secretary (Mr. D. Abel).

HISTORY OF THE MARTON GASWORKS.

According to an address given by tne mayor (Mr. Barton) at the Marton Rotary Club on Monday on the Marton Gasworks, difficult times kem ahead for the Marton Borough Council. Mr. Barton said that increasing Costs over the years had increased problems for those administering the works, and projected increases in costs would seriously add to the problem. Because gas as a heating and I piling medium was in direct competition to the State hydro-eiectrie us dertaking it was difficult to make much more of an increase in charges, unless costs of electricity also rose to keep the two services competitive. Referring to the history of the Marton gasworks, Mr. Barton said Merton was one of the first of the smaller boroughs in New Zealand to appreciate the advantage of gas over kerpsene and candles, previously usqd for lighting, heating and cooking. In 1! 01 the Marton Borough Council decided to build a gasworks and an Englisl firm's tender of £1460 for plant was accepted, while local contractors built the retort house; tar tank, and gas holder tank for £797, the gas manager’s house being built for £470. The turning on of the gas was celebrated in 1902 with a dinner and ball, and local residents marked another milestone in the history of the borough. Gas was principally confined to the lighting of houses and streets, but manufacturers of gas appliances saw the possibilities of the new medium for cooking. The advent of electricity knocked out the gas industry overnight, but the setback was only temporary, said Mr. Barton. Gas appliance manufacturers realised the danger and met it with vastly improved cooking and heating units. The gas combination cooking and water-heating unit produced today was a fine piece of craftsmanship and was more economical than its electric counterpart, and the same could be said for gas tires and coppers, said Mr. Barton. Manufacturers had succeeded in inventing burners that consumed the maximum amount of oxygen and the minimum of gas. The Marton gasworks belonged to the ratepayers and it was in their interests to support the unit and help solve the problems which had mounted over the years, said Mr. Barton. The speaker was thanked for his ad* dress by Mr. F. R. H. Brice. FOOTBALLERS INJURED. Marton Old Boys seniors at present lying in second place on the championship ladder have been hard hit with injuries. Playing against Hunterville at Marton last Saturday, the captain of the Old Boys’ team, Ira Barton, fractured a bone in his ankle and now has his leg in plaster. Barton will be cut of action for at least six weeks ana maybe for the remainder of the sea' tn. Another player injured in the same match was J. Frederick, Old Boys’ | first lite-eighths. He has damaged his I th,£c and yesterday went through to | Wanganui for an X-ray examination I to be made of the injury. With both Barton and Frederick out of the Old Boys backline for future matches, the team will no doubt experience some difficulty in filling the vacancies.

’ INCREASE IN RAILWAY REVENUE AT MARTON JUNCTION. In practically all branches of railway activity in Marton increases are shown for the year ended March 31, over the previous financial year, while the total revenue taken at Marton Junction increased by nearly £2OOO. Of particular interest is the railways road passenger bus services, which were recently diverted through Marton. Although the diversion did not operate until late in January of this year, in a little over two months 'the bus passengers from Marton in- ■ creased from four for the 1948-49 financial year to 226 for the year under review, while revenue increased from £4 to £155, which indicates that the service from Marton is becoming increasingly popular. Last year 24,997 passengers left Marton by rail, compared with 23,890 the previous year, an increase of 1107. In terms of revenue this meant an additional £740, the total for the year from passenger traffic being £11,659. Sheep railed from Marton increased by 5175 from the 129,350 railed the previous year; cattle numbered 6300 this year, representing an increase of 614. The establishment of a timber impregnation plant in Marton during the year helped considerably in building up figures for timber cartage, an additional 1232 tons being transported. Fewer potatoes than usual were railed away, however, and this caused a slight drop in the general goods lonnage. The poor mushroom crop this season .also had its effect, causing a drop in parcels revenue. In the following figures, those foi the 1948-49 financial year are given in parentheses:— Passengers, 24,997 (23,800), Increase of 1107; road service passengers, 226 (13), Increase of 213: cattle, 6300 (5686), increase of 614; sheep, 134,525 (129.350), increase of 5175; timber, 3542 tons (2310), increase of 1232; goods. 10,470 tons (11,292), decrease of 823 tons. Revenue: Passengers, £11,659 (£lO,916). increase of £740; parcels, £1446 (£1998), decrease of £552; goods, £31,112 (£29,565), increase of £1547; road service passengers, £155 (£4). increase of £151; total revenue, £44,374 (£42,486), ncrease of £lBBB. RUGBY FIXTURES FOR NEXT SATURDAY. Because of the senior rep. match against Wanganui at Wanganui, there will be no senior club fixtures played in Rangitikei next Saturday. Lower grade games, however, will continue as usual. The first junior rep. game is set down for June 10, when Rangitikei play Taihape, at Taihape, the sams day as the seniors play Taihape at Hunterville for the Pownall trophy. Both the junior and third gradeteams commence the second round on Saturday,- and at Marton two games will be played, with Marton Old Boy> and Bulls juniors supplying the main attraction. The following are the fixtures, grounds and referee appointments:— Senior: Rangitikei v. Wanganui, at Wanganui, at 1.30 p.m.: Mr. L. Head. Junior: Turakina v. Athletic, at Turakina at 2.15 p.m.; Mr. W. Kereara. Marton Old Boys v. Bulls, at Marton; Mr. N. Cairncross. Rata v. Hunterville, at Hunterville; Mr. R. Bartlett. Thirds: Hunterville v. Ratana, at Hunterville at 1.30 p.m.; Mr. W. S. Andrews. Athletic v. Ohingaitl, at Ohingaiti: Mr. E. V. Boyd. Marton Old Boys a bye. Fourths: Flock House v. Marton Old Boys, at Marton at 1.30 p.m.; Mr. J. McManus. Bulls v. Marton D.H. School, at Bulls; Mr. E. Westwood. Championship Points. Senior: Athletic 10, Marton Old Boys 8, Hunterville 6, Rata 4, Bulls 2, Ohingaiti 0. Junior: Marton Old Boys 10, Turakina 8, Alhletlc 6, Rata 4, Bulls 2, Hunterville 0. Thirds: Marton Old Boys 6, Athletic 5, Ratana 5, Hunterville 3, Ohingaiti 1. [ Fourths; Marton Old Boys 6, Flock House 5, High School 4, Bulls 1. PERSONAL. Messrs R. G. McConnell and V. W-Fullerton-Smith, the two newly-elect-ed members of the Marton District High School Committee, were welcomed by the chairman, Mr. A. Todd, on Monday night at the first meeting of the committee since the biennial householders’ meeting. Mr. Todd said he hoped their associations with the committee would be very pleasant. Mr. Todd also welcomed the newlyappointed secretary, Mr. D. Abel. GOLF TOURNEY AT MARTON NEXT WEEK-END. The second annual competition for the Glendinning Cup, a trophy competed for by clubs in the ManawatuWanganui District Golf Association district, will be played on the Marton links on Sunday. The first competition for the trophy was held in Feilding last year. Eighteen clubs are eligible to compete, the competition consisting of a four-ball match in the morning and a stroke competition in the afternoon. Clubs in the district will be eligible to enter teams of four.