Marton News

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 2

Marton News

Methodist Xmas Fair Takings Yesterday Reached Almost £lll The Christmas Fair held in the Marton Methodist Schoolroom yesterday afternoon was once again an outstanding success and at the end of the day the organisers announced that the proceeds amounted to fill. Though this was slightly less than last year the financial return was considered very good in view- of the number of street appeals during the last few months. The fair is an annual effort and a portion of this year's proceeds to go toward the cost of extending the Methodist Sunday School and includes the provision of three new class-rooms and a new entrance porch. Welcoming the prospective customers before declaring the 1950 fair offically open, the Rev H. Prowse paid tribute to the Women's Guild, who had spent many months preparing for the fair. He praised the work of the president, Mrs S. Laurenson, and the secretary, Mrs G. Hogan. Their efforts, he said, were very much appreciated. Numerous stalls contained a variety of attractive goods, and throughout the afternoon stall-holders were kept busy serving the flood of customers. The toy stall attracted a great deal of attention as all the toys were made out of cotton reels by members of the men's fellowship group. The Christmas cards were also painted by a member of the group. Two cooking competitions were held, results being: White sponge, Mrs W. Meads 1, Mrs L. Robinson 2; chocolate cake, Mrs A. E. Conrad 1, Mrs Noel Miles 2. The judge was Mr C. Browne. The stall-holders were:—Guild stall. I Mesdames L. Robinson, C. Brown. Cake and savoury, Mesdames G. Harvey, E. C. Grylls, H. Prowse; Pop’s Inn (men’s stall), Mr J. Decke and Rev H. Prowse; sweets and ice creams, Mesdames A. Murray, R. Carey; apron stall, Mesdames M. Montgomery, A. S. Blackledge; fancy stall, Mesdames A. E. Conrad and S. Laurenson; flowers and plants, Mesdames L. Humphrey, D. Wallace; tea rooms, Mesdames G. Hogan (in charge), E. Brady, M. Knight, E. G. Friedrich, G- C. Thomas and Miss L. Emens. ROTARY CLUB TALK. The speaker at the Marton Rotary Club this week was Mr V. W. Fuller-ton-Smith whose talk included little known facts about the Taupo area. After referring to his father’s association with a Mr Grace, who lived in that area, and who was a son of the original missionary who established a mission on the western side of the lake, Mr. Fullerton-Smith said the bell for the present church at Tokaanu was taken to the site by Maoris who rolled it in a barrel from Whakatanc. In the days of the Maori troubles, Tokaanu was a garrison town, and the troops’ wet canteen was the forerunner of the licence held by the Tokaanu Hotel. In early days of the development of the North Island, Taupo played a part in the island’s communications, said Mr. Fullerton-Smith. A steamet used to cross the lake at regular intervals, and passengers travelling from Taupo to Tokaanu connected there with a stage coach which took them to the rail conection at Waiouru. Thu coach operator's old house could stiu be seen set in a grove of trees at Waiouru, he said. Mr. Fullerton-Smith also gave an account of fishing conditions and methods in Lake Taupo and on district streams. PETROL FIRE. It is thought that a lighted match dropped on the ground on which petrol had been spilt, caused a fire in the parking area adjacent to Whites Garage in North Broadway, Marton, yesterday afternoon. The Marton’ Fire Brigade extinguished the blaze with a foam extinguisher, before any damage was done. “WATCH YOUR STEP.” Entitled “Watch Your Step,” a variety concert is to be presented by the Marton Fire Brigade in the Marton Civic Theatre on Tuesday, November 28. The proceeds will go toward sending a team to the New Zealand Fire Brigade Association’s demonstrations at Christchurch early next year The main attraction of the show 13 “Posers, Penalties and Profits,” which was a popular feature on the radio a few months ago. HUNTLEY SCHOOL SPORTS. The Huntley School annual sports meeting is to be held on the school grounds, Marton, next Saturday, commencing at 10.30 a.m. In the evening a play will be presented, while on Sunday there is to be a special Remembrance Day service in the school chapel, commencing at 9.30 a.m. PERSONAL. Mr J. Caithness left Marton yesterday for Christchurch to attend the Centennial A. and P. Show. Mrs J. Herdman, who has been an inmate of the Palmerston North Public Hospital, has returned to her home at Crofton Road, Marton. RAINFALL IN BUIJLS According to records kept by Mr K. W. Dalrymple, of Parewanui, Bulls, (he rainfall in that district last month was 2.58 in, the fall being spread over nine days. This was well below the lainfall average for the month, which stands at 3.62 in. The heaviest October rainfall that Mr Dalrymple recorded was in 1926, when 7.06 in fell in 20 days. The 89 wet days so far recorded this year are the fewest recorded for the ten months since 1914. In the same period last year the total was 134 wet days. Total rainfall to date this year is 27.06 in. This is also below average, as was last, year’s (ally of 30.21 in. The average is 30.41 in.