DISTRICT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14023, 28 March 1919, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

WHATAWHATA. FARMERS’ UNION. At the monthly meeting ot the. Farmers’ Union the• chairman (Mr A. Livingstone) presided over * tendance The action of the brand dde mte (Mr T. Roach) m supporting the 'proposal to form a TarmersPoiRcal Party was approved b> the U 'Notification was received of the alteration of tile boundaries ot tne blackleg areas as asked lor some tunc aS A rrood deal of business was held over °to enable Messrs Hammond Rarugh and Hushell to address too meeting:, the speakers urging those present to increase their holdings of shares in the Farmers Auctioneer Co The addresses were listened to with much interest A num^ r ° questions were asked, and on the motion of Mr Laxon, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the spcaKcis. THE WEATHER. The rains of the past few days were welcomed by those whose tanks wei e. empty, and by farmers who had cither sown their grass seed or were uniting for rain to enable them to do so. Unfortunately, the weather ns it clears shows unmistakable signs of being much, colder. As the season is now well advanced, this will not favour autumn growth. WALTON. suN D AY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY• The Walton Sunday School anniversary service was heiu. in "-he \\ alton .Hail on Sunday, 23rd inst. Tiie service was conducted by the ‘Key. Hammond, Maori missionary* yho addressed the children on the subject of uprightness and honesty, and i e. ferred to the Sunday School as a medium of honest purpose in teaching the children to do their duty as citizens. Ho quoted phrase* of Maori tradition to show that the Maori race, although in a savage state when New Zealand was discovered, was not without a sense of honesty of purpose, as they had an intelligent measure of right and wrong. Mr A. L. Gillingham, superintendent, reported as follows: —Number on roil at beginning of 1918, 62; left district during 1918, 17; admitted since Christmas, 1918, 8; on roll at beginning of 1919, £3; teachers on roll, 5; average attendance for 1918, 33. Fifteen scholars entered for the Sunday School Union Scrip Litre examination in June, 1918. Of these, one gained honours prize of 88 per cent, five gained honours certificates, above 70 per cent, six gained second-class certificates, one gained third-class certificate, and two passed examination without gaming certificates; total passes. 15 out of 15. Up to the present, every scholar on the roll has received a prize. At the annual meeting held on February 21st, 1919, it was resblved that any child leaving the district, and not having gained onethird of the possible marks, would not be entitled to a prize, but would be given a certificate of transfer instead. Mr Gillingham also reported that the balance-sheet showed the gross takings for the year to lie £lO, most of this amount having been subscribed by the children. Out of this sum they had bought the prizes which were lief ore them for distribution. The prizes cost £5, and would be given to each child according to merit, but every child attending would get a prize. The prizes were then presented to the children by Rev. Hammond, assisted by Mr Gillingham. After the distribution of prizes Rev, Hammond asked if there was anyone present who would like to speak a few words of nppreiation to the Sunday Sc'.uol teachers, but, unfortunately, there was no response. However, I ear» assure the teachers that their good wo’-k is highly appreciated and valued, and it was only bashfulness that prevented those present responding to invitations to speak. FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS INSULL. A farewell social was tendered Mr i,nd Mrs Insull and family on Tuesday. There was a large gathering, and a .most enjoyable time was spent in dancing and songs. Mr and Mrs Insull were presented with a travelling iug and umbrella, as recognition of the esteem in which they were held. The chairman of the School Committee (Mr Lewis Mapp) said than they were all sorry to lose Mr and Mrs insull, who had prif/cd themselves to bo of ster-

linn- quality. As head teacher, Mr Insull had gained the confidence of the children and the parents to a marked degree, and the feeling of regret at loann their guests was very real, and although they could not put them under lock and key, they would have made, a strong effort to retain them had U not been that Mr Instill was bettering his position, his appointment as instructor of the commercial class in the Stratford Technical School being considered a much higher grade than that which he is leaving. Mr Crawshaw also spoke of the goodfoflowship which existed between the guests and their many friends, and on behalf of the people' of Walton, ho wished them every happiness in their new home. Mr R. Adams made the presentation, which was suitably responded to by Mr and Mrs Insulj. Mr Insull said ho a ns sorry to leave, hut he had the offer of the position at Strafford, and as he had followed the commercial line for many years, the position had a natural call, and anpealed to him strongly. He thanked them for the many good wishes and the kindly ..words spoken, and also for the very nice and suitable presents •