DISTRICT NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15980, 7 May 1924, Page 9

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAMATA. Orphan's Club. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Matamata Orphan's Club took place last week. Mr .1. Brahiner presided, and musical and vocal items were contributed by the Rev P. Cooke and Messrs Bengrie, Brabiner, Lamb, and Walker. Mr Sharkey, a visitor from Auckland, also sang a couple of songs, which were greatly appreciated by those present. Visitors were present from Waharoa and other outlying districts, and there is every prospect, of the Orphans having a successful season. Funeral of IWr Farrell. The funeral of the late Mr J. J. Farrell, on Thursday last, was attend, ed by a large number of relatives and friends. Members of the Foresters and Druids orders were present in full regalia and after tin; burial service had been read by the Rev Father Taylor, they conducted their impressive ceremony at the graveside. The late Mr Farrell was highly esteemed in ire district and much sympathy has been extended to his relatives on their sad loss. Plunket Society. A most enjoyable "at home" was held at the town hall on Wednesday last by the above society. This was inaugurated as a preliminary to a more ambitious scheme to raise funds for the society. About fifty persons attended and in a neat speech Mrs Moore-Jones explained that if was intended to hold a Paddy's Market on a large scale on June 18 next, and solicited donations in cash or produce l or anything saleable. A dainty afternoon tea was provided by the ladies' committee, and several vocal items by Mrs Keith Buchanan and Miss Crowther were much appreciated. Mrs Nelson Banks played the accompaniments. A guessing competition was held and was won by Miss Joan Banks. Mrs J. Mclntyre presented a cake for competition and this was pained by Mrs A. Matcer. The hall was decor, ateel by Mrs Muir and Mrs E. C. Banks and the Town Board kindly allowed the use of the building free of charge. Notwithstanding that the weather was unfavourable, the funds of the society will benefit to the extent of £lO. The unselfish work of the members cannot be too highly commended, and it is hoped that every one will assist in the good work of taking care of our greatest asset —the infant life of New Zealand. Town Board. The annual balance sheet of the Matamata Town Board was presented by the treasurer at the last meeting of the hoard. Taken as a whore, the finances of the board are undoubtedly in a healthy position. It if evident that the administration of the funds has been judiciously carried out. Following are the principal items: — General account.- —receipts £2979 12s Gd; expenditure £,'5967 9 S Sd; deficit £987. Against this deficit may Q* credited the sums of £404 and £619 for expenditure on roads and temporary advances to special accounts, respectively. Town Hall account. —Beceipts, including balance from last year, £IBB7 10s; expenditure, £97G Is Sd; showing a credit on the year's working of £348 Gs 6d. Hospital rate account. —Bates collected, £236 5s 'Sd; Dr Waikato Hospital Board £270 17 s 2d; dr balance, £34 Its Gd. Metalling loan account.—Cr rates collected, £llß 2s 8d; dr Matamata County Council, £120; dr balance, £1 17s 4d. Sewerage loan account. —Beceipts, £10,235 13s 2d: expenditure, £9273 Os Gd; credit balance, £962 J2s Sd. Water Supply account.' —Beceipts, £569 9<s 4d; expenditure, £566 18s sd; credit balance, £2 10s lid. Water loan interest account. —Beceipts (rates) £IBOO 0s sd; expenditure (interest) £2016 13s lOd; dr balance, £216 13s sd. Public debt.—total public debt, £49,728 ss, consisting of wafer supply, £32,886 l s Sd; sewerage, £16,842 3s id. Assets, cash, £2521 9s 9d; estimated value of sewerage and water supply works, Town Hall site, plant etc, and of standing- rates 1923-24, £5 8,239 7s. Liabilities.—Water supply account, £2000: general account, £B4 9 5s 9*d; total, £2849 5 S 9d. School Committee. The monthly meeting of the above committee was held on Monday evening last. Present were Messrs Lark (chairman), Ellory, Hitchcock, Edwards, Stewart, and Jenkins (secrcsence was received from Mr Dale. The Education Board asked the committee for an estimate of cost of maintenance account at the new High School, to enable the Board to deal with the matter. The secretary was directed to furnish same.

The Education Board wrote regretting' that they could not make a grant for telephone in the scrool. After discussion it was decided to communicate with the telegraph department for advice and assistance in connection with the matter.

The Education Board wrote that tliere would be no school excursions available for children over 100 miles from port and Matamata appeared to be in that category. If, however, a number of children decided to make Hie trip under adequate supervision, no doubt arrangements could be made for them to visit the warships. The chairman said this was just another case of penalising the country schools. The whole cry was "go back on the land." It seemed to him that the policy of those in authority was to keep them there. Why should children in towns and near towns have all Die benefits? He proposed that the Railway Department be communicatcd with immediately, and reduced fares asked for. This was carried. It was decider! to wire I he. Roard to appoint, a relieving teacher vice Miss Randell, on sick leave. The secretary was empowered to arrange for fuel supply., The chairman and secretary's action with regard 1o furnishings at new .high school was endorsed. The committee agreed to meet; at the new high school to go into the question of improving the playing area and leasing the remainder. Mr Hitchcock reported that the. Matamata Rugby Union had donated n cup to he competed tor by the primary schools. The chairman stated that the teams race at the Wabaroa sports had been won by Matamata primary school. He considered that the boys were to be heartily congratulated, as they were meeting strong opposition. Mr Ellcry was empowered to purchase limber for the basket ball goals for both schools. It was decided 1o commence the hot cocoa distribution immediately. The, headmaster reported for iric month of April, 1924: Roll number, primary, '2ns; secondary 55. Average attendance, primary, 247.2; secondary, 4 0.7. Staff.-—Miss Randell lias been granted leave of absence through sickness. No relieving teacher has been appointed in her place up lill now. On Hie 22nd four of Hie staff were absent owing to railway strike. Cleaning: Satisfactory, fierieral. —The railway strike affected the attendance, of the secondary department. The school was closed for Anzac Day, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. The report was adopted. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £8 3s 2d.