DISTRICT NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

MATAMATA. Orphans' Club. The fortnightly "korero" of the Matamata Orphans' Club was held at the Town Hail on Tuesday evening last, and as usual a most attractive programme was presented. Mr Brabiner presided over an audience of about 70 persons The members of tlie Matamata Town Board attended by invitation. During the evening a demonstration of lightning cartoon drawing was given by Mr Ling Foo, which was extremely clever. The Waharoa Orchestra gave several enjoyable items, and a number of vocal items were rendered by local and visiting talent. These gatherings are becoming more popular every week. The first steps have been taken in forming a'Dramatic Society in Matamata, and assisted by such talent as is shown in the Orphans' Club should prove a great success. Rugby Union. The weekly meeting of the Matamata Rugby Union was held on Tuesday last. The meeting was held at the Town Hall, as the gale bad demolished the shed on the football ground. Routine business was transacted, and the following fixtures were arranged for Saturday next: — Seniors —Patatere v. Walton at Tirau, 3 p.m.; Matamata v. Wairere at Matamata, 3 p.m. Juniors —Waharoa v. Matamata, at Matamata, 3 p.m.; Walton v. Wardville at Waharoa, 2.30 p,rn,; Wairere v. Patatere at Matamata, 1.45 p.m.

Juniors —Waharoa team leading. Third Grade—Matamata leading. School Matters. Country school committees, in common with other public bodies, arc continually faced with the difficulty of finance to run their schools. Recently the Matamata School Committee has taken over the new High School, with an area of fifteen acres in a rough state. There was a hous3 on the section, but it was sold by the Deparetmcnt, previous to the newschool being erected, and the proceeds of tlie sale were not handed over to the committee. A large proportion of the purchase money was subscribed in the district. It is intended to lease a portion of the area, and endeavour to obtain a grant from the Education Board (o develop the remainder. As showing how well the cities have fared in comparison, the Vauxhall school grounds, Devonport. were recently opened bv the Minister for Education. It was'stated that £I2OO had been expended on 3A acres, so that Ihe cost had worked out at Is (id per square yard; C 550 was subscribed by the public, and a similar amount by the Department, and in addition £IOO special grant had been receive'! from the Department. It is a. far more difficult mat!' 1 !' for a country district to subscribe such a sum, and the Malamala authorities would be glad if they could get a grant of half the amount. The Weather. The severe sale which visited Matamata last week-end fortunately passover without doing any serious damage. It was undoubtedly the worst storm for years. As a rule Matamata is fairly free from gales, even though adjacent districts may have them. A good deal of minor damage was done, being chiefly confined to milk stands and olhfiv isolated structures. A peculiar part of the result is that the worst roads seem to have been improved by the storm, especially wheoe recently graded. The excessive rain washed the slush down to the solid, and the wind did the rest. All through the storm the weather remained warm ami sultry, so slock did not suffer to any extent.

Position of senior teams .:— P. W. D. L. Pts Patatere .. 5 4 0 1 8 Walton 5 3 1 1 7 Mataraata .. 5 2 1 o 5 Wairere . 5 0 0 5 0