MORRINSVILLE.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16470, 11 April 1925, Page 8

MORRINSVILLE.

Some Good Stories. A lot of amusement was caused at the Methodist meeting held in Morrinsvitlc on Tuesday night to hid farewell to Rev. Greenwood by the good stories told by several of the speakers. One gentleman said he was there to represent, a certain congregation, and that there would have been a lot more of Itiem there, if they had not been away. (Laughter.)

Another speaker said that the remarks of a previous speaker reminded him of a good story illustrating how much there was in a name, lie was travelling on the cable tram that runs up the sleep hill at the hack of Dunedin. It was difficult to keep your feet at any time, hut if the train came In a sudden slop it was impossible. On this occasion an Irishman was sitting just above a lady, when a sudden stop came and threw him right into the lady’s lap. The lady, who was much annoyed and had a very fluent tongue, finished up by asking the Irishman what sort of a man he was. “Lord,” said the Irishman, “I used lo think I was an Irishman, but now 1 find l am a Laplander.” Another rev. gentleman described a visit he had paid to a certain town lie naturally wanted to sec the different churches, and asked a stranger whom he met if he could direct him where to find them. “Oh yes,” was the reply, "you will find the English Church by the sewer, the Presbyterian by the cold stores, and the, Methodist by the gasworks." (Laughter.) Another who bad been chaffed oy a previous speaker, a Yorkshircman, upon bis Scotch descent, explained to the meeting how it was that Yorkshiremen were the only ones Hint could hold their own against Scotchmen. He said that when fifing James came to reign in England, in going through London he saw so many ragged barefooted people in the streets that ic sent a message to Scotland lo send him 5000 brogues. By the time tiic message reached Scotland the word brogues bad got changed into rogues. The authorities in Scotland, although somewhat surprised at the order, weie too loyal to question it, more especially as it gave them an opportunity of getting rid of so many of their undesirables. They therefore emptied all their gaols and sent the motley crowd on their way to Ihc King. By the lime I hey had reached Yorkshire the mistake was discovered and an attempt made lo rectify it, but as the Scotchmen would not take them hack and the English would not let them go forward, the whole lot were set adrift in Yorkshire. The result has been that ever since Yorkshire has been the only county in England that can hold its own against Scotland for shrewd, canny men. Valedictory. It must have been with very mixed feelings that Rev. Greenwood met the large assembly that had gathered :n the Methodist Church, Morrinsville, on Tuesday night lo hid him farewell, present him with a small token of their respect and esteem and wish him every success and happiness in ins new home. Probably at no time in the history of Morrinsville has such a cosmopolitan gathering been seen. In opening the meeting the chairman, Mr F. West, said he wished to convey to Mr Greenwood, Mrs Greenwood and their family, thanks for all that they had done for them during the time that Mr Greenwood had been their minister. He expressed sorrow at parting with them and liie sincere hope that they would have a happy and successful future.' He apologised for the absence of the Mayor, who regretted not being able to attend owing to pressing public business. Mr J. B. Thomas, on behalf of the eiders of the church, said lie was glad to see so many present, but very sorry indeed that 1 hoy were saying good-bye to their highly-respected minister. As an elder of the church lie particularly wanted to mention the help Rev. Greenwood had been to them in the management of the Methodist trust funds and property. He wished them a happy and successful time in their new home. Rev. Richards, Presbyterian minister, said lie was glad to he there as Hie representative of Hie Presbyterian Church. He did not like saying goodbye to people that had been friends. He hoped that when his time came to move lie would find lie had as m my friends as Mr Greenwood had. Itcv. Perry, Baptist minister, confirmed what the other speakers had said about Mr Greenwood and nis work.

Mr McGregor did not know quite what party he represented, probably the man in the street. They should all miss Rev. and Mrs Greenwood very much.

The chairman at this stage said that the congregation could not let Mr and Mrs Greenwood go away without some little token of their love and esteem. He handed over a well-filled purse of money for them to purchase something for themselves. 1

Another presentation was made to Miss Greenwood, and the Roy Scouts also presented a handsomely-bound book to Master Greenwood. Dri rising to reply Mr Greenwood was most enthusiastically received. He said that to him this was the most trying part of the meeting. He was afraid that lie hardly deserved all Hie kindly filings that had been said about him. Ilis stay in Hie district had been a happy time, as lie had met so many friends and helpers. He believed that there was a great future for the district. He thanked them all for their kind gifts to himself, Ids wife, and his family, and for all the kind things they had said about them and all their kindness in the past. During the evening the choir conIribuled some murh-appreoialcd musical items, and songs were given by Miss Creamer, Miss Rest, and Mr Eclilin. The ladies provided lea and refreshments in their usual liberal style.

Good Friday. Unfortunately the weather for the holiday on Good Friday was by no means ideal. A few showers fell before daylight and then it cleared up and people hoped for a fine day, bul soon after breakfast rain set in ‘ and continued on and off until midday, upselling all arrangements made for outdoor excursions, in the afternoon it cleared up and the evening was tine and pleasant, and everyone hopes that it will continue so until after the holidays are over. A united church service was bejd in the Presbyterian Church and would no doubt have been largely attended by all the different demonimalions if Ibe weather bad not been so unfavourable. Swimming Bath. To show bow completely the, face of nalur.e can be transformed by the hand of man one lias only to pay a visit to ttie Morrinsville swimming baths. By man’s handiwork, man’s brains and a moderate expenditure of money what was only a few months ago a dreary shapeless gully, overgrown by ti-trec, blackberry, and other weeds, has been transformed into one of the most attractive spots in the whole of Morrinsville. The Morrinsville Borough Council is to be congratulated upon having carried all Hie work connected with the Borough swimming baths out in such a first-class up-to-date manner and having secured the services of probably the best man in New' Zealand as caretaker. A lot of money lias been spent on Ihc work and it will still he some time before Ihc whole of Hie work is finished. Grass plots and the painting have still to lie done, hut even now the baths are second to none in Hie Dominion, the amount of Hie contract (£2000) paid 1.0 Mr Branch, of Inglewood, will no doubt he considered by many people as a lot of money to spend on a public bath, but when we consider the great aid it will he to Ihc health and development of the rising generation, to say nothing of its being a great source of pleasure and education lo all and that the work will last for all time, Ihc money is indeed well spent. The baths were opened on December f> by a carnival. No charge was made for admission, but some £ls was voluntarily contributed to Ihc funds and a most enjoyable day was spent by a large crowd. Unfortunately soon after the opening the dreaded paralysis epidemic broke out in New Zealand and in accordance with regulations made by the health authorities, the baths had to be closed lo all children under (G years of age. As swimming baths arc rnostlv patronised by children and young people, the attendance, which had been as many as 1033 in one week, and one particularly line day 202, fell off greatly and lias not been onequarter of what it would have been if there bad been no epidemic. Seeing that £SO was paid for admission the first month, if nothing bad occurred to upset calculations the baths would no doubt have paid their way as well as being a great asset and attraction to the town. Mr Dickey, the popular caretaker, is undoubtedly Hie right man in the right place. His kindly tactful manner with everybody, especially children, makes him a most successful teacher of swimming, and the. wonderful way in which he keeps everything about the baths spick and spam has been the admiration of all, including the Mayor and Borough Councillors, lie lias, already, by his vigilant eye and prompt action, saved two lives from drowning, and parents have no fears for the salety of their children and friends when Mr S. Dickey is about. Previous to his joining the Morrinsville Club lie was for nine years in charge of the Hamilton baths* and as long as 30 years ago he was a member of the Auckland Swimming Club. He lias practically been connected with swimming all his life and says lie means lo continue so un-. Id the end of Ids days. In order to stimulate Ibe enthusiasm of the rising generation he donated a cup to the Hamilton Club when there, and lias given one to Morrinsville and spends a lot of time in training the young people in the art of swimming. He took a team to Hamilton this season at ins own expense and thanks to his expert training the team gained five firsts and five seconds. Should everything go well next season there is no doubt that Morrinsville swimmers will make a name for themselves.