FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 March 1915, Page 2

FLASHES

Nominations for the Helensville Sports close with the Secretary, 20th inst., at 8 p.m. A team of local tennis players will play a friendly game at Kaukapaka pa on Saturday afternoon next. Stewart Bros.' general stores, factories, etc., will be closed all day on Wednesday next, for their first annual picnic. Pvt J. Pearce, a Helensville boy, who was on duty at the Awanui wireless station, returned on Saturday last, having fractured his right arm, owing to a fall. The general manager for New Zealand Railways (Mr Hiley) came along on his annual inspection per special " observation train," on Tuesday morning last, and went on as far as Otamatea. Young Alf. Becroft, stationed with the Territorials at the Awanui wireless station, returns for good next Saturday, after doing six months' duty. The Methodist Churches of the Helensville Circuit intend holding Harvest Festival on Sunday, 28th inst., and will dispose of the gifts in the Auction Mart on the Monday evening following at 8 o'clock. We hear that Mr R. J. Vercoe, the veteran farmer and plunger, has bought a farm of 90 acres, including stock, lately occupied by Mr Chas. Russell, Parkhurst, at a satisfactory price. The work on the new bathrooms at the Hot Springs is progressing favourably. The foundations in re-inforced concrete are now finished, and it will not be long before 16 additional bathrooms are available for use. Their son, E'arry, coming of age on the 26th March, Mr and Mrs H. T. Elvin, of Makarau, intend giving a social and dance in the local public hall on the date in question: We wish the party a merry time of it. The present dry season, and the failure of grass and crops in many districts, emphasises the great value of lucerne as a drought-resisting plant. The established lucerne-field is an unfailing source of profit. Mrs Driscoll, of Helensville, left for Blackstone Hill, Dunstan, Central Otago, on Friday last, the visit being occasioned by the death of her mother, who was one of the earliest Scotch pioneer settlers of 40 years ago, and greatly respected for many miles around.

• Despite the recent dry weather the output of butter from the Northern Wairoa continues at a satisfactory rate The Mangawhare factory is sending away one ton and a-half daily, and that quantity, it is interesting to note, is equal to the weekly output of Whakapirau factory, on the Otamatea branch of the Kaipara.—'Dargaville Times.

The new ferroconcrete bridge, on the way to the Hot Springs, is showing some signs of progress. A number of piles are already driven, and the boxingup of the first span is completed, ready for filling in. When finished this bridge will be a credit to the contractors, and a handsome and up-to-date structure.

ft The following has been handed us for publication : — Helensville, 8-3-15. James Stewart, Esq., Dear Sir, —I am instructed by the members of the Helensville Platoon K.R.C. to convey to you their thanks for your great generosity in giving us the proceeds of the Picture Show held on the 4th inst.— I am. etc., W. RYALL FOSBROKE,

Secretary,

Rather amusing in its way was an application from the Railway Department to the Otamatea County Council, and the reply. The Department stated that it was intended to run a daily train to Otamatea and special fast trains on Mondays and Wednesdays, so they asked- if this would in the Council's opinion be most convenient for settlers The Clerk stated that it was too early to form any opinion, as it would be fully two years before the train is running. A reply to that effect will be sent to the far-seeing railway officials.—'Times'