THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, Jan. 4, 1917. FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 January 1917, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, Jan. 4, 1917. FLASHES

Our Editor went to town 'on holiday bent Christmas week, but unfortunately contracted serious and painful bowel complaint, which laid him low. As his medical attendant did not appear to improve the patient's condition, Mr Mackenzie decided to return home and go under his own local M.D., who, with the Private Hospital nurse, has effected a great change during the week for the better. The patient is now being prepared to undergo a serious operation to be performed by Drs. Marchesini and Meinhold. Three more local boys are off to Trentham on the 9th inst., where they will be taught to do their bit for the Empire; they are Messrs J, Hafford, T.* Hafford, J. McKenzie, V. JVercoe, V, McLeod, P. Williams, and A. Dayes; also from Waiumauku, M. Adlington. J. Whiteman, and L. Foster. A large number of visitors came to Helensville for the holdays, and spent a most enjoyable time at the Hot Springs. Croquet, tennis, and bowls were indulged in, and all expressed themselves as delighted with the baths and the beautiful grounds. Needless to say, the boarding-houses had a record number of patrons. " Hearts Ablaze," which is showing at the Star Theatre on Saturday evening next, contains all the varying elements essential to the popular drama. A man, broken-hearted over his wife's elopement, retires to a monastery. He emerges after a lapse of 20 years to find that his daughter is accused of killing the man with whom his wife eloped. At the last moment her life is saved, and all ends happily. The friends of Nurse Allen, who about twelve months ago was matron of the Private Hospital at Helensville, will much regret to hear of her death, which occurred in Auckland a few days ago. The deceased lady, with Nurse Redmond had been conducting a private nursing home of their own in Tuakau, where she was suddenly taken ill, and was brought to Auckland for medical treatment, Private Young Hall has recently returned home to Helensville, invalided from the Front, Private Hall saw five weeks in the firing line, when be was buried by an exploding shell, which necessitated his:lremoval to Hospital in England for five months. He is suffering from shock, and is still under medical care. His old friends were pleased to see him safely returned, and wish him. a speedy recovery to_ his usual robust health. Private Hall says he would not have missed the great experience for anything, and is anxious, to refurn to the front as soon a§ possible.

A Helensyille lad fyas distinguished himself at the Auckland Qraminar School by taking all the fjrst prizes in his form for tho pasb year.. Rodney Laßocho succeeded in winning first prizes for English, Latin, French, mathematics and science. The achievement was all -the more creditable, as in the full year's examinations out of a possible fifteen ijrsts, he scored thirteen firsts, one second and Give third ; also in marks he led the next highest competitor by 180 points, which is stated to be a record for that College. Master L. E. Jordan, <j>f 3£sukapakap i, also did well in securing second prices for mathematics and science. Both ihese country toys, who are under 16 years of age, are to be congratulated upon their success.

Furnished room wanted. A reward «f £1 is offered per advertisement in another column. During the past year Allied airmen carried out 750 bombardments, and brought down 900 enemy aeroplanes. A ruby and diamond star brooch is advertised for. Lost at Parakai. — Reward. The Helensville Town Board notify a penalty of 10 per cent on all rates no t paid by Monday, 15th inst. A total of 78,000 prisoners was taken by the French on the Verdun and Somme fronts in 1916. Major Turley with Mrs Turley and family are taking two weeks' holiday, spending the time on some of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. In a message to the King of Italy, the President of France said : "The new year will assure victory for the Allies." From the latest number of the New Zealand Gazette, dated December 21, we learn that the export of timber from Kaipara for the week ended December 19th, 1916, was valued at £1,181. Don't miss the ninth episode of that fascinating serial, " The Broken Coin "— last, but by no means least, on the splendid programme of well-selected pictures showing at the Star Theatre on Saturday evening next. The annual picnic to Shelly Beach on Boxing Day proved one of the most enjoyable outings held this holiday season. The weather was all that could be desired, and young and old alike benefitted greatly by the trip. Southern papers are commenting on the fact that men for harvesting are being offered 2s per hour, but in the Waikato district farmers are offering 2s 6d per hour, and even at that price men are difficult to obtain. A great offensive on the western front is predicted by the British press. It is believed that the new tactics, perfected at Verdun, have solved the problem of of trench warfare, and made possible attacks on a larger scale, with the certainty ot success. In connection with the Helensville A. and P. Association's Show, to be held on January 29th., the following special has been added:—Class 26 A — Best buggy horse, mare or gelding (local)', within a radius of 15 miles of Helensville ; first prize 21s, given by Alex. Hunter ; second, 10s 6d.

David Belasco's dramatic masterpiece, " Rose of the Rancho," (filmized by the Lasky Famous Players Co.) will be screened at the Star Theatre next Wednesday evening. This charming story is a romance in the truest sense of the word, and the incidents are characteristic of the now historic wild and lawless days of early California.

We have had a yisit from Mr G. Murphy (late manager of the local branch of the Bank of N.Z.), who is now on his final leave. Oar genial and energetic friend now wears sergeant's stripes, and we feel sure the 22nd Reinforcement has a worthy soldier. Private Niel McMillan (Union Bank) and a number of other men in khaki have been spending holiday leave in the district, among friends and relatives.

Another new year ]has commenced in real earnest, and 1917 will, we hope, see the conclusion of the war. As far as possible everyone seems to have made the most of the holdays, and the best of weather has prevailed. Holiday seekers in large numbers have taken advantage of the camping grounds along the coast, while money seemed fairly plentiful in the city this year, judging by the amount put through the totalisa tor.