THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE," HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, Oct 25, 1917 FLASHES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 October 1917, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE," HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, Oct 25, 1917 FLASHES.

On Monday evening next, a fancy dress social will be held in the Star Theatre, supper provided, and a good time guaranteed.

It is now time to order your Christmas greeting cards at the ECHO Office—a fine selection to pick from, with name, address, etc., from 6s per dozen. *

The takings on Friday evening last at patriotic stall outside the Star Theatre amounted to £2 11s 4d, and the Committee has now quite a considerable sum in hand.

Mr F. Dye announces that he has consented to stand for re-election as a member of the Kaukapakapa Riding at the forthcoming election of the Waitemata County Council.

Quite a large number of passengers arrived in Helensville by last Saturday evening's train to spend the week-end and Labour Day at the Hot Springs. The Springs, now that they are becoming better known, are a great attraction to to the public.

Mr Jas. McLeod, member for the Marietahi Riding, spoke to a full house and was accorded an attentive hearing at the Parakai Hall last evening. Mr J. A. Wilson occupied the chair, and Mr McLeod (who seeks re-election) delivered a most interesting address.

Miss McGregor, of Dunedin, for fifteen years : with Pandita Raraabai in her work among the child widows of India, will be the speaker at the Presbyterian services on Sunday next, 28th inst., at Woodhill at 11 a.m., Parakai 2.30 p.m. and Helensville 7 p.m. Miss McGregor is a good speaker, and much in demand throughout New Zealand.

The New Zealand V.M.C.A. is opening up three new centres of activity with the' New Zealand troops in the Old Land. A cable message has been received from the Association's Supervising Secretary, Mr G. W. B. Hughes, stating that these centres are being started with the Engineers at Boscombe, with the Rifle Brigade at Brocton, and with the Artillery at Ewshot.

A war regulation just gazetted prohibits the purchase of any of the next wheat harvest by any person except under permit from the Board of Trade. No restriction is placed on retail purchases of 50 bushels and less, provided that such purchases are not made frequently by the same buyer. The issue of a permit does not give a recipient a right to deal with the grain purchased except under the conditions which the permit sets forth, and these conditions are made at the discretion of the Board of Trade.

Our local postmaster advises us that instructions have been received that cable messages for soldiers in Mesopotamia should be addressed." base."

Labour Day passed off very quietly in Helensville, the majority of the people travelling to Auckland to spend the day there.

Th« Parakai Branch of the Women's Patriotic League are holding a social in the Parakai Hall on Saturday, 27th inst. Songs, recitations, dancing, guessing competitions, etc., will help to make the evening an enjoyable one, and a good house is anticipated.

A section of land on Belle Vue Estate,' Helensville, generously donated by Mr John P. Hand, will be sold by public auction at Buckland's sale yards on November 5, the proceeds from which will go to the funds of the V.M.C.A.

Mr Robert Gilkinson, a Dunedin solicitor and member of the City Council, has volunteered to go to England at his own expense to undertake war work under the British National Council of the V.M.C.A.

The Rev. A. Murray of St. Andrew's, Auckland, Moderator of Helensville Presbyterian Charge, has called a congregational meeting for Monday, 29th inst., at 8 p.m., in the Helensville Church. The business is to elect members to manage the affairs of the district, and nominations for the eldership will be received. All interested are asked to attend.

It is with deep regret we announce that Mr W. H. Carleton, one of our oldest and most respected citizens, passed away at an early hour his morning. Mr Carleton, who was 52 years of age, had been ailing for some time past. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and two sons, one of whom (Willie) returned home yesterday invalided from the Front. The funeral leaves his late residence. First Avenue, for the Helensville Cemetery at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Theodore Roosvelt junr., daughter-in-law of the ex-President of the United States, has arrived in Paris, where she is to devote the whole of her time to the service of the soldiers through the agency of the American V.M.C.A. The son-in-law of President Wilson, Mr Francis S. Sayre, is also going to France with the American troops as V.M.C.A. Field Secretary. About the usual quantity of kaur gum is finding its way on to the Auckland market, and consists chiefly of low grades. These are decidedly i hanging fire, the higher freight and difficulty in securing space making it impossible to place all the parcels arriving. On the other hand, good quality is moving off fairly well.

The Saturday evening dances held in the Parakai Hall are becoming quite popular among lovers of the light fantastic. Quite a good number put in an appearance last Saturday night, including a number of visitors from Auckland. The floor was in first-class order, Mr F. LeGrice made an efficient M.G., and Miss Cullens presided at the piano.

A sacred concert was held in the Parakai Hall on Sunday evening last, after the usual service. The attendance was very good, and a collection made in aid of the Red Cross Fund amounted to £4 6s Id. Songs were rendered by Mrs Shera, the Misses Allenby, Taylor, and Rimmer, and Messrs White, Screaton, McCormick, and' D. Rennie. A violin solo by Mrs Gawthorpe, and recitations by Mrs Farrow and Miss Cook were also greatly appreciated.

At Hornchurch Hospital Centre, where there are some 2000 New Zealanders receiving treatment, Mr H. Fawcett of Dunedin is in charge of the V.M.C.A Arts and Crafts Department. Classes for carpentry, wood-carving, and other branches of useful industry are in active session under Mr Dawe, a London architect, and Mr Tarrant, an ex-student of South Kensington Royal College. This work commenced on June 26th with only six men, and by July 13th' the number of men receiving instruction had increased to 114. Colonel Tewsley has made attendance at these classes compulsory, and it is looked upon in much the same manner as parade for massage and electrical treatment.

This is what an officer commanding a battalion of a famous Scottish Regiment says:—" If the people at Home and in the Dominions Overseas keep a stiff upper lip and determination to carry on to the bitter end, all will be well. No one could speak too well of the men in .the field —the most cheery and gallant souls on earth* I am always thankful' to God for the privilege of serving with them. On anything like equal terms, they smash the Hun every time. The 'other fellow' had 40 years' start, so we must be patient. The guns now are n ever silent, day or night, and we must simply go on, whoever goes down, until the unclean German is thoroughly beaten." 'i

A very valuable adjunct to the work of the V.M.C.A with the New Zealand troops at the front is the travelling kitchen motor-van, donated by Mr Percy McHardy, of Palmerston North. In gratitude for the generosity of the donor and for the free refreshments supplied from it, it has been christened by the boys, "Buckshee Mac." The van has done excellent service as a rapid means of transport, and also in enabling the Association to carry out many " Buckshee stunts " when the men have been on the march. The New Zealand Division is so mobile that it is imperative for the Association to have means of getting about the country quickly, and " Buckshee Mac " is now an indispensable part of its organisation.