LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 314, 14 November 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. Cowan, registrar, supplies the details of the vital statistics for the month of October: Births 2, deaths 2, mairiages 3.

“ Settlers In my district have found that powdered sheep dip is death on ragwort,” said Mr. T. T. Murray (Toko) at the Stratford subprovincial meeting of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday; He said that cows did not eat the weed when so treated, and milk was not affected.

The hazy idea that some American firms have of New Zealand is well illustrated by a letter received by a Putaruru business man. The address is given as “ , Putaruru, Dunedin City,New Zealand.” To which town suffers the greatest indignity ? is left for the reader to say.

Put;truru had its first experience of the y talkies ” last week, when “ The Dopovan Affair ” was the piece de resistance. In view of the limita,tion of the hall, the presentation of the programme was well carried out, and the large audience expressed themselves as being highly delighted with the performances.

Officers, patrol leaders and seconds of the Putaruru Guide company visited Cambridge, where they attended the latter company’s birthday party. A hospitable welcome was given to the visitors (Morrinsville and Putaruru companies) and an enjoyable time was spent.

Listeners-in to the children’s session of IYA Auckland on Tuesday were treated to two artistically played solos by Misses Pat. Little and Veronica Ellis. The first duet was the item with which the two girls were awarded second prize in the class, pianoforte duet, 12 to 16 years, at the recent Auckland competition. Miss Little is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Little, of Tirau.

Despite the fact that both the Putaruriy Anglican Church bell, and the .school bell, tolled, and a railway ermine gave a blast of its whistle on Monday to remind people that the /wo minutes’ silence in memory of the Great War’s honoured dead had commenced, a large number of Putaruru residents w.ent about their usual avocations, apparently forgetful of the solemn occasion.

Hearty singing was a feature of the special children’s service conducted by the Rev. W. T. Brabyn in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning last. The congregation included a number of the Putaruru company of Guides, who paraded under Captain Jones and Lieutenant L. Miller. Misses Margaret and Alison Hutton sang a duet, and the Sunday school scholars gave a stirring hymn. Evidently the comments of Mr. J. M. Allen at a recent meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board have borne fruit. The manager stated m his report at Tuesday’s meeting that arrangements had been made to hold cooking demonstrations at several towns in the area during the present month by a special demonstrator. “ This will give an opportunity to those now on meters to consider the merits of electric ranges,” concluded the report.

Mr. J. Rolfe, organiser of the Putaruru Dramatic Club, informed the Putaruru School Committee at their November meeting on Monday, that he and his company were putting on a production at Putaruru during the current month, and he would be pleased to donate the proceeds to the school funds. The offer was accepted with thanks, and the secretary (Rev. H. Ashworth) was instructed to convey the committee’s sincere appreciation to Mr. Rolfe for this evidence of his interest in the school.

The t<Slal number of consumers connected to the Thames Valley Powaf Board’s mains now totals 713 jr, which includes the Thames and Tg Aroha boroughs, Thames consumers totalling 1074 and Te Aroha borough 640. Thirty-three lighting and heating consumers, 35 water-heaters, 5 electric ranges and 36 motors on farms were connected during the month. There are now connected and operating 1845 water-heaters, 331 electric ranges and 2240 motors on farms. , The airing-chairman of the Putaruru District High School Committee, Mr. J. W. Barr Brown, intimated to tife committee on Monday evening that it was probable that the Gover-lyor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, rind Lady Alice Fergusson, would be 'passing through Putaruru on November 26, and he suggested that it would be nice for the children to meet their Excellencies on the station platform. It was decided to ascertain if the Vice-Regal party would be passing through on the date in question, and if so the headmaster is to be asked to arrange the function.

The Putaruru District High School Committee had the inspector’s report on the working of the school before them on Monday evening. Inter alia, the report stated that the school had maintained its reputation for sound work, and pleasure at the fine tone prevailing was also expressed. It was pointed out that both the teachers and children were handicapped by the absence of a piano, such an absence being unique for a school of the size and importance of Putaruru The committee expressed iis gratification at the tone of the reports.

The fact that comment had been made on the moving of depot officials from one town to another was mentioned at Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board by Mr. F. E. Flatt (Paeroa), who asked for an official statement as to whether such removals implied that the men were being promoted or disrated. Mr. Flatt asked whether it was policy to change the men round with the object of getting better efficiency. The chairman (Mr. F. Strange) said changes had been made in Matamata, Morrinsville and Paeroa in the interests of the board. Conditions were continually altering and it was necessary to have men to suit the positions. Because a man was shifted it was not to say that he was disrated or promoted.

Mi. H. R. Robinson, of Waihi, ha» joined the local railway staff, in succession to Mr. H. Borchard, transferred to Auckland.

Messrs. A. O. Brooks and gan, of the Putaruru railway were successful in passing their railway examinations held recently.

The Methodist Synod will meet at Cambridge next week, and the Putaruru Church will be represented by the Rev. H. Ashworth and Mr. A. R. Vosper.

Fitting reference to Armistice Day was made by the Rev. E. H. Atkey-, vicar, in the course of the evening service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Sunday.

Good progress is being made by the newly-formed Putaruru Dramatic Society. The play in hand is the comedy-drama “ Current Cash," which will be produced shortly.

After several days of showery weather rain set in ir. earnest on Friday afternoon, and by night developed into a torrential downpour, which continued throughout Saturday. All outdoor sports had to be abandoned.

A large congregation gathered in the Presbyterian Church at Tirau on Sunday evening, when the Rev. J. Bissett commenced his mission. The preacher delivered an impressive address, and the mission is attracting considerable attention.

Mr. H. Borchard, of the Putaruru. railway staff, left for Auckland on Thursday, having been appointed to the relief staff. Prior to leaving Mr. Borchard received advice that he had been successful in passing the recent railway examination of his grade.

Mi. Eric Cooke, who has been temporary second assistant at the Pntaruru District High School, leaves this week, and Miss Parker, who was recently appointed to the position, will commence her duties on Monday. The chief engineer (Mr. N. G. McLeod) informed' the Thames Valley Electric Power- Boaro -on Tuesday that a further shipment of poles had been distributed on the route of the Starkey’s road extension. It was hoped to start erection work on Hie line early in the new year.

The question of providing instruction for the Putaruru school children in the art of swimming was discussed at the November meeting of the school committee, held on Monday evening. It was decided to go into the matter and a report will be furnished at the next meeting of the committee.

Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., passed through Putaruru on Monday, looking fit and well, despite the strenuous session which closed on Saturday. It is Mr. Clinkard’s intention to deliver a couple of post-sessional addresses, and later on visit various parts of the Dominion in order to familiarise himself with railway construction and other national questions. “ It would seem by the actions W certain persons that the traditional respect for the dead is disappearing,” writes a correspondent to the Dominion. As a case in point, he states, he saw a funeral proceeding down a street recently, when a motorist, evidently in a great hurry, found that he could not wholly overtake the cortege, and he accordingly broke into the procession. He drove thus for some distance, and then finally accelerated past the hearse.

Reporting to the Thames Valley Electric Power Board on Tuesday the chief engineer said that during the month the change over to 11,000 volts at Horrell’s road had been completed, a 15-k.v.a. transformer installed, and supply given on Octobeik 4. A mile of line for supply to Mortensen’s road had been changed from 3000 to' 11,000 volts, a new tranf former platform built, and a 25k.v.a. transformer installed. Supply was given at the higher voltage on October 17. This transformer failed on the 28th but was replaced the same evening.

Reviewing the projected improvements at Rotorua, the Chronicle states that they include the total extinction of the Blue Bath. This will arise—or sink—in a new locality under the main bathhouse on the site of the present plant propagation nursery. The building will be of sufficient size to give a full swimming bath, where provision will be made for mixed bathing and summer contests. There will be a raised stand where 500 people can be seated watch sports and buffets where lW freshments can be obtained and provision made for music. The intention of the authorities is to make this * spot the popular rendezvous of the people as was the old Rachel Bath in A the “ primitive ” days. The design of ' the building is dignified and omatej after the classic Roman modeL The other baths will be remodelled. The Putaruru Brass Band will play a programme at Arapuni on November 17 at 2.30 p.m.* Great interest is being taken in the Bissett mission which opens in Putaruru on Sunday. A great welcome meeting is to be held in the Town Hall on Monday evening at which a combined choir under Mr. Sealey will assist. The mission is to continue through out the week.*