LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 13, 5 June 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukelcohe Borough Council at its last meeting sat until 11.30 p.m. There was not much talking (from a new:- point of view), hut good work was done. The air was cleared considerably with regard to the waterworks contract. There is promise of a wide selection for the position of Town Clerk for the Borough of Pukekohe. Seven days ago there were no fewer than thirty applications or enquiries for the conditions and duties. The applications are to be considered to-night. One relief when the new railway works at Pukekohe are completed will be that the crossing traffic at East-street will not be blocked as it is now when shunting operations are in progress. At present it is not an unusual thing for all vehicular traffic to be held up whilst the trains spread themselves across the fairway. Some fears have been expressed that the reticulation service in Pukekohe might not be able to sustain the pressure from the reservoir. The engineer assured the Borough Council at its last meeting that he had tested some of the pipes with a pressure much beyond what they are supposed to withstand, and they stood the test perfectly. The All Star pictures continue to attract big audiences, and in Pukekohe the proprietary has had the happy experience of announcing "all seats full." Comedy, tragedy, industry, scenery! These pictures are of excellent merit, and the "Ail Stars " have established a reputation which ft bound to result in ever-in-creasing business. Have you been to the pictures ? They're good. By the death of Mr William Morrow, of Pukekohe, another of the earliest settlers in this district has been removed. Forty-seven years ago Mr Morrow came out in the Ganges and he was amongst the pioneers in this part of the province. He passed away, after a useful life, at the age of 78. Behind him he leaves five sons, two daughters (married), forty one grand-children and one great-grand-child. The Rev. F. B. Dobson conducted the burial service.

The housing of the Pukekohe Borough Council has been temporarily decided. At the last meeting, Rev F. B. Dobson, Rev S. Nixon, Messrs A. B. Barter and J. Roulston waited on the Council with respect to the Library. Mr Dobson asked for the co-operation of the Council in older to make arrangements for the government of the Library, so that the Council vvould take an interest in the institution. The committee offered the Council the use of a front office, and of the lighted big room once a week, for 10s weekly. It would cost £4O to line the room now being used by the Council, and if it were taken for a term this would be done. The Mayor reported upon the enquiries for rooms made by the committee appointed for the purpose, after which it was decided to close with the Library committee and engage the rooms as borough office; for six months. The Council did not consider it wise to engage the room for a term sufficiently long to justify the Committee in lining the meet ing room.

The foreman was catechised at the last meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council with respect to the time at which the men begin work. The foreman said they began at 7.30 a.m., and if they were late they worked on to make the time up. Cr. Johns quoted particular occasions, and he wanted to know if the foreman was at work then. Cr. Comrie asked for information about certain mornings as to whether the men were on their jobs at 8 o'clock. The foreman replied that his time book would show. There was a good deal of cross-firing, and the Mayor said if they had no confidence in the foreman peihaps a straightout resolution should be proposed. "Give us a piece of paper," said Mr. Little, reaching across the table. The Mayor laid a restraining hand upon the threatened resignation. Mr. Little explained that he had other duties besides being with the men. Sometimes he had a complaint, say, about a bit of stinking fish, and he had to go and see about that. And if a Councillor saw him coming away from that place it would be said that he was not attending to his work. Beside.- that, he had to look after tbe applications for water connections. A voice from the spectators: "You have an unthankful job." The Voice was promptly checked by the Mayor, the Council dissolved, and the clock pointed to within half-an-hour of midnight. The "At Homes" held by the Lodge Excelsior continue to increase in popularity, judging by the attendance at Thursday night's function. The first por- j tion of the evening was devoted to a progressive euchre tournament. Miss B. ! Kennelly and Mrs Mason tied for the first | prize for the ladies, and in the play-off I Miss Kennelly was successful. A play- j off also had to be resorted to to decide the winner of the first prize for the Ken- | tlemen, Mr R. Fulton defeating Mr Wilcox in this. The "booby" prizes were won by Mi: s A. O'Connor and Mr Wake. A novelty was introduced in the dance , programme by making the four dances leap year ones. The foigetful male who dared to rise fiom his seat without £n escort of the gentle sex. or who asked a ■ lady for a dance, was promptly and ruth- ] lessly mulcted in a fine. The ladies entered into the fun, and the men had no j reason to complain of being "wallflowers." The M.C.'s were Misses M. A. (liaham and B. Kennelly. and they set many of the sterner sex an example of. how the duties should be carried out. j During the evening a song was rendered j by Mr R. Stevens, and a duet by Mrs Andrew and Mr.(ones. The dance music was played by Messrs H. McMahon Ipiano) and 1.. Eggington (cornet). Mr R. Biake. in his capacity as secretary, md Mr B. 11. Andrew as M.C., proved : In- right men in the righl place, and together with the Ladies' Supper Coinmitee were re: ponsible for the inosl plca-ur-ibli evening.

In second grade football, in Auckland on Saturday, City beat Pukekohe by six points to nil. On Cr. Lawrie's motion the Borough Council decided to metal Hickey's bridge as soon as the material is available. Fiftv passengers entrained at Papakura in the first 9.55 suburban train for Auckland on Saturday last. Recently it was stated that a sum of money was available, being the funds of the old Tuakau drum and fife band. It was ascertained that the amount was £4 which Mr J. B. Brown, of Pukekohe, paid into the savings bank 28 years ago. That sum has now grown, by accumulated interest, to £ll Ids. We understand that it is the opinion o 1 * the trustees that the money should go to the funds of the Tuakau cemetery. The social held in the Presbyterian Church, Pukekohe, on Wednesday evening last was a great success. The event of the evening was the presentation to Miss Penman, in recognition of her valuable services as organist during the past 13 years. The gifts took the form of a beautiful mahogany music cabinet, music and a cheque. In handing these tokens of appreciation to Miss Penman the Rev. S. Nixon exoressed the obligation under which the church members felt themselves to their organist. Mr E. Allan tendered the thanks of the lay preachers and Mr Davys spoke on behalf of the, choir. Mr Penman suitably responded for his daughter. The evening's programme was most enjoyable. With Miss Penman at the organ the choir rendered an acceptable number. A duet by Mr J. Roulston and Mrs Pilkington, solos by Mr A. Young and Mrs H. Smith, and the selections by the quartette party (Messrs J. Roulston, G. Blake, W. Jones and A. Young) were all warmiy appreciated. Refreshments were enjoyed and concluded a very pleasant evening. Perhaps the most important development in the making of the town of Pukekohe is the grand two-storey building just erected by the Bank of New Zealand, in King-Street. The new bank is solidly built in brick and plaster. The hanking chamber is of most modern arrangement with complete room to accommodate six clerks. This provision suggests that a big expansion of banking business in Pukekohe is expected. The manager's room, strong room, stationery room and other offices are all constructed with an eye to future requirements as well as present necessities. The manager's residence is associated with the banking establishment and includes eight fine living rooms. Internally these are of plaster nicely relieved with rimu fittings. The furnishings are very attractive. A coach-house, stabling, wash-house, etc., complete the outside equipment. The contract price for the building was about £2,500 and the whole establishment makes a handsome addition to the business places of Pukekohe. It is a striking indication of the commercial progress of the town that the bank, after only a few Short years' business here, should have decided to house their business and officials so substantially.