LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 62, 24 January 1913, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A nice little crop of barley, recently cut on Paerata road by Mr Keith, wa9 estimated to yield 60 bushels to the acie, A specal meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council, to fix the weekly half-holiday, will be held on Wednesday evening. A start has bten made w«th the erection of the block of shops, offices and hall, next to the Pukekohe Hotel, in Ma'ukau road. "Iheee men who have been going ebout robbing the potato patches are worse than the blight"—Constable Wilicocka, addressing the Bench in the Court. The whole countryside is now beginning to brown towardi autumn tints, although many of the paddocks that have been cut for hay have excellent showings of clover and other verdant growthp.

In addition to the extra pumping caused by the water mishap on Saturday a number of leaks have bten sprung in the pipe lines, Theee tre said to have been caused by the breakpressure valve getting out of order and thereby failing to control the pressure. When the extra heavy strain came on the pipe-joints gave. During the hours ot Tuesday night some alleged humorists pulled down Hurley and Smith's 3igoboa:d, from the south side of King street, at d propped it up against the new Nati.icial Bank uuilding on the other side of the street. It was probably intended as a joke—but the jokers ought to keep very quiet about it, The Catholic community of this district are making great preparations for a big bazaar, to be held in Pukekohe about Easter. A number ot socials are being held, with profitable results, and the proepects of a most successful time are higi ly encouraging.

During the week three new firms have been prospecting Pukekohe for business offices or premises. An auctioneering firm, as already reported, is to make temporarv use of the Masonic Hall ; and an architect has been diligently searching for premises suitable for an office.

Mr N. R, McKenzie has been appointed an inopector of nchuols for this district, vice Mr J. Grierson, resigned. Mr McKenzie is 45 years of age, and at present holds the position of headmaster of the Mount Fden School. He has had 22 years' experience <js a teacher, and in November add December of last year was acting - inspector under the Board.

It appears that the breaking of a plug bali was the cause cf the "water - spout" in Queen street, Pukekohe, on Saturday last, and not the dropping of the ball (the old and common trouble) as was previously stated. 'lnese balls, the body of which isof wuud, aie somewhat liable to breakage if subjected to severe vibraiion. or lo a sudden heavy pressure.

A fire occurred on Mr J. Roulston's farm on Monday night, when three hay stacks, containing 40 or 50 lons, were destroyed. This hay has had its vicissitudes, having been saved with much labour from a previous flood. Ihera was no insurance on the stacks and the loss is estimated at something like £l5O. Nothing has bepn discovered to suggest the cause of the fire.

The new Pukekohe railway station will be put into use on Monday, February 3rd. Already the verandah at the old station has been pulled down and shifted. At the new building the work on the yards is being pushed on, and the uprights for the overhead bridge have been erected. It i§ proposed to shift all the appliances at the present goodshed building on Sunday, February 2nd.

Notwithstanuing the boisterous winds that were experienced in the blossoming and setting season, the fruit trees throughout this district have been remarkably this year. Whilst many farms have 'some fruit trees on them, very few people indeed consider the question of converting their orchard areas to profit. The writer has noticed fruit-patch afier fruit-patch in which no attention has been given tn the trees b« way of cultivation or by spraying, but notwithstanding the neglect and the consequent prevalence of blight the trees —especially the plums - have been laden luxuriously. When such interesting and beautiful films as "Butterflies," depicting innumerable specimens in all their gorgeous colouring, and "The Waterfalls of iivoli" are'sereered one realises the educational value ot moving pictures. The All Star programme on Wednesday night was as usual, varied, interesting and amusing. On Monday night a programme of exceptional merit is being presented. Foremost is the' picture "The Chancellor," a society drama having as itt> basis an exquisite love story. This film is 3500 feet Ion.? and cost £20,000 to prcduce. Other dramas, comics, scenics and topical films will complete the programme, un Tuesday Papakura will be visited.