LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 105, 27 June 1913, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The wrong name ol a builder wsj given in our news of the last Borough Council meeting, in reporting the building permits that were granted. It was Mr H. E. Smith who received permission to proceed with the alterations of Mr J. Wright's house.

An important meeting of tha Pukekohe Veterinary Club is to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday afternoon next at 2 o'clock. Ihe Club is now well under weigh, and promises to be most beneficial to membais. These wishing to join the Club can do so upon more advantageous terms now than later on. Mr J. Wright is the secretary. A good muster is looked for of members and intending members on Monday.

In tha Pukekohe Magistrate's Court r.n Wednesday morning, W. J. J. Miles, of Tuakau, wa3 proceeded against on a charge of wife-beating. Frcm tha evidence it appeared that at about 11.30 o'clock on Monday night the accused, upon arriving home, assaulted his wife, who, with her children, sought shelter and protection at a neighbour's place. Accused tried to blame the wife, but tha Bench passed sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Messrs Web3ter and Lawrie, J's.P., presided. A Dunedin commercial man says he would rot be surprised if margarine were manufactured in New Zealand before long. Tha meat ccm panies, te points out, supply a great quantity of fat to the manufacturers of margarine in other countries, where tha demand for that substitute fr,r butter is enormous. Sume manufacturers have become so clever in the production of margarine that even the beet judges have mistaken it for the best butter. Last year England imported 1,352,427cwt of margarine.

The Prima Minister in answer to an inquiry the other night stated that he hoped to have the Board of Agriculture appointed next month, ami it would take in hand all arrangements for tne establishment of the promised agricultural college. Mr E Newman, M.P., had mada a special trip to New o'ou*h Wales to look into the methods by which the Hawkesbury College is conduced there, and he had ccme back with a very interesting report. The Prime Minister said he would have more to sav on the topic next month. We hopa that sight will not he lost ot the fact that a promise was made that the claims or the Pukekohe district, for Agricultural Callege purposes wo.ild be seriously considered.

Ihe inspector will visit the Pukekoha District High School on June 30th.

The movement for the improvement of the cemetery still progresses. By a notice elsewhere all who are interested in the upkeep of "God's Acre" are invited to attend at the Presbyterian Church on Monday evening next Helpers in the orchestra and choir are require:!. One of the principil pictures at the All Star Piclu es Ic-morrow niiht will be the Ediso.i Kailway drama, "On Donovan's Division," when the wit and heroism of a man aid woman avert m awful accident. "The Toymaker" is a pathetic drama. Th re are i umerous comedies, whilst tcenic and educational films are also included.

At the last meeting of the Raglan Licensing Ccmmittea a renewal of license was granted to Mr M. Foley, Tuakau. The application for a renewal uf his license of the Mercer Hot I, was granted to Mr W. (J. Pickett, providing he made improvements in the sanitary and drainage system of the house. Mr Rawson, S M., referred to the culinary arrangements and said they should b2 better. The licensee, in explanation, said he had had twelve cooks in six months. He promised, however, to improve thing?, and trusted there would ba no complaints in the future.

The severe froets that have teen expsrienced lately have wrought a lot of damage amongst the early potatoes of Pukekohe. Even on the eastern sida of the hill, high up, the tops of the potatoes were cut off and hung in tlackeced rows, while on the lower slopes and on the western side of the hill the crops ware very badly cut. It wns the grey-black frost of Tuesday that did most damage. Wednesday's and Thursday's afflictions were net so destructive as they were white, and Thurs day's visitation was followed by an early misty fog which melted th?. froet particles before the plants were struck bv the morning sun. There is a general belief that the worst of the frosts 'are over, and that a wetter period will shortly be experienced. Meanwhile the days have bten beautifully tine and farming operations on all hands have been pushed forward under the most satisfactory conditions of eun and soil.

Tha Prime Minister stated on Wednesday that ha hoptd to constitute the proposed Board of Agriculture next month. It would probably be modelled 01 the. Irish Board, which has done excellent woik. Mr Massey, interviewed on the subject of proposed land legislation, said he hoped to pass a very important instalment of the Government's land policy during the comirg session. It will includa a measure dealing with pastoial licenses, under which a large area ot Crown land is at present held, tha object being to give tenant* a more fceoue form of tenure, to encourage them to make improvements. Owing to tha lack ot such inducements, the Premier stated, the carrjing capacity of these land* had decreased during the last few years. He hoped to secure observance of a proper season for burning cif, also for keeping rabbits in check and the grassing of lard.