BUCKLAND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 164, 23 January 1914, Page 3

BUCKLAND.

HONOUR THE SPECIALS

I i appmiatiun of the go d rco k done in Auc-1 nd in connection with

ths late strike the "specials" were eiitcit"h'd in the Buckland hall on Friday evening last. ' A representative of the "Times" was due to at'end, but when returning late from a trip to Pukekawa a wiong road was taken in the dark and the function was unfortuna'ely miFsed. We are glad to learn that there was a laige attendance, inclusive of numbers of settlers frcm adjacent districts.

The programme of voial and instrumental music was thoroughly enjoyeJ, smorgst the it ms being:— Pianoforte duet, Mirses Allan; Testation, Mr E. Neal; song, Mr T. Walker: recitations, Mr Warner; song?, Mrs A. Hewitt; song, Mr A. P. Home; song and s:lection on belb, Mr Souster; gramaphoise records by Mr Nesbitt rilled in the intervals.

Mr E. Allan presided, and referred to the splendid response which had been made by the men of the district, of whom over 100 volunteered their services for polics duty in the city within a few hours after it became known that assistance was required by the authorities. He also spoke of the unanimity which had prevailed generally throughout the district in connection with the matter. Mr F. Souster and the Rev. S Nixon also addressed the company. The Rev. Mr Nixon opened by thanking them for the privilege of joining the people of Buckland in welcoming the "specials" home. He reminded them that he was the son of a farmer; he bed served his apprenticeship in all kinds of farm work and consequently had all the interests of farmers at heart. When in Auckland he had seen the "specials" on duty and he was particularly struck with their soldierly appearance and the alacrity with which they obeyed their orders. It seemed to Una to be a monstrous thing that any body of men, because of some imagined injustice done to them, should hold up tne industries of the country, and that such a thing could bs dote within 24 hours. Unions were permitted by the Government of the country and that privilege carried with it duties to the State on fie part of its members, which duty was ignored by the unions. The work that had been entrusted to the specials was to keep open our shipping ports which weie the arteries of industry. And it was an important work, fcecausa if our imports and exports were arrested the prestige of the whole country was lowered. He disagreed with the view expressed by Mr Allan that the farmers' constabulary corps should be abandoned. That corps was not for offence but it was to be organised for the defence of trade. Indirectly that would affect the prestige ot New Zealand, and he thought the prestige and good name of this dominion ought to be very dear to the hearts of everybody. He h>p:d that the corps would be brought quickly into being, for in the presence of such a force a general strike would be impossible. It was a happy day that had been selected for this function for on that day the last section of the strikers had hauled :!own their flag and peace and order had been restored, hor these reasons they had special cause to thank those farmers who had gone forward to do special service in the interests of the wh Ie country. (Applause). Messrs F. O'Connor, J. K. Hamilton, C. Schofield and A. J. Melville acknowledged the compliments that had been paid

"They are Jolly Good Fellows," "Auld Lang Syne" ar,d "God Save the King" were sung at appropriate periods. In returning thanks, several of the "specials" spoke in appreciative terms of the good work curried out by those who undertook patrol and other work in the district, special mention being marfe of the assistance rendered in milking and other duties carried out on the farms of those absent, in which work the ladies had taken no small part. Daring the evening a presentation of a silver-mounted inlaid -writingdesk and silver pen was mad; by the "specials" to Mr A. J. Melville, who was in charge of the Buckland contingent. Mr J. K. Hamilton, president of the Buckland branch of the Farmers' Union, handed the memento to the recipient after an appropriate speech. The ball was afterwards cleared for dancing, the gathering breaking up in the early morning after a pleasantly spent night. A united undenominational service in connection with the return of the "specials" from Auckland was held in the Public Hall on Sunday evenirg. Th 3 Rev. S. Nixon, moderator of the Auckland Presbyteiy, conducted the service, which was largely attended. METHODIST PICNIC.

The annual picnic in connection with the Buckland Methodist Sunday school took place on Mr F. J. Bealing's property. , The weather was propitious for the event, and a most enjoyable day was spent. ANGLICAN CHURCH.

In order to mark the success which attended the raising of fundi for the purpose oi installing an acetylene gas plant and procuring a new organ for St. Paul's Anglican Church, a social—promoted by the ladies of the guild in connection with the church—was held in the Public Hall. The entertainment wa's of a varied nature, and provided a most enjoyable evening for all. It was announced (hat a total sum ot £BO 16s 6d, clear of expenses, had been collected, which exceeded the amount required for the light and organ. The acetylene gas plant, which was installed for use on ChrUtmas Day, is working most satisfactorily, while the new organ was used for the first time in the church on Sunday.