DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 180, 20 March 1914, Page 11

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAIUKU.

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The anniversary services of the above Sunday School were held on Sunday, 15th inst., when Mr H. B. Marshall, a student from Auckland, con lucted both services. The piizes were given out on Sunday afternoon to the children by Mrs Laybcurn. Miss Laybourn was the recipient of a Bible on the occasion of her leaving the district Vera West, ore of (he scholars, made the presentation on behalf of the children.

On Monday evening the annual tea and concert was held in the Public hall. Rain s.t in just about the time of commencing and prevented a number from being present, nevertheless there was a fair audience. The hall was tastefully decorated. The Rev. E P. blamires presided. An excellent programme wa9 rendered by the following:— Solos by Mrs Cranston, Misses Rossiter and McGregor, Mr Drake, from Auckland Trio bv Misses Pickard, G. Rossittr and West. Mr Souster. of buckland, rendered several selections on the hand bells, which were greatly appreciated, and also gave a recitation. Miss WcoJ, of Auckland, acted as accompanist, and also rendered several piano sol s. Master J. Williams gave a recitation. The annual report was satisfactory and showed an increase in scholars and was satisfactory financially. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr C. T. Barriball, and seconded by Mr, S. T. Rossit r, and carried, thanking those who had in any way assisted to make the concert a succes 9 . WELCOME RAIN. After a very dry spell a good, soaking rain set in on Monday night. From niid-nieht until morning it was rravirst and many paddocks- on the low-lyimr, portions were covered and ditches were running bank tigh. A BAD ROAD. The roadway over to the old post office is in a very bad state for traffic and should be metalled. On Monday Mr Henare Kaihau's large motor car got bogged for a while and had a difficulty in getting out of the holes.

A LAND MARK. One of the oldest land murks is about to disappear in the old shop known as "The Forge" in the cantre of the main street block. It is to be sold by auction on Saturday for removal by Mr De Montalk. NEW BUILDING. Mr G. Bioun is having a new house built on a commanding situation opposite the Presbyterian Manse property. Mr W. J. Hood is the builder.

RECOVERING. Mrs Howden is new progressing favourably and is considered out of danger. Dr Howden is still away in the south, PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT.

Last week, on Thursday evening, the annual concert in connection with the Presbyterian Church was held, the Rev. R. Barr, presidirg. The Public Hall was well filled. Everybody appreciated tfce excellent pro gramme submitted. Items were contributed by Mr Allen McElwain, Miss L. Wriglay, Pipe-Major Emslie, and Master Stewart, of Auckland, and among the local sirgers were Mr Bissecks and Misses McGregor and H. Rossiter. The Sunday school children also gave two items. Mr W. B. Black, of Auckland, was the accompanist. A BUSY BUSINESS.

Mr J. Gribble is usy preparing for the 'vinter season. Covers for horses and cows will hi required, and Mr Gribble has just landed from England a special quality of canvas and lining. Thread, strappings, buckle?, and everything used in connection with these covers is first grade material—and these combined with good workmanship has earned a great popularity for Gribble's covers. A large order of Belfast rope is also to hand.

MAUKU.

A VEHICULAK ACCIDENT. The friends in this district of Mr and Mrs A. Jamieson will be sorry to hear of an accident which befel them last week. They were driving home from Huntly to Waikokowai (Pukemiro) on Friday afternoon when the fastenings of the buggy pole broke, and the falling pole so frightened the horses that they bolted. Mr jamieson was powerless to guide or restrain them and jumped out, thinking that Mrs Jamieson would follow, but she stuck to the vehicle until thrown out on the top of the rise, down tne steep declivity on the roadside. The trap came after her, one of the wheels striking her with such force that her shoulder was dislocated.

The buggy was badly damaged. Mr Jamieson escaped without injury. Dr J. C. Macdiarmid attended to Mrs Jamieson, who is doing as well as can be expected. Mr Jamieson is a son of Mr Jamieeon, of Paerata, and Mrs Jamieson is the eldest daughter of Mr J. Finlay, of Mauku.

OTAUA.

THE PIG BUSINESS. Dairy farmers and all interested in pigs will L>u pleased to hear that the Woodville Bacon Company will soon be operating here and at Aka Aka. Messrs Michie and Rowe, of Waiuku, are to erect yards at once, and Mr H. 0. MelUop is to do the Duying. CONCRETE FLOOD GATES. The Otaua Drainage Board are having a concrete ilood gat 3 erected on what is known as the "ten foot" drain near Mr G. Hull's. Mr J. McNaughton has charge of the work.

PATUMAHOE.

LADS SUDDEN DEATH. The many friends of Mr and Mrs W. Howe will regret to hear of the death of their fourth son, Allen, which occurred on Saturday. The lad, who was 13 years of age, was at the Farmers' Union picnic on the previous Saturday and the news of hi 3 unexpected demise came as a great shock to the community. It is only a few months ago since Mr and Mrs Howe lost another son. The funeral was held on Monday, when a very lengthy cortege followed the remains to the grave. The funeral ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Murray.

BUCKLAND.

OUR FARMING UUIPUI'. As showing tie increasing importance of Auckland district as a p.oducing centre, it has been noticed that very heavy despatches of vanous farm products have been tent away from tke heal railway ftition during the past few weeks. The new season's grain crops are being operated on frtely in some of the adjacent district , for which Buckland is the loading stat on, and consignments of grain, chaff, and baled straw are being sent forward daily. Potatoes a:e being loaded in large quantities, a-id durin? the pa c t ei'x weeks the despatches of this pro duct made by local growers and those of the adjoining districts, have totall.d from thirty to fifty tons per day. In2 outward freights are expected to continue in a heavy volume for some weeks to come, as the major portion ot the harvest has yet to be dealt with. As a fatming district Buckland is one of the jewels in the rural crown of the Lower Waikato.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE. The annual harvest thanksgiving service in connection with St. Paul's Anglican Church wrs held on Sunday evening', there being a large congregation present. The vicar of Pukekohe, the Rev. F. B. Dobson, conducted the srrvice, at which special psalms were, chanted, and the anthem "He Watereth the Hills" was rendered bv the church choir. Ths interior of 'the church was nicely decorated for the occasion by the ladies, there being a good disply of froi', vegetables, and field produce. The latt:r gifts were forwarded to ths Order of the Good Shepnerd, Auckland.

A GOOD-BYE GATHERING. On Monday evening, 16th injt., a farewell social evening was tendered to Mr and Mrs W. Braithwaif by the residents of Buckland. The social took the form of a followed by a dance. Mr H. Driver very ably tilled the position of chairman. A lengthy programme of vocal and musical items was rendered to a foil huuse. Despite the fact that the weather looked very threatening —in fact rain began to fall about 7 o'clock—about B.SO the hall was crowded with residents, old and new to the district. The programme wa9 opened by a pianoforte solo by Miss Allen, followed by songs from Mrs Hewitt, Mr A. Fmitb, Miss Bagnall, Mr T. Walker, Mr A. P. Home, Mis J. Wylie, Mi J. Walker, Mr G. Gundry, Mr Jeffeiic. Mr Hill, and Mrs McAnally. Miss Grave Neal and Mr Harper recited and Miss Hazel Home played a pianoforte solo. Several of the items were encored. Tlye chairman spake in eulogistic t'rms of Mr and Mrs Braithwaiie. Mr Braithwaite, having resided in Buckland some thirty-one years, hai teen some great changes take place, for what was then a howling wilderness was now settled and occupied by thrifty farmers. Mr Braithwaite played no small part in bringing about this bappy state of affaire, and hsd also taken an active ra*t in pj' lie affair?, being a trustee of the Public Hall, chairman of the school committee, and member of the Koad Board. On rising to respond, Mr Braithwaite received an ovation. In a few well-chosen words he thanked the numerous friends who had gathered there to express their good wishes to Mrs Braithwaite and himself.

At the conclusion of the concert supper was served round, the catering having been done by Mrs Bartrom, of Pukekohe. After justice had been done to the supper the hall was cleared and dancing kept up in a spirited manner until the small hours of the morning. Mr S. Harper carried out the duties of M.C., and Mrs Davy supplied excellent music. The function wound up by the tinging of Auld Lang Syne |

POKENO.

WEDDING. On Wednesday, 11th inst., a very pretty wedding took place in the Presbyterian Church. The contracting parties were Mr Malcom Brown, youngest son of Mr James Brown, of Pokeno, and Miss Isabella Pirritt Clarke, youngest daughter of Mr James Clarke, of Hillside farm, Pokeno Valley. The bride looked very nice in a handsome gown with the usual veil and orange blossoms, and was attended by Miss J. Clarke and Miss M. Brown was bridesmaids. Mr flornibrook, of Auckland, was best man, and vas assisted by Mr W. Moore as groomsman. Ihe Rev. Mr Porter, of Otara, conducted the certmony. After the marriage a reception was held in the Pokeno Valley hall, when the usual toasts were honoured. The happy couple left by the evening train on their honeymoon. The presents received were numerous, valuable and useful. COMING EVENTS.

Affairs in the wedding line are looking up along this way, as I hear of no fewer than four coming events, one of them being a double wedding.

Owing to so many weddings coming off, I hdr that the Pokeno band (tin can) is practising the Wedding March and hope to give iheir first public performance in the course of a few days. FARMERS' UNION. A meeting of the Farmers' Union was held in the hall ou Friday evening, there being a fair number present. Mr J. Graham was in the chair. Several matters of interest were dealt with, among them being the formation of a corps of yeomanry, and it was decided to try and form a sijuad of twenty-five The formation of a farmers' auctioneering company was discussed, and all present eeenrd to be in favour nf such a company. ft was decided to enter a protest against the removal of the goodsshed across the rails. The matter of the district being without a justice of the peace, and of the inconvenience caused when any local resident required papers signed, was discussed. It was decided to ask the Department to appoint a J.P. here, and Mr James Graham is to be recommended to the Department for appointment. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS. The Education Board's painting stall' arc at present engaged on the local school and scboolhouse.