MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 249, 20 November 1914, Page 1

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

The attraction at Monday night's meeting of tbe Mutual Improvement Society was a programme provided by tbe gents. There was a fairly large audience, Mr H. 0. Mellsop presiding. Songs, recitations, debates, readings, etc., made up a lengthy and appreciated list of items, after which supper was handed round. Some of the songs were of a patriotic order and met with loud demands for encores. The programme was well conducted until near the end, when it quite broke down- by the services of a lady accompanist being requisitioned. The vocal items were given by Messrs B. Chalmers, C. J. Husking, J. Mesrns, W. A. Leach and Rev. J. Cable. A monologue item was contributed by Mr 0. Henry, recitations by Mr C. J. Hoskiog, and -ftWHngs by Rev. Vaughan and Mr Mellsop. Debates took place between Messrs McCoanell, C. J. West, L. 0. Mellsop and W. L. West. Accompaniment! were played by Mr W. A. Leach and Mibs Swain. In the debates Mr McConneli was set to deal with the shipping facilities of Waiuku and Mr C. J. West had to show the advantages of the coming railway. The former contened that improved ahippinn facilities would have served Waiuku's requirement*, but now that the railway was under construction it was not much use improving the position in regard to water traffic. The latter declared emphatically that the railway would be the better means of serving the farmers' interests.

Still another local business firm, Messrs Wallace and Co., has found the need of increased accommodation, and an extension of the premises is to be effected shortly. The contract has been let to Orr and Chapman. Only part of the alterations at Mr E. J. Green's business premises has been effected as yet, but the balance will be proceeded with when the necessary fixtures come to hand.

MrR. T. Keid's trotting horse, Eccentric, finished third in the big event at the Christchurch race meeting last week, winning a stake of £3OO. On the following day Eccentric won the Free-for-all event and a stake of £350. The latter was really a better feat than winning the Cup would have been, as tL. former was a handicap and the latter a scratch event which includod New Zealand and Australian cracks. Out of seven starts during the last three weeks Mr Eeid's have been placed six times.

Mr T. Hair, of the firm of Hair, Elmslie and Browne, who Ins boon off work for some weeks owing to an injured leg, is cot yet able to resume his business duties, but is making good progress. Frequenters of tho bowling groen are now getting in some good practice in readiness for the opening of the season next week. Three of the members, Messrs Harris, Hossiter and Selby, attended tin. Pukekohe club's opening, arid Mr Rossiter also attended the West End club's opening function.

Another instance of Waiuku's need of a commodious hall was evidenced the other evening at tho Benefit Concert. Peoplo were packed in to an uncomfortablo degree, and many had standing room only. Tho performers also were much handicappod for want of a little more breathing spaco, as it was far too warm on the crowded stage for them to be comfortable. Recent clearing and scrubbing operations now mark the routa of the Waiuku branch railway as far as the Patumar.oe-Pukekohe road, within about half-a-mila of Patumahuc. A new camp has been established on Mr Canttlin's propetty in the vicinity of the Presbyterian Church, and the railway route la expected t> bs cleared right through Mauku district at an early date.

A horse donated to the Waiuku Patriotic Fund by Trooper H. Jackson, when be left for active service, was sold at Waiuku yards last Saturday and realised £8 7s 6d. The trustees of the fund have decided to forward him a cheque for that amount. As the reinforcement contingent were not provided with horses from Auckland district, owing to the fact that they bad to go straight to Trentham, the three members from this district did not get horses through tbe local fund. Tbe trustees thought (he trooper's action in volunteering for service sacrifice enough, and they therefore considered it a fair thing to send him the cash obtained for his horse.