LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 253, 4 December 1914, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The "Pukekohe Times" Christmas cards are selling fast. Call at our office and see our samples, ihe cards are printed with your own n->me and address and with any specially selected greeting. ihs quarterly sitting of the Franklin Licensing Committee which was t3 have been held yesterday, was adjourned, owing to the lack of a quorum, until next Court day, namely, Thursday, 17th inst. Through a typographical error in our last issue in tbe report of the meeting of the Waikato River Board, the bank overdraft of the Board appeared as £1926 instead of £102(5. "Rats" came a voice from a member of the audience on Wednesday, in the course of Sir Joseph Ward's speech. "Did I hear anyone say rats," exclaimed Sir Joseph. "I can assure you that there are no ra's in the Liberal Party. Tbey are not lost but gone before, and this time they will be behind." A large selection of (Jhrstmas presen's, fancy goods, leather hand bags and antimony ware is at present on view at Mr Mills' "Economic" stores in King street, Pukekohe. A replace advertisement in this issue gives further particulars.

At Sir Joseph Ward's meeting at Pukekohe on Wednesday, the Opposition leader neatly scored olf an interjector. The latter greeted one of tbe speaker's remarks with a derisive "Oh," and with ready wit Sir Joseph remarked that be was proud to think that one of his Reform friends at least knew bis alphabet.

The Post Office advises that letters and parcels addressed to New Zealand prisoners of war, interned abroad, may be posted free, and registered or ineured free of cost. No letter may be enclosed in a parcel. Mouey orders may be sent free of commission. All addresses must be according to the British Post Office instructions, and may be obtained at the local office. Subsequent to his meeting at Pukekohe on Wednesday evening Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at supper at Mrs Hawkc's boardinghouse by members of the local branch of ths Liberal League, Mr R. F. Webster presiding. The toast of "Our Cuest ' was submitted by Mr J. T. Stembridge and was musically honoured. The gathering did not separate until past midnight, and then Sir Joseph left for Auckland by motor car. Since the war began many prophecies in which the events that have taken place were more or less correctly foretold have been published in the newspapers. One of tbe most interesting, not only on account of tbe marvellous way in which it has been fulfilled, but because it is tbe work of an Aucklander, is left for the "Times" to give to the public for the lirst time As long ago as 1901 Mr Maurice R. Kessing wrote a drama, entitled "The Destroyers." It is an excellent forecast of the present war, tells of the death of the Pope, the fall and disruption of Austro-Hungary, and the defeat of Kaiser Wilhelm. Italy, despite ber offer of Triste, resolves to maintain a firm friendship for England. Mr Kcesing has at present a fresh volume of dramas and poems in the bands of a London publishing firm. Rubber Stamps of ;ill description? : may be ordered at the Office of the "Pukekohe Times." ('.ill ami select i from our illustrated catalogue.

A good ninny Maoris are at pre Beit in Pukekohe in connection with the purchase by the Government of certain native land*.

The brethren of Lodge ExeeUior are reminded in our advertising columns that thev must be in attendance at their lodge room on Monday evening to play for the cock of the walk trophy. Speaking last night at the concert in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, the Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie) mentioned that £ISOO had been collected locally for patriotic and relief purposes.

A fat little person of 'leutonic origin was waxing very wrath at his claims to being considered an Englishman being doubted by some of the company. "I tell you 1 am Engleesh, I was analysed six years ago." If the population of New Zealand contributed towards the Belgian Relief Fund as the public of Pukekohe bonugh have done, at the rate ot £1 per head, approximately, over one million pounds would be the Dominion's share towards the tund.

Tbe Government Veterinary supervisor announces in our advertising columns the dates and places at which an cflicer will be in attendance in the Pukekohe and Waiuku districts, next week, for the purpose of inoculating calves as a prevention against blackleg. An Irish chauffeur who drives for a city magnate was recently hauled up for running into a herd of cattle and not sounding his hooter. His defence was that the cows should have blown their horns coming round the corner. The prisoner was discharged. The Pukekohe Branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union held a meeting in the Salvation Army Hall, Pukekohe, yesterday, when there were present some 30 sympathisers of the cause. Mrs G. Frost acted as chairwoman. During the afternoon an address was given by the Rev. G. Frost It was decided that the members should meet on Polling Day and arrange for an hoar's prayer meeting. The following items were rendered: Mrs Honeyford (recitation), Miss Jackson (song) and Master H. Vant, "Did You" (recitation). Afternoon tea was dispersed. The Pukekohe Bowling Club started its 1914 season wiib an increase in membership of 40, making the total of 73 now on the roll. Since last season improvements to the value of £SO have been carried out in connection with the club's property, 40 additional lockers having been installed and improvements to the pavilion in the way of a large verandah and a concrete foundation for same, and 283 feet of extra piping for the watering of lawns were made. The vice-president (Mr F. Perkins assisted tbe club considerably with numerous general gifts. Tbe club has adopted a new hat band, dark ribbon with two red bands and the initials of the club worked thereon.

Reporting on " tarvia," for roadmaking purposes, to the Tauranga Borough Council, the engineers for street works state; "As there are other preparations on the market now very Bimilar to ' tarvia ' we thought it advisable to obtain quotations for these beforo giving an order for same: We find there will be a considerable saving if ' Star' asphaltum is used. This material is specially made for road surfaces and in composition is almost identical with ' tarvin,' the difference in cost being largely due to its being shipped direct from the West Coast of America, instead of through Great Britain. We would recommend that this material bo used, provided guarantees as to its chemical and physical properties are given."

During the course of bia meeting at Pukekohe, on Wednesday, Sir Joseph Ward was handed up a written question. Scanning the same he said, "I am not here as a candidate but merely to deliver a speech and not to interfere in local matters. 1 am not hero to be questioned by anybody although I have no objection to questions, as I would be able to score off ioterjectors. The only people entitled to ask a man questions are his own constitutent?." Later in the proceedings he was asked "What about the Ostrich Farm Railway," and again Sir Joseph remarked that it was not for him to discuss any local railway, but only matters of policy. "Do you endorse McLarin's statements." said another voice, to which Sir Joseph replied, "I am not here to endorse any such thing. It is for Mr Glass to take the gloves off for purposes of the discussion of local matters."

Despite the dry season ana* the shortage of crops potato growers in the Pukekohe Hill district are on good terms with themselves. A commencement has been made with the digging of the main crops, and some five to six tens per acre is the average of the general yield. Although tbia return falls considerably below the 10 ton average of last year the market rates stand at the respectable and profitable figure of £l2 per ton, with every prospect of the price rising, whereas 12 months ago £2 6s to 4>3 per ton war about all that was secured. As a farmer remarked yesterday to a "Times" icpresentative land around Pukekohe at £IOO per acre forms a a remunerative investment seeing that despite adverse climatic conditions very fair crops are being secured, the soil in the Hill district having the advantage of retaining moisture and thus not suffering the effects of a drought as is the case in the majority of other parts of New Zealand.