DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 5, 19 January 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

[From Our Own Correspondents.]

ONEWHERO.

A meeting ol ratepayers, convened by Mr D. A. Moore, Councillor f« the Onewhero Ridirg of the Ragla' County, Was held in the Onewhero Hall on Tuesday of last week for the purpose of forming a Ratepayers' Association and also to elect a committee of managem?nt for the recently-acquired recreation reserve. Mr Moore explained that he had called th«* meeting in fulfilment of his election pledges., Ue dtsired to give the ratepayers of the district an opportunity of forming an association if th;y were deairoas of doinj so, and expreesed himself willing to work with such a bcdy should one be formed. He, however, did not consider the meeting sufficiently representative to go on with that portion qf the business, as he thought that a Ratepayers' Association should be a thoroughly representative body.—Several of those present, including Messrs Walters, Allen, Keyes and G. Logan, supported the proposal, although they agreed that a larger attend ance would have helped things forward.—Mr Crawford thought that with a strong, able and conEcietuious councillor, such as Mr Moore, well and loyally backed up by the ratepayers, there was no need for a Ratepayers' Association. He spoke in glowing terms of the

| district which he declared from his *»■ own personal experience as a councillor of mauy years standing to be "the heart and kidneys of the Raglan County." He considered that its future was assured and its progress certain—a sentiment that was warmly applauded.—Mr Moore gave an address in reply, brief but straight-forward ahd to the point. He uaid he bad learned a good deal in the short time he had been on the Council Me might have more to learn, but he felt quite equal tn what was required of him and would carry out his Council duties without fear or favour for what he considered the best interests of Raglan as a whole.—lt was agreed not to take further steps for the present.—The meeting proceeded to elect a committee of five to administer the Recreation Reserve—a section vested in the Raglan County Council. The sitting councillor being ex-officiu a member of the committee it waß only necessary to - elect four members to act with Mr Moore. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected, > viz., Messrs Waller, Keys, Attewell and W. Logan.—A vote of tbanks to Mr Moore for having called the meeting, and for his address, was carried by acclamation.— Some desultory conversation on Council matters then followed, and tbe meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

At the close of a very satisfactory £ year's wurk, judging from the Jr inspector's report, the annual School concert took place. This consisted entirely of items by (he children, which were highly appreciated by a large crowd of parents and friends who came in spite of threatening weather. At the close the following pupils received prizes as top boy or gitl of the various classes Mary Cathcarlt, Standard VII ; Bert Andrews and Lily Cummmgs, Standard VI.; Betty Willis and Leslie Catbcart, Standard V.; Nellie Andrews and Stan ColeBaker, Standard IV.; Muriel Cathcart and Guy Parsons, Standard ill.; Freda Cumming?, Standard II.; Freda Spraggon and Brian ColeV Baker, Standard 1 ; Florrie Bark and Eric Attwell, Primar II.; Annie Waldron, Lawrie Catbcart and Jack Cummings, Primer I. The School Picnic was held in Mr A. Catchart's paddock and favoured with fine weather proved a most enjoyable day. Tbe usual races Vere run with the energy doe to such important events, and - while waiting for the copper to boil the seniors, by request, repeated some of their drill. After tea the prizes were given out and every child in the district went away with some memento of the day. The Settlers' Picnic was hsld on New Year's Day in Mr Hamilton's ideally sheltered paddock. Many helpers make light work and thanks to the«e everything passed olf splendidly. The provisions supplied by Air Prescott, of Tuakau, were greatly enjoyed by the great crowd that .assembled to show that the cist»ftt was at least a united,

vigorous and prosperous one. Tbe races were all keenly contested, and Ibe handicapping, combined with good starting, provided some close finishes:— Boys' race, 12 to H

years, hurdles—J. Pellow 1, L. » Cathcart 2, C. Spraggon 3. Boys, 10 to 12 years, hurdles—P. Revell I, C. Logan 2, S. Kevell 3. Boys,' 14 to 18 yeais, hurdles _<j. Walter 1, W. Fortune 2, ' C. Revell 3. Open hudrles—W. Fortune 1, L. Logan 2, F. Mcintosh 3. Girls, 12 to 14 years—N. Andrews 1, D. Flay 2, L. Cummings 3 Girls, 12 and under—N. • Andrews 1, E. Hickey 2, A. Arnold 3. Boys, 10 and under—P. Revell 1, S. Revell 2, K. Biddick 3 220 yards open—M. Wilson 1, p. Ceser 2, A. Geraghty 3. Girls, ]C and under—A. Arnold 1, F. Spraggon 2, L. Andrews 3. Girls, 7 and under—F. Bark 1, S. Biddick 2, A. Walter 3. 4.40 yards, open-R. Glasgow 1, J. Geraghty 2, W." Logan 3. Boys, three-legged, 13 to 16 years—Baker ,nd Cathcart 1, G. Revell and Crawford 2. Boyß, three-legged, 12 and under—Andrews and Arnold 1, p Revell and Biddick 2. Young ■dies—A. Drinnoll 1, L Cummings 2 Tug-of-war-Won on first two Mills by the married men. Girls, three-legged—Hickey and Smith 1, (ilaseow and Lewis 2. Marrieo ladies-Mrs Collier 1, Mrs Revell p Married men—Mr Walter 1, u r Pickard 2. Girls, 14 to 16 voars-L. Cummings 1, H. BurchLod 2, N. Andrews 3. Sack race -F. Andrews 1, S. Revell 2, ♦, Cathcart 3. Several special vJi. L nn were given, including a Inlendid writing desk for tbe young ladles' race, 5s from Mr W. Logan for a airls race (14 to 16 years), and a lamb from Mi Walter for the arrieri 'adies' race. An account of the Onawhcro shnw baa already appeared giving j-.n« of the majority of tbe classes tbe piize winners. In tbe . S-ing a large crowd assembled ftrtiioy fun ' v,ew the ;5 w . .y*. god discuss their merits !2i dmnerita. In the weight guessr earned £2 10s for tbe 's*: jSOL |nd Mr HalHmore tbe 5b j fSL being* 21b below tbe * correct oll4olb, yet being tbe i| Bjrt a,all tf" g»e«K«- a

deceiving pie, bran versuß skim milk. The ladies hammered with might and main only to bend the elueive naUa, the winner being Mrs R-vell. How they sawed, too! Mrs Aislabie proving the winner after some competitors retired, d'daring the S3W blunt. Clothes for men showed the reourcefulneas of those who "bach," some gave the pegs up, when tickled hours later from their pockets, others used their mcuth and both hand*. J. Geraghty was 1, Alf Crawford 2. Bat trimming: Some really stylish creations gave the young ladies great anxiety in affixing marks, but finally J. Ueraghty was returned ds first and A. Geraghty second. Potato peeling furnished the judges with a Jong discussion, but finally R. Glasgow, who finished first and surprised all the rest, was declared the winner. Songs were sung during the evening by Mr Penticost and Mr Bark, and the evening epded with an enjoyable dance, the music being provided by Miss Mayall's orchestra. Thanks are due to those who helped at stalls, etc., and judging to make this, the third annual show, quite as successful as its predecessors. Also to ..thus who gave special prizes many thanks are due, thay include: Dalegty and Co., chest of tea; Hutchinson Bros., chest of tea; Laidlaw, Leeds, case of spoors; Collins and Son, 10s prize; Allan, 10a 6d; Pirrett Bros., 255; McKintiey 10b; T. Muir 10s; Mrs I.indberg, roaebowl; Mm Bark, chest of tea and knitting prizes; Mrs Dynes Hulton, Mrs E. Andrews, Mrs W. Kejea, Mr J. Cathcart, Mrs H. Collier, 5s each; Mrs L. Allen, book; Miss Garland, book.

DRURY.

A fetter card has been received by Mr J. Blake, Drury, trom Sergeant F. A. Halliday, who was a sergeant in the Franklin Mounted Rifles previous to his joining the Auckland section of tin main Expeditionary Force now in Egypt. Sergeant Halliday remarked that he was quite well and that all tbe Drury and Karaka boys with tbe force were keeping well.

Improvements to .the public school at Drury, and the head teacher's residence, have been made during the past few weeks; both buildings have been painted and the inßide fittings of both have been improved.

Meters Quinn and Peoples, coachbuilders and general blacksmiths, of Drury, have built a modern tyreheating furnace out of tire bricks manufactured at the Drury Biick and Fireclay Works. With the new furnace tyres may be he&ted and replaced on waggons while clients wait. A now thiee-ton waggon for a farmer of the district is being manufactured in Messrs Quinn and Peoples' factory. Mr Peoples reports that business in the township, is regaining its old footing, a large staff uf hands employed at his. factory having been kept busy during the past week. Ritru timber, measuring 2000 ftet, approximately, tias been ditcharged from trucks at the Runciman railway Btatiun and is being carted to bridges in the Drury and Opaheke districts for the repairing of five bridges in those districts.

ARARIMU.

During the past week the Franklin County Council's stone-crushing plant has been engaged here, the result being a fine heap of broken metal available for road improvements.

The reaper and binder and mowing machine have been busy in the fields and hay and corn .crops are being harvested everywhere. Some fine crops of oats may be seen in Btook on many of the farips. At Mr S. Nobbs', and also at Mr J. Keaney's, the yields are exceptionally good, and it is doubtful if much better could be found in any part of the country this year. Others well above the ordinary are on Messrs P. Dunn's; W Barker's, J. Markham's and W. Robinson's farms.

Such splendid results in spite of the drought bear testimony to tbe efficacy of careful cultivation and fairly liberal manuring. Tbe general verdict now is that it pays every time. Some failures in the turnip crops are announced, and in such cases resowing was necssary. This is generally attributed to the, ravages of the fly, as the "take"' in the early stages of the growth seemed to be satisfactory. It is pleasing, however, to report quite a number of good "hits". A Bplendid yield of 12 acres on Mr Shuker's farm stauds out prominently amongst the best, and is fast covering tbe ground completely It is worthy of note that in this case the class sown, "Superlative," was previously almost unheard of in the district, but according to Mr Shaker it had attained great favour in England of late years. Judging by tbe crop showing, it will probably be more largely used in the future.

Tbe weather at present is detrimental to the growth of all plants, being very dry with a harsh wind blowing. Evidently tbe end of tbe drought is not yet in sight.

PAPAKURA.

The many friends of Mr H. Godwyn Smith, tbe local representative for tbe New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., will regret to hear of his confinement to bed, owing to illness. Mr Smith was at bis office in the township on Wednesday last, but waß not in bis usual vigorous state of health and returned home. Dr Brookfield was called in, and ordered Mr Smith complete rest. Peter Derbyshire and Kathleen Ferguson, pupils attending the Papakura Public School have been notified that they were successful at tbe "Free Place Examination" held during December, at Auckland. Ibey are now entitled to free tuition at a secondary school. Ibe present daily average supply of milk 12,0001b8, to tbe Papakura creamery is 60001bs lower than tbe daily average supply for the Bame date of last year. Tbe suppliers. have increased by nine, but owing to tbe continued dry spell the supply of milk has suffered.

The Bowling Club's green is making a rapid recovery from its poor condition and supervision of Messrs Smith and Currall, the contractors, is being put into first class playing ordar. Mr Roy C. Basted has leturned to his duties at tbe Post Office, after spending three months on sentry duty at Muruwai fieacb.

KARAKA.

At the last monthly meeting of the Koad Board the ir embers preaent were: Messrs Batty (chairman), Glasson, Johnston and Scblaepfer. The chairman moved, and it was agreed, to propose that the County Council take over the quarry plant, paying for it out of rates collected in Karaka; the Board to resarve tbe right to use tbe plant in getting metal for any road where it should be required; also to give the Council the use of the Board's teams at a stated price per week, and to get tbe County Engineer to see about raising the Whangamarie bridge (Glaßson'e). Advice was received from the State Guaranteed Advances Department that the fifth intalment of £IOOO, of the £6OOO loan, had been paid in. The District Engineer, Pukekohe, wrote stating that it was intended to constat an overhead bridge at the Karaka railway crossing, on the Auckland Bide of Paerata, and proposing a diversion of the road.—The Board agreed to the diversion on condition of not having to pay for it.

With regard to the railway crossing on the new Paerata road, which was recently gazetted, it was agreed to pay the cost if the Railway Department will do the work. Mr Schlaepfer was authorised to procure metal for the Paerata station road, either from Morningside or the Board's own quarry.

A special meeting was held recently to confirm a special order of December 3rd, making a special annually recurring rate of lid over a defined portion of No. 2 Ward as security for a loan of £3850 to constrnct the two ferro-concrete bridges over the Hingaia and Whangamaire creeks.

A letter was received from Mr Lockie Gannon, the Board's engineer, stating that the work on the Drury-Waiuku road had been stopped, and the contractors set to do Cossey's and Sutherland's road and to finish No. 2 contract on the Runciman-Paerata road, near Mr Johnston's.

It was agreed to get two large trucks of metal to finish Sutton's road, and also to get two scow loads of shingle from the Auckland Shingle Co. for the Paerata station road.

MAUKU.

It is understood that the sites of the railway statiuns in this district have now been definitely fixed. The Patumahoe station will be in Mr Henry's paddock oo tha western side of the PatumahoePukekohe road. The Maaku station will be in Mr Cotter's paddock, on the western side of the Union road. As the sidings will cross the present road it will be closed and a slight divergence made through Mr Crispe's property. The Glenbrook station will be in the corner of the Education Reserve, where the railway line crosses the tramway road. The Bites fixed should give general satisfaction, and will open up railway facilities to all parts of the district

Your correspondent is informed tbat it is the intention of tbe Railway Department to acquire a chain and a-half of land along the railway route instead of a chain, with a view of providing for the future duplicating of the line when necessary. This will mean a very serious diminution of the area of many small farms, especially when the line crosses ftetn diagonally, as it does in most instances.

Work is now being pressed on along tbe first eight miles cf the route. In two of the sections tie plans are not yet quite ready, but work is proceeding all the same, though the cuttings will net be made of their full depth until the grade has been finally settled. If work proceeds tbe present rate the end of 1916 Should see tbe trains running.