DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 25, 30 March 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAUKU.

PAPAKURA. There seems a fa'rlv general yt opinion among ratepayers of Pap:.kura that rating on urimprovtd values in Papakura would best suit the interests of the township, as there are at present soma fine sections in the main street which are not built on. The friends of Mr James Richardson will be pleased to hear that fce has fully recovered from the rjcent accident to his ha-d ard has returned to "vo-k. The sum rf £95 wad Keenly paid fir a three-quarter acre section on ihe Argyle Estate, Papakura. The black racehorse stallion, Lucculus, by the famous Ard Patrick, which was imported to New Zealand by Mr Haywaid, of the Wanarapa, and recently purchased by Mr W. Walters, of Glenoia Park, was seen in the streets of Papakura during last week. He is a fine upstandi g horse, standing 16.1. The racehorse fcoult whs another horse imported by Mr Hayward "and subsequently purchased by Mr Walters. The Harvest Festival services held in the Mc-thodist Church on Sunday morning and evening were attended by large congregations. The Rev. W. S. Potter ofliciated. Dining the afternoon there was a service of , song, " Sowing and Heaping." A committee meeting of ilie Papakura Patriotic League was held on Friday evening last. Mr A. Willis was in the chair. As several subscribers had expressed the opinion that some of the League's funds should be devoted to Belgian relief purposes, the committee discussed the matter at some length and it was decided that if favoured by the donors future subscriptions shall be devoted to the fund. The treasurer's and the secretary's repoits weie adopted. The credit balance was reported as being £75. The secretary was instructed to write and thank Mesdames Corrie and Ailington (collectors) for their efforts on behalf of the League. The disposal by auction of the leasehold of eight acres of land, situated in the township, for business sites is to take place shortly. The property is owned by the English Maori Missionary Society. A new stock shed, 50ft x 24ft, for storing timber, 13 to be erected by Messrs Richardson Bros, in close proximity to their, factor}'. The matter of the stack of oats destroyed by fiie again received attention from the Magistrate (Mr F. V. Frazer), who heard Counsel's arguments in the Auckland Court on Monday afternoon last. The case, it will be remembered, was partly heard at the Pamkura Court, and concerns a claim by Thomas Gillard, farmer, of Papakura, for £75 said to , be the value of the stack and £5 damages, against Patrick Sweeney, also a Papakura farmer, on whose property the stack had stood. There was a counter-claim for £26 9s lid in respect of the cost of ploughing and erection of a fence.—Addressing His Worship on Monday, Mr W. Hackett, who appeared for Sweeney, contended that Gillard had no ground for action as there was no contract in writing as was necessary by the Statute of Frauds. He further maintained that Sweeney had a right to retain the stack until conditions were complied with and he was not liable for the fire, which was not caused by any wroDg-doing on his his part.—On behalf the plaintiff (Gillard), Mr Schnauer submitted . that a contract did not come into the question and therefore the Statute of Frauds was not to be considered. Sweeney admitted Gillard's ownership of the stack, and he had retained it at his own risk and was • accordingly responsible for the act of any third paTty. As to the counter-claim for the fence he (Mr Schnauer) contended that his client had done all he was bound to do, and in regard to the ploughing Gillard had all through denied his liability.—The Magistrate reserved judgment.

DRURY.

'] he Drury Road Board held its final meeting before merging into the Franklin County Council on Saturday, when all the members were present. Mr J. Flanagan, chairman of the Franklin County Council, attended by invitation. Arrangements were made for the Board to finish works in hand. Mr Wilford, the present lessee of the quarry reserve, owned by the Board, was granted Sn additional lease of the property fir a period of ten years, at an annual rental of £lO. The Methodist community held their annual Harvest Festival ar.d Service of Song in the Public Hall on Sunday evening, when Ivlr C. Bycroft officiated. A large congregation was present.

BOMBAY.

A large and appreciative audience i foregathered on Saturday evening j in the Bombay Presbyterian Church j in order to listen to a lecture illus- j trated by limelight) on Scotland. A ! number of Scottish and other songs together with recitations, were rendered during the evening by members and their friends and were j greatly enjoyed by those present. J An opportunity was also given for a social chat over the time honoured cup of tea. After various vote* of thanks—to the ladies, to the chairman (Mr Alexander), and to Mr Aitken for his lecture—had been given and responded to in the usual manner, the evening was brought to , t close by the singing of Auld Lang On Sunday afternoon Mr Aitken T,i. ached to a large congregation from the words, " Jesus said, Take yo away the stone, John 11-'3.1. ]-y.rii tliis text the preacher took his (!,, me that God would not work in aflV superhuman manner, so lung as people were faithful to Him, that Ho intervened only when human effort tinged and failed as in th* days of the " Hood " and the coming of Christ. The speaker alsu laid emphasis upon the fact that the stones to be taken away to-day were those of indifference and of doubt ; he rom h i' 1 by an eloquent appeal that o;r.r:t f;j counting upon them •to be faithful in helping to remove •all stores of stumbling in the way of a h ghor and nobler life.

BUCKLANO. The anniversary service was held in the St. Paul's Church on Thursday evening last. The service wai ran dncted by CBnon McFarlar.d of St. Barnabas, Mt. Eden, assisted by the Rev. F. B. Dabson. Considering the inclement weather the service was well attended The eolo "Jr.to Thy Hands," was sung by Mr A. Smith, the "Te Deum" being rendered by the choir. The Sunday School anniversary services cf the Methodist Church were held in the above Church on Sunday. The Rev. J. fl. Cable conducted the miming service and in the ever in 4 the Rev. G. Frst wtn fh? (itenchtr Sacred scnjrs and antVnn were cr d tibly rerdered by tha choir, alaa a tiu t by Missis Neal and Dekney. The church was wdl filled morning and evening. A largo number of friends met at th 3 Hall Pt a farewell social tendered to Miss E. Jeffe'ies, on the occa'ion of her approaching marriage, quite a number rf useful and handsome presents being brought by well wishers. Un behalf of the numbers of St. Paul's Church choir and the Tennis Club, of which she was a member, Mr A. K Home, in a few well-chosen remarks, p r esented her with a very handsome silver cake dish. Mr W. Jeffeiies suitably respon-ed on behalf of bis sister. Songs were tendered by Mesdamei McAnally and Bagnall. Dancing kept up until the eaily hours of the morning, ar:d a very enjoyable evening camu to a cl ee by Binging "Auld Lang Syne " The music was prcvid d by Mrs Davy in her u?ual Btyle, extras being played by Misses Bagnall and Horhe ard Mr B Wilson.

The third annual sports and picnic in connection with the Mauku branch o£ the New Zealand Farmers' Union were held in Mr Nobbs' grounds on Saturday, March 13th. Being a fine dav a large attendance was attracted, snd some very interesting contests were witnessed. I" most of th.3 events tha fields were large. The sheaf pitching competition caused a great deal of amusermnt, E. and S. Rowe being equal in tossing over tha 25ft mark. The sheaf weighed lOlba. In tha draw for places E. Rowe won. The results were a3 follows: Sheaf pitching—E. Rows 1, S. Rowe 2. Stockman's competition G. Forbes 1, R. Fulton 2. Tilting the ring—J. Cain 1, G. Howard 2. Stepping competition—A. Moore and A. Walker equal 1, W. Kasniussen 3. In the step-off A. Mnrre won. Ladies' stepping competition— Mise 0. Clark 1, Miss Preston 2. Nail driving competition—Mrs Woolsey I, Mrs Kemp 2. Sack race—F. Bedwell 1, W. Scmmerville 2. Married ladies' race—Mrs W. McFadden I, Mrs T. 6"oore and Mrs Green equal 2. Young ladies' race—Misa Snell 1, Miss Barriball 2. Boot rsce—A. Butler 1, N. Cotter 2, Farmeia' Union race —E Kowe 1, W, Fiolay 2, R. Fulton 3. Girls' race, 10 to 16 yearsKathleen Porter 1, Christina Augustina 2. Girls under 10 years—Edith Augustina 1, Mvrtie Henry 2. Boys under 10 years—Norman Guttry 1, Wright 2. Boys 10 to 16 years—E. Gillon 1, P. Rea 2.