DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 33, 30 April 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TUAKAU. At the Auckland Supreme Court on Monday James Graeme Hewitt, who is undergoing a sentence of ~ three imprisonment for having obtainea'4gpds at Tuakau from Messrs Free Bros., by means of a valueless cheque, appeared for sentence for having obtained credit by fraud. Hewitt bad employed a taxi cab driver to take him from Auckland to Tuakau and Hamilton and back, on the pretence that he wished to visit a farm at Tuakau which be wanted to sell. He did not pay for the trip. On behalf of prisoner, Mr L A. Denniston said he was an exceedingly good farm worker. He had had some trouble with his employer, and came to town and attempted to "drown bis sorrowa in drink." When in a muddled state he approached the taxicab driver, who took him on the journey to "the Waikato, and back, prisoner having promised to pay him £ls. Hewitt was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, the term to be concurrent with a sentence of three monthß which he is at present serving. At Tuakau last week a big American 90 ton engine was being «hunted clear of the points at the Liverpool-George street crossing when the bogey wheels went off the line. It took a strong band ot workers, with jacks, two hours to replace the locomotive on the rails. Mr M. Cobbalc', the licensee of L the Tuakau Hotel during the past twelve months, has sold his interest in the hotel to Mr D. Stewart, late of the Morrinsville Hotel, who will take possession on Monday next. Bot Mr Cobbald and his nehew, Mr Tom Maine, have made themselves particularly popular during their residence in the district, and they will be missed by their numerous friends. Word has been received of the promotion to the rank of Corporal of Private G. McLaren, of the sth Reinforcements, late of the Railway Department Tuakau. The following team of footballers will represent the Veterans in a match to be played against the Colts in Mr A. MadiU's paddock v to-morrow (Saturday), viz.Messrs Fulton (2), W. Barnaby, Taylor (2), McGuire (3), W. Poland, T. Mayne, W. Walker, M. Mtnt-

gomerie, D. Smith and B. Maxwell

The match is to Btart at 3 p.m. when Mr D, Fulton will kick off. The gate receipts will be handed to the Belgian Fund. i'he Tuakau Football Club have

decided to affiliate with the Pukekohe Rugby Union and have entered both a senior and junior team. Tuakau School—Old Committee Elected.

For some considerable time past school matters in Tuakau have received the close attention of householders, and coriespondence has passed between the Minister tor Education and people interested in the question of the accommodation at the Tuakau South School. The problem was settled to some extent by apportioning children wbo could gain access ta the school to ollr schools in the surrounding districts, but this action was not looked upon as satisfactory by the parents" concerned. Consequently, on Wednesday evening householders were more interested than usual in

tbe election of the School Com-

mittee. Vehicles heavily laden made their way through the blindng rain that fell incessantly throughout the night, and at seven p.m., when proceedings started, the school held a gathering that was estimated to be tbe largest that had been inside the Echool for a

period of 50 years, . Mr Dynes Fulton led off by- suggesting that if thore were Bny people in the room that were not entitled to vote they should leave. Mr W. Gubb, the chairms*i of the School Committee, claimed that all residents were entitled to remain in the room. They would have to ask for their voting papers. He also ruled that it was the duty of the outgoing chairman to rule the meeting until a ballot of candidates for the office had been t»keo. Mr Fultou remarked that his

intention was to assist the proceedings, and he had only made the suggestion in the hope that it might

be the means of facilitating matters. Mr E. T. Frost proposed that Mr W. Gubb should be elected to

preside over the meeting and Mr A. H. Tapper moved an amendment ja favour of Mr D. Fulton. Mr

tinbb *as elected by 67 votes to 65 »ecorded for Mr Fuiton. Mr Gubb, in returning thanks,

said he was sorry that il was necessary to have held the ballot; bad Mr Fulton been the retiring chairman he would have stood down in his favour.

The chairman proceeded to read the committee's report of y work during the past twelve months, which was to the following effect: annual report the out-going committee wished to draw the householders' attention to the marked progress the school had made during the past year. The teaching staff had been increased by the addition of a second assistant and a first year probationer. The inspector's report had been most satisfactory and complimentary to the teaching staff. During the year six pupils tad sat for certifieates ci proficiency, with the result that five pasßed; also two sat tor a scholarship examination, with the result that Miss Florence Harvey passed. Those results spoke well for the headmaster, Mr Graham, and clearly demonstrated his capabilities as a teacfter. The increased attendance of the children and the increasing roil number had bcec a serious tax on the accommodation oi the school, which matter the committee had never lost sight of. When the position became too acute the committee made application to the Board for aa addition to the school, which, we are pleased to say, was recommended by the g loßpector and adopted by the Board * and forwarded on to the Minister of Education for the necessary grant to carry out same. Through the action of the Town Board (who forwarded a protest to the Minister of Education against a»y improvements being carried out to the school) the result was that the iuspector recommended that the children of the town be sent to Harrisville School. Through the action of the Town Board the committee had been subjected to a great deal of false misrepreheoßioo, which they strongly repudiate, and, furthermore, condemn the wire-

pulling methods and actions of the pereon3 who were respcnßible ior the DrFStfit position, and the set back to the children's education and well being' of th 9 district. The financial position of the committee was most satisfactory considering the heavy drain on finances during the past year, in, connection with the erection of a corrugated iron fence on the south west side of the school. The labour in erecting the fence was done by the committee with the assistance of some of the parents, one that deserves special mention being Mr L. Logan. The year was started with the sum of £23 18s in the bank. The receipts for the year totalled £l9 14a 9d, making a grand total of £43 12s 9d the expenditure for the vaar amounted to £33 lis Sd, which left a balance in the bark ct £lO is id. This year the strength of the committee had been reduceo iroin seven 'o five. This necessitated two members of the present committee retiring. 'J he change was settled in a most amicable mancer and to the satisfaction of all the committee. They trusted that the action would meet with the approval of the Jioueeholders. "In conclusion, they thanked the householders for the support Ihey had accorded thtm during their term of office, and trusted that they would place the same confidence in them at that election as they had done in the past. If elected they would try to carry out their duties in the best interests of the children, parents and district." Mr Fulton took exception to the remark in the report that the Town Board had forwarded a peiiticn to the Minister of Education protesting against any proposed enlargement to the school.

Mr Gubb: Although Mr 'Fulton has lefuted the remark, the Town Beard did forward the petition.

Mr Fulton: The patition was sent in by the Progressive League and not by the Town Board. Nominations for membership of the School Committee were then taken. 4

Mr Tapper proposed, and Mr Pirret seconded, the following candidatts:'—Messrs Dynes Fulton, liar tholmew Geraghty, Jaraes McFarland, Willsm Mcßae Peacock and John Quinlan. Mr E. T. Frost, sen., proposed, and Mr J. J. Dromgool seconded, the following, all of whom were the sitting committee:—Messrs Walter Gubb, Hugh McGuire, Edward Frost, junr., Walter Colt and John Dromgool. The ballot resulted in the election of Messrs Walter Gubb 76, Walter Cole 75, Hugh McGuire 74, Edward Frost, junr., 74, and John Dromgool 72, Messrs D. Fulton and John Dromgool tied foi fifth place, and the chairman gave his casting vote in favour of Mr Dromgool.

Mr Tapper'objected to the chairman's action and considered that it wculd be necessary to take a ballot to decide the issue.

The chairman, in support of his action, quoted the following by-law from the Education Board's election by-laws:—"Whera any two or more candidates have received ths same number of votes and as otten as this may happen at any election the chairman shall give a casting vote or votes as the case may be." . The chairman was loudly applauded. The unsuccessful candidates were: Messrs Dynes Fulton 72. Bartholomew Geraghty 67, Jau.es McFarland 71, William Mcßae Psacock 71, aud John Quinlhn 67. '1 he result, on being read to the meeting, was received with tumultuous applause. Mr Gubb returned thanks on behalf of the committee tor the support accorded them. They wculd continue, he said, to put forward their best ' efforts and before the end ot 1915 they would have additions to the school. Mr Fulton contradicted a statement that had bten made to the effect that it the school was shifted to Tuakau it would be re-erected un his property. At a meeting of the committee that followed Mr Gubb and Mr McGuire were re-elected chairman and secretary respectively.

MERCER.

Mr F. V. Fiazer, S.M., acting as a Commissioner, sat at Mercer yesterday to adjust the differences between the Franklin County Council and the Mercer Town Board, a3 to the power and authority to be delegated to the Board. The only point actually in dispute was in regard to the ownership of the Mercer quarry. An agreement in the end was ariived at that the quary should be worked by or tor the Town Board and that the County should be given the power to buy metal at 5s per yard for the County a:ea comprised in the old Road Baard area and for metal otherwise wanted the price to be arranged. A full report of the proceeding's will appear in our next issue.

The plain and fancy dress ball, which is held annually to assist the Mercer school, is set down for May 28th, when Mirs Berestord's orchestra, Auckland, will provide the music. Further particulars appear In cur advertising columns. ihe proposed formation cf a bowling club is receivicg the attention of a large number of residents, and it is anticipated that the tfTort will result in a real live club being formed in the course of a few months.

Mr C. Roose is engaged fitting out the s.p. Tawera for week end trips to the Waiaato Heads. It is probable that the trips will be patronised by parlies of sportsmen from the Waikato, the game on the river being plentiful. The district ens lung been without a Horticultural Society, much to ihe dissatisfaction of lovers of flowers, but at list a move i = being made by some of the energetic gentry of the district and if satisfactory a meeting is to be arranged to coneidcr the formation of a Society.

POKENO.

As Messrs R. H. McKenzic, P. (J. Wyman and J. McCaw were the only candidates nominated for the election for the three vacancies on the Pokeno Road Board they have been duly elected members.

WAIUKU.

Up to Saturday last eight more district residents had applied at the local Defence Office to join the next contingent for active service.