DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 61, 26 July 1915, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

PATUMAHOE. FOK THE FRONT. FAKEWELL PROCEEDINGS. A send-off in the form a dinner at the Mauku Hotel, on Monday evening cf last week, was Riven by the numbers of the Mauku Cricket Club and their friends to the local volunteers now on leave who are Koing away in the 6th Reinforcements. The function, which was organised by Mr Fleydell, captain of the Mauku Cricket Club, assist d by Messrs Cuff and Goltiswortby, was arranged at very short notice, but nevertheless everything passed off without a hitch. The dinner was served in Mr Bailey's best stjle, both the solids and the liquids being much appreciated. Beaides the local units there were present Mr Wilson, the wellkr.own Auckland cricketer and footballer, who olten played against the Mauku Llub, with whom ne was a great favourite. He is r.ow a Sergeant in the 6th Reinforcements. There was also present Mr Arthur Robinson, lately returned wounded from the Dardanelles, where he put in fourteen days in the first attack on the fortifical ions on the peninsula, and Mr Cecil Kavanagh, another member of the Reinforcment draft, an old Mauku boy and an enthusiastic cricketer; ! Mr Edwin Waters, another member of the 6th was unabls to accept the invitation to attend. Mr J. Henry, vice-president of the Club, presided. Ihe toast of ' The Kin?," having been duly honoured, that ot the "Armv and Navy" was proposed bv Lieutenant Johns in a neat speech,— Sergeant Wilson ably responded, and with patriotic fervour reviewed the past history of these two branches of our Empire's defence, and forecasted their victoiioua outcome from the preßent conflict to the advancement ot liberty and true civilisation. "Uur Guests" was proposed by the chairman, who in a few tehcitious remarks commented oil the followers of the willow and sportsmen generally for the manner in which they had ccme forward in tupport of the Empire in her hour of trial. He "wished the present representatives a safe return and attendance at a similar reunion.— Private Kavanagh, in responoing, epoka feelingly of the times they had spent with the Mauku Cricket Club, and assured ttose present that to whichever battle front they were sent they boped to "play the game'' so that their fellow cricketers would have no need to fetl ashamed of them.

"Our Boys at the Front" was submitted by Mr Bob Fulton, of Purii, who pointed out that the British army was acting up to its traditions and that our "boys" from the colonies were not one whit behind them. When their guests returned he was confident they would come back having done their duty.— Mr Howard suitably responded. Mr F. W. Kavanagh was entrusted with Ihe toast of "ihe Ladies," to which needlsss to say he did fully justice.—Mr A. J. Muore suitably responded. Othsr toasts—"Cricket and Sports Generally," "Sweethearts and Wives"—were duly honoured. "Auld Larg Syre" ar.d a vote of thanks to the chairman brought to a clo3e a very pleasant evening.

TUAKAU

Other than two slips on the Onewhero-Tuakau road, in the vicinity of Mr Frost's mill, which caused little inconvenience, the district escaped any serious trouble from the recnt heavy rain.

The fortnightly dance held in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund are being wdl supported. Mr J. Johnston, a volunteer for service abroad in a New Zealand Reinforcement Draft, has been instructed by the Defence Department to prepare for bis entry into a camp about the middle of next month.

AKA AKA.

An unusual accident happened on Tuesday evening last, when tfce s.s. Freetrader was being berthed alongside Mr E. Henry's shed at the Devil's Elbow. The shed is built out over the river on piles, and in bei thing the Freetrader bumped on a bank shearing off ran into and collided with the building, upsettirg it into the Waikato To prevent it from drifting c'own stream it was secured to the bank with hiwsers, ant' ou the following morning the roof was taken off to allow foi the exit of a valuable oil launch, the property of Mr Mcnnes, which was housed therein.

POKENO.

Mi John Hill has sold bis l'okcno Valley property, of 240 acres, at a highly satisfactory price.

mercer. 'lhe Government have decid:d t> bat.k up the 13,500 acres of the Mcramarua swamp lacd and to cut it up for sjle purposes. The reads have already been furvtyed through the st, amp. A propeity consi itng of 160 acres and a homestead, in ho Maramarua district, was recently sold by the owner, Mr N. Marden tj Mr Cowan at an average pnee of £27 per acre. Several other .farms sggregatirg a total area cf 1840 actta have recently been rold to several buyers at £l6 per acre. The Waikato river is again in flood, the surrounding country b< ing submerged. During Thursday night last, the river rose a foot, to a level at the wharf of five two inches. After another severe'trial the groynes in the river remain intact and continue to improve the stream for navigation purposes. The foreman of the works on the river, Mr F. Sellars, in conversation with a "Times" representative, stated that he was confident after inspecting the grovnes, during t r ,e flood, that they would not be impaired by further floods. A barge, owned by Mr Edwprd Halktt, Bank at its moorings alongside the vharf cn Thursday night last, with a cargo of 20 tons ef coal. Durinp the afternoon it was foucd to be leaking and it was pumped out, but later on water foucd its way again into the held and the weight was the cause of the submersion. On Friday last it had been partially raised to tbe surface. Whitebait fishing operations will shortly be in full swing, a F-hoal cf the dainty fish having already made their appearance in the river. The first catch was mads on Wednesday last, and already five buyers bave anived in the district. Business is brisk un the river. Mr Edward Hallett has secured a contract to collect and deliver cream for the Waikato Co-ope>ativc Dairy Company and Captain Kagg reports that the cargo traffic between Mercer and Hamilton has increased by haps and bounds, necessitating the re-arrangement of the Bteamer fleet, whereby the s.s. Freetrader will do tr.e next trip. The recent spell of dry weather gave the tlaxmill owners an opportunity to speed up the industry, and on Fiiday last the Freetrader unloaded at the wharf 90 bales of flax from Messrs Lapwocd'a and Frost's mill?. From ths timber trade comes also a good report. The United 'lirater Company!* mill has been working overtime for the last few weeks, large orders of white pine having been executed. Messrs Glass Brothers are extending their butchery business. Arrangements have been made to erect a mfdern up-to-date ahop ou tbe section adjoining their present premises, which will be takt'n to Pokeno for re-erection.

PUNI.

I'KUI'USED CHtiESE I'ACIUKY. li ia understood that as a result of visits paid by representatives of Messrs J. li. McEwan anil Co., Auckland, a cheese factory, to be controlled by Messrs McEwan and Co., is to be erected in the district.