DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 115, 1 December 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

MERCER.

MANUREWA.

THE QUEEN CARNIVAL.

The Manurewa Carnival for Wounded Soldiers' Fond, supporting the Queen of the South, came to a conclusim on Thursday las', the final effort being a Grand Gift Contert aod Bazaar. From early morning, with untiring energy, the ladi?a of Manurewa worked and ultimately converted the hall into an Onert-*l b3zaa r . "By 8 p.m. there waa a gathering of s me 200 people, including visitors from Alfriaton ■rd Brookby. The stalls were presided over by tbe following ladies:-Fruit,, vegetable and preaerve stall, with a large "Heremai" welcome aign, Meadames Charles Goxhtad and Lov*II; flower atall, Mrs and Miia Coater; sweet •tall, Misses Coxhead and Warlich; cake, preaervea, poultry, etc., decorated profusely with flags and flowers, Mrs Archdale Taylor, aasisted by Mrs Hesketh and others; strawberries and cream, Mesdamea George (oxhead and Warlich; post ■office, Miss Phoebe Malan; bran tub, Miss Freshrev and Miss Jean Finlay; the refreshment stalls were under the capable management of Mrs Alex. Muir, aasisted by Misses Lovell, Craig and Lupton. All did considerable business as evidenced by the returns. Mr H. V. Burton made a very capable and from this source ralone, some £9 4s 8d was collected. Doting tbe evening a ladies' nail driving competition was won by Mra Keyes. The Mumical Society rendered several part songs under their enductor, Mr H. V. Burton. 'lhe Rev. Wood apologised for the absence Bollard, owing to a previous engagement. From all anurcea the total receipts tor the evening amounted to £43 10s. Reviewing the Carnival as a whole it has been a highly satisfactory undertaking, reflecting credit on all concerned. Mr A. G. tyabee, with his characteristic zeal, acted as secretary, and Mr H. V. Burion as hon. Treasurer. The canvacs for donations returned £274 19s 6d. Of this sum £26 0s 6d was collected in the Wiri district. Tickets and badges produced £8 4s, the gift concert and bazaar £43 10s, making a grand total of £326 13a 6d. The Alfriston and Brookby districts (really part of Manurewa) noted for their patriotism ia men and money, raised with their single effort, under the management of Miss Ruth Plant atd Mr H. Moody, aome £207 5a sd. Add this to Manurewn's sum aod the Manurewa district shaoH really be credited With a grand total of £533 18a lid. To this sum should be adlrd £IOO given by the Martin Bros., but paid into city funds. All this effort is a happy sequel to the very fine rosultß that these* district) obtained on behalf ct the Belgian Fund.

What with the inclement weather and backward state of (he court", the Tennis Club delayed their opening. The courts' have been tfcorrughlv renovated and are now in capital ortfer for play on Saturday next. It being late in the season there will be no official opening, but the ladies will provide afternoon tea and it is to be hoped that there will be a good gathering of players and friends. The Methodist Sunday School held their anniversary on Sunday, November 21st, tha Rev. J. B. Suckling, of Auckland, conducting the services. In the Public Hall some 55 children a d friends made up a choir of fome 80 members, under the corductorabip of Mr H. V. Burton. It was a special feature of the services and tbe singing was the linest'heard in Church worship at Manurcwa. The tea and public meeting on Wednesday was well attended, the hall being lull. Tables, very nicely decoratid, were presided over by Miss Annie Coxhead, assisted by Misses Warlich and Jean Finlay, Miss Craig asjisted by Mi sea D. Phillips, V. Warlich and U. Lovill, Mrs Freshney assisted by Misseu Leila Thompson anl G. Freshney, Miss Pegler assisted by Misses 1. Butterworth and Sturgfon. At the public meeting the Revs. Clover and Potter delivered addresses and the Sundßy School children gave several part bongs and dialogues. A special feature of the evening was the very tine contributions given by the Orphan Home children. IThe secretary's balance theet showed a credit balance of £7 17s Bd. The superintendent's report called for a special effort to erect a class room, as the church was all too small to accommodate tbe children and Bible Claes. There are many young t'olKs anxious to attend on Sundsys,.but are unable to du co owing ti lick of accommodation. £IOO was required tor a class room, and £3O had been ottered on condition that the balance was raised. Prizes were awarded as follows:—Attendance— Henry, Mary, Rene and Annie Osborre; catechism —Betty Craie, Ol win Burton, Vaveen Jones, l.exie Craig and Trevor Burton; first diss prizesMary Osbornp, Annio Osborr.e, Hector Coxhead, Fred Burton and Roily Coxhead; second class prizes —Ren? Osborne, Ina Osborne, Gus Osborne and Carlton Burton; class prizes -Hilda Coxhead, Vida Gray, Miriam Walker, Cbir.les Coxhead, John Craiir, Lexie Craig, Alf .Coxhead, Una Fir lay, Henry Osborne, Winnie Coxhead, Betty Craig, Susie Gray. Altogether there has been u marked increase in attendance and t'e results indicated by the examination papers show that there has been Rood teaching during the year. Haymaking has commenced in earnest. The click of the mowing machine is heard in all directions. The crop is fairly heavy, and will bo good provided wc have a little line weather lir the harvesting.

At the regular monthly meeting oi the Mercer lown Board, held on Tuesday evcr:iog last, Messrs G Morgan, chairman, H Valentine, M Gallery and the clerk, Mr P N King being present, it was decided tu adopt a by-law to prevent ntt'e wandering in tin main streets nt the township. It w " 8 resolved to ascertain tha cost c.f the f urehuee of an acetylene lishtiog plant for installation at Jt Memorial Hall. temporary abience from

the diatrict of Mr G Morgan, Mr H Valentine has been appoioted to ttiperintend the Town Board's metalling operations. Tha river is lowering rapidly, the fail within th: last 48 Inure having been sixteen incbe*. Tbe new launch which has left Onebunga lor Mercer, via the Waikato Heads, to the order of Mr Ed Hailet, of the All-British Shipping Company, it kerosene driven and will be an innovation on the river aa regards fuel consumption. It is with a view of replacing all th? steam and nil engines in the Company's launches with kenaene erginea that the trial is being made. All the 1 undies on the Wanganui river are fitted n iti kerosene engines, and it is claimed in their favour that they consume I:bs fu 1 than other types ol engines. The prospects on tbe Waikato river tor shipping business are decidedly encoursginp, the increased traffic already accounting for double the number of launches that plied for hiie laat year, it is claimed by thove interested in the project that had the Auckland merchants given the necessary help the river would have had the same busy appearance as the Wanganui river. Mr Wairihi took delivery of a tine new launch yesterday from Mr Lawson Boss, of Auckland, and it will be used in tbe trade at Taurarganui.

Tbe Railway Social Hall was the scene of a pleasant function on Saturday Ist, when during holiday leave from the Tauherenikau Camp, Private Tom Drabble, late of the Railway Maintenance Department, and now a member of the Waikato Infantry Section of the Ninth Reinforcements, was farewelled by his fellow-workers at a smoking concert, presided over by Mr Frank Richard*, who during the evening handed to Private Drabble, on behalf of the company present, a handsome shaving outfit. Private Drabble suitably acknowledged the gif. There was a fair attendance, from which several talented performers came forward and made the evening merry witt their items. To-date twelve members of tbe local railway staff have attached themselves to tbe. forces now in Europe or about to leave for the scene of action, while four served in Samoa.

Sergeant-Major Anaell, officercommanding the Mercer Territorial District, leaves immediately for Huntly, where he will in future be stationed. Lieutenant Taylor, of Pokeno, will take control of the Msrcer district. Sergeant-Mhjor Ansell has during his two years' residence in the district become distinctly popular with the Territorials over whom he had direct command.

POKENO.

SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT. A very successful "Darktown" entertainment was given by local artists in the Puolic Hall on Friday last in aid of the Soldiers' Fund. The old saying "that there are better actors off the stage than on" was fully demonstrated. The of the cornermen was so good that one could imagine that it came quite natural to them. Ibe vocal items by "Auntia Chloe" and "Tomraie Taylor" were rendered with great expression, and revealed vocal talents of no mean order, but the piece de resistance was the veteran of the company's lendeiiug of "Old Black Joe." A number of topical jukes were given, the plums dealing with our local station Btaif and County Councillor fairly bringing down the house. Some ot them are worth repeating, viz."Why has our local station at Pokeno advanced in Democracy?" "Because whereas it was once ruled over by a 'King,' now there is only a 'Taylor' in charge."—"Why does not the County Engineer visit Pokeno?" "Because the roads are in charge of "Lions' (Cr Lyons).—"Why are the people of Pokeno a most unsociable lit?" Becausa they have agreed to 'separate' (home separate)."— "Why is the Presbjterian Church like a b mb?" Because it come down from on high and the top blew off." At the conclusion of tfce concert Mr Cordon, in a neat little speech, thanked tbe committee for their etfoxt on b: half of the Soldiers' Fund and also for providing such a nice evening's entertainment and called for three cheers tor tbe members of the company.

The usual dance continued until well on to morning. .

The weather has set in quite dry, and tears are already entertained by the "weather wise" that the drought has set in. As tbe shearing has been much delayed, ard the hay 9eason almost on us, a few days' fine will be most acceptable.

PUKEKOHE EAST.

The Pukekohe East Tennis Club in response to an appeal for funds for the local Queen, held a concert and dance on Friday, the 19th inst., in the hall, under tha chairmanship of Mr J. Tooman, which was lent free of charge by the hall committee. Owing ti wet weather this concert had been postponed from the previous Tuesday and unfortunately it claabed with the torchlight procession and sports in Pukekohe. Notwithstanding this, however, there was a fair attendance, and the funds benefitted by the sum of £7 Bs, which amount was duly paid in to the Carnival Committee. vocal itemß were rendered by Mrs Keane, Miss Morgan, and Miss M. A. Jones, Me'srs W. Jones, J. Banks, O'Malley, Gribble, W. J. Robinson and G. Potter. Recitations were also given by Messrs Gribble and O'Mallty. Overtures were rendered hy Miss Sprague. A sketch entitled "Tilda's New Hat," by Mrs J, Glennic, Mies M. A. Jones, Mijs L. Morgan and Mr Gribble was well staged and ably carried through. All items evoked applause. On the conclusion of the concert the hall was cleared for dancing, the duties of M.C. being, ably carried out by Messrs J Tooman and P. Ferguson. A long programme was gone through and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The music was supplied free of charge bv Mrs Keanr.

PATUMAHOE.

FANCY DRESS BALL,

A plain and fancy dreis ball organised by the entertainmen

committee 11 the Mauku Queen Carnival, was he 13 in the Public Hall on Monday evening of last week. That everything went eff well was very gratifying to the committee, and great credit is due to Mr E U Cuff, the s;cretiry, for the able manner in which he carried nut hia c'uti.s. Visitors came from Puji, Gknbroak, Waiau Pa, Pukekohe, Manurewa and Karaka. Some forty-five couples took part in the dances, and mast of them were attired in fancy costume. All wore maskr, ard it was impossible to distinguish identitie?. The ladies' committee kindly supplied tbe refreshments, which were handed round during the interval, and were very much appreciated by the comuany. Mr E C Cuff, Mr R Moore and Mr W G Pleydell acted as M.C.'s, and kept tbe dancing going merrily. Mr F Ravanagh, senr, kindly officiated as doorkeeper and collected tbe substantial sum of £lO. During an interlude in the proceedings J O'Malley and Gribble, of Pukckofce, contributed several humorous items. Am ng the ladies in fancy costume were:—Mrs E C Cuff, Dutch Lady; Mrs Rishton, Tattered Belgium; Mrs Nott, Charming Little Flower Girl; Mrs Biggs, Japanese; Mis McMurtrie, Brittannia; Mrs Stevenson, Night; Mrs Cammel, Lady in Black; Miss V Bailey, Servia; Miss F Bailey, Japanese; Mies Florance Bailey, Vanity Fair; Misses Doris Howard and Nelsie Hawke, France; Miss 1 Hogwood, Cherry Kipe; Miss N Dacey, Gipsy Countess; Miss Winnie Davy, Sweet N«ll of Old Urury; Miss V Wright, Australia; Miss R Mitchell, Spanish Dancer; Miss Adams, Japanese; Mies M Ferguson, Italian Flower Girl; Miss A. McFadden and A KeCdie, Ivy; Mias E Irwin, Battla Doer ard Shattlecock; Miss 0 Irwin, Btlgium; Mias G Rumble, Folly; Misi R Clark, P.riot;, Mißs V Clark, Wild West Princess; Miss D Hay, Rose R f d; Miss J Dale, Britannia: Miss G Dale, Starlight Lady.

Amongst the men in fancy dress were: —Missis E C Cuff, Australian Sundowner; M Crisps, Black and White; H Odium, Penot; A J Moore, Old Mother Hubbard; Roy Moore, Scoutmaster; T Montgomery, Chinese Cardinal; C Beloe, Jack Tar; L Reynes and G Perry, Tennis; G McAlpine and H Hay Cadets; N Clark, Red Indian; P Clark, Territorial,"W Bellingbam, Bandsman; J O'Malhy, Clown; H Gribble, Fallen Parson.

TUAKAU

A meeting of the Tuakau Patriotic League was held in tbe Tuakau Hall committ e ronm on Wednesday last, Mr Dynes Fulton presiding. The secretary, Mr A. H. Tapper, presented the balance sheet of the Carnival and Sports recently held. The balance sheet showed receipts totalling £459 18s Bd, and expenditure £4l 18s, leaving a credit balatca of £4lB Os Bd, which had been paid to the Queen of the South Carnival Fund.—The balance, sheet was adopted, subject to audit by Messrs D. Fulton and J. Quinlan. 'lhe drawing of two Art Unions then took place, one for a pony, saddle and bridle presented to the committee resulting in Mr E. Smeecl winning with ticket No. 2, the other, for a Shetland pony presented by Messrs C. K. Bell and J. H. Craig, being won by Mrs G Johnston with ticket No 102. The reflections cast upon the ladies ot Tuakau by a letter fom Mr A. B. Baiter, of Puktkohe, appearing in the ''Times" were the subject of much adverse comment and the secretary was instucted to reply- to the Utter and place tfce facts ot the position before the public.

CLEVEDON.

The following are the results of the weight estimating competitions in connection vMth the recent Clevedon A. and P. Show, viz. Bullock—Dead weight, 6771b5: Mr H S Munro 1, 6771b5; H Kimber 2, 6791ba.

Cow—Dead weight, 422h5: Mr W G Bell and H Wilson 1, 4321bs each; Mr K C Stokes 2, 4351ba. Sheep—Dead weight 2221tu>: Mr C W Stephens 1, 2231b5; Mr A McKae 2, 2171b5.

fig—Dead weight: 84Ibs. Mr Alex Muir 1, 841bs; Messrs Alex D Bell and H Swaffield 2, 831bs. Aggregate prize—Mr H Kimber 1, Mr C Munro 2, Mr Alex D Bell 3.