DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 118, 8 December 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

MERCER.

STORY OF A IRA IN TRUCKS BREAK AWAY A Departmental enquiry into the circumstances attending a goods train that ran from Mercer to Pokeno on Tuesday of lsst week, and of which some trucks became uncoupled and were left behind en route, was held at Mercer on Mundav last, the District Engineer, Mr Mclotosh, apd the Locomotive Engineer, Mr Murrison, being present. Quite a number of witnesses were called, the evidence taken being ot a lengthy character. The facts connected with the incident are of a rare nature; the coupling hook, where the train parted, was not over the point on the opposite buffer, but the bridle, which is a safeguard to prevent the hook being knocked out of position, was down and held the hook in position, but the Weatin?house brake was disconnected. The latter defect was really the cause of the engine continuing on its way, after a portion of the train had become detached, for bad it been connected both portions of the train would have pulled up when the severance cams. Instead of this, however, the engine and a portion of the trucks proceeded on 4 the journey and took the tablet at fokeno, leaving the balance of the train standing on the main line close to the Pokeno Hill, about two milea from the Mercer Station. The evidence taken has been forwarded to Wellington. j

A seasonable outing, in the form ot a launch picnic, waa extended Privates Clare and Tilsley last week, when on the invitation ot several friends they journeyed in the All-British Shipping Company's Kakino on the river to Churchill and Maramurua. landing at the latter point, where a pleasant half hour, waa apent at luncheon on Mr Ed. Hsllett's faim. Stops were made at farms en route, the departing soldiers being tbe recipients of numerous presents from their many ft lends. On the occasion of their departure tor the Avondale Military ('amp they were given a heartv send-off, .a large concourse -ot friends gathering at the station to farewell tbem. The fill in the level ot the river during the last few days has been decidedly ei couraging, tbe change recorded being at the rate of tbree inches per day. Practically all the flood waters are now off the swamp flats. Passenxers travelling by trains that pass thruugh Mercer complain that tbe time allowed by the railway

authorities for refreshments at the

Mercer Kailway , Dining Knoms is sufficient for requirement?, ■ and that an extension is urgently W required. * A public farewell, taking tbe form of a social and dance, was extended to Privates W Sellwood and T Drabble, Doth of the Waikato Infant!y Section of the Ninth Reinforcement?, in tbe King Edward Memorial Hall on Tuesday of last week, during their visit to the district on final leave. The arrangements, which were carried out by Sergeant-Major Aneell, left nothing to be desired, a most pleasant evening and satisfactory function being concluded in the early hours of the following morning. Some 40 or 50 couples graced tbe floor to dance music supplied by Mr A Rutland, of Te Kauwhata. The proceedings were enlivened by songs rendered by the Rev. Mr Butterwoith and Miss Cardno, Mrs Valentine and Mies Frost officiating as accompanists io their usual talented manner. The duties of M.C. were entrusted to Mr M. Roosc. During the evening Mr George Morgon, acting io the capacity of chairman, and on behalf of tnose present, handed to Private Drabble a haudsome fountain pen, and to Private Sellwood a valuable silver watch. Their appreciation of the proceedings and the manner in which the presents were Riven was shown by the recipients in very suitable responses. A further farewell waa accorded Private Drabble by his ex-fellow workers ot the Mercer Railway Staff, in the Department's social hall, last week, when a representative gathering of tbe staff assembled If at a "smoker." over which Mr Frank ' Richards presided. Private Drabbl" was again made tbe recipient of a present, this time the gift being a safety razui, in handsome case. Several congratulatory speeches were made, and the usual toasts were honoured. An entertaining musical programme of scngs wbs rendered by Messrs F L De Lusca, Chadwick and Drabble.

An excutsion on Mr C. Roose's fine steam launch is to be run on Sunday, the 19th inst., to the Waikato Beads. The boat will leave Mercer at 7 a.m., calling at Tuakau at 8 a.m , and at the Elbcw at 8,30 a.m.

PAPAKURA.

Mr E Keadc, late of tbe Egmont Stables, Hawera, has taken over tbe Papakura Hotel Stables. New stables will shortly be erected, and it is Mr Reade'a intention to add material to the present plant. Among the new vehicle* will be a landau.

Before breakiriff up camp on Sunday last a pleasing presentation was made by Major Jolly, adjutant, 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles, to Trooper J Hill, of a long service medal. In making the presentation the Major said ho hoped that he would be called upon on many future occasions to present similar medals. That the encampment had been roost successful was demonstrated by the hearty cheers given lor the officers, etc.

CLEVEDON.

Whilst dfivinz near the Black bridge on the Wairna road on baturday last a lad named hamuel Halliday met with a painful accident He waa driving a trap to meet the train at the Papakura station, but when nearing tna bridge his horse shied at a person aitting on the roadside, with we result that the poy waa thrown Iron the trap, sustaining a badly

WAERENGA.

Friends o! Mr Balle. who recently met with a serious accident, will be pleaaed to hear that he ia now oat of danger, and is making good progress towards recovery. Since the return ot line weather, work on the roads has proceeded apace. The improvements on Draper's road, made chiefly with the trader, are now almost completed, having been carried oat with great rapidity. The re-grad-ing ot Wallace's road ia also progreasing satisfactorily. Whereas some farmers have only recently planted their oats, owing to the long continued spell of wet weather, others have already commenced harvesting operations. Many of the crops promise a very fair yield. The country, generally, is looking very well. The pulpit vacated by the Kev. Bickentaff will be tilled by the Rev. Alexander, who arrives in New Zealand this weeK from Ireland. Mr A. Hickfard, who was formerly engineer tj the Whangamarino Road Board, is now in at Trentham, and will shortly leave for the Front. His wife and family reside in the Ohakone district

ALFRISTON.

The services of Mr Ewan McLennan as judge in the Jersey Dairy Cow Sections at the A. and P. Shows this, year have been in constant demand by the controlling authorities. Starting at Giaborne Mr McLennan proceeded to the following districts, viz., Bay of Islands, Wbangarei, Ulevedon /and Stratford. He is of the opinion that the Jersey enws in this district are equally as good as those in the Stratford district, where numbers are greatly superior. Since the Carnival Bazaar no further Red Cross Afternoons have been held, but it is anticipated that these will be resumed shortly and held every other Wednesday. In view of the expansion of trade at the Alfriaton store Mr Lowther is having his business premises extended appreciably.

The local tennis club has abandoned its Association matches this year, in common with tbe other cluba of the district, but several mter-club matches will be played. The first of these will eventuate on Boxing Day, when tbe Grafton Club will he entertained ■on the Alfriaton courts. The local club were successful in defeatiog the towa players hst year rather easily, but a much keener game is expected on December 27th next.

A commencement has been made with the formation work at tbe Alfriaton end of the Ardmore road. The work is being carried out by Mr Matsen for the Papakura Road Board.

Harvesting operations are in full swing in tbe district, and some exceptionally heavy crops of oats are being met with. One of tbe befit of these was that cropped by Mr Moody.

MANUREWA

Tbe latest New Zealand Gszette contains a notice stating that the Manurewa Road Board's application tor a loan ot £4OO for tbe formation of Cox head's road has been approved of. We understand that plars and specifications for the work will be drawn up almost immediately. The wives of the members of the Manurewa Anglican Church Vestry are giving the next Red Cross tea, which will be held in the Puhlic Hall on the afternoon of Thursday, December 16th. We notce from the general orders issued by the Defence authorities in Auckland (hat Mr A G Mabee has been'gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in His Majesty's Forces. The next meeting of the Road Board will be held on December 20th, when tenders tor Brown's road, which are to be in by. the 18th, will be dealt with.

TUAKAU

Mr Douglas McGaban, of the Host and Telegraph Department, Wellington, who has been spending his annual holiday at Tuakau, returned to Wellington yesterday morning. Mr McGaban acted in the capacity of private secretary to the Hun. James Allen, Minister for Defence, for a period of twelve months, at the conclusion of which he returned to the Post and Telegraph Department. Haymaking is in full awing in the district, ths haymakers working from the early hours of the morning until well into the evening. The crops are heavy, and tbe prospects are for a good yield. Mr Mander, M.P. tor Matsden, was in Tuakau yesterday. The next ordinary meeting of the Tuakau Town Board is to be held on the 11th January. 1916, a week later than the ordinary meeting date.

TUAKAU POSTAL SERVICE,

Mails Close at Tuakau For Auckland daily noon, 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. „ Buckland, Pukekohe, Drury and Papakura—daily—noon. ~ Mercer and Pokeno—daily—

9 a.m. ~ Whangarata—daily—s p.m. „ Onewhero and Te Hirua—daily

—11.45 am. „ Pukekawa—Tues, Thurs., Sat.

—9.45 a.m. „ Thames, Rotorua and Lower Waikato—daily—lo.ls am. „ Wellington and Bouth—daily—--10.15 a.m. and 5 p.m.

AKA AKA

Owing to the installation of the internal fittings of the new cheese factory not being thoroughly completed a start of oaerations could not take place on Monday last as anticipated. It is hoped, however, that the hum of machinery will be In evidence before the close of the current week.

WAIUKU.

The rscnrd of rainfall aa registered at Belle Vue, Victoria Avenue, Waiuku, during November, J916, ahows that rain fell on 22 days and varied 'from .01 to 1.40 inches, the total for the month being 5.80 incbei.

PATUMAHOE.

Private Albert Robinton, of Patumahoe, who offered himself to the medical authorities at Trentham Training Camp for further active service on the advice of the Hamilton Medical Board, has been recommended for a month's holiday at Rotorua.

PUKEKAWA.

The sale of Mr L>. Hunt's farm, at £l4 per acre, is repotted.