DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 124, 22 December 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

PAPAKURA.

"An Englishman's Honae," the picture that has attracted so much world wide attenthr, was ihiwnjm Papakura on Salu day evening to a large HUii'nce. It is unnecessary to further comment upon Ihi star picture because its excellence is recognised. Praise, howevere, can be given the management for its s.l ction of supporting films which were of huh class quality. Rifleman "Snowy" 'lhompson, who is a member of the New Z aland Rifle Brigad», arrived home on Sunday, and is at present staying ii Papaku'a. Rifl man Thompson was engaged for come months in driving tha Clev.don Coach for Mr C Ualliday. He leaves to r join his regiment on January 3rd.

At the Paphkura School on Friday, thi children paraded outside the school for the purpose of witnessing a pleasing ceremony, that of making a presentation of a wristlet watch to Mr L L Grice, first assistant teacher, who is shortly leaving to join the "Arzac boys." The presentation Was made by the Rev Madill, chairman of the Schorl Committee, who paid a glowing t ibuta to the unselfishness shown by the teacher. Eulogistic references were made by the other members of the committee and by the headmaster, Mr D W Jones. The latter apo'ie enthusiastically of Mr Urice'a devotion to duty, and stited that in connection witb the welfare of the school he regretted that he was losing Mr Grice's services. Tbe proceedings terminated with tbe sining of "God Save the King" aud "Auld Lang Syne" by the School children. The attention of English Church members is call id to the noticea of services in the Papakura Parish on Christmas Day and Snnday, appearing in this issu\ The Vicar, tip Rev W C Wood, will preach in Christ's Church, Papakura, on Christmas evening and on Sunday evening.

ALFRISTON.

PAPAKUKA KOAD BOARD MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Papakurs Road Hoard was held at Alfrialoo on Monday, the members present being Messrs E D McLennan, chairman, J Briddick, C Middletjn, H Moody, J J THmble and D Keid, clerk. AKDMORE-ALFRISTON KOAD The Public Works Department forwarded authority to expend £IOO grant on the Ardmore-Alfriston Koad.—'ihe chairman stater) that the matter would receive attention. TAKANINI-CLtfiVEDON KOAD The Wairoa Koad _ Board wrote relative to the possible TakaniniLlevedan road, and stated that it was in sympathy with the movement.

Mr Moody suggested that the Wairoa Koad Board ehculd take the initiative, as its district was principally to benefit. He thought that the preliminaries should be carried out by it, and the Wairoa Board shriuld contribute about threefourths of the cost. The chairman suggested a conference of members of tbe two Boards. It was decided to defer consideration of the question until February and meanwhile the clerk was structed to endeavour to arrange a conference. MATRON'S CONTRACT The engineer forwarded a voucher in connection with Mr H Matson's contract on the Alfristor-Ardmore road, and tbe sum of £IOB la was passed for pavment for the work. JOINT RANGER

The Wairoa Road Board wrote icjatjve to the proposed joint raoKer, and after a little discission it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman. A MANUKEWA ROAD

Mr G W Bsstfey wrote as follows:—! have your letter of the 16th inst. I bave not by any means overlooked the metalling of these two roads. In the first place I left it in abeyance, as 1 wss anxious to usa the stone in the quarry on my land, and then the winter set in, which made the road too heavy to be satisfactorily attended to. I have found now that owing to labour trouble I cannot make use ut the quarry and so must get scoria from the Railway Department, and am tow prepared to have the work done and only ask for a delay of about a fortnight until the man who looks after my land at Manurewa comes back from a holiday, as without him it would be rather difficult for me to attend to carting contracts, etc. There has been no intention on my part to evade my agreement and no oue has suffered by the delay except perhaps that Bome owner fronting one of the roads has not got an advanced price because the road is not metalled. A member: I think he could have left oat the slur. He has sold part of tiis proprety and begrudges another man selling his. The clerk explained that the letter was written on November 18th, and no action had yet been taken by the writer.

it was decided that the work must be completed before the middle of February, otherwise the Board would enforce the bond entered into by the writer. THE RATING SYSTEM

The Government Auditor wrote as follows: "As regards your rating system I think your Board is wrong in rating on the unimproved value. When the Manukau County Council was formed the question nf a rating syetem was a matter tor ths decision of the Council, and it decided upon the capital value. That decision, in my opinion, must be complied with by all the local authorities subject to its juristic tiap. You will notice that your Board does not now come within the definition of a district as defined by section 36." Members could not see eye to eye with the writer, so it wes decided to refer tfte matter tp the Board's solicitor. TAKAMNI STATION ROAD,

Mr Trimble stated that Mr A Muir bad oifered to donate £3 10* for forming and 4210 for metalling to make a good approach to the Takaoini ataton. —It was decided to accept the offer and get the work done aa aoou u possible.

TAK*NINI ROADS Mr Ben Jjhnson waited upon the Board in connection with tha dediCit o:i cf certain loada on the Oiklti'h Estatr, Takanioi. He stated that he would pay over to tin Council £135 it it would arc?pt dedication of the whole cf the rojd», and would allow the Board to extend . the money oo Manukau road, which is the principal street /in the estate. Members were of the opinion that the propos I was a gcud lusincs9 proposition far the Boarr', and it was d cided to a:cept dedication, and to engage an engineer to draw up specifications for the work. MUIR'S KOAD Mr Moody raised th; qiestion of doing soma work on the road near Mr U Muir's pnp.rtv at Alfriston. Jt was statsd that tha wi rk was badly needed and ihouH be gone on with before next wiiter. —lt was resolved that a report be submittal to tbe Board at the next meeting. NEXT MEETING It was decided to hold the next nieeiiog on Saturday, January 26th, 1916.

BUCKLAND.

On Thurslay eveuing last a number of friends assembled in the Public HsII and held a smoking concert in honour ot M s-rs Stuart, Jim and Harry Wilcox and Jim Walker, who have joined the Eleventh Reinforcements and were on their final lsave. Songs and recitations were given by friends and a jolly good evening was sp nt. On Friday evening arother farewell was given to the troopers. Tbe district was well represented. Mr E Allan was in tha chair. Mr H H D Wily tpoke in glowing terms or Trtopers S and J Wilcox as old pupils of his. He said that such as th'y could hardly be spared, but they were lha right so.t to send, and he felt sure they would do their duty and would be a credit to their country. Councillor Wilcox, in a few remarks, said though be had to part with his sons and nephew ha felt proud to have them go and do their bit for thar King an J country. He added that be would be represented at the war by three sons and two nephews. Mr E Allan also spoke. Supper was banded round by the ladies. Sorgs were given by Miss Bagrall and Messrs Costain, Wilkes, Gummer and Trooper Walker. After singing Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem the !oom was cleared for dancing.

MARAMARUA.

The Maramarua seet'on or the Farmers' Union Kills Club turned out in lull force on Saturday afternoon last and tired 30 rounds. Captain Deane was in charge. Daring the day the ladies served luncheon and afternoon tea, for wbicn the local president, Mr A Mclnnes, returned thanks on behalf of the club.

HUNUA.

In the recent compulsory shooting contest carried out by the Ilunua Senior Cadets, 70th Company, a list ot successes was put up that is said to be a record for the Dominion, A totil of 80 points constituted tha possible, 65 points being the qualification for a badge, and out of 13 competitors no less than eight gained the litter covetid distinction. The totals were as follows:—Corporal S Wilson 75, Cadet H Cadet H Matheson 72, Sergeant F Locknood and Cadet W Martin 71 each, Cadet H Ferguson 69, Cadet E Batea 68, Cadet W Matheson 65, Cadet A Stewart 62, Cadet J Wilson 55), Cadet U Ferguson 55, Cadet E Traill 53, Cadet K Aitcheson 50.