DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 133, 17 January 1916, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS

WAERENGA. RECRUIT FAREWELLED. A public farewell in the form of a tennis atternoon was tendered to Mr E Grimwade at the Taniwha Tennis Club's courts on Saturday last. Owing to busy times in harvest the attendance was not what it otherwise would have been, but nerverthel2ss the gathering waa of fair proportions, and a highly enjoyable afternoon was Bpent. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladit?, and play was continued until the early loirs of evening. Mr G'im*ade is to be a member of the infantry section cf the Twelfth Reinforcements, and proceeds to Trer.tharn this week. His brother, Sergeant L Grimwade, was killed at the historic landing at the Dardanelles.

Another old resident baa recently passed away in the persan of Mrs Hrapsr, who took up her abode near Lake Waikare, some 25 years ago. The funeral took place 111 the Waerenga cemet:rv on Thuteday last. Owing ti the crops being of such a bountiful rature and to the shortage of labour, harvesting operations this s:a:oa have been very strenuous. Splendid weather has, however, been experienced and has enabled the farmers to get in their crops in perfect order, Mr Ball', who some tima ago was severely injured while repairing an oil engine, has made wonderful progress and should soon have male a coraple'e recovery.

MERCER.

WAIKATO RIVER BOARD The annual meeting of the above authority, ranking also as the ordinary monthly meeting, was held on Saturday at the Board's offices at Mercer, the members pieaent being Messrs A C G Glasp, R flephane and M Gallery, tcgeth r with the clerk, Mr U Hallett, and the Foreman of Works, Mr Sellers. Election of Chairman Mr Glass was re elected chairman for the ensuing year. Roto Ngaro Messrs Stead and Co, of Kangiriri, wrote in regard to the proposed drain from Roto Ngaro Lake to Wbangape Creek, I hat they were prepared to subsidise the work to the extent of £IOO, and in addition would be prepared to take up £SOO worth of debentures, provided the wo k was completed before next winter. Tbey added that they understood that the work could be carried out for lesa thin £SOO, but they bad made provision tor £6OO apart from the Government subsidy of £IOO. Messrs J Deanc and White attended in support of Messrs Stead's application and pointed out that the settlers concerned had already by petition signified the 1 r consent to the work at a cost rot exceeding £SOO, in addition to the Government's promised subsidy of £IOO.

The chairman stated tb?t some nine months ago the Government Engineer promised to prepare the' levels but tha task bad net been carried out. He had arranged with another engineer for the levels to be taken probably by the end of the month, and then the work could be started as Messrs Stead's contribution of £IOO would suffice until the necessary legal formalities were corrpleted for the sanction of the loan. They eiuld not, however, guarantee Messrs Stead that (he work would be completed before next winter.

It was resolved to adopt the courss recommended hy the chairman.

Willows on Creeks '1 he chairman reported as to the difficulty experienced in the Board availing themselves ot the Government's £ for £ subsidies fur the purpose of removing willows from the ere ks. The t'okeno Creek waa all right as sufficient debentures had been taken up ttere for the work. He had aßked the Whangamarino Koad Board to contribute £25 towards the cost of clearing the Maramarua creek. On tho motion ot the chairman it waa de> cided to ascertain when the Governsubsidy for the Pokeno creek would be available. A Hopeful Report

Reporting on the work at Maiora Bay, the Foreman of Works stated that he was satisfied that the groynes that bad been constructed would fulfil their object in course uf time and already the channel from the Elbow down tae river was deeper than it ever was. He expressed himself as favouring dredg? ing the sand-bank at Maiora Bay in preference to removing it with explosives, the later not hhVing proved altogether successful when recently tried as an experiment. With explosives he could not guarantee what became of the material removed, but with dredging the material would be taken out to deep water on punts and deposited so that it would not return to the river.

Th2 Navigation Menace A report as to a petition presented on the above matter will be touna under a separate heading. The loyalty of the staff of the VVoikato Kiver Hoard is demonstrated by tht fact that no lees than eight employees have enlisted for service and a sum ot £' I JB has bt&n paid over to the patriotic funds as the donations of the workmen.

MARAMARUA.

While back from Trenthara on bis final leave, Private Joseph Clarke was tendered a public farewell in the Maramarua Hall on Friday :n the form of a dance. Unfortunately it was only possible to get !>bnrt notice, but the result was a pleasant surpriEe. The attendance was not only good but the function was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Mrs Clarke and Mr Mabey sjpi hrd excellent music. In a few well chosen words Mr G Mabey wished Private llarke God Speed and a sate return. Auld Lang Sjne and the National Anthem were then siirg and three ringing cheers were given for the young recruit. An excellent supper provided by the ladies was partaken of, and thp rest of the evening was spent in dancing.