MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 186, 27 June 1916, Page 1

MERCER.

Recent rains have caused a repetition of the iloods on the low-lying lands in the district that are usually covered with water in the winter-time

The United Timber Company is to carry out its first big direct shipment from the Waikato Heads of timber for overseas next week when the s s. Wallsend will load at Port. Waikato 200,000 ft of white pine for Sydney. The timber is to be " barged " down from Mercer to the Port. Subsequent similar trips are to be made every month by the Wallsend.

At a public meeting held on Wednesday last an arrangement was come to for the local Patriotic Committee and the Railway Presen"tation Committee to in future act as one body for patriotic work and for farewelling departing soldiers. A joint executive was appointed consisting of Mr H. 8. Valentine (Chairman of the Towu Board) as president, Mr C Edwards as hou, secretary and the following as a committee, viz, Mesdames Watts aud Valentine ; Misses Harrison, Roose, Gallery and Valentino ; Messrs Bagg, H. Bilderbeck. Barron, Roberts, Freeborn, Hill, Walsh, M. Higgius, Gallery, W. Selwood, R Kelly and J. Coleman. FANCY DRESS BALL

On Friday, June 16th, the Mercer School Committee .held its annual plain, fancy dress and masquerade ba.ll, the function outclassing iny previously held in the township. Some 200 people were present and the fancy dresses were numerous and elegant. The Town Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The music supplied by the Misses Beresford was excellent, while the floor was in good condition. Messrs Bilderbeck and Crowhurst made efficient M.C.'s. Extras were played by Mrs Valentine and Miss Hughes, while Miss Valentine contributed a song which was heartily applauded.

The takings amounted to £2O 8s 6d, part of which is to go towards securing an Honour's Board for the Mercer boys who have enlisted for the front.

Thanks are due to Messrs Hallett, Gimblett, Morgon and Valentine for donating handsome prizes for the various competitions, in which large numbers competed. Mr Bilderbeck, chairman of the local School Committee, presented the prizes to the following : Men's best fancy costume : Mr M. Boose, "John' Bull." Ladies' best fancy dress : Miss Valentine, " Uueen of Hearts." Men's best comic : Master Douglas Soppett, " Tramp." Ladies' best comic : Miss Ethel Elliott, " Rags and Tatters." Most original costume: Miss Jessie Watts, " Bomb Shell—a pill for Kaiser Bill."

Every satisfaction was given by the Misses Beresford who acted as judges of the dresses. Three cheeis

for the Mercer " boys " at the front and the hinging of the National Anthem brought to a close an eveut which will long be remembered. Appended wero some of the costumes worn, viz. :

| Miss Elliott, " Rags and Tatters " ; Miss Kelly, " Tattered Belgium " ; Miss Selwood, " Pierette " ; Miss Lee, " Territorial " ; Miss Valentine, li Queen of Hearts " ; Miss Gallery, " Powder and Patches " ; Miss 'Wright, " Lady Teazle " ; Miss Nutsford, " Persian Dancer " ; Miss Morgon, " Brittania " ; Miss M. Morgon, "Russia" ; Miss Irving, " Tuakau. Press " ; Miss Martin, "Red Cross Nurse " ; Miss Roose, " England and France '' ; Miss Kew, ''Rule Brittania " ; Miss Hammerton, " Belgium " ; Miss Walsh, " France " ; Miss I. Kelly, " Nurse " ; Miss M. Thompson, " Flower Girl " ; Miss Thompson, " New Zealand '"; Miss Lythall, " Australia" ; Miss A. Kew,

" Enlist " ; Miss Watts, " A Pill for the Kaiser " ; Mrs Dean, " Nurse " ; Mrs Watts, " Black and White" ; Mrs Valentine, " Japan." Messrs Tribe, "Pierrot" ; Wright, " Bulgarian " ; Roose, " John Bull " ; Robinson, "Coster''; Friedlander, " Baby " ; McKenzie, "Hamlet"; Elmore, "Russia"; Uelwood, " Clown " ; ColeuiaD, " Charlie Chaplin " ; Sop pet t, " Tramp " ; Fraser, " Blue Beard" ; Hill, " Happy Harriet " : McCarthy, "Frog"; Carter (Waitangi), " Cowboy "; R. Carter, " Mephistopheles."