DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 199, 11 August 1916, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

PAPAKURA. The Chief Postmaster, Auckland, has advised the Town Board that the request tor an extended telephone service for Papakura, from eight a.m. to eight p.m., will be acceded to as soon as the necessary additional staff can be arranged for. Great interest is being evinced in the approaching Town Board election and it is quite probable from present indications that there will be a large number of candidates in the field.

During the gale on Wednesday of last week a big bluegum tree, growing in the railway reserve, was snapped half-way up and crashed down on the gate by which pedestrians enter the station yard from Station road. Subsequent to an intercessory service conducted by the Eev. W. C. Wood in the Anglican Church, residents congregated at the Triangle and with the school children lined up, in charge of the headmaster, Mr D. W. Jones, tho declaration of war resolution being carried by acclamation. The Eev. Wood and Messrs E. Cole and D. W. Jones delivered appropriate addresses. Mrs M. Vallentine's farm of 2(5 acres has been purchased by Mr C. Cuvelier, of Te Aroha, who is going to make a specialty of pedigree pigs and fowls.

The Papakura Rifle Club has just concluded a shooting competition in which the prizes were secured by Messrs A. C. Tuely, Knibb and J. Murray as the respective winners in A, B and C classes. The trophies, which were presented by the president (Mr D. W. Jones) and Messrs A. Willis and L. Bygrave and Dr Brookfield and Lieut. McDonald (Hamilton), are to be handed over to the winners at a function to be held at the close of the season, A rapid firing competition, for a trophy pre • sented by the secretary, Mr P. Holt, is now engaging attention.

MANUREWA. A very solemn service was held in the Anglican Church last Friday evening in connection with the second anniversary of Britain's declaration of war. The congregation included a detachment of Territorials in uniform, in charge of Lieut. A. G. Mabee. The occasion was made particularly distinctive by the display of flags of the Allied Nations, which had been placed in the church by Mr A G. Mabee. Special hymns and psalms were sung, and a very instructive address appertaining to the war was delivered by the Vicar, the Kev. W. C. Wood, io his usual forceful style. Mr T. C. Seaton, during the service, rendered the solo " Crossing the Bar." The British Navy League Fund subscription list, which was in the Manurewa Post Office for several weeks, was forwarded to Auckland last week, the amount collected being £46 16s.

MARAMARUA, A very enjoyable entertainment was held in the Maramarua Hall on Friday last to farewell Mr and Mrs Walter Clark, who are leaving this district for their new home in the North. Excellent music was supplied by Mrs H. 0. Clark and Mrs A. Mclnnes. The position of Master of Ceremonies was most efficiently filled by Mr E. G. Mabey. After a sumptuous supper had been partaken of, suitable reference was made to the departing couple by Mr G. F. Mclnnes. Dancing was carried on till the early hours of the morning, and the proceedings concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem

PUKEKOHE EAST. WAR ANNIVERSAEY MEETING. The Pukekohe East meeting was held in the Hall on August Ith, Mr T. Hamilton being in the chair. Stirring patriotic speeches were given by Messrs W. Robinson and J. McCullum, which were received with great enthusiasm by the audience. The resolution as forwarded by the Premier was carried unanimously. The proceedings closed with the singing of God Save the King. A disastrous fire occurred on the farm of Mr Herbert on the night of Monday, July 31st, when a large barn containing two traps, three tons of chaff, two tons of bonedust, together with farm tools and implements, were totally destroyed. Mr Herbert is quite unable to account for the occurrence, as everything was left safe when work was finished. We understand the loss is not covered by insurance, and the sympathy of the district is extended to Mr Herbert accordingly.

PUKEKAWA. PKIVATE K. OKK FAKEWELI.ED A very enjoyable gathermz took place at tbe Pukekawa Hall last week, when a large compauy attended and took part in a tarewell to Private Kenneth Orr, who was home on final leave. Dancing was the main feature ot the prcceeings, music being supplied by Messrs Uawke, Campbell and Drake, whilst the last-named also acted as M.C. Supper was provided by the ladies, and Mrs 0. Orr also dispensed some dainty home-made confectionery. During tbe evening three patriotic songs were rendered by Mr Drake, with Miaa Wickins as accompanist, and Mrs McDougall contributed a recitation. Brief speeches were delivered by Messrs Geo. Morrison and Hawke, both uf whom spoke in appreciation of Private Orr's loyalty in offering his services for the good of tbe Empire. Private Orr suitably responded.

WAIPIPI. Whilst staying at her sister's (Mrs D. Evans') residence at Onehunga, Mrs Short, wife of Mr W. Short, fanner, of Waipipi, was found dead in her bed on Saturday morning. The deceased lady, who was 37 years of age, had been suffering from heart trouble for the last three years. She retired to rest at 11 p.m. on Friday, and was then in good spirits. No inquest was necessary, a death certificate being issued by Dr Scott Watson, who had been attending the deceased.

HUNUA. Very heavy rains have fallen during the last week at Hunua and while not causing a great deal of damage, have iu one or two instances brought about a good deal of inconvenience to the settlers. Those living on the eastern side of the river have been isolated owing to the stream rising to a phenomenal height and washing away the bridges. The older settlers state that the river rose higher than it has done for many years. Several slips occurred on the HunuaPapakura road but were not sufficient to cause a block. The Hunua creamery has not yet reopened but advice has been received from the New Zealand Dairy Association that a manager has been appointed and he is expected to arrive in a day or two to take up his duties. TUAKAU Mr A. H. Tapper, clerk to the Town Board, left on Tuesday last for Wellington and Christchurch on a fortnight's holiday.

MERCER. SUBSIDY FOR EIVEE BOABD The Supplementary Votes adopter' by Parliament on Monday last in eluded a £475 subsidy, £ for £, foi the Waikato River Board as a contribution to the recent purchase by the Board of a dredge. MEECER TOWN BOABD. The regular monthly meeting of the Mercer Town Board, held on Tuesday evening last, was presided over by Mr G. Morgon, in the absence of the chairman, Mr H. S. Valentine. Other members present were Messrs M. Gallery and C. Watkinson, together with the clerk, Mr T. Wright. ASSISTING RECBUITOTG. The Eecruiting Board, Wellington, wrote asking for particulars of 17 men who had left the district since the National Eegister was taken. The chairman said that the Board would have to rescind a motion in the minutes to the effect that they favoured conscription in preference to any othor recruiting Scheme, before they could accede to the request. Personally, ho was in favour of the Board instituting ihe peisonal canvass system, which had been done; by the majority of local bodies in i the -Dominien.

Mr Morgon proposed, with reluctance, he said, that the Recruiting Board and the Government should be informed of the Board's inability to concede the particulars asked for, on account of their decision in favour of conscription. Mr Watkinson seconded, and the motion was carried. LIGHTING MATTERS. The stationmaster, Mr W Ridgley, in reply to the Board's request for improved lighting on the station, wrote promising that the platform would be lighted up in good time for the train arriving at 7.5 p.m. from Auckland. Mr Watkinson suggested that a lamp, to be worked in conjunction with the Board's acetylene plant, should be erected at the level crossing.—As a statement of the Board's financial position was not available the matter was left in abeyance. & A CLOCK WANTED. On the motion of Mr Watkinson it was resolved to make application to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland, for a clock to be erected at the entrance to the Mercer Post Office. BATING. Notice of motion to propose at the next meeting of the Board that a general rate be struck of lid in the £ and a Hospital and Charitable Aid rate of one-sixth of a penny in £ for the current year was given by Mr Watkinson.