LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 257, 9 March 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr J. F. Deane, the honorary treasurer of the Pukekohe Belgian Relief Fund, acknowledges the receipt of tho sum of £5 from Mr C. Shipherd (28th contribution). Advocates of the statutory weekly half-holiday being observed in Pukekohe on Wednesdays instead of on Saturdays, as now, are requested, by advt. in this issue, to attend a meeting to be held in the Council Chambers next Tuesday evening in order that arrangements in view of the coming poll may be made in furtherance of the objectDuring the hearing of a land compensation claim case in the Auckland Supremo Court last week His Honour Sir Robert Stout, with the feigned ignorance so often characteristic of the Bench, asked " Whore is this Pukekohe where land is valued at £4lO for a quarter-acre section ? Is it a city or a large town ?" Counsel's reply was " No, Your Honour, it is a small town but it is the centre of a thriving district."

Householders in Pukekohe are notified by advt. in this issue that the water supply will be suspended on Tuesday next between the hours of (5 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Bacon and Meat Packing Company, Ltd., advertise tint they will be buying pigs neit week as follows : At Patumahoe on Monday, at Pukekohe on Tuesday, at Buckland on Wednesday and at Pokeno on Thursday.

.Railway arrangements and the issue of excursion fares are advertised in this issue for the Ngaruawahia Regatta on Saturday the 17th inst., and for the Paeroa races on Saturday and Monday, the 17th and 19th inst.

Mr Lloyd George, speaking of the films of " The Battle of the Somme " to be shown at the Premier Hill tomorrow (Saturday) evening says, " See that this picture, which is in itself an epic of self sacrifice and gallantry, reaches everyone ; nnth<rs, wives, sisters, and affianced ones, your hearts will beat, your voices will speak in honour and glory of the living and the dead." Interest in the forthcoming mayoral and municipal elections at Pukekohe is increasing. It is not yet known whether the present Mayor, Mr H. G. R. Mason, intends to seek re-election but both MrC. K. Lawrie (the ex-Mayor) and Mr James Costello have definitely announced their respective candidatures for the p ist and another probable candidate is Mr Harold G Lysnar. For membership of the Council Mr A. P. Daysh intends to offer his services to the electors and it is understood that Mr R. F. Webster will also be in the field.

A deputation, consisting of Mr J. Flanagan (chairman of the Franklin County Council) and Mr H. R. Mackenzie (chairman of the Manukau County Council) waited on the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister for Defence) in Auckland on Tuesday and put before him a suggestion that care should be taken to preserve the output of food productions by not too unduly depleting farms of labour. The Minister gave a sympathetic reply and stated that the Military Service Boards had been asked to excercise careful discrimination in regard to the farming and some other industries and it was hoped that the creation of the Efficiency Board would be helpful in the matter.

Mr John Bilkey, of Pukekohe, received advice from the Defence Department yesterday that his son, Trooper E. J. Bilkey, was suffering from blood poisoning and was in hospital in Samoa. Trooper Bilkey went to Samoa last May, having been specially selected for a particular branch of work there owing to his skill in managing unruly horses. A letter which came to hand this week from him stated that only just recently he narrowly escaped losing his life by drowning while crossing a river and was only saved by the timely assistance of some natives. The following local exhibitors have scored successes at various shows held recently, viz. : At Helensville—Miss W. E. Webster, Ist, any article to cost not more Is worth material : Miss Y. Kimber, 2nd, knitting in wool. At Takapuna—Mrs J. M. Baxter, Ist knitted scarf and 2nd Balaclava cap. At Tuakau—Miss V. Kimber, Ist, knitted scarf. AtTe Awamutu— Mrs W. J. D. Sharp, Ist, prettiest tea cosy and Ist, tray or supper cloth ; Miss W. E. Webster, Ist, crochet in cotton ; Mrs J. M. Baxter, Ist, crochet in wool, Ist doyley and Ist collection of knitting, six articles ; MissV. Kimber, Ist, knitted scarf;

Miss Annie flogan, Ist, Balaclava cap. On the initiatiou of Miss Millicent Taylor a series of children's competitions has been arranged to take place under the auspices of the local Patriotic Committee in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, on Easter Tuesday (April 10th) and the proceeds of the gathering are to be devoted to the Belgian Children's Fund. Particulars of the various competitions, viz., instrumental (pianoforte and violin), recitative, vocal, etc.,) are advertised in this issue and schedules are in course of preparation and will be obtainable at all the schools in the district. The judging will take place in the day-time and the winners will appear in the evening when an entertainment will also be given by the Pukekohe Girl Scouts and other children.