LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 341, 28 December 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Exemplary behaviour on the part of the local public during the Xmas holidays is reported by the Pukekohe police and not in a single instance were the services of the constabulary necessitated. Advertisers and readers are requested to note that owing to the holidays there will be no publication of " The Times " on Tuesday next, New Tear's Day. The arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas eve at the Bookery, Pukekohe, created rare excitement, children being present in hundreds to welcome the venerable personage, who much to the delight of the little ones not only shook them by the hand but presented some form of gift to one and all. The usual arrangements of observing January Ist and 2nd as public holidays in Pukekohe will continue in force next week, when the shops will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday, New fear's Eve, will be observed as a late shopping night in addition to Friday. As previously announced the bank holidays will on this occasion be on Monday and Tuesday instead of on January Ist and 2nd. In the official test for cows up to November 30th last "Northcote Idly," belonging to Mr T. Brownlee, of Pukekohe, heads the list in the senior 4-year old Jersey class with a yield of 8692 70lbs of milk in 364 days producing 463.061bs of butterfat. In the junior 2-year old Jersey class Mr R. F. Wilkinson's "Signorina" gave a yield of 71581bs of milk in 3<p days producing 404.5 libs of buttorfat.

Miss N. Williams, who consequent on her ill-health haa disposed of her fruiterer's basinets in Pukekohe and has removed to Auckland, was prior to her departure from the town entertained to an afternoon tea held at Mrs H. Dell's residence last Saturday afternoon. As President of toe Pukekohe Girl Bcouts Mrs Dell asked Miss Williams' acceptance of a silver vase, subscribed for by the Bcouts and friends,and in making the presentation Mrs Dell referred to the Scout organising work Miss Williams had so ably carried oat in Pukekohe and to the interest she had always displayed in the upbringing of the younger generation. Mrs Frank Perkins supplemented these remarks and Miss Williams feelingly acknowledged the gift.

Information has been received from the Minister of Defence by Mr Joseph Adams, of Pukekohe, that his third son. Rifleman Joseph Adams, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of battle. This young soldier, who is 22 years of age, was born at Pukekohe and was educated at the Pukekohe public school. On the completion of his schooldays he joined his father in the butchery business then carried on under the title of Adams and Sons and continued in the same until he enlisted with the 11th Reinforcement Draft He was a popular member of the Pukekohe Fire Brigade and a prominent local footballer. Details of the incident leading up to the award of the medal are not yet to hand. Rifleman George Adams an elder member of. the family, was, it will be remembered, killed in action last month.

Messrs Skeats and White, of Auckland, call attention to bargains in second hand motor cycles referred to in their replace advt. in this issue. A meeting of farmers to formally establish a sub-area of the Fanners' Union is to be held in the Masonic Hall, Pukekohe, on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m. Mr Tancred Cooper, the provincial organiser, will attend to explain the scheme and will also, give an address on co-operation and auctioneering charges. The meeting has necessarily been convened at somewhat short notice by reason of Mr Cooper's numerous other engagements. As the matter is one that directly concerns the farmers of the district their attendance in good numbers is particularly desired.

Favoured with ideal summer weather the Pukekohe Methodist Sunday School held their annual picnic on Wednesday last at Carlton, Mr J. Steenson having kindly lent a paddock oa his farm for the occasion where an enjoyable time was spent. Soon after 10 o'clock the scholars and teachers assembled at the school and were conveyed to Carlton by hones and waggons placed at their disposal for the day by Messrs A. Matuschka, J. B. Rowe and J. Steenson who also drove the party to and from the ground. Various games and attractions were provided, the bush proving a pleasant retreat from the heat of the sun. A good number of parents and friends were present in addition to the teachers and the Pastor (the Rev J. F. Martin) all of whom helped towards the success of the gathering. Refreshments were served by many willing workers and the merry party left the farm for home soon after five o'clock. Altogether the day's outing was a decided success and the organisers much appreciate the loyal assistance of those who contributed to such an enjoyable gathering. The N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Bacon and Meat Packing Coy, Ltd. will be buying pigs at Pokeno next Wednesday, and at Te Kauwhata next Thursday. The schedules for the Franklin A and P. Society's 33rd annual shew to be held at Pukekohe on Friday and Saturday, February 22nd and 23rd, have now been published and copies are obtainable on application to the Secretary, Mr J. M. Baxter. Entries will dote on February sth.

Messre Dalgety and Co. will hold their usual monthly sale of Stock at Tuakao on Friday of next week. On the 21st December the New i Zealand Dairy Association Ltd distributed amongst its suppliers the sum of £120,224 lis lOd. This payment covered 1,753,272£1bs of butterfat supplied during the month of November.

On next Sunday evening a Memo* . rial Service j> will be conducted in St James.' Church, Pukekohe, in memory of "the late Privates Owen McLean and George Adams. As • both belonged to the Pukekohe Fire Brigade the members of the Brigade .-.;*< will attend Church Parade on the; occasion.

\ Picture patrons are notified that the final episode of "Gloria's 'Romance " will be shown at the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, on Wednesday next—(Advt.) . Messrs J. T. Stembridge. and Co.; are to carry out a clearance sale at Pukekohe on January on behalf of,MV T. Hurley, who.is giving. up farming. Full particulars will be advertised in oar next issue, *' ' ' . Holidayprogrammes iwill be shown at the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, tomorrow (Saturday) evening and on 1 Tuesday (New Tear's Day). On the latter occasion a special programmed will be screened —(Advt). The "public* ot Pukekohe art invited by the local Soldiers' Fare* we'll Committee to assemble in the Premier Hall next Thursday evening for the purpose of farewelling the soldiers now on final leave. The proceedings wiU with musical items' and- speeches and admission will be free. 1

. It is reported upon reliable evidence that bell-birds have been heard and seen recently by several observers in the bush on the Titi- ■ rangiand Ti ti hills in the Mauku district. It is probably 50 years since one of these rare and interesting songsters his been known to visit the district. _ Still more cunons is the fact that Mr Arthur Bregman of. Wiri-wiri, ne%Vr*aioin, has for some time had under observation a sma!tl covey of extinct New Zealand quail Mr Bregmas is r fin old eettler v and a most competent j -and careful observer, and it is not! likely ho is mistaken as to the iden- j tity of the species, with which he was familiar enough in hi < early youth.