LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 344, 11 January 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A mooting of citizens of Pukekohe, convened h}' the Mayor, is to tie hell in the Council Chamber on Tuesday next at 8 p m. to decide whether Pukekohe shall fall into line with Auckland in observing Anniversary I) iy this year on Monday, the '2mli inst, instead" of on Tues.l,lV, the '-".I h. The Minukau County Council advertise I hat the current year's rates sire now due and that a ton per cent penalty will l>e added to rates not paidtiy the .".lst inst. The Pukekohe Borough Council invites tenders for the formation of Morrow's joad. . For particulars see advt.

Among the recipient*) of the Ordet of the British Empire, granted for war services, is Majorj Chaplain \JL Mac Donald of Waipu, and formerly presbyterian minister m charge of Tuakau. With their usual thoroughness and enterprise the members of the Pukekohe branch of the Women's Patriotic League have arranged for a public welcome to be given to re* .turned soldiers on Wednesday evennext in the Masonic Hall. The local public are invited to attend in order to give "the boys "a fitting reception. The N.Z. Farmers' Co-op Bacon and Meat Packing Co., Ltd., will be buying pigs next week as follows, viz., at Patumahoe on Monday, at Fukekohe on Tuesday, at Papakura and Bunciman on Wednesday, and at Buckland on Thursday. Notice is given in our advertising columns that in accordance with the provisions of the Defence Act, 1909, all males between the ages of 14 and 27 years must register at the nearest Defence office. Boys on attaining the age of 14 years are also required to similarly register. Last Wednesday evening in the Methodist Church, Pukekohe, Mr Arch Peak, of Auckland, "opened" a new organ with a recital of exquisite music. He was assisted by Wm Millie Peak, Mesdames Peak and Martin and Mr Roberts, who contributed instrumental and vocal music of a choice character. Refering to the instrument the Rev J. F. Martin mentioned that the cost had been £64, which sum, he trusted, would be forthcoming that evening. The rev gentleman's hopes were practically realised, for a collection taken up yielded £63 8s Bd, leaving only lls 4d owing. The new instrument is a powerful one of the Malcolm type and sheuld serve its purpose for upwards of 20 years,

Anticipations that the daiying season of 1917-1918 in the Lower Waikato would be of a record character for production are not likely to be realised. Indeed the yields will fall a good deal short of last year's returns,' which constituted a record, and will even be below those of an average season. Already the supplies to the N.Z. Dairy Association's butter factory at Fukekohe are rapidly dwindling and the output is naturally affected thereby. Climatic conditions are responsible for the sharp decline as the wet spring was followed by weather of too dry a nature. Reduced production of butterfat has also been contributed to by several farmers giving up dairying and further by labour difficulties necessitating curtailments in herds. On Wednesday, January 2nd, there was a large assembly at the Fukekohe Methodist Church for the purpose of farewelhng Mr aud Mrs Pilkington and family, who are leaving the district, and Sergt. -Major Short, who was home on final leave A good programme of music was rend ered, Mrs and the Misses Li'y and Edith Pilkington contributing pleasing items. Sergt.-Major Short was presented with a wristlet watch and Mr and Mrs Pilkington received two handsome arm chairs. Several persons spoke in glowing terms of the qualities of the guests who had so worthily served the church, mention being made that Mr Pilkington had held every office open to a layman and that his place on the Board of Management would be hard to fill. Sdrgt.-Major Bhort responded and referred to the happy associations of his life and work with the church. Mr Pilkington also suitably replied.

Fruit promises to be fairly plentiful during the next month or two. Stone fruit such as peaches and plums are now coming on the market freely and selling at prices much lower than during the last two seasons. Brown rot the bugbear of orchardists and retailers—is not so prevalent, due no doubt to the drier weather conditions. Those housewives who make jams and preserves would be well advised to fulfil their requirements early as wet weather conditions will most likely affect the later crops. The Central Fruit Store. Kine: street, i*ukekohe, in addition to their extrnsive retail trades deal largely in case fruit. Mr Heerdegen, who runs the Central Fruit Store in conjunction with Heerdegeu's Fruit Btore in Lower King street, is well known as a keen buyer and an equally keen seller of first quality fruit. Buyers will be interested in the prices quoted in our advertising columns which will be a valuable guide as to fruit values whether they buy from the advertiser or not.