LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 393, 19 July 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Subscriptions to tho Tnres for the current quarter if paid before July 31st will be charged at :3s 3d delivered or 4s 3d posted. After that date the booking fee of rid will be added.

Another ca>e of diphtheria at Paerata was notified last Tuesday, the infected house being tho same a? in the instance reported last week.

Particulars of the rales intended to l.e struck for the current year by tho Raglan County Council ale advertised in this issue.

Pukekohe Hockey Club on Saturday afternoon last met Auckland University on the Pukekohe Ground, and were beaten by the visitors by three goals to nil. After the game the visitors were entertained to tea by the Pukekohe Club. Messrs. Alfred Ruckland and Sons are, by instructions of Mr. D. Rcid. who is retiring from dairying, to hold a clearing sale on Thursday next on his farm at Pokeno. For particulars see advertisement.

We regret to learn that the illness of Mr T. J. Lockwood. the representative of the Hunua Riding on the Franklin County Council, has necessitated his removal to a hospital in Auckland. Latest reports, however, are that he is progressing satisfactorily. Details of the offering at the clearance sale to be held by the N.Z. Loan and M.A. Co. on Tuesday next on Mr. M. W. Porter's farm at Pukekohe East will be found in out advertising columns. The sale is necessitated by reason of Mr. Porter's forthcoming departure for the front. Under the auspices of the Returned Soldiers' Association a lecture entitled "The Btory of Anzac," illustrated by magic lantern slides of his own war pictures, is to be given by Sapper Moore Jones in the Premier Hall next Monday evening. The proceeds will be equally divided between the Red Cross Society and the Returned Soldiers' Association. Referring to Sapper Moore Jones' pictorial collection General Birdwood testifies: "Many of Sapper Moore-Jones' pictures were, I know, done while the shells were whistling overhead, and they portray very faithfully the country in which we were operating and, being so full of details as they are, give a good impression of the condition of life in which our troops were working for some eight months."

Under the auspices of the Pukekohe Pod Cross Committee a "Hard Up" social and dance vm held in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, on Tuesday ovening last. There was a crowded attendance. Many of thost- presenl revelted in their sonwwhal unkempt 1 costumes, hut others, including several ladies, were called upon to pay tines for (heir "100 respectable" appearance. Mr. .1. Kennelly carried out the duties of M.C. to the satisfaction of all. Music was supplied by Mrs. A. P. Day and the Misses Clarke, Bailey and B. Maxwell, whilst Miss Barter efficiently discharged the secretarial duties in conjunction with » well-organised committee who worked hard in the interests of the local Red Cross campaign. During the interval supper baskets donated by the ladies attending were auctioned by Mr. J. T. Stembridge, assisted by Mr. F. Brown, the purchasers securing the privilege of takinc in to supper the respective fair donors. Considerable amusement was caused in the biddins, competitors in that way "humping up" against one another. One particular individual had to pay 25/before he was permitted to gain the company ofithe lady of his choice as his partner at the repast In other instances bids in the vicinity of £1 were also forthcoming.

Sneaking at a meeting of dairy suppliers at Te Avvaniufn last Monday on the subject of the manufacture of dried milk, Mr. W. Goodfellow (managing director of tlic Waikato Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd.) stated that it had been found advisable to float a new company, to be styled the N.Z. Cooperative Milkfoods Ltd., with a capital of £IOO,OOO. This was intended not as a means of coming into conflict with the existing Waikato Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, but rather to be subsidiary to it. The working would be somewhat similar to the system obtaining in the management of the already established cheese factories owned by the Waikato Company, which is subsidiary to the Waikato Co-operative Hairy Company. Each factory would, to all intents and purposes, be a separate establishment controlled by a directorate of three members. Local control, and the matters affecting the factory itself, would be administered by the district directorate. Until such time as more than four milk powder factories are established, the general directorate would consist of twelve members, being the four local directorates working conjointly on the general administrative body. All 'jcneral (|iiostions. affectin'-' the wider policy of the Company, would be controlled by this directorate, the intention bcinu to secure a system winch, while not intpairiic.' in any way * system of district control nf the affairs of a dis-h-id. would briiv.' about a wider organisation on truly co-operative lines to control the industry in a more ccncral way. He explained what had been done in the Dotation of the new company and in advancing the proposals to such a stage as to permit operations to he immediately foreshadowed.—The meet inn enthusiastically adopted the scheme for the erection of a factory at T< Awamutu. and the necessary documents were simiod. A glass of good wine and a choice cigar Promoters of comfort undoubtedly are, Soothing the nerves in a wonderful way. Alter the worries and work of the dav. But when drenched and cold on a winter night, And neeeing a "snifter" to put you right There's nothing so soothing and warming, be sure. As a "nightcap" of Woods' Peppermint Cine.

The Auckland Education Board lias authorised the institution of legal proceedings in future cases, reported by the Supervisor, of irregular attendance at continuation classes.

A yisit was paid to Pukekohe this morning by the Minister for Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.P) for the purpose of securing information firsthand on the application of the local School Committee for a Technical High School to he established in Pukekohe. A report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue

"Lights out" in Pukekohe, otherwise the switching off of the electric current for the night half-an-hour l.efore midnight, will in future be signalised by a preliminary warning in the shape of a momentary cessation of the light ten minutes previously. This was authorised at the meeting of the Borough Council on Wednesday, in accordance with a suggestion made in a letter from Mr. M. Shaw.

The efficacy of the new water reservoir constructed in Pukekohe was favourably reported on by the Waterworks Committee at Wednesday's meeting of the Borough Council. Results had proved, they said, that the hours necessary for pumping the required amount of water were less than had previously been estimated, thus showing a further saving in wear and tear tesides in working cost. As no complaints since the new scheme was completed had been received, it went to prove that nothing further would be heard as regards the purity of the water. What is likely to rank as one of the most successful functions yet held in connection with "The Great Effort" being made in Pukekohe on behalf of the Red Cross Fund, takes place next Tuesday in the form of a musical melange and tableaux vivanto in the Premier Hall. Mr. Cecil Roadley is organising the entertainment, and under his skilled direction a varied and unusually attractive programme will be submitted. Already the tickets have had an eminently satisfactory sale, but a few reserved seats can still be allotted on application at the Bookery.

As indicative of the development of Franklin County it is interesting to record the fact that in the valuation roll for the current year no less than 658 alterations have been made, including changes of ownership and transfers from one Biding to another consequent on alterations of boundaries. The County valuations now stand at £3,602,199 made up as follows :—Awhitu Siding £270,946, Drury £392,753, Hunua £161,350, Mauku £807,639, Mercer £254,879, Pukekohe East £441,985, Pukekohe West £447,223, Waipipi £334,832, and Waiuku £490,592. The general district rate for this year is estimated to produce £ 14,784, the Hospital Board rate £2,500, and special rates £2,500 It may be mentioned that no portion of the County was revised during last year but it is understood that the late Maungatawhiri Road District and the whole of Drury Biding will be revalued this year. The appointment made yesterday out of a large number of applicants of Mr J. M Baxter as Secretary of the Waikato A. and F. Association will mean that in Mr & Mrs Baxter's forthcoming removal to Hamilton Pukekohe will sustain the almost irreparable loss of two of its most leading and active residents. Appointed as Secretary to the Franklin A. and P. Society some six vears «go Mr with Mrs Baxter made their home in Pukekohe, coming then from Hamilton. If ever an individual proved the right man for any post it was so in the case of Mr Baxter, and it is mainly due to his energy and efforts that the Franklin A. and P. Society has blossomed forth as one of the leading organisations of the kind in the Auckland Province. Retiring by nature, Mr Baxter's extreme courtesy has won the respect of all. Being'well-known in the show world he was able to secure entries from exhibitors hailing from all quarters. In his secretarial duties he was most ably assisted by Mrs Baxter and in his endeavours to place the funds of the Society on a sound footing he did not shrink from personal manual labour; indeed it was his own handiwork that was largely responsible for the removal of the show buildings, pens, etc, from the old showground to the Society's new quarters and for their re-erection on the latter property. In flower shows, bazaars, etc., Mr Baxter's skilled services were always applied for and never refused. As an honorary worker for any good cause he laboured untiringly and unselfishly. Mrs Baxter, as already stated, proved a worthy help-mate to her husband and also in patriotic work she was essentially the leader in all local movement?, besides acting as Secretary of the Pukekohe branch of the Women's Patriotic League. The advisability of removing the Seddon Memorial Lamp from its present position, opposite Dell's Corner, in Kin? Street, Pukekohe, is generally admitted, seeing that it has proved an obstacle to traffic, but the difficulty Ims been to obtain another site where the monument to the deceased Premier of New Zealand could In- properly and adequately preserved. on the motion of Councillor Barter. the Pukekohe Borough Council a litt!•- time ngo decided to remove it tn the vicinity of the railway bridge, Imt at the Council meeting on Wednesday last Councillor Barter crave notice that at the next meeting he would propose thai this resolution ,|iould be rescinded. He explained that h* had recently conferred with the Rev. .1. J. Mather, who whilst resident in Pukekohe was- one of the promoters of the Memorial Fund, and who had suggested that, as the late Mr. Richard Scddon was a strong advocate for the advancement of eduifition, it would be fitting that the Memorial should be placed in front of the Pukekohe Public School, pro-vidi-d the Board of Education gave the necessary permission for its erection in the school grounds. Councillor Barter added that he would ascertain if this could be done, and would then bring the matter again before the Ceuncil.

The «>ntrol of the CareivalTea Rooms, Pukekohe, will as from Monday next be resumed by the lady proprietors of the premises. Whilst driving in a two-horse buggy with a couple of companions in the vicinity of Patumahoe on Wed' nesday Sergeant Cowan had a narrow escape from sustaining what might easily have proved serious injury. By some means the swiogletree became detached from the conveyance and with the horses simultaneously getting free and the pole dangling on the road the Pergeant was pulled over the splashboard on to the ground. With pre jence of mind he retained his hold of the leins and although he was dragged along the surface of the road for about 30 yards he succeeded in pulling the animals up and only suffered a shaking and some bruises. Meanwhile the other two persons were still seated in the buggy, which gradually came to a standstill. A six-roomed dwelling house situated in Seddon Street, Pukekohe, opposite the Catholic Church, the property of Mi James Toombs, of Hamilton, and in the occupation of Mrs R. Miller, was with its contents totally destroyed by fire last night. The outbreak was first noticed about 11.15 pm. by a neighbour who communicated with Mr F. Hard, who also lives close by, and the latter proceeded to ring the firebell. The Fire Brigade made a prompt tum out but by that time the building was a mass of flames. In the absence of any fire plugs in the vicinity the firemen were rendered powerless and with a strong wind blowing the fire gradually burnt itself out. Attracted by the vivid illumination there was a large assembly of the general public and much comment was passed on the fact that no water was available for dealing with the conflagration. The origin of the fire is unknown. The house became tenanted by Mrs Miller come six weeks ago on Mr Miller's departure for camp, the furniture from their residence at Paerata being removed thereto. For some days past Mrs Miller has been staying with her parents, Mr and Mrs John Adams, but yesterday morning she visited the premises and when she left everything was intact. Mrs Miller had a policy for £IOO with the State Fire Office on the furniture but as its value was from £2OO to £3OO she is a heavy loser by the fire. Particulars of the insurance on the house are not available.