LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 425, 12 November 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The cessation to-day of telephonic communication and illness amongst our staff are responsible for a shortage of news items in these columns in this issue. The New Zealand Dairy Association, by advt. in this issue, ask for helpers to absidt in the butter factory in consequence of so many of the staff being laid low with influenza. By order of the Health Department, the bars of all the hotels in Auckland province have been closed for thr-e days, as from this morning. This action, it is understood, has been taken to avoid men congregating together to celebrate the conclusion of the war, and thereby increasing the danger of spreading the influenza epidemic. With sickness so general, business throughout the Waikato is practically at a standstill. Moreover, all meetings and other public assemblies have been cancelled. The Hamilton Show, which was to have been opened to-day, has been postponed Commercial travellers have suspended their usual calls this week. Many of this section of the community fell victims to the complaint last week whilst engaged on their country rounds, and the few who have escaped the disease are now assisting in the warehouses in Auckland, the staffs in the various establishments being extremely shorthanded. One of the best-known farmers in the Franklin district passed away at at his home at Tulumata on Saturday, from intlueuzd complications in the person of Mr Mark Ballard. The deceased, who was .52 years of age, was prominent in all local affairs, and the barn on his property, which he specially adapted and fitted up for meetings and social assemblies, was in great demand for all >uch purposes, his forethought in making the same available for public use being much appreciated Together with his bruther, Mr Frank Ballard, he was a member of the Executive of the Franklin A. and P. Society. The funeral took place at the Tukekolie East cemetery this afternoon

Official advice was received by Mr W. Adams, of Pukekohe, yesterday that bis second son, Private J. M. Adams, was admitted to hospital in France on October 29th suffering from gunshot wounds in his left thigh. Private Adams, prior to his enlistment, was an employee of Mr McClintock in the cabinet-making trade in Pukekohe. The borough of Pukekohe is one of the very few phces in the Lower Waikato in which no deaths have so far been recorded as due to influenza. The disease is very rife in the town but close and prompt medical attention paid to the sufferers has up to the present averted mortality. With a view to assisting sufferers a meeting of ladies was held on Saturday and a large number of voluntary nurses were enrolled. Already these ladies have done admirable work, their services being much in demand. Anyone requiring assistance is requested to communicate with the Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) who will do his best to provide aid. His Worship appeals to local ladies to offer their services so as to make the organisation complete. | Since the above was written, and just as we go to press, we learn of the death, from influenza, of Mr " Ovey" Bilkey, second son of Mr R. Bilkey, of Pukekohe Hill."; The late Trooper John Bowden, whose death from malaria fever occurred in Palestine on October 31st was born in Dunedin and was 38 years of age. He served in the South African war and subsequently took up farming at Pukekohe, also starting business as a carter. He was in Pukekohe for about 15 years up to the time of his enlistment with the 26th Reinforcements. He went direct to Palestine with the mounted section of that body and had teen a good deal of fighting. He was a member of the Pukekohe Gun and Bowling Clubs. His sister, Miss E Bowden, resides in Pukekohe. Two of his brothers, Privates W. J. and T. A. Bowden, recently returned invalided from France, the former having prior to his enlistment been associated with the deceased soldier in the farm at Pukekohe.