LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 426, 15 November 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Corpl. T. Steenson, son of Mr and Mrs W. Steenson, of Pukekohe, is reported as having been wounded on October 25th.

A list of dates and place for the attendance of a Government officer next week to inoculate calves against blackleg is advertised in this issue, The N.Z, Loan and M.A. Coy's sales for next week include stock sales at Henderson on Monday and at INgatea on Wednesday. For particulars see advts. Messrs Dalgety and Co. Ltd. are to hold a clearing sale on behalf of Mr George Bartley on his farm at Patumahoe on Tuesday, 26th inst. For particulars see advt. The country hotels, in common with licensed premises in the city, are by orders of the Health Department to remain closed until Monday next.

Particulars of precautions and warnings, as recommended by the Health Department, as a means of combating influenza are advertised in this issue. It is most desirable that the same should be given most careful consideration and attention Particulars are advertised in this issue of sales to be held next week by Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons Ltd. as follows : stock sale at Pokeno on Monday, dairy and stock sale at Eunciman on Tuesday, and a special dairy sale at Pukekohe on Thursday. The borough of Pukekohe is most fortunate, in that the influenza scourge has not, so far, been of very widespread order within its boun- > daries, although one case has terminated fatally. The number of householders afflicted have, however, : been small, compared with the ravages wrought in other places, j This has enabled the local doctors and lady volunteer nurses from Pukekohe to administer to patients in the country districts. Other ladies are also doing admirable work in the way of providing edibles for those who are indisposed. Bequests for aid come suddenly, and ladies who are willing to offer their services for nursing are asked to communicate with the Mayor (Mr H. G. E. Mason), so that prompt attention may be given to calls. A spraying chamber, in charge of an employee of the Borough Council, has been fitted up at the Pukekohe railway station, and both alighting and departing passengers, together with members of the general public, are thereby enabled to go through a process of disinfection. A spraying chamber is also in operation at premises adjoining the post office. The Mayor, by advt, in this issue details recommendations made by the Health Officer and residents are requested to observe the same. Comment and criticism were genoral on Tuesday at the action of the Postal Department in closing the telephone exchanges as one means of officially celebrating the conclusion of the war. To blunder or ignorance on the part of the officials at Wellington must be ascribed the reason that such a course was taken. The effect was that whilst the ActingChief Health Officer in Auckland had asked the public to obtain from demonstrations in order that the sufferers from influenza should not lie disturbed and so that the work of succouring them in their affliction should not be interfered with the Postal Department calmly gave orders which rendered households incapable of telephoning for medical men or for nursing assistance. In the case of the borough of Pukekohe the Mayor (Mr fl. G. E Mason) was not slow to realise the seriousness of the position and, as a result of an interview he had with the Acting-Postmaster, he arranged for the Pukekuhe Exchange to be re-opened for a period *in the afternoon and also in the evening, His Worship guaranteeing that the Borough Council would be responsible if any charge was levied by the n >p;irtment in connection with the same.

As briefly recorded in our issue of Tuesday last the death occurred at his parents' residence at Pukekohe about noon on that day from pneumonic inlluenza of Mr William Overand'" Ovey ") Bilkey, second son of Mr Robert Bilkey. The deceased, who was 28 years of age, enlisted with the 9th Reinforcements and saw service in France. In May last he was invalided back to New Zealand, suffering from the effects of having been gassed. He only contracted influenza a few days prior to his death and with his heart weak through his experiences on the battlefield he was unable to successfully battle against the ravages of rhe scourge. The funeral, which took place on Wednesday morning at the Pukekohe Cemetery, was attended with military honours, a Union Jack encircliDg the coffin and a firing party, about 20 strong, being composed of returned soldiers in uniform, headed by Lieut Hatt and Staff Sergt. Major Smith. Residents from all parts of the district were also present in large numbers. The Rev. J. P. Cowie officiated and on the conclusion of the burial service three volleys were fired, " The Last Post " being sounded on the buglo. The late Mr Bilkey was born ut Buckland and was educated at the Buckland school. lie remove ! with his parents to Pukekohe Llill some 15 years ago and engaged in fanning operations with his father. Ufa cheery and naturally bright disposition he was held in the highest respect by all his associates whilst his manly and .straightforward character made him a general favourite everywhere His eldest brother, Pte. Wilfred Bilkey, is still in Franco, the youngest son, Pto Richard Bilkey, being in hospital in England suffering from gunshot wounds It was only a few days prior to his death that the late Mr Bilkey had assisted a: the gathering hold in honour of the return homo of Fte J H. Wilson, D.C M.. on which occasion he had responded, in his usual modest and frank stylo to the toast of "Our Returned Soldiers."

The Pukekohe public library has boon temporarily closed and subscribers are asked to return any books in their possession in order that the volumes may be fumigated.

A choice herd of 42 dairy cows belonging to Mr R Fulton, of Puni, who is retiring from dairying on account of ill-health, is included in the entry for Messrs Alfred Buck - land and Sons dairy sale at Pukekohe next Thursday. We are asked by the Rev J. F. Martin to state that there will be no services at the Methodist Churches at Pukekohe, Buckland, and Tuakau next Sunday but there will be short services at Bombay at 11 a.m. and at Paparata at 3 pm. Owing to being detained in Auckland for magisterial duties Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M. was unable to journey to Pukekohe yesterday for the usual fortnightly Court. All civil actions, including the previously frequently postponed Onewhero libel claim, were adjourned but police cases were heard before Messrs C. Boadley and R. F. Webster J.P.'s

The spirit of good-fellowship was markedly instanced a few days ago, in Pukekohe, in a case in which a whole household were down with influenza. The production of bread was concerned, so willing helpers readily entered the bakehouse each night, and worked to dawn, until such time as the proprietor could return to his business. The same voluntary assistance is also being given in another local bakery that is depleted of its staff.

A conviction without a fine was recorded at the Pukekohe Police Court yesterday against a Dalmatian, now working at Karaka, who had failed under war regulations to notify to the police his change of address. It was explained by Sergeant Cowan that the defendant had acted in ignorance, having thought that notification to the Commissioner of Jugoslavs was sufficient. The Sergeant added that although the war was over aliens had still to register.

A good deal of indignation was created in Pukekohe this morning at the drastic action taken by the Postal Department in cutting off, without notice, the premises of all telephone subscribers who had not paid the telephone rental fee, due on the Ist inst., in advance, for the six months ending 30th April next. No intimation whatever was given that such a course was to be pursued, nor was any notice displayed at the post-office to that effect.' On tele-phone-users making calls, they were surprised that there was no response from the Exchange, but at first it was generally thought that the operators were working at high pressure, and that delay was caused thereby. Repeated rings gradually followed but still silence prevailed, and it was only by personal en quiries at the post-office that the circumstances were revealed. Probably many persons are still wondering why their attempts at communication have failed. With so much sickness prevalent, and with the necessity of stricken households promptly summoning medical men, or requiring medicine from the chemist's, the time, to say the least, can only be regarded as most inopportune for the Postal Department to adhere to stereotyped regulations without previous advice to those concerned.

The pillaging, in June last, of goods discharged from a boat at the landing wharf at Opuatia led to a charge of theft being yesterday preferred, at the Pukekohe Police Court (before Messrs C. Roadley and R. F Webster, J.P's), against Andrew Alexander, late of Glenmurray, but now of Orini, a road foreman in the employ of the Raglan County C juncil, and another Council employee named Henry Rogers. It appeared that three sacks of chaff, some tins of milk, icwt. of potatoes, and other articles, disappeared from the wharf, and, on enquiries being made by Constable Taylor, of Tuakau, the two accused admitted that they were the guilty parties. The explanation made by the accused to the Justices was that they ran short of feed for their horses, and accordingly " commandeered " some chaff consigned to a farmer; and, as they were also short of foodstuffs, they "helped themselves from cases lying on the wharf. The defendant Rogers also stated that he understood that they were only borrowing the goods, his companion (Alexander) having informed him that he would tall the farmer to whom the articles belonged that they had taken them, and would repay him. Alexander, on his part, mentioned that previously he had frequently acted in a similar way, but bad always made iei>ayment for what was " borrowed." In reply to the Bench, Alexander admitted that on the occasion under notice he had made no attempt to see the owner. Constable Taylor pointed out that for some time past goods had been lost from the wharf, and the fact that in that instance the act was performed at midnight did not point to "borrowing'' He added that since the police investigations the value of the goods taken h»d been paid for by Alexander. The accused were fined £5 each, and were further ordered to share the costs amounting to £5 6s.