LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 433, 10 December 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Included in the offering at Messrs Alfred Bud-land and Sons' dairy sale at Pukekohe was an entry by Mr R. Fulton, of Puni, who on account of ill health is retiring from dairying His whole heid of 33 dairy cows made an average of £l9 3g, the highest figure being £25 10s, whilst seven heifers averaged £lO 10s.

Tho movement initiated by the Farmers' Union against tho Wellington City Milk Supply Bill hag borne fruit for on Friday last the Bill was withdrawn from Parliament, Mr J. P. Luke M.P. (Mayor of Wellington) intimating that in view of the opposition raised there was no chance of it being passed this session. It will i be remembered that the portion of the Bill to which exception was taken was that by which it was proposed to invest in the City Council power to prevent the erection of any milk, cheese, or dried milk factory within a radius of 130 miles of the city, the contention of the Farmers' Union being that such would be a menace to the dairving industry since other local authorities with a precedent set might follow suit and apply for similar powerj, Why let your music books, pieces etc., remain untidy or ;orn when tne same can be rebound or repaired at the " Times " office. All orancnes of book-binding undertaken, '

The potato seaaon is now in full owing but so far as Pukekohe growers are concerned southern markets, better prices than in Auckland ruling in that quarter, are receiving the preference, over 50 tons being despatched south yesterday.

It is announced in our advertising columns that all books in the Pukekohe public library have been thoroughly fumigated and that volumes may now once again be obtained by subscribers. The Germans have usually been credited with being entirely destitute of a sense of humour, but it is now apparent that our estimate of the national character will have to be revised. We now learn from the cables that they intend to demand from the Peace Conference indemnities for the damage caused by the air raids of the Allies, and compensation for the losses sustained by (ierman subjects by reason of their being interned in Allied countries. We presume that a portion of the latter claim will comprise the incomes they might have earned from the Fatherland by acting as spies had they been allowed to remain at liberty. The young Maori, named Reti Matatohai, who was a little time back committed for trial to the Auckland Supreme Court from the Pukekohe Police Court on a charge of having stolen a heifer from another Maori at Tuakau, has died in Mount Eden gaol from influenza whilst in custody awaiting his trial.

This morning the number of patients under treatment at the Pukekohe temporary hospital had been reduced to 18, 16 having in all been discharged and five deaths having taken place. The latest death occurred yesterday, the victim being Mrs Isa Bellingham, wife of Mr G. Bellingham, of Orton, and sister of Mr F H. Leonard, of Papatoetoe The deceased lady wai 30 years of age.

A correspondent, writing to us upon the subject of the Minister for Health, suggests that, as it is evident the career of the present occupant of the office is likely to be cut short, he has been wondering whether the National Government is considering the question of making Endletsberger, the German medical man who was recently released from confinement so that he would have a trip to Rotorua, Mr Russell's successor. He also, with some diffidence, he says, ventures the sugges tion that as Sir W. Fraser is getting elderly, Herr Paul Hansen would make an excellent Minister for Public Works.

The possession of a band is always an attractive asset to any community and it is therefore satisfactory to record that thanks to active steps taken by Mr 0. K Lawrie it has been decided to re-establish the Pukekohe band, the first practice of which will be held in the Borough Council Chambers next Thursday at 8 p.m. Local musicians are asked to attend and thus to combine in order that the Band may be in a position to take part in peace celebrations as well as to assist in welcoming home "Ourßoys" on their return from the war.

If ever there was an affair that was wrapped in mystery it is the case of the notorious German doctor, Endletsberger, and his visit to Rotorua. The first statement we got upon the matter was that the German was permitted to go to Rotorua to prescribe for a certain Mrs Rayner, who strongly desired his attendance. Sir James Allen explained in the House of Representatives that it had been represented to him that the only way to save the patient's life was to permit the German to attend her, and he had sanctioned this course, Rayner undertaking to pay all expenses. Then we have a statement from Dr Bertram, Mrs Rayner's medical attendant, that the German had called upon him and explained that ho had not attended Mrs Rayner professionally, but had merely called to see her as a friend Be explained that his presence in Rotorua was due to h ; s having been allowed to come there to recuperate for a week after working hard among the influenza patients at the soldier's camp at Narrow Neck. Then Surgeon Colonel Andrew, Assistant Director of Medical Services, gives a point blank denial to the German's story, and says he has never been at Narrow Neck since his internment, and has not at any time assisted in fighting the epidmic. One thing stands out clearly, and that is that Sir James Allen has been badly " had." However the German had a week's holiday in Rotorua, so it is to be presumed the Government will be happy. Asa writer in the "Times " recently said " It is worth while being a German in New Zealand, I assure you."

By the provisions of the Washing Up Bill presented to Parliament yesterday it is made legal in any instance where, on account of the influenza epidemic, the statutory meeting of a local body has been postponed for such meeting to be held at any time before February Ist., 1919. This will enable the Franklin County Council to hold its annual meeting on Thursday of next week in conjunction with the ordinary monthly meeting. The Bill also includes provision whereby in the event of an extraordinary vacancy occuring in a borough council between October Ist. 1918 and April 30th 1919, a member may be co-opted instead of an election taking place.

The raising of a special loan of £I4OO by the Manukau County Council for the purchase of a quarry is validated under the provision of the Washing Up Bill introduced into Parliament yesterday, as also a loan of £750 by the same authority for a recreation ground in Papatoetoe. Another clause also validates certain loan proceedings of the Waikato River Board in connection with improvements to the Mangatawhiri Creek. It is understood that in each instance the preliminary arrangements had been attended with some technical defects, which are thus now removed. i

Messrs T. T Stembridge and Co. are to hold their usual wetkly «*le at their Pukekohe auction mart next Friday, the entry including pigs, poultry, produce and sundries.

"New Zealand's Black Watch," the journal of the 42nd reinforcements, published on board the transport conveying the troops, contains a striking pen and ink sketch of Lieut. G. Mabee, late of Manurewa, the officer commanding the C Coy. of the draft.

Picture patrons are notified that another subsitute programme " Bought and Paid Fori* will be screened Preset Hall tomorrow The film circuit wjgrecommenoe on Saturday original order and will sfcrfftwith^ Diamonds and Pearls." | Episode eVven of " The Neglected* Wife," which were advertised for last Saturday. (Advt). Mr and Mrs T. H. Ridler, late of Rotcrua, have taken over the business of the Pukekohe Carnival Tea Rooms and they appeal to the patrons of the former proprietors for a continuance of their patronage Mr and Mrs Ridler are experts in catering and they assure the public that nothing will be left wanting on their part in their endeavours to give satisfaction. The ice cream etc department will be re-opened for the season as from to-morrow. Some idea of the distance that is being covered by the Pukekohe medical men in connection with the influenza epidemic may be gained from the fact that one day last week Dr Campbell Smith travelled no less than 160 miles in his car. Although want of sleep and long journeys have well nigh exhausted him he has fortunately himself kept free of the disease. Dr Wake has recovered from his attack of the " flue " and is now about once again. A starling in the Mauku district selected an extraordinary spot for a nest the other day, with disastrous results. An old tin, which had originally contained Stockholm tar and to the bottom and sides of which a little tar still adhered, appeared to her an advisible place to lay her eggs in. The warmth of the bird's body melted the tar and she became firmly attached to her nest, being only with difficulty extricated without injury. She had laid an egg, but an attempt to retrieve it only resulted in breaking it.