LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 455, 7 March 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Bacon and Meat-packing Coy., Ltd., will be buying pigs next week as follows : At Pukekohe on Tuesday, at Buckland on Wednesday, at Pokeno on Thursday, and at Te Kauwhata on Friday. Professor John A. Nicholls, who is recognised as tho greatest authority on the historical and economical aspect of prohibition in the United States, is to visit Pukekohe next Tuesday and tc speak in the evening iu the Premier Hall in support of the prohibition movement. Professor nicholls is famed as a lluonc and attractive speaker.

On Wednesday last Crs W. C. Motion, E. Wilcox, and T. Woods (representing tho Franklin County County Council) received at the County Chambers a deputation from the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs R. F. Webster, H. Dell, F. Perkins and V. 8. Roberts, the deputation submitting the Chamber's proposal that a cottage hospital should be established in Pukekohe as a form of war memorial for the County and Borough. The deputation's arguments, which were on the same lines as recently put beforo the Borough Council, were most attentively listened to and the three Councilors expressed hearty approval of the movement. It was, thereupon, agreed that delegates from the Borough an i County Councils and from the Chamber of Commerce should wait on the Auckland Hospital Board at its meeting on the 18th instant, in support of the pro ject, and to ascertain from the Board whether it would be prepared to take over the hospital if it was erected by public subscription. On Cr Motion, yesterday, reporting to the County Council the decision come to, the decision was unanimously approved by the Council, a cottage hospital being described by Cr Montgomerie as an ideal and only practical form of war memorial for the County and Borough combined. The advisability of the Farmers' Union as a party entering into the political arena and also of joining forces with Labour Unions was suggested at the meeting of the Executive of the Franklin sub-provincial district of the Farmers' Union held last Monday at Pukekohe when remits for the annual conference were under consideration. On the motion ot Mr A. Bell(Mauku) seconded by Mr W. L. West (Waiuku) the follow ing remit was adopted viz , "Tint the constitution of tho Union be amended so as to provide for direct political action." Mr E. Piggot (Buckland) then moved and Mr F A. Ilarconibe (Kohekohe) seconded " That a Conference bo arranged between representatives of the Farmers' Union and Labour Unions with the object of forming a platform that would be suitable to both parties." As a amendment Mr R. vV. Johns (Mauku) proposul and Mr E. I. Frost (Tuakau) seconded "That the question be 1- ft in abeyance until all the members have studied the platform of tho Labour Party." The amendment having been lost on the casting voto of the Chairman (Mr Mellfop) the latter proposed and Mr W. L West (Waiuku) seconded " That the question be left in abeyance until a Farmers' Party \, forme! and then the Conference be held." This was carried, but on the motion as amended, after considerable discussion, being put to the meeting vo- | ting was again equal and it was lost • on tliocastiiiy vote of the Chairman. ■

The usual monthly meeting of the Manukau County Council will be held on Tuesday next. The N.Z. Loan and M.A. Ooy. a» to hold their usual monthly stocfe sale at Pukekohe on Tuesday.

Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons' sales for next week include a horse sale at Pukekohe on Mono'ay, a sheep fair at Clevedon om Monday, and their ordinary monthly stock sale at Tuakau on Thursday. Mr S. F. Eoddinott is the hj» ppy possessor of a crop of onions that probably constitutes a record for Pukekohe, the yield averaging something iq excess of 20 tons to the acre for four acres- With current values at £& 10s per tow Mr floddinott is naturally well satisfied as the result of his labours.

In a replace advertisement in this issue, Messrs P. Henry and Bon, storekeepers, of Patumahoe, announce that they have for disposal. Gamekeeper seed potatoes grow* on the light sandy soil of their Waiau farm and free from*blight and aIL defects. Grass, clover seeds, and manures can also be obtained from them at bedrock prices.

At yesterday's meeting of tho Franklin County Council a suggestion was made by Cr J Keith that it would be good policy to licease cattle to graze on the road side in his (Mercer) riding as a means of getting rid of the grass and for :jhe advantage of farmers. No action was, however, taken, the experier ice of the Council having been that tht ire was a difficulty in getting anyone Jto collect the grazing fees.

In connection with the announo Jment made in to-day's issue of th e " New Zealand Herald," that Mr HL G. R. Mason, of Pukekohe was likely to stand as a Labour candidate in opposition to the Right; Hon. W. F. Massey for the representation of the Franklin electorate we are informed by Mr Mason, that he is strongly ot the opinion that Mr Massey should be opposed in Franklin, but although he would be willing to accept nomination, he would prefer that a ballot of those opposed to the National Gcrvernment should determine who should be the candidate to take the field against the* Premier.

That the Franklin County Council 1 has administered its finances during the current financial year, which, closes on the 31st inst., with a watchful eye is revealed by the Treasurer's, report presented aft yesterday's meeting, wherein it was set forth that as against a debit balance at the bank at date of £6979 some £4OOO was due to the Council in respect of outstanding rates and Government grants. The Chairman (Cr Motion) characterised the financial condition as very satisfactory. The Council, it may o*» added, started the year on April Ist last with a debit balance of £9079.

Messrs Cooper and Card have always had a good display of vehicles at the Pukekohe Show. Th» year they confined themselves exclusively to gigs, exhibiting mt different styles. The general finish and quality were absolutely first-elass, three of the gigs having motor seats and rubber tyres. A pmy gig with a motor seat finished in SSic natural wood colour, with wheels and undergear painted a dark wine colour, seemed to be the favourite, exciting general admiration. Another motor seat gig, built to suit a horse standing 15 hands, was sold to a resident of Manurewa for £60,; and the purchaser afterwards had electric lamps fitted. An exhibit such as displayed by Messrs Cooper and Curd was both an acquisition to the Show and a credit to the firm. i At the meeting j&f the Franklin Countv Council held yesterday the Ashburton County Council submitted a resolution in regard to the holding of territorial camps. The Council was strongly of the opinion that now the war had ended, the holding of such camps would be unnecessary and burdensome and that no system of defence of the Dominion should be' introduced and passed by Parliament before the electors had an opportunity of expressing their views at the ballot-box. The Ashburton Council also thought that the time had arrived when the territorial system could be advantageously abolished and suggested that the Government should be urged to use every means to bring returned soldiers back to civil life —The Chairmrn (Or Motion) remarked that the territorial system was satisfactory and other members were of a similar opinion. On the motion of Cr Montgomerie, seconded by Cr Reid it was decided not to support the Ashburton Council's resolution.

At last Monday's meeting of the Papakura Town Board a letter was received from the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, stating that the acting Prime Minister had referred to him the Board's letter covering a resolution passed by the Board regarding the Epidemic Belief Fund. In the course of the resolution, he added, the following passage occurred viz, viewing, in our opinion, fhe most unsatisfactory way the Minister of Public Health dealt with the epidemic, his Department should not now administer the relief fund." The Miaister went on to say, "I need hardly inform you that the resolution contains a grave reflection upou my administration. I, there- j fore, beg to draw the attention of your Board to the fact that a Royal I ' Vnv lission is at present sitting in Ainkland for the purpose of enqniriii„ r into the epidemic, and has full power to consider anycharges which: your Board is prepare*!-:spC3»«lce' your Board to foflHularß which you have. Spring agaifflLff 9 * which justify jro'ur' statemenrtlpf {j dealt with tbiKepidemio in unsatisfactory way, and I that you will forward to me a copr of such charges, in order that I might have the opportunity of meeting them when the Commission deals with them."—The Chairman (Mr D. W. Jones) said he did not think the matter worth bothering about, and the communication was accordingly merely "receivfd "