LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 466, 15 April 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

" It's a long long way to Tipperary " but April 30th is not far distant and 0. K Lawrie asks you to vote for him as Mayor of Pukekohe on that day. (Advt). A public meeting was held last evening in Pukekohe, to consider the matter of a war memorial A report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue.

The Franklin County Council advertise m this issue particulars of the special rating area, as designed for the proposed loan of £6,000 for metalling the roads in the Paerata district. Early next month there will be staged in Pnkekohe a high-class entertainment under the management of Mr "Pom" Watson, whose ability as an entertainer is generally recognised. It is not yet known whether Pro* hibition or Continuance has been carried, but it is a certainty that on April 30th C. K. Lawrie will win the mayoral election in Pukekohe. Roll up and vote for him (Advt) Mr H. B. Mackenzie, the {-resent representative of the combined districts of the Franklin and Manukau County Councils on the Auckland Harbour Board, has been returned unopposed as their representative. A special picture programme has been arranged for screening at the Premier Hall on Friday evening (Good Friday'. A suitable set of pictures have been secured and the screening will commence at 8 p.m (Advt). Official notice is given in our advertising columns that nominations for the Mayor of Pukekohe, aud for membership ot the Pukekohe Borough Council (eight seats), will close at noon on Tuesday, the 22nd instant, polling day being fixed for Wednesday, the 30th instant.

The schedules for the horticultural and industrial exhibition to be held under the auspices of the Fukekohe branch of the Women's Patriotic League in the Premier Hall on May Ist and 2nd have now been published and copies may be obtained from the Hon Sec., Miss W. E* Webster. Entries close on the 29th inst.

The long continued spell of dry weather is having a very serious effect upon the grass, and there is every probability of a shortage of feed during the coming winter. Fortunately the hay crops were generally good, aad in most cases saved in excellent condition, and will no doubt help to save the situation. There have already been four slight frosts during the first half of April, an almost unprecedented occurrence The members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board were to have visited the Mauku district to-morrow for the purpose of inspecting the suggested site for the proposed district hospital for the Franklin County We learn to day, however, that the trip has been unavoidably postponed, as urgent business is taking some of the members south. In the meantime, we gather, the proposal to select a site that will serve both Pukekohe and Waiuku is steadily growing in favour. The following men will be included in drafts 237 and 235 returning by the lonic and Raranga on 23rd inst., 2nd Lieut. J. L. Davidson (Otahuhu), Sergts J. E. Geragbty (Onewhero), R. S. Ohlson (Tuakau), Cpl. J. Greenall (Otahnhu), L. Corps T. W. Chitty M.M. (Otahuhu), H Lovell (Manurewa), H. E. Swaffield (Papatoetoe), Ptes. 0. C. Cossey (Druryj, H. T. Horn (Pukekohe) J. McQuire (Waiuku) J. J. Matthews (Otahuhu), 8. Mitchell (Pukekohe), P. Morgan (Papakura), L. F. Mouldey (Pukekohe), E. R. Moore (Patumahoe), K. D. Orr (Pukekawa), S. Rennie (Papatoetoe), N. West (Waiuku). Shortly after three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the firebell sounded an alarm to an outbreak of fire in a storeroom and hay-shed owned by Mr Andrew Berryman, and situated near the Pukekohe railway station. The brigade (which was conveyed to the scene of the fire in Mr C. E. Lawrie's motor-car) arrived promptly, and after running out 700 ft. of hose, soon extinguished the flames. It is surmised that the cause of the outbreak was due to a spark from a fire near-by, where some rubbish was being burned by Mr Berryman, igniting the hay. Thanks to the efficient manner in which the brigade turned out, the damage was not great, though the shed and its contents were somewhat charred.

Tenders are invited by the Franklin County Council, per advertisement in this issue, for a couple of contracts.

Theleading lights " of Pukekohe are making elaborate preparations to ensure that Peace Day will be " Our Day " and a day which will be remembered for many years t come. At a meeting of representatives of local schools, churches, Women's Patriotic League, and various other organisations on Saturday evening, at which the Mayor, Mr H. G. E. Mason, presided, it was decided to accede to the request of the Government to extend the celebrations over three days, viz. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. On the Sunday following the signing of the peace treaty it is proposed to hold open air united thanksgiving services. The clergy of the various denominations were appointed a committee to define arrangements. On the following Monday it is proposed to hold a monster grand concert in the evening, the following committee being set up to make the necessary arrangements: Messrs J. Boulston, W. T. Jones, 0. M. Wright, A. N. Watson, Misses M. Taylor, Penman and Perkins. On Tuesday it is proposed to hold a procession of returned soldiers, local defence forces, school children, the various lodges, sports clubs, fire brigade, the patriotic league, band, and other organisations. The procession will head for the show-ground, where sports and a picnic will be held. Messrs E. W. Tabor, John Patterson, A. D. Tonng, D. R. Flavell, Lieut. Hatt, and Misses Hamlin and Webster were appointed a committee to make arrangements accordingly. It is also proposed to provide free refreshments on the ground, and to effect this Bev. Martin, Mr F. Perkins, and the Women's Patriotic League were deputed.