LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 453, 5 August 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ownors of stud horses are seasonably reminded that the Times specialises in the printing of stud notice cards; also, that as the Times circulates through throe counties, its columns all'ord an excellent advertising medium Special rates arc quoted for the season.

Fresh tenders are invited for the Waiuku railway station buildings. Yesterday was t le anniversary of the declaration of war by England against Germany.

The Franklin County Council meets on Thursday, and the B.M. Court on the same day. The cream supply is fast coming in, nineteen 20-gallon cans being consigned from the Papakura station in one lot this week.

In connexion with tho proposed new electrical extension system for part of the Franklin County, the Engineer A. J. Walker 1 ) visited Tuakau yesterday, accompanied by delegates of the local bodies concerned.

Dancing enthusiasts are reminded of the social and dance to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall tonight. Arrangements are complete, and those in search of a good night's entertainment will have their requirements fulfilled. See advertisement in another column.

Railway employees are wrathful on account of their privilege of free railway passes being taken away while the restrictions on general travel are in force, though they are not allowed to. postpone their annual leave until the services are normal. Indignation meetings are being held During July the record of rainfall, as required at Belle Vue, Victoria Avenue, Waiuku, is as follows: Rain fell on 22. days, the fall varying from .01 to 1,06 inches, the total "being a.05 inches. For four years I'mmediately preceding, the register [hows, for 1915, 1916, 1917, and ■ 918, 6 98, 4.85, 10 78, and 5.77 Fnches respectively.

A a result of the restrictions against passenger traffic on the railways, a motor service between Pukekohe and Auckland has been established by Messrs Karews and Kyan. An eight-seater Hudson will leave Pukekohe at 8 a.m. daily, and leave Auckland at 5 or 6 p.m. daily. The return fare will be £l. Intending passengers should book seats early. The station masters are having a ruqgt interesting time just now, being required to decide whether or not this or that person's applicatipn tor a permit to travel cornea under the category of " essential business." Local officials do their unpleasant task with scrupulous fairness, neither favouring the genial nor discriminating against the other sort It is not difficult, as a rule, for a person to furnish a roally or seemingly reaj sonable causo for travelling, but the j intimation that the S.M. at the other Send will also require justification for permitting the return journey pulls fouie people up with a round turn. ■ At a .sitting of the Pukekohe Police SJourt, before Messrs C. K. Lawrie and J. T. Stembridge, J.'s.P., John Rowan Watson (who comes from Southland) was charged—(l) That on July 20 th, 1919, he used indecent language in a public place, the Pukekohe railway station; (2) That on the same date, between Mercer and Pukekohe, he travelled on the Frank-ton-Auckland train wi:hout having previously paid the fare; (3) At Pukekohe, lie did wilfully damage a coat, the property of David Millar, valued at 30s. Accused entered a" plea of not guilty on each of the charges On the first charge he was convicted and discharged; on the pecoud he was ordered to pay the amount of the fare (2s), and was remanded to Auckland for medical observation; while on the third count he was convicted and tinea 30s, the amount of damage to the constable's oat. When the accused was taken to tin watch-house he attacked Constable Millar, and a fierce strugle ensued, and it was some time before accused (who is a very strong man) mastered. It was during his light with the constable that the latter's coat was torn to ribbons.

Having a " friend at court," or the I'rimo Minister for a father, weighs ii'H oao iota, with tha Railway Department in the matter of doling out permits for travelling. Recently Mr J. N. Mass<-\, of Puni (son of the Hon. W. F. Massey, P. 0., Prime Minister of New Zealand, Peßce Conference delegate, Member for Franklin elee orate, etc., etc 1, went to North Auckland to attend an important stock sale On returning to Auckland, ho pres< nted himself in the waiting queue at trie Auckland railway station, and when Jin turn came a stern oflioial demanded his name and business. The applicant informed the porterish potentate that he lived at Pukekohe, and wished to return h■•mo. " Oh," replied the official, " the Railway Department do nut consider it essential that a person should lrtuni home. Anyhow, have you any papers to prove your bona lido." ''. " The son ol the Dominion's Prinifo Minister fumbled :u about sixteen nockcis, morn or friwor, for eeit.iin pap rs th;it wore somewhere in his m>sse,-sioir, hut they proved most elusijve, at.d he ecu Id not produco any iapor wlutuv-r not even a piece .'.I I'ig, or as small, as a postage, st imp " Stand aside, and let the n.-xt mm approach," fjrulHy commanded the L rd High Muck-a-Mui k, and the -on <d New Zealand's chief e\c'vutivo ciiiz m had to wait for n • Ami)- m train to Papakura, from whence he motored to his home. J lie Times ii an happened to hear this tit bit through being in the vicinity of a certain place when Mr Massey was taking the precaution of getting a permit to goto Auckland to day to meet his I'iime Ministerial father, on tne bitter's return from the Peace Conlerei: • " down under " Truly, Maorilund is in some respects, let in ijual l'\ t very democratic dominion. !-'•: D mhos rejoice exceedingly !

Tennis J hue, Thursday night. Gents' sub -'ls, Lubes Is and a biske , Oddfellows' Hall.—Advt. 73?,

It is reported that a eoalminers' strike is about to commence.

The Mercer sawmill has closed down until further notice, owing to the company not being able to send the timber away on the railways. Included in the picture programme to bo shown at the Premier Hall tomorrow(Wednesday) evening is an interesting Topical of tno Armistice Celebrations at Wellington, N.Z The annual meeting of tne parishioners of St. James' Presbyterian Church, Pukekohe, will be held in the Church on Thursday night. After the business of the meeting has been transacted a soiree will follow.

The rainfall for Pukekohe in July, as recorded by the " Kosemount" gauge, was 5 03 inches, or exactly the average July fall for Auckland City. she fall for the quarter ending July 31st, 1919, amounted to 10.515 inches, as compared with 16.915 inches for the same period in 191 s, and 22 085 in that quarter of 1917. The July totals during the past four years are as follows:—1910, 4.805; 1917, 9 565; 1918, 5.22: 1919, 5.00. In June, 1918, there were only three rainless days, and only three also in July, 1917. On Saturday night a remarkably heavy hail and thunderstorm occurred, the hail being nearly half an inch in diameter. Although the storm lasted about five minutes only, the streets were white, and the hail crunched underfoot like sea-shells. Vivid lightning and heavy rain accompanied, the rain washing tracks through the carpet of hail, causing a curious zebra-like surface, the effect of which was heightened by the street electric lights. At Mr W. Hurle's shop the water which lodged in the gutter oh the roof could not clear quickly enough, and tame through the roof into the shop, causing a considerable amount of damage to various articles of stock.

In order to make conditions at school of a more pleasant nature, the teachers of the Pukekohe public school have inaugurated a scheme whereby to provide children who are unable to go home for lunch with a hot cuy of cocoa. This has already been instituted, and is much appreciated by the scholars. If'he scheme of by the parents, the teachers solicit ali trio financial assist ance from them. Anyone who is not represented at the school, and who approves of the scheme, can contribute donations of cocoa,, sugar, or cash. A tarmer has agreed to supply a quart of milk per day free of cost.