LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 494, 6 January 1920, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A notice of a slight alteration in the subscription rates for Times, dating from January ls f , 1920, is pub iished elsewhere in this issue. Agents are kindly requested to clip the notice out for reference. The rainfall for 1919 was the low est for five years, and the least average for 66 years. The gate takings at the Mauku Athletic Sports, held on New Year's day, amounted to close on £'.lo. The prize for the man with the largest family on the ground, was won by Mr J. A Short, who is the proud father of a dozen Mr G. Kimbeily was second, his aggregate being 9. Although perhaps not as barfly situated as far as feed is concerned, as compared with other districts in the north and south, the rains experienced in Pukekohe during Sunday morning and yesterday wore gladly welcomed by the local farm ing community, and appreciated to the fullest extent. Feed was becoming scarce, and the. pastures were beginning to present a very dried up appearance. As a result the milk yield began to decrease rapidly. The continued dry spell materially affected the potato and onion crops, and the yield this season was only fair, as compared with previous seasons On the whole the season was a bad one, as far as the farmers were concerned

One at least of those who attended the New Year's dance at Paerata should have cause to remember the occasion. Leaving his better half at home, he set off in the family con veyance to celebrate the advent of the New Year as he used to do. So thoroughly did he succeed, that when the small hou r s of next day arrived and the company dispersed, he set off " merrily " homeward in blissful innocence of the fact that gee-gee was neighing him a happy New Year from the station yard. Humming a seasonable tune he arrived home to find his wife already in the cow yard. It was a rude awakening he received, and steps were hurriedly Yetraced back to the scene of his night's celebrations. The station staff had made gee-gee comfortable for the night. No one was about (apparentlv). A quick adjustment between horse, cart and harness was made, gee gee was reminded that the hour was late and our hero disappeared (quite sober) over the brow of the hill just as the first express from Wellington hove in sight, No mentioned-

s&yA general meeting of members of ifee Franklin Racing, Club will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall on

jgonday evening. 12th January. ' Poultry, fruit, Vegetables, and 20 weaners aW-among the stuff to be disposed of at the Pukekohe Auction Mart on Friday.

Harvesting operations in Pukekohe and district are almost completed, but there are still a number of crops to be put in. Yesterday's rain retarded eperations somewhat, but the disappointment was more than counterbalanced by the rejoicing over ths rain. "Hearts of the World," a picture that has been kmg looked forward to by Pukekohe patrons, is now booked for screening at the Premier Hall on Tuesday January 27 th. This picture should have been here much earlier but unfortunately on the date alloted to Pukekohe the hall was engaged for a flower show Mr Coady sticks to the good old motto ''better late than never," so we are not going to miss this good production. In common with other businesses the picture show, judging by attendance done a thriving business during the holidays. Taking the programme screened as a whole for the season they were excellent. One exception being the picture »in which Charlie Chaplin played "Carmen." This was a long way below the Chaplin standard, and was certainly a weak programme for grown-ups t to watch, but it afforded a lot of fun for the kiddies who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. "Desert Gold," the Sentimental Bloke" and "Ashes of Hope" were particularly good and were much enjoyed by the large auditnces..