DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 522, 13 April 1920, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

MAUKU.

FAREWELL TO MR. A. W. BELL. V V The residents of the district gath-

ered together! on Saturday last, on the Mauku tennis courts, to bid tarerf) well to Mr. and Mrs Bell and family, who have left the district to reside at Aka Aka. The high respect in which Mr. Bell was held was evidenced by the representative gathering present, Mr. Bell having taken an active part in everything that strived for the advancement of the distinct, having been a member and treasu cr of the above school committee, member of the Mauku branch of the Farmers' Union, member and treasurer of the tennis club at the time of his deBarture from the district. Mr. and Irs Bell weie also ardent church workers being among the leading members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. A. Franklin, chairman of the school committee, referred to Mr Bell's good service to the district, and on behalf of the residents presented Mr Bell with a gold watch suitably inscribed. Mr. Davies, president of the Tennis Club, spoke of Mr. great help as a member, and by wishing him future prosperity. The speaker presented Mr. Bell and family with a present on behalf of Mrp Perry. The Rev. Bailey, behalf of the church, presented Mr and Mrs Bell with a biscuit barrel and case of spoons, deferring to their great assistance to the church, Mr Bell having been superintendent of the Sunday School for a number of years. Mr. Jas Graham also spoke of Mr and Mrs Bell's assistance to the church. Mr. Bell, in a few able remarks, thanked the donors for their presents and words of appiteciation extended to Mrs Bell and himself. The gathering then sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," followed by cheers for Mr and Mrs Bell.

Afternoon tea was then partaken of, after which tennis Was enjoyed fbr the rest of the afternoon.

PUKEKOHE EAST.

On Saturday evening, April 3, a number bf friends and neighbours gathered, by invitation, at the nsidence of Mr. and Mils. Tyrell t> a small dance given in Honour of Miss Tyrell, who was home on holiday with a party of friends. The large kitchen was cleared, and dancing was indulged in by all present, the music being supplied by Mr. Tyipll, a few extras being played by Miss Tyrell. During the evening songs were pleasingly rendered by Misses Trotter and Davies, of Auckland, and Miss L. Clune. Mfl. E. Campbell, of Auckland, gave a very fine recitation. A very dainty sit-down supper was provided, and ample justice was done to all the good things. Just before midnight the singing of the National Anthem and cheers for Mr. and Mrs Tyrell brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

Tennic Afternoon

On Easter Monday a very enjoyabLe aftennoon was spent by a number of young people at a tennis party given by Mr. and Mrs T. Hamilton. Various outdoor games, as well as tennis, were played all the afternoon, everyone seeming to have a right good time. Afternoon tea was Berved in the open air by Mrs. T. Hamilton, and was duly appreciated. All too soon a pleasant afternoon was brought to a close, the thanks of all present being due to the host and hostess. DRURY.

The Drury Band of Hope held their 33rd anniversary and their annual ■oriee in the Drury Hall on Wednesday, March 31. Thene was a fair attendance to do justice to the good things provided. An energetic committee of ladies served the ample supper, the children being first attended to so as to allow them to amuse themselves with games until the older people were supplied, and the hall prepared for the entertainment. After the tea a good conceit programme was put through, songs being rendered by Mr. W. J. Dixon and Mrs Geoflge; recitations by Miss Kelly, Miss R. Robinson and Miss 0. Beer; pianoforte solos by Master ] Strong and Miss E. Ballard. Some ar t songs and anthems by members of the Band of Hope, and a dialogue by the children weifc also rendered. Nearly all the items were heartily encored. The good recitations by Miss Kelly, both dramatic and comic, were given with equal ability. The fine singing by Mrs Geoi|ge was specially enjoyed. The concert was Drought to a successful conclusion by an amusing dialogue entitled "The Haunted Room," given by the older members of the company.

HUNUA. MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

UNIMPROVED VALUES. A meeting of Hunua ratepayers! was held in the Hunua Hall on Saturday, Mr. T. .1 James presiding. The meeting was called by Cr. T. J. Lock wood primarily to discuss a proposal to form a rabbit board, but several other matters were dealt with also. t . Milne moved: That in the opjni <n of the meeting the Franklin County Council should change from the capital to the unimproved values " The unimproved value was in f ()r ce before Hunua came into the comity, and it would get at the abthe owner who let his pjopijfty go wild. It would get at the vflnd rhaA. . \Mr. Kdwards supported the mo-1 1 Lock wood said that he had alwav>fceou a champion of unimproved vid iea but he was not a singlefixer. He believed, however, that there was not hope of the county carrying such a proposal, and he thought the better plan would be to petition the Government to allow individual ridings to choose their own fo#m of rating. The motion was carried unanimously.

Proposed Railway,

Mr. Mclntee urged that a petition should be drawn up, asking for a trial survey with a view to securing the Paeroa railway coming through Hunua. A petition should be got v.p accordingly, asking that a railway should come through from Manurewa to Maungatawhiri.— Carried. Mr. Heald, as secretary of the Railway / League, said the Minister for Railways had promised a trial survey.

Cr. Lockwood said the trouble was that the surveyors were not available for the work. The only thing to do was to keep the matter prominently before the authorities.

Side Roads,

Cr Lockwood, referring to the side roads said that nothing like enough money was granted by the Government for side roads. He thought that petitions should be put in to the Government by the setlers. This policy would greatly srengthen the council's representations for grants. —Agreed to. Progressive League,

Mr. Milne proposed that the Railway League and the Ratepayers' Association amalgamate into a- body to be called "The Hunua-Moumoukai Progressive League." The chairman opined that if the residents met frequently enough and weir active enough much more progress would be made.

ONEWHERO. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH. St. Stephen's Church held its annual vestry meeting on Saturday last, when the accounts for the year were read, and showed that after meeting all their liabilities for the twelve months they carried forward »;34. Mrf. B. Cole Baker and Mr. Chas. Walten were elected wardens for the ensuing year.