DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 557, 13 August 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PAPAKURA. NEW BUSINESS. We have pleasuie S announcing the opening of an up-flpfote boot repairing shop in Papakura in the capable hands of Mr. E. Roseman, who was one of Aiessrs. G. A. Coles and Go's leading workmen for 15 years. Mr. Roseman, who is a first-class tradesman, guarantees the best of workmanship, moderate prices, and promptitude. Terms strictly cash. . ~ THE 'FLU. Influenza in a mild form seems to be very prevalent just now in Papakura, In some cases whole households are down with the malady. ELECTORS' LISTS.

A notice re electors' lists is advertised by the Papakura Town Board. RETURNED SOLDIERS' SOCIAL. BRILLIANT SUCCESS. With an attendance of about 400 people on Wednesday night at the picture hall the above function was easily one of the most successful affairs of its kind held in Papakura. Not only in the matter of numbers did the occasion shine, but every detail of the evening's enjoyment was thoroughly satisfactory. Both the gent's committee and ladies' committee of returned soldiers' wives and sisters have every reason to be pleased with the result of their efforts. Starting out with the idea.of giving their friends a "Buckshee" social and dance, the returned boys ended by giving what was really a first-class ball, with quite a superior concert programme by Auckland and local talent as a preliminary. Beautiful decorations met the eye, both stage and supper-room looking like Fairyland. Lovely music, provided by the Walker family, for dancing, and an abundant supply of the best of good things for the inner man quickly and tastefully fcrved, left nothing to be desired.

The ladies' dresses were, under the circumstances, impossible to describe or discriminate, but the wearers all looked charming. Presentation.

During the evening a presentation was made by Mr. Houghton to Mr. Tuely on behalf of the returned soldiers as a recognition of that gentleman's continuous and valuable services all through the times when the boys were going away to the front to help win the war. Mr. Tuely was evidently greatly surprised, and beyond acknowledging the gift and expressing appreciation, was quite "too full for words." The gift took the form of a handsome escritoire, and should prove a most useful present to a man likt Mr. Tuely, who is generally busy acting as secretary for the various forms of sport, etc., taking place in the township.

MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. The Musical Society intend holding a concert in the Methodist Church on August 25. The secretary, Mr. W. Crawford, has all the arrangements well in hand, and on the evening of the entertainment Papakura residents will be given something well out of the ordinary in the musical line. A NASTY ACCIDENT.

It appears that as Mr. W. Pollock was driving into the township in a gig the other day the horse shied and capsized the turnout. Mr. Pollock, who is over 70 years of age, wat rather seriously hurt, having one rib broken and severe cuts and bruises about the face and body. Mr. Pollock was taken to his home in another conveyance, and is now improving steadily. PERSONAL.

Mr. John Muir, who has been laid up with an attack of pneumonia, h now on the road to recovery. IHANUREWA. TOWN BOARD MEETING. A meeting of the Manurewa Town Board was held on Wednesday night, when the following members were present: Messrs. Lupton (chairman), K. J. Butler, G. Smith, T. W. Wood. K. S. Pegler, and the clerk (Mr. King) The balance, sheet was read and adopted. Building Permits. The following building permit; were granted: T. J. Cot-in, G. Gallagher, T. B. Sykes, K. S. Pegler. I). .). Nathan. Lup ton's Road It was decided, in the matter of Lupton's Koad deviation to endeavour to secure two small pieces of ground, and avoid dangerous corners on this road.

It was resolved that representation be made to the Government to make provision in the Town Boards' Act enabling the board to vote to the chairman and members the payment of out-of-pocket expenses, and to write to the Hon. W. F. Massey to have the 1:400 grant for the schools' hills to remain on the Estimates.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. PROPOSAL TO SELL PUBLIC HALI4. Whilst Tuakau is enthusiastic over a proposal to build a memorial hall, Manurewa has been stirred up by a proposal to sell for church purposes the People's Hall (the only portion of public property in the district). A majority of the Board's Commissioners, Messrs. Butterworth, Corin, Coxhead and Wood, had pressed the matter at several meetings, resulting in a public meeting being convened on Tuesday last by the chairman (Mr. C. H. Lupton).

There was a record attendance of about 80 ratepayers. Some capital short speeches were made by a number of the ratepayers, and when the vote was taken on Mr. T. J. Corin's motion to sell the hall, there was no doubt whatever of the result. Eleven votes were cast for the motion, and 60 against it.

In opening the discussion, and to put the matter on a proper basis, Mr T. C. Corin moved: "That this meeting of ratepayers requests the board to take a poll of the ratepayers on the proposal to sell the hall." The motion was seconded by Mr. E. J. Uutterworth. Mr. Corin said that whilst he was perhaps the most active member in securing the hall about two years ago he then had a scheme in mind to improve the building. This the hoard turned down, and since then private persons have erected an up-to-date picture theatre, and he said there was no necessity to retain the present building for the same purpose. The speaker said he would give a guarantee on behalf of the management that there would be no increase in the tariff.

Mr. C. H. Lupton outlined and traced the history of the hall. In 1910 all the meetings in the district had to be held in the public school. From the very inception of the proposal to build the hall the people of the district had rallied around him with

cash and labour, and to-day they had a building erected worth at least ÜBOO. The building bad been handed over to the board with the snail encumbrance of £650. Mr. T. Bell said he was sorry that personal interests were against the hall. He considered tha.t at the lowest computation it w.as worth ÜBJW, and a splendid district asset, Mr. G. Smith characterised the proposal us u retuaaifcfljg step ing all other |ti§j£«cts (much er than Manfigwa) that possfßed good halls. '

Mrs. Brown, sen., said the hall had fulfilled a giand purpose for patriotic work, and that they could not have accomplished it without such a building. She urged that the ratepayers retain the building. Mr. C. Lupton said that the hall was a. gift from the past generation ' to the present, and they had no right to sell a gift. The movers of this . proposal, continued Mr. Lupton, were retrograde and should get out and make room for younger and more optimistic commissioners. Mr. Leonard said that he was one of the promoters of the hall in the early days, and he urged the ratew payers to retain it and -go on improving the property. jf^tt Mr. T. Wood said it IV d take ).l(i,000 to improve the mM, and he thought they should sell it. Mr. E. S. Pegler characterised the/* proposal to sell as a waste of good time and energy. Legal opinions cost money nowadays, continued the speaker, and they had had several, and all agreed that it would require a special Act of Parliament to sell. If there was any chance of it going to the Government they would put it down as a little family trow the matter out. sorry that a majority olsiraN)7>ard should thus waste their energy and the board's time and ; the ratepayers' money, or the chances Vfogn Act of Parliament. The onrj? 1 reason put forward for selling w«* the terest on £Gr>o arfd the upkeep. The average home in Manurewa cost more than this amount; and here was a ri-

diculous objection raised to a necessary public- institution for every ratepayer. The sneaker dealt with the progress tffVPtef&toeto*, and tried to picture Manurewa with electric light, water, drainage, recreation grounds, fire brigade, and borough chambers. If they sold the hall they had not a toot of property to dump a bit of metal or £arni, i theii' necessary plant. The iflwWJl to sell showed a lack of urged' the ratepayers to go forward v< and make a district that nature had beautifully' endowed a place lit to live in. ' •%, The meeting was animated and must accomplish good. It has stirred up public interest, and that is a difficult problem nowadays. j£

PAPATOETOE. YOUNG MEN'S ' The young men's dance, to fee Jield on August 25, should prove tcfcbe a, huge success. The promoters have .se- j cured the services of Messrs. Wa|fc" er's orchestra, and given a fine even- . ing-a pleasant night's should be thg result: ■"-