LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

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

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The loan proposal for a memorial town hall at Tuakau is officially announced in to-day's "Times." The promoters d<i not expect to be able to build while the present shortage of building materials exist, the object of taking the poll on the date mentioned being to save trouble and expense by having the poll on the same day as that for the town board elections. '

A social and dance will be held in the Puni Hall on Monday evening next.

On Wednesday morning a painful accident befell Mr. David Kay, a member of Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Son's staff, at Te Kauwhata. When driving in a gig with a companion from Rangiriri, the blinkers came off the horse, which bolted. The other occupant of the gig jumped out. The vehicle shortly afterwards collided with the loading bank at the Te Kauwhata station, with the result that Mr. Kay was thrown out heavily and sustained injuries to his head and -back. He was taken to his home,, Massey Road, Otahuhu, where he was attended by a doctor who ordered his removal to the Auckland Hospital. He was admitted on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Kay is a married man, 56 years of age. The mention of Bialostock in connexion with the debacle in Poland gives the "Times" to reflect on the irony of fate. Bialostock is the birthplace of the late Dr. ZamenhOff, the creator of Esperanto. The gifted Pole fondly hoped that the acquisition of a universal secondary language would draw all mankind into better relationships by assisting intercourse and helping to clear away misunderstandings between peoples of different nationalities. Esperanto is certainly a wonderfully simple, flex T ible, and practicable language, and has made great progress during the past decade, but—human nature remains unaltered.

It is with deep regret that we have to chronicle the death of two well-known residents of the district in the persons of Mrs. Harriet Higginson, of Pukekohe, and Mrs. Clara Brown, of Waiuku. From meagre information we learn that Mrs. Higginson contracted an attack of influenza, and her sister, Mrs. "iClara Brown, of Waiuku, was summoned to nurse her. Mrs. Brown also contracted the malady, and her condition became so critical that she was removed to the Auckland Hospital. Mrs. Higginson, we understand, was making good progress towards recovery. Both succumbed yesterday within a few hours of each other. We also learn that Mr; [R. Higginson, who represented Jthe Waiuku riding on the Franklin County Council, is also indisposed arid* his condition is causing his friends some anxiety. The late Mrs. Higginson, the wife of Mr. R. Higginson, was 50 years of age, and Mrs. Brown, wife of Mr. J. D. Brown of Waiuku, was 42 years of age. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock.