DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 569, 24 September 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PATUMAHOE. MEDICAL SERVICES. Our correspondent, Patumahoe, writes: The Mauku district, comprising Mauku, Patumahoe and Waiau, has always been noted as a healthy locality, the '"flu" during the epidemic practically passed it by; perhaps its immunity was due to the absence of residential medicos. Be this as it may, the district is to be no longer without the services of the gentleman who sets bones and prescribes pills. Dr. Howden, of Waiuku, has opened a consulting room on the first floor of Henry's Building at Patumahoe, where either himself or his partner will be in attendance on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 1. This should prove a great convenience for people requiring reliable professional services, as Dr. Howden, besides having a long and varied experience as an ordinary practitioner, brings to his work the knowledge gained during three strenuous years at the front. ELECTRICITY SCHEME. The electric lighting and power supply from the Patumahge and Mauku falls is slowly advajaWng along the line that will shortly lead to fruition, Baigent, jun., a practical electrical engineer, has completed a»report, which will be accompanied by an offer to those interested to fit up plants and' supply electricity both for lighting and power at. half the usual costs in districts such as this. As well as providing light and power, with proper apparatus, the current can be used for cooking, and at the cheap rate it can be supplied it will be more economical Jhan wood or coal.

; LAND SALES. The whole district is looking exceptionally well since the late rains, and it is no wonder the land from Patumahoe to the harbour is attracting land seekers. Several farms in this locality have changed hands lately, Mr. J. Henry's Riverside farm at top of Mauku River as a going concern for near up to £IO,OOO cash, Handley's for £44 per acre, Gifford's for £33, and Glasgow's for £34, all as going concerns. Men wanting dairying or agricultural land cannot get equal values in any other part of the country. Nice undulating, well-watered farms, with metal roads, at from £3O to £4O per acre, with good buildings, only want knowing further afield to quickly become the property of new occupiers. WAIAU PA. VALEDICTORY. On the evening of the 14th the farmers of the district gave a smoke concert as a farewell to Mr. Gilford, who recently sold his farm. The occasion was also marked by the presentation of a tobacco pouch, a small token of esteem and appreciation from his fellow farmers. The evenin!" passed very pleasantly with songs, recitations, etc., the presentation being made by Mr. Suter, who in a few well-chosen words expressed th< goodfellowship and hearty wishes of those present. On Thursday evening, the 16th, \> farewetf dance was held in the kali for Mr. and Mrs. Gilford and fain ily. There was an unusually large at tendance of friends and well-wishers

Mr. and Mrs. GiH'ord lliave residei. in the district for several years, dur ing which lime they have taken ai active interest in its progress. Mr. Gifford has been an ardent worker ol the Fanners' Union, always doing hit utmost for any progressive move ment, while Mrs. Gifford has taker her share, having been on the library committee and a member of the Church Guild. Mr. L. Gifford hai been a keen member of the hockej club, being on the social committee of the same. It is therefore with "regret on the part of the resident.' that they leave a district which will be the loser by their departure. - SUGAR BEET CULTURE.

Following on the recent lecture given by Mr. McLarin on the oulturt of sugar beet, a further meeting was held on the 18th, which was fairlj well attended by the fanners of tht district. Practically all are at least interested in the movement, but tht industry beins; in its initial stages as far as New Zealand is concerned, anj progress along this line must of ne cessity be very slow. It is felt that the co-operation of adjoining dis tricts would be of help in forwarding the scheme, and for this reasoi it was decided to write to these dis tricts, and if possible arrange fo. lectures in each by Mr. McLarin. Several farmers are experimenting this season, Mr. McLarin having kind ly arranged for the distribution oi seed. This will enable them to forrr. some opinion as to the practical capabilities of the soil, and the culturt of the beet as a commercial product. MANUREWA. AMATEUR SPORTS CLUB.

Following on the provision madt by the late Town Board in securing a most suitable area of land for i recreation reserve, as well as a park comprising about seven acres of na tive bush, a public meeting was held for the purpose of taking action ir

regard to sports generally. The meeting was held in the picture theatri on Monday evening, and was largelj attended by enthusiastic young ladies and men. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the chairman of the board, Mr. Max 1). Kin:; was voted to the chair. He incidentally statec that be was a member of the first Taranaki football team which met ar, Auckland representative team in New Plymouth about 45 years ago. Mr. McSherry, the convener, statec that a new era had opened in tht progressive life of Manurewa, anc that the time for energetic actioi had arrived. He moved that a Manurewa Amateur Sparts' Club be form ed. This was carried with enthusi asm. It was resolved that subserip tionslSe 10s for men, 5s for lads up to 16 years, and all ladies non-sub-scribing members. The following officers were elected: Patron, The Right Hon. W. F. Mas sey, P.C., member for the district; president, T. J. Corin, esq., J.P.; vicepresidents, Messrs Moroney, I). L Nathan, G. Coxhead, C. Coxhead, J. J)readon, VV. J. Friedlander, Little wood, P. A, Nield, H. P. Burton, H. Wood, G. A. Osborne, F. Wood, ana all members of the Manurewa Towr. Board. The foll»wini> gentlemen were elected as members aof committee:—

Messrs. McSherry, Kimber, Lupton, Pegler, Craif, McGuire, Whitburn, Rubick and Gregory. It might be mentioned that the Town Hoard is in full sympathy with our young people's effort to arrange for dean sport, and athletics generally. Mr. E. Pegler brought forward the subject at the afternoon meeting of the board with a view to something being done at once. RECOGNITION OF SERVICES. At the last meeting of the old Town Board mention was made of the fact that there is no provision in the Municipal Act that allows a Town Board to pay out to the chairman or members their actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of their civic duties, and whilst the Government were increasing a Town Board's responsibilities ; bv constituting a local body practio - 1

ally a Board of Trade and a Bofl of' Health with these powers ad« to the function of local ftorernmenM Mr. E. S. Pegler, who Drought_H matter forward, thought itwas exS dient to write to the Premier &■ ing him to make provlsilm in fl endments to the Municipal ActH payment to be made to the chairnM of Town Boards for at least pocket expense.-. f *" w *"' The work of the ToH Board has been particatewj? ne fl during the last 12 months. AiH mendous amount of preliminary «■ has had to be shouldered by V chairman in the separation Of ■ board from the Manukatt Coufl Council and the adjustment of ■ counts. The Russell Road overhM bridge, the new G.P.0., the. tlOj loan, the war memorial funds, eH added to these civic duties. f I Mr. Lupton, as chairman of ■ school committee, has been a toM of strength to his committee J pressing-for a new infant school, fl since all these projects are pracM illy assured several of the chairnuH co-workers have decided, to initiH i scheme to acknowledge tßese sH tessful efforts. Right this district ratepayers, citizens ■ .the children of Manurewa must M :ognise the resultant benefits of tnH progressive efforts on their behH and they are now asked to lefww 1 subscription for a presentation I Hawthorn and Munro's, Burt* store, Norris and Sangster's (bakefl or Mr. Peeler's office, or with ■ member or officer of the board. ■