DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 598, 11 January 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PAPAKURA. At last night’s meeting of the Papakura Town Board, before the ordinary business commenced, the chairman (Mr S. Evans) welcomed the newly-elected member (Mr .las. Beams) to the Board. 110 stated there was ample work to do, and lie trusted that during their term of office they would work amicably together. Messrs McLennan and Campbell endorsed the chairman’s remarks. In reply, Mr Beams said he would do all in his power, in conjunction with other members of the Board, to further the interests of the district.

MAWUREWA. The Manurewa Town Board has lixed the dog registration fee at 2s 6d for cattle and, rabbit dogs, and five 'hillings for any other dog. The fee is now due and payable to Mr V/. Amiss, who has been appointed egistrar. Loan for Workers’ Homes. It is the intention of the Manuewa Town Board to raise a loan of £2OOO for the purpose of erecting wo workers’ homes in the Manurewa Town Dictrict. A poll of the ratepayers will be taken between 9 a.m. and G p.m. on 'nturday, February sth, 1921. Ratepayers are strongly advised, especially those who have recently purchased properties, to make sure their names are correctly entered on the oil, which closes fourteen days orior to the poll being taken. The oil will thus dose on Saturday, January 22nd.

BUCKLASMD. (Own Correspondent.) Hay crops are very heavy and 'abour for stacking scare. Farmers •■esort to giving one another a hand, and by this means the great bulk of the winter feed has been secured. Or-ts are being cut and crops promise L o pan out well. Owing to heavy ■ains in the early part of the season, however, some oats have been 'aid, making cutting tedious. Potatoes are*a splendid crop, and very 'ittlc blight apparent, but growers are loud in complaints of poor prices p or the tubers. Many growers say that at ruling rates they will barely dear expenses, and should prices fall, they will be the losers. At all avents, there are no motor cars to ho got out of “spuds” this season, not even a Ford !

A blacksmith is very much required here, and farmers grumble having to lose time in taking horses to be shod to cither Tuakau or Pukokohe, especially when work is urgent.

Complaints are also being made regarding non-delivery of the evening mail since the store was taken over by the Farmers’ Union Trading Company, and some effort is necessary to secure delivery of letters on arrival of the 6 o’clock train. Our local Union will surely take up the matter, and secure this privilege.

Additions to Buckiand Public School are being vigorously forwarded by the contractor, Mr C. Porter, and his staff. When completed, pupils will be under one roof, instead of having to utilise the Public Hall as in the past. The School Committee are bestirring themselves with the laudable ambition of improving the school grounds; tenders are being callccLjfpr ploughing the playgrounds*' with the idea of levelling same. Another acre or two of land would be of much use, and should bo secured while land is available. If grounds, having an added number of •50 or 60 very young children, who should bo allotted a play-field of their own, with necessary appliances for playipg, games suitable to their age. A start is being made to prepare the ground—adjoining the ‘railway station—where Buckland’s War Memorial is to be erected. I understand Messrs Parkinson and Co., of Auckland, have secured the contract for erecting a handsome Maltese Cross, in honour of our local men. Having inspected the design, I feel assured it will be an ornament to the district, and a reminder of our brave fellows who volunteered and whose stirring deeds we desire to honour. The land whereon the monument is to stand has long been an eyesore to the place, and it is to be hoped the committee will have it thoroughly overhauled, laid out and fenced, and that the settlers will instruct the children to protect the spot. I would suggest to the school teachers that on the date of commemorating great Empire events, the children should be gathered around the monument, its meaning explained to them in simple language, stand a few seconds in absolute silence, salute, and march on. Buckiand has for some considerable time been in a very somnolent condition. Evidences, however, are not wanting - that it is again awakening, and we hope it will show up well after its long rest.