Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 240, 30 December 1927, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

PUKEKOHE FIRE DWELLING DESTROYED Fire destroyed a six-roomed dwelling in Seddon Street, Pukekohe, on Thursday morning. The premises were occupied by Mr. and Mrs. B. Thorburn and owned by Mrs. Pilgrim, Khyber Pass, Auckland. The outbreak occurred in the vicinity of the kitchen stove, which had been used to make early morning tea. The fire brigade was summoned, but was unable to fight the fire owing to the dwelling being too far beyond the water mains. However, some of Mr. Thorbum'? furniture and effects were saved. The dwelling was a fairly old one. Mr. Thorburn had a policy for £l5O in the Royal Exchange Office on his furniture and effects. SUMMER SCHOOL CAMP AT HAMILTON There are about 25 adult students attending the summer school at Hamilton. Lectures have been given as follows: —“Rise and Nature of Democracy,’’ Mr. Doric Algie; “Economic Problems of the Day,’* Professor H. Belshaw; “Dante—His Life and Times,” the Rev. W. Jellie; “The Challenge of Fascism,” Mr. N. M. Richmond; “Greece and Rome—their Influence on the Present Day,” the Rev. W. G. Monckton; “Democracy and Foreign Affairs,” the Rev. W. G. Monckton: “Employee Partnership,” the Rev. F. Harty and Mr. H. Valder. Debates, group-study and excursions have also occupied the attention of the students.

DIAMOND WEDDING BIRKENHEAD CELEBRATION Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson, two of the oldest inhabitants of Birkenhead. are celebrating their diamond wedding to-day. Mr. Thompson is $4 years and Mrs. Thompson S 3 years of age. They arrived in Auckland in the sailing ship Countess of Kintore in 1371 and have resided in Birkenhead ever since, 56 years. A family reunion W'ill take place at their residence near the wharf this afternoon. Ten of the 11 children are still alive. HAURAKI PLAINS TENNIS ASSOCIATION MEETING At a meeting: of the Hauraki Plains Tennis Association at Ngatea last week, Mr. E. A. Mahoney presiding, it was decided that the semi-final of the Howell Williams Memorial Shield competition between the Kerepeehi and the Patetonga Clubs be played at Kerepeehi on January 14, and the final match against Turua at Turua on the following Saturday. The matter of giving the Hikutaia Club a chance to play for the shield was left to the discretion of the -winners of the competition in view of the lateness of the receipt of the Hikutaia challenge. The association’s championship and handicap tournaments will commence on February 11 and the programme

will be as in previous years with the exception of the substitution of combined doubles in place of women’s doubles. A consolation tournament will also bo played by those players defeated in the first and second rounds of the handicap singles provided the number of entries in those tournaments exceed 30 men and 20 women. Notice of motion was given to amend the rules to provide for the appointment of an executive committee to deal with urgent non-contentious matters. The president, Mr. A. H. McLean, and the secretary Mr. A. R. Vowles, were empowered to arrange a match at Auckland in return for the recent visit and to establish the status of the Hauraki Plains players. It was agreed to appoint a delegate to the Auckland Tennis Association. The travelling expenses of representative players will not, in future, be paid by the association. HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES TE KUITI BUSY In the opinion of a service-car driver, who has been five years on the Te Kuiti-New Plymouth route, there were fewer private-owned motor-cars on this road during the Christmas holidays as compared with the two previous years. He expressed the view that this was due to the fact of an increasing number of new motoring roads having been opened for traffic during that period, thus relieving the congestion on the main highway. A total of ten cars out of commission through breakdowns and collisions were counted between Te Kuiti and Mokau on one day. Fortunately, no injuries to motorists have been reported. The postal authorities have had a | very strenuous time before and during the holiday period. The mail traf-

fic showed an increase over last year. The telegraphic business did not show a large increase owing to the fact that Waitomo and Kopaki messages, which were formerly sent through the Te Kuiti office, are now sent direct. The number of messages sent on Christmas Eve from Te Kuiti office was as follows: 1927. 1926. Forwarded telegrams 374 271 Received telegrams . . 329 318 Transmitted telegrams 360 450 During the week preceding Christmas 379 bags of mail matter were despatched and 427 bags received and distributed. The official railway returns have not yet been completed, but in the opinion of the stationmaster, Mr. Blackmore, the bookings from Te Kuiti will equal those of last year, while the through passenger traffic will show a decided increase. METHODIST CONCERT An enjoyable Christmas concert of sacred music was held in the Te Kuiti Methodist Church on Sunday evening, as a result of which the Orphanage Fund benefited to the extent of £ 6 ss. The following items were well rendered: “Why do the Nations” (“Messiah”), Mr. A. Blackman; “Rejoice Greatly” (“Messiah”), Mrs. H. Dobson; “O, Divine Redeemer,” Mrs. Owens; "The Holy City,” Mrs. Stansfield; “Nazareth,” Mr. A. Stubbings; “Star of Bethlehem,” Mr. J. Bates; cornet solo, “The Rosary,” Mr. P. O’Rorke; saxophone and violin duet, Messrs. O’Rorke and Prentice; violin solo, Mr. Prentice. The choir rendered the following: “And the Glory” (“Messiah”): “Gloria” (Mozart); “The Sun Shall be no More”: “Hallelujah Chorus” (“Messiah”). Mrs. G. Elliott and Master Frank Blackman acted as accompanists. DEATH AT THAMES SUICIDE WHILE DEPRESSED An inquest was held at Thames yesterday afternoon concerning the death of Mrs. Fanny Elizabeth Coldicutt, aged 43 years, whose body was found in the harbour. Evidence went to show that deceased had suffered from ill-health lately and was much depressed. On the day of her death, however, her condition was not abnormal. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide while mentally ffefpressdd. SAD HOLIDAY HUNTLY MAN’S DEATH Mr. James Ruston, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ruston, of Huntly South, died at the Huntly Hospital this morning from pneumonia. Deceased was employed in the chief accountant’s office as a clerk in the Railway Department at Wellington, and was spending his holidays with his parents when seized with illness. He rapidly sank, passing away at the early age of 24 years.