COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 239, 6 October 1916, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

HTXTIBAxTGX. TOWN BOARD MEETING. The first monthly meeting of the newlyelected Town Board tooS place on Tuesday evening. Mr McKinnon (clerk) occupied the chair, and called for-n'ominations for chairman. Mr Dnnn proposed that Mr T. It. Gager he re-elected This proposition was seconded by Mr Rust, and carried unanimously. The Northern Coal Company applied for a reduction of rates owing to the valuation of its property having been reduced. The clerk was instructed to reply that municipal law does not allow of any reduction of amount of rates after struck at the beginning of the year. An application from the Board's surfaceman for increase of wages was deferred for further consideration. Building permits were granted to Messn CJ.. B. Gager, E. Nelson, A. Mc-Kenzie, and E. J. Scott. It was decided: (1) To again open negotiations for the lighting of the town with electricity,- (2) to prepare a petition In favour of having the railway renovated and removed to the town side ot the railway station; <3) that the present lamps he renewed and positions of some changed; (4) that two supervisors be appointed, and one to retire each month. The following committees were elected:—'Works Committee, .Messrs Gager. Shore, and Swarm; Finance Committee, Messrs Rust, Dnnn, and Swarm; Parks and Reserves Committee, Messrs Gager, Rust, and Shore. The contractor for the main street improvement scheme has the work under way, "and already, a good deal of material has been. removed. With, the • advent- of pner -weather,-'- the •work will soon reach' a useful stage. The stohe-crnsher. has "heeh erected at the 'Board's quany, and will be ia ."working order in a few days. " • The Bank of Australasia intends again to open a branch here in the meantime only on Friday afternoons. We understand- there is every "probability. of ? this becoming a permanent arrangement: The output from the local - coal mines has greatly increased lately, and the mines are now working three shifts, full time. The fact that we are Into spring weather is fully borne out by the increased snpplv of cream to the local bueier factory. All cream cartins vehicles commenced running a thrice-weekly service tw outlying districts this month, and are returning fully loaded. .

TE ABOHA. Tbe Defence Department has decided to establish a sub-area office at Te Aroba, and has secured office accommodation in .the main street. Captain Derrom will be in charge. Matters relative to recruiting will now be considerably farthered here. The matter of whether the Waihou Hall Company will be voluntarily wound up is to be considered at a meeting of shareholders shortly.

Applications for the erection of workers" homes in Te Aroba are now being sent in It is stated that nearly 20 have already been received, and this goes to show that there is a genuine demand for homes here The block of land on widen it is proposed the houses. should be erected, is the pert;; of the Government, and situated dose to tne mam street at the northern' end of the town.

Mr. John Timmins, who a few days ago received advice from the Defence Department that bis sou William had died from wounds received in action, and that Charles and Edward had been wounded and sent to hospital, has since been informed that two more of his sons. Corporal Percy and Private Eugene, have been wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Timmins had sis sons at the front, and some months ago received a letter from His Majesty the King, through His Excellency the Governor, congratulating them on sending six representatives to light for the Empire.

At the usual monthly Red Cross tea oa Tuesday Mrs. G. H. Moore read a report on red cross work, and also gave a brief address. The hostesses were Mesdames Milliken, McGirr, and Kenny, and the collection taken in the room amounted to £S 9/. The funeral of the late Private E. J. Tlnblick,. who died at Featherston camp, was largely attended. The funeral service was read by the Rev. G. H. Morse.

A meeting of the executive of the Te Aroha branch,of the Women's Patriotic League, held on Tuesday, was presided over by the Mayoress, Mrs. T. Stanley. The secretary (Mr. R. S. Hanna) stated there was £35 16/ in hand for the~ Dominion gift scheme, and it was decided that £35 should be forwarded to Auckland. The Literature Committee reported it had collected and packed one case of books and magazines, which were ready to be sent away. ' The Entertainment Committee reported the August and September socials had realised £17, and the euchre party £4 3/. It was docided to defer holding other gatherings until after the next meeting. Particulars of Christmas gifts were received from Miss Speeding, secretary ot the Auckland Women's Patriotic League.