DISTRICT NEWS.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 38, 3 April 1933, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

POKENO NOTES.

W.E.A. COMMENCES ACTIVITIES. The Pokeno branch of the W.E.A. commenced its 1933 season last week, when J. M. Barrie's amusing play, "The Admirable Crichton," was read. The class has chosen Part 4, "What is Western Civilisation," for study this winter and although the personnel of the group is somewhat altered, a successful session is anticipated. Mangatawhiri Group Formed.

A W.E.A. group has been formed at Mangatawhiri and the first meeting was held at the residence of Mr F. Escott on Thursday last. There was an attendance of 25, including a party of Pokeno members, and a play reading was taken. The Mangatawhiri group will also take part 4 this season. • The residents are enthusiastic and there is every indication that the newly formed group will be a thoroughly successful one. Mr S. H. Barton has been elected leader, and Mr F. Escott. secretary. Anzac Day Committee.

The Pokeno Anzac Day committee held its meeting recently to make arrangements for the coming Anzac service. Messrs R. Donald, J. Brown, R. Munro. R. Wilson, C. Halford and J. Woodcock were present and Mr Halford presided. ft was moved that the Rev. Hugh Salmon and Mr T. G. Shilton be asked to kindly arrange for the services, that Mrs Wilson be asked to preside at the piano, and that the Returned Soldiers" Association parade on that day. The committee expressed its appreciation of the ' generosity of Mr G. W. Elliott in donating a seat, which has been placed at the cenotaph. It was placed on record the committee's thanks to the children for bringing so many flowers and wreaths to the cenotaph. Mr Donald was asked to convey to the schoolchildren the committee's thanks. W.D.F.U. Branches.

Branches of the women's division, Farmers' Union, have been formed at Pokeno and at Mangatawhiri. The president of the Waitemafa Provincial Council and honorary organiser of the division. Mrs L. L. Allen: the provincial vice-president, Mrs M. G. Orr: the secretary of the Pukekawa branch. Mrs L. Wells: and members of the branch visited the districts.

Mrs. Allen gave an address on the aims and objects of the division, and explained the bush-nursTng and housekeeping auxiliary. She made reference to the work of the division, and the help the Auckland branch save the division. It had undertaken to visit, in hospital, the sick relatives of members associated with The council. Mrs Orr spoke as to the women's exchange, pointing out how mutual benefit could be derived through this channel. Mrs Wells made reference to the home science box lecture scheme. The Pokeno branch was formed with the following officers: President, Mrs Dean: vice-presidents. Mrs ffodwin and Miss Lalor: secretary. Miss Wright. Mrs Dean thanked the visitors for their addresses. They were subsequently entertained to lunch. Tn the afternoon, a visit was made to Mangatawhiri. Mrs Twining presiding over a large attendance. A branch was formed and the officers elected were as follow: President. Mrs K. McKenzie: vice-presidents, Mesdames Ten's and Motion; secretaryMrs Twininsr. Afternoon tea was dispensed.

ONEWHERO NEWS. RATEPAYERS MEET. Owing to there not being a quorum, the annual meeting of the Onewhero Ratepayers' Association called for Friday, was postponed. The chairman, Mr R. J. Glasgow, welcomed the riding- member, Mr S. H. Crawford, saying that, it was the first occasion on which he had met the asJ sooiation, an alteration having taken [place in the. riding representation since . Ihe lasf annual meeting. The association was a neutral body, which took no part in elections, but worked for the whole district. He was pleased i thai Ihe council had taken up the mat- \ ter of relief works, and while the \ conditions which made relief works I necessary were to he deplored, the ' district was obtaining great benefit. He contended that the provision of access | for settlers in outlying districts was J of more importance than many of the j works being undertaken by unemployj or! in cities and towns, j Mr Crawford stated that he had f done his bos! in regard to works in I the riding. He had received little or i no assistance in the way of providing

accommodation for relief workers but he had done all that was possible to be done under the circumstances. It was his aim to restrict, overhead expenses, \'ov which he received abuse in other districts. A camp at Wairamarama accommodating six men had been established on Friday. Ue would have unemployed on each road in the district if he could obtain the. accommodation for the men.

Mr P. Walter said the unemployed on his road were undertaking erood work.

■Replying to the chairman as to the distance it was proposed to metal Kauri road, Mr Crawford said It was a matter of whether there would be sntTinrmt metal. He hoped to be nhle to join the two existing lengths of metal. Even if they could get no

further than at present, good work was done for the short time the men were working. As to Klondyke road, men would be put on there when Kauri road was completed. At present, it was a matter of accommodation, €3O being required for this. He hoped to be able to place sandstone on the road this winter. The chairman stated he was pleased to learn that access had been provided for Mr Blackmore.