COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15562, 20 March 1914, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from otra own oobbsspondekts.! POKENO. EARLY SETTLER'S DEATH. The funeral of the late Mr. John Foote, of Maramarua, took place on Wednesday afternoon. There was a large attendance . of residents from Maramarua, Maungatawhiri, and Pokeno to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased, who was one of the first settlers at Maramarua. He passed away on Monday morning at his residence there after a few days' illness. While engaged last week in moving a chaff cutter he burst a blood-vessel, and hemorrhage eventually led to his death. Several properties have changed hands here in the last lew weeks- Mr. Jas. Brown has disposed of his general store and business to Messrs. A. Wallace and Co.; Mrs. M. Larsen has sold her boaidinghouse and 14 acres of land with it; Fraser Bros, have disposed of 15 acres of their farm; Frank Douglas has sold his block of 56 acres; Mrs. Frost has sold several sections in the township to different buyers at a good price; Mr. Jas. Graham, of Pokeno Valley, has disposed of his homestead and 102 acres; and Mr. R. Pendergrast, of Maungatawhiri, has disposed of his farm there for town property. A wedding took place in the church here last Wednesday week, the contracting parties being Mr. Malcolm Brown, . youngest son of Mr. Jas. Brown, and Miss . Ella Clark, the youngest daughter of Mr. IJ. J. Clark, of Pokeno Valley The , officiating minister was the Rev. C. E. > Porter. BTJCKLAND. VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. i The Public Hall was well filled on Monday evening, the occasion being a farewell social tendered by the residents to Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Braithwaite and family, who are leaving the district for Whangaparaoa. Mr. H. W. Driver presided, and during the evening he referred to Mr. Braithwaite's long connection with I the district, extending over.a period of . some 31 years, during which time he had ' rendered much assistance in various mat- . ters of a public nature locally. A suitable reply was made by Mr.. Braithwaite 7 for himself and on behalf, of his wife and family. A lengthy musical and elocutionary programme was gone through, and refreshments were provided. The hall was afterwards cleared for dancing, . the gathering breaking up in the early morning with the singing of " They Are j Jolly Good Fellows" and "Auld Lang Syne." The monthly - meeting of the School Committee was held on Saturday evening, the chairman (Mr. W. A. Braithwaite) - presiding. In reply to an ' application • made for a contribution towards the cost i of the bathing-shed recently erected in connection with the school, a letter was » received from the Board of Education , stating that the board was prepared to grant £6 for the purpose. The secretary reported that subscriptions had been freely given for the building by the residents, and, inclusive of the board's grant, j the total cost of the shed was over- - subscribed. It was agreed..to 'effect-* „ • various improvements to the school ' grounds before the annual meeting, which | will take place next month. Matters in * connection with the swimming classes were reported to be proceeding very satisfactorily. HOWICK. ..- - TWO PLEASING FUNCTIONS. ■ During the past few weeks the Catholic • Church Committee of Howick has organ- V ised two pleasing "little functions. On • '""' Sunday Bishop Gleary, paid a visit to the parishioners, on which occasion confirmation was administered to 28 candidates. Afterwards the Bishop and the '" • Rev.-Father Tormey were escorted to t_ the local,hall, where an excellent luncheon was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Bayrtes, of the Marine Hotel. The bishop was then shown over tie church grounds, and ; several suggestions for improvement were made by His Lordship. The' second function took place on "• Tuesday (St. Patrick's Day), when, ' despite the bad weather which prevailed in the forenoon, an enjoyable picnic was held at the.school. In the afternoon the . weather "was fine, and a good number of adults attended in time to witness the children's races. At night a promenade social was held, and dancing continued till an early hour on Wednesday morning. THAMES. MASONIC INSTALLATION. The annual installation ceremony of ... Lodge Sir Walter Scott took place last evening in the Masonic Hall, when BrO. . ■ W. Bongard was duly installed by the provincial grand master, into the highest position in the lodge. A large number , , of visitors from all parts of the district and Auckland attended, while the sister constitutions were very largely represented. The service of the installation was^ 5 impressively carried out by R.W. Bro. T. Allen, P.G.M., assisted by the Grand Lodge officers. A most sumptuous repast was enjoyed. The toast list was a long h" one, and was punctuated with some ex- ;<" cellent musical items. HAMILTON. A WELCOMING SOCIAL. A social was; ' held in St. Mary's parish hall last night to welcome Father . inn, who has been appointed to assist Dean Darby in the work of his extensive parish. An excellent musical programme ■ ■ was given. The annual report of th; president to the members of the Waika'to Agricultural and Pastoral Association states that over £600 has been stpent during the year in .' ~ conjunction with the South Auckland Rac-';; ing Club in several improvements. In • consequence of the strike and wet weather on show day the last show had not been a financial success, but there had been an increase in entry fees of £92, in subscriptions of £49 lfis. in donations of £4 10s, and in rents and grazing rights of £62. Since the last show the pound has been: , ploughed, and the committee intends to > have the show ring levelled and sown in ' ' k grass, and permanent under-draining put " , in. The profit and loss account showed a deficit in the year's revenue of £96 19a - - lid. TAUMARUNTJI. SUCCESSFUL PASTORALISTS. • There is a marked increase in the out- ' put of stock from this district this season- ' Besides large numbers disposed of by the recently-established local sales, 1100 fat | sheep were sent from Kokakonui and Temaire Valleys the other day, consigned j to the Gear Meat Company, at Welling- ' . ton. Taumarunui, owing to frequent representation of late that the district is not sufficiently policed, is to have a third constable. waihi. _* CATHOLIC CLUB SOCIAL. The members of the Waihi Men's Catholic Club held their initial social for the season on Wednesday night in their new hall in Johnston Street, About one ;. hundred couples took part in the dancing, _": .-; and the function proved very enjoyable. ' The music was supplied by Mrs. Taplin • -;/ (piano) and Mr. Turner (violin). Messrs. .-■:■ J. Porter and P. Muffins were the M.C.'s, and the secretary, Mr, J. J. Callaghar., did every thing possible t»> provide for th« •';';■• • comfort and pleasure oi these prasasj* - ■■:■_ : ; .'■"