COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[from ouh ow.v CORRESPONDENTS.] ' " i PUKEKOHE. f THE LOCAL BAND. , A\t arrangement lias been arrived at l whereby the Borough Council is to become f trustee for the instruments of the Puke- J kohe Town Band in lieu of the former ( trustees, who have resigned. Under the t new arrangement the council is to give a £25 subsidy to the band this year, and 1 the latter "are to provide a number of - public entertainments. j On behalf of Sister Esther's mission in s Auckland a list was recently opened in c rukekohe bv Miss Townson. Gifts, in- „ chiding money and kind, are being freely srbsenbed by the residents of this and surrounding districts, Mr. H. D. Bedford, ex-M.P. for Dunedin visited Pukekoho and Tuakau this \,i-ek. and delivered lectures in both towns in the interests of the no-license campaign. That the tightness in "business expert- < enced genet ally sn.ee the commencement ' ot the war is* iv t affecting tho building ' trade of l'ukek he is evidenced by the ' fact that, some ten building permits have * been issued by the Pukokoho Borough ' Council in connection with new buildings e at present in course of erection, or just completed, within the borough. Of this ' number, no less than eight of the permits ' were for business premises in King Street, c the main thoroughfare of the town, and . the buildings include some substantial o structures, which are being built in ferro- a concrete. The remaining two permits were for residences. Building in the t borough has been brisk for some time o oast, and lor the half-year ending Septem- 1 her '30, 35 permits, covering shops and v dwellings, were issued by the council. In addition to the volume of building n within the borough, there has also been o considerable activity in the trade for some time past in other parts of Pukekohe, as well as a number of the adjacent districts, and very heavy consignments of timber, bricks. and other building material and requisites have been coming to hand at the Pukekohe railway station almost daily for a considerable time. c The vital' statistics of Pukekohe for trie .. quarter ending September 30, were: Mar ' riages, 4; births, 49; deaths, 10. For the "j corresponding period of last year the figures were: Marriages, 14; births, 40; » deaths, 10. B At the last annual meeting of the Pukekohe District Farmers' Veterinary Club, a £ resolution was carried recommending the committee to make the combined districts , more intact and workable by severing ' from several of the more distent out- k skirts. A special meeting of the executive committee has been held to consider J the matter, and it has been decided to give . effect to the resolution, the president, J Mr. Jno. Schlaepfer, and Messrs. ' C. F. Sbipherd and F. E. Simpson being appointed a sub-committee to , define the new boundaries, and report to a general meeting later. j i , HELENSVILLE. 1 < KAIPABA DAIRY COMPANY. • The monthly meeting of the Kaipara , Co-operative Dairy Company was held in j the company's registered office last week. Mr. C. Thomson, chairman of directors, occupied the chair. Messrs. Andrews, G. Ogle. J. C- Rinimer, Grant, G. Glover, . wid James Ross, directors, were also present. A resolution was passed approv- ' ing of the action of Messrs. Rimmer and White in procuring a suitable freezer and lighting plant. Part of this work is being put in hand immediately. The committee also, reported that arrangements had been made for the erection, of the new box-room. The financial statement was, read and all accounts were < passed for payment. The butter-fat supplied for September was 54,0001b, winch shows an increase over the previous September of 15,6691b. The total make of butter was 42 tons 201b, as against 27 tons 16cwt 321b for the previous corresponding period. A very successful fancy dress carnival in aid of the Patriotic Fund was held in ■ the Star Theatre. The floor was thronged with skaters in their various bright costumes. The prizes were awarded uy vote to the two Misses Mitchell for the most original dress—namely. " Old _ England " • and "An highwayman." Music was provided by the local band. The entertainment should result in a substantial addition to the fund. The Awaroa Bowling Club opened its new green on Saturday. The 'township and pavilion were gaily decorated with bunting. There was a" large muster 0 visiting bowlers and their friends. All wero very well impressed with the newgreen and" considered that in time it would be the best green north of Auckland. Mr. D. Stewart made a short speech, in which lie said that no pains bad been spared to make tho green one of' the best. He hoped that it would be one of the meetingplaces of Helensville, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see the whole of the non-members join the club. They had met with many difficulties in forming the green. These had been overcome, however. He concluded by wishing the Awaroa Rowling Club every success. Mr. Thin ton Field, chairman of '.he Town Board, welcomed the visitors to Helensville, and said that not many townships were favoured with a president such as they had. Not only had he provided them with a pavilion,* completely fitted, but he had also expended months of labour in forming the green. The hearty thanks of the club were due to Mr. Stewart for what he had done. Tho opening of the green marked an epoch in the history of the township, as their members were drawn from all parts of the district. Mrs. D. Stewart, wife of the president, then rolled the first jack and declared the green opened. A strong committee of ladies tinder Mrs. D. Stewart provided refreshments, which were handed round during the afternoon. Ten rinks were then formed. A few heads had been played when, unfortunately, a heavy shower stopped the proceedings. OTOROHANGA. CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. A meeting of the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce was presided over by Mr. H. Benncr. The secretary, Mr. A. Cook, stated that in connection with the invitation of the- Thousand Club to a conference <m the matters of the Kawhia-Main Trunk railway scheme and the. proposed visit of inspection to the Hikurangi coalfields, the chamber was represented by six members. while there was none from the club. The resignation of Mr. Frank Forster as a member was accepted with regret. The request for the erection of a verandah at the local railway station was stated by the traffic manager to be under consideration .Members, complained that this had been the position for the past 18 months. That the nielli mail should close at 6 p.m. and the telephone service be extended to 10 p.m. will be the subject of further recommendations to the postal authorities Messrs. R. Green. J. Ormsby, W, Worthington. and F. Phillips wore appointed a committee to prosecute the proposal to toim a new county, receiving tentative instructions to define boundaries and plan of administration. The project to export rabbits for the poor in England had resulted in many inquiries from different, bodies:, and the secretary was authorised to take necessary steps for the furtherance of the scheme. The coin afternoon tea promoted by Mrs. F. Whyte was well attended, and resulted in over £5 king added to the Presbyterian Church organ fund. Mesdamcs. Quin, R. Harsant, Whyte, and Misses Johnsou, K. Thomas and G. Kidson entertained the guests with vocal items, while Mrs. A. Armstrong and Miss J. Claridgi proved tho winners of two interesting competitions. Mr. H. A. Cook has almost completed hicontract of erecting tho Frcubytoriav Church Hall, plans for which were sup plied free by Mr. F. Mountjoy, architect It is intended to celebrate the opening o tho building on November 2 by the holdinf of a service of song, which will be ren dered by the choir, assisted by outsid talent. The Red Cress concert promoted by Mis L. Handyside was moderately attended,

fair amount being cleared for the funds. Misses Queenie, Violet, and May Clark, K. Elliott. C. and D. Hall, Doris and Fred Heerdegen contributed musical items while songs in four languages by Miss Handyside were greatly appreciated. A dance* which followed was most enjoyable. A meeting of ladies was recently called as a result of the expression of dissatisfaction of the money recently received as the proceeds of a patriotic entertainment being placed in the bank instead of being forwarded to a central fund. The meeting would not agree to a proposal for the transference of the money to the Belgian relief fund, and ultimately it was resolved to leave it in the bank for six months. A branch of the Liberal League was lately formed at Otewa by the organiser, Mr. G. Aldridge. The following officers wero elected .-"President, Mr. J. Leathern; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. Cooper and F. McPhee; committee, Messrs. Smith, L. Larson. A. Kennedy, Cooper, and Ryan; secretary. Mr. A. Cruick&hank, CAMBRIDGE. DAIRY RETURNS. For the month of September tho Camoridgo Co-operative- Dairy Company produced 116,0961b of butter-fat, the payments for which at lid per lb amounted to £5295. The figures for the corresponding month last year were 119,03-1 lb and £5456 respectively. The absence of ram for weeks past "has had an appreciable effect on the milk yield. The Roto-o-rangi district has responded well in the matter of men for the expeditionary force, the latest to join the colours being Messrs. E. Neber and S. Milne. The settlers turned out in force' on Saturday evening, and farewelled them at a social. A Bible-class rally in connection with j the Presbyterian Church commences hero on Wednesday evening. Combined classes from Hamilton, Hautapu, and Roto-o-vangi will assist. The Brunt wood cheese factory is turning out well over three-quarters of a ton of cheese per day.' DARGAVILLE. HOBSON COUNTY PROGRESS. At tho recent meeting of the Hobson County Council., held at Dargaville, tho chairman, Mr. V. Trounson, gave some interesting information regarding the progress of the Northern Wairoa district. During the past year £12,390 was expended on roads and bridges, and £1855 on wharf improvements. Recent extensions to the Dargaville, Wharf cost £1300, and the berthage and shipping facilities of the borough are now excellent. The county income for general rates is over £7000, and tho ordinary bank overdraft slightly exceeds £3000. Within the past 12 months several important road formations have, been undertaken. The Kaihu-Dargavilfß highway has been completed for vehicular traffic as far as Rotu, and the county engineer expects that before the end of this 'summer the complete route will bo formed. The Tangowahine Valley Road has been sufficiently improved to admit of wheel traffic from Karaka and Mangakfthisi and the shipment of wool clips from those places at the Tangowahine landing. A deviation of the Dargaville-Tanpowahine Road has been secured through Wharau, and a new line of important thoroughfare has been laid through the Waimata Block. The completion of the Mititai-Tokatoka Road has been made, its extension nowresting with the Otamatca Council. The continuous progress of county works has resulted in two new ridings 1 being created and numerous contracts, I anticipated to cost £11.000. are to be J undertaken.