COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16382, 9 November 1916, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FBOH oxns own fOBJUJSPONDinrra.]

CAMBRIDGE.

WOMEN *8 HOSPITAL FUND.

At the monthly meeting of the Women's War and General Hospital Fund, Mr. E. Veale was appointed hon. treasurer. it was decided to adopt a badge similar to that of the Auckland Patriotic League. A Red Cross Committee was set up, and it was decided to open a Red Cross shop each Saturday.

The closing social of St. Paul's Methodist Guild was held this week. Musical and elocutionary items were given by Mesdames Edmonds, Shepherd, Hildreth, Kemsley, Miss Campbell, and Messrs. Hildreth, « Boyce, Corpe, Kemsley, and the Rev. G. S. Cook. A presentation of a silver spirit lamp and kettle was mad© to Mrs. Vinall at a function at Leamington this week. The gift was from the members of the Methodist Church, to mark their appreciation of Mrs. Vinall's services as a worker in several departments of church work. A farewell social was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Gane, at Kaipaki, on Wednesday evening. Mr. D. Caley, on behalf of the settlers, presented Mrs. Gane with a gold bangle. Mr. Gane was the recipient of a gold watch. The contributions to the Waikato Hut Fund now total £1383 17s lid. There are still a number of donations to come in which makes it certain that the £1500 aimed at will be exceeded. The Auckland Board of Education has notified the local High School Committee that it proposes recommending the disestablishment of the secondary department of the High School here. The Town Hall was filled on Friday evening, when Mr. C. J. Parr, C.M.G., gave an address describing his experiences in England and France during his visit there as a member of the Parliamentary party. The Mayor, Mr. Mervyn Wells, presided. The address was on similar lines to those delivered by Mr. Parr in Auckland. Mr. Parr deplored the vote on the conscription question in Australia, but said he had no misgivings regarding New Zealand, which intended to see the war through at all costs. A hearty Tote of thanks was passed to Mr. Parr for his address. The proceeds, which should exceed £30, are to go to the Red Cross Fund.

A meeting of the High School Committee was held on Thursday evening, Mr. H. Bell presiding. The headmaster's report showed that the number of scholars on the roil had increased from 329 to 340; £10 worth of new books had been added to the school library. Vacancies on the teaching staff had been filled by the appointment of Miss Mohr and Mr. R. P. _ Hodge It was decided to make some improvements to the playground. The Auckland Education Board wrote, in terms of the senior inspector's recommendation, that owing to the small attendance of scholars in the secondary department it was proposed to recommend the disestablishment of the district high school at the end of the present year. The committee was asked to inform the board if it had any valid reason why effect should not be given to the proposal. It was decided to ask the board to defer consideration of the matter until next Ssßruary, by which time it is hoped the tendance will have increased sufficiently to warrant the retention of the secondary department. As additional accommodation is required, it was decided when making application to the board to ask that -a type of open-air shelter classroom should be erected.

The first meeting of the newly-elected members of the Upper Mangapfko Drainage Board was held on Friday afternoon at Roto-o-rangi. There were present Messrs. E. B. Cox, W. G. Park, H. C Bertlesen, N. and J. W. Peaks, Roy Green, and H. Strawbridge. Mr. Cox was re-elected chairman, and was accorded a vote ofthanks for his valuable services since the inception of the board. A similar compliment was paid to Mr. Bertlesen for his kindness in allowing the board to meet at his house. The clerk was instructed to allocate the expense of floating the board, some £32 14s, among the ratepayers of the district. He was further instructed to write Mr. Cunningham, callin? his attention to the fact ( that the Mangagiko Stream, at his property, was obstructed through the falling of a tree, and to request him to have the obstruction removed at an early date. The vital statistics for the Borough of Cambridge for the month of October were —Births, 8; deaths, 1; marriages, nil. For the previous month the respective figures were, births, 13 deaths, 3; marriages, 1.

ROTORUA.

BENEFIT SOCIAL.

The social promoted by the Rotorua Town Band last week for the benefit of Bandsman Darby, who had the misfortune to lose his leg, realised . a profit of £27 18s 6d, the gross takings "being £32 2s 6d, and the expenses £4 4s. '■ PUKEKOHE. STSEEX IMPROVEMENTS. The Pukekohe Borough Council has decided to lay the whole of King Street down in tarred macadam, as a result of an experiment of a portion of this street some 12 months ago. Mrs. Gunson, Mayoress of Auckland, and Miss Spedding, secretary to the Auckland branch of the Lady Liverpool League, last week visited Pukekohe for the purpose of attending a monster bazaar, arranged by the members of the local branch of the league. The bazaar, which was officially opened by Mrs. Gunson, concluded on Saturday night*. The pro-* ceeds are in aid of the local branch, to help it to continue its good work. The Buckland Tennis Club has elected the following officers for. the ensuing year: President, Mr. Avery; secretary, Miss Neal; treasurer, Mr. W. Jefieries; vice-presidents, Messrs. Melville, Home, Wily, Pulman. Civil, Parker, Greenaway, Piggott, Appleby, Wolfe, Graham, and Hamilton;, committee, officers ex officio, and Misses" Allan and Davy, and Messrs. Melville and Bilkey. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £2 6s.

The daily output at the Pukekohe butter factory is now averaging close upon ten tons.

SILVERDALE.

IMPROVEMENT OF ROAD.

Road metalling is proceeding on the Pukeatua side of the township area. .The Public Works Department is also forming a new road to give access to the sections recently opened up by the Crown Lands Department. The County Council and the Agricultural Department are making endeavours to stop the sand drift across the Orewa beach road.

A successful concert in aid of hall funds was given on Saturday evening. A good musical programme was rendereo to a large audience which assembled in spite of the j state of the weather. Professor Merlin, i showed a number of clever card tricks, beI ing frequently applauded. The following ' contributed to the programme: Glee | Partv, Mr. Bnrnett, Mrs. Johns, Mr.Sebright, Mr. Davison, Mr. Johns, Mr. Graver, male sextette, Mr. Brasier.

TE AROHA.

CHARGES FOB-BATHS AND GAMES. Considerable interest has been manifested in the decision of the Tourist Dei partment to Increase the charges for baths and games at the local domain. The last issue of the Government Gazette contains the new list of charges, which, in some cases, mean an increase of 50 per cent, on the old charges. The Borough Council, at a special meet- [ ing, decided to name the 10 new streets i in the Lipsey block after former mayors ! and deputy-mayors ol the borough, as fol- ! lows:—Mills, Farmer, Norrell, Gallagher, Hirst, Jackson, Gilchrist, Johnson, WalI lace, and Hubbard.