ELTHAM

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 27

ELTHAM

From Our O'wn Correspondent.)

Messrs J. and H. Buchanan, Limited, new bocon factory is nearing completion The contractor has every confidence that the structure will be ready at the contracted time —a month hence. The directors of the company have decided to open the new factory with a ceremony to be followed by a large banquet. The opening practice of the Eltham Football Chib was held last Saturday. The challenge from the drainage men did not come off, however, a good, scratch team was arranged. Some of the men seem to be very raw on their first match, but with good training Eltham should] have a say in the cup honours.

Mr EL EL Hardy,- secretary of the New Zealand Axemen’s Association, has declared the following handicaps in the chopping and sawing events at the Tataraimaka sports on the 14tli inst.: —Handicap Chop, 18 inches.—C. Casey, D. Pretty, -Taa Prett.v. lAkpu: G. Vincent h,

Corbett 30sec; A. Wickham, R. Corbett, W. Corbett, 40sec; .J. Snell, 50sec; D. Tyan, 55s ee; T. Parsons J. Phillips, A. Kaspar, J. Bropliy, A. Hogg 1 , P. Joblin, GOsee. Maiden Chop.—R. J. Clarke, T. Parsons, J. Phillips, A. Ivaspa-r. A. Co>’lins, P. Ivivcll, A. Ilogg, W. Lawn, F. Salmon, E. Meredith, M. Casey, P. Joblin, W. W e-sell, scr. Underhand, 18 inches. —C. Casey, scr; D. Pretty, J. Pretty, 20see; L. Corbett, 35sec; J. Snell, aOs-ec-; A. Wichinau, D. Tyan, GOseo. Teams Chop, 2ft blocks.—Casey and Pretty, sc-r; Wichinan and mate, W. Corbet and mate-, 4.!Toc; Parsons and Phillips, 45. sec. D'oub’e-hand ed. Sawing. 211. blocks. —• Casey and Prelt.v, scr; Snell and mate, Bsec; A. Collins and mate, Hart and Fetch, W. Corbett and mate,. iOsec; Novice Underhand. —E. Meredith, Geo. Baldwin, R. Corbett, F. Salmon, W. Corbett, M. Casey. W. Wos.vell, P. Joblin. Prize winners at Rrliotu may be reliandicapped. The-Elfcliam Gun Club ha,s been, presented with a handsome eight-clay crock for competition among its members- by our local jeweller, Mr W. Hyde. The trophy will be shot for at the club’s next contest to take place on April 14th inst. The monthly meeting of the. Drainage Board was held at the Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon last, Mr Belcher occupied the chair. The question of striking a rate for the next year was gone int-o. The question wacs whether the settlers interested should clean out and keep open all drains through their properties or should the Beard take the matter in hand and strike a rate to cover the cost. After a lengthy discussion, and on the motion ox the chairman, seconded by Mr Jacobsen, it was resolved that My Syme, the Borough solicitor, be instructed to draw up an agreement for the signatures of the individual ratepayers to clean and maintain the drains to the Board’s sat-is-fatcio-n within a time to be- specified, and failing the ratepayers to sign this a rate to be struck. The engineer’s report in connection with drain No. 6 B was received. when it was decided that the works committee and engineer meet the contractor, Mr Pulsford. with power to act in regard to minor deviations. An enthusiastic meeting of those interested in the formation of a sports gathering was held at Kaponga on Friday night last, Mr May occupied the chair. After detail discussion it. was deeded to form a chib to be called “The Kaponga Athletic Club.” The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows; Patron, C. E. Major Esq., M.H.R.; president, Mr R. Campbell; vice-presi-dents, Drs. McClagan and Noonan, Messrs May, Gruar, C. Bates, R. Mellow. Buckingham; committee. Me-ssrs ,T. Robinson, A. 'Adlam, J. Crowlie, Jones, F. Oliver. S. Lewis, J Curan, L. Baigent, C. Belts F. Wilkie, G. Avery, E. Mills, W. Jury. F. Guy D. Ke’l.y,' M. Fitzgerald, B. Old, T. Ilays. A. King, R. Newett and Emson; secretary and treasurer, C. List.. It was decided to hold sports on the 21st April. The subscription was fixed at the. small rate of 5s per annum. A strong committee was appointed consisting of the president, Messrs Adlam, J. Crowlie. Kelly, and J. Caudle for the purpose cf canvassing the district for subscriptions. About £9 was promised in the roc-m. Rumours are in circulation that if the Ma.vo-r, Dir G. W. Tayler should offer his services again to the public h© will not be contested at the next mayoral election.

The harvest thanksgiving services in connection with the Wesleyan Church was brought- to a close on Monday night, all the harvest stock and other donations were -put up for auction by Dir W. J. T last rami. A good attendance was tlie cause of brisk bidding, resulting in a very satisfactory amount being netted. At the Mission Hall on Friday niglrt a very pleasant evening was spent, when the congregation of the Wesleyan Church assembled to bid good-hve to their minister, the Rev. C. A. Foston, who leaves shortly for Riverton. Mr Watson, on behalf of the congregation presented Dir Foston with a purse of sovereigns. During the presentation he (Dir Watson) spoke of the good deeds that had resulted from Dir Foston’s ministrv in this. Dir Foston suitably responded, after which a harmonious social evening was indulged in and enjoyed by all present.

On account; of the overgrowing police work of this town, the police authorities have strengthened the force by the addition of Constable- Satlierlev. of Wanganui. Constable S-atherl-e-y took up his duties in the district on Wednesday 30th inst.

A welcome by the bar at the Magistrates’’ Court, on Tuesday last, was "extended to Mr A. Turnbull. S.M., formally of Napier, who took his seat on the bench for the first time. Mr Crump, on behalf of the local solicitors, addressed his Worship, who thanked the profession for their welcome and * kindly greeting. Eltham requires a new courthouse most urgently, and Mr, Turnbull said that if representations were made to him on behalf of the profession and the public on the subject of ai courthouse he will send them on with most urgent recommendations to the; Department of Justice. Hockey enthusiasts 1 have started the clashing of sticks and the ball rolling here l practice is already being indulged in. Eltham is losing no time for want of form. The display of the Eltham hockey team last year was excellent, and when defeated only by very narrow margins. This year they will have the assistance of nearly all last vear’s plajers. It is anticipated that Eltham will run very near winning the shield of the Taranaki province. Serious steps are being taken here to Jo away with the gambling curse which is the ruination of all sport gatherings'. It is understood that it is the intention of tho Domain Board to do away with the evil as far as it concerns the local park. At a meeting held the other evening, Mr G. P. Wake was appointed honorary solicitor and) requested to prepare a byelaw empowering the trustees to exclude boot-makers from the ground. ' The sad news of a f it-al accident was circulated in this district on Tuesday afternoon, when it was found that. Joseph Bloomfield, junr., had met his death by a fall of earth in a gravel pit. The deceased was highly respected throughout the district, having resided at Matapu, foy over ten. rears. He was thirty vp.nrs

of age, .and leaves a widow and three children to mourn their loss. Bloomfield 'was totally buried, fully three tons of earth faking on him and Dalemore, his mate, was buried up to the armpits. Dalemore called out for assistance, and Frank Willisc-tnnbe and Blooinfieul’a father came to their assistance. They dug Dalemore out,, and then all three dug to extricate Bloomfield. When lie was uncovered he was found to be in a Sitting posluru and was quite dead. From the nature of the injuries death must have been insfcaaii.ui©oils.

The Presbyterian Church held their annual jumble sale on Tuesday night, in the Athenaeum Hall, to a very poor attendance, which must have been very disappointing to those who had worked hard for the event. The sale was 1 opened by the Hon. Mr Garncross. In the course of his speech. Dir Garncross mentioned that there was a debt of something Idee £7W) in connection with the church, which was very hard for a small congregation to bear. Thq church had until just lately_ been for about six months without a minister, and it was hoped that the present, sale would help' the finances of 111© church. During' the evening many s » e.s wore effected, several young ladies were very busy in selling flowers and bouquets and serving out refreshments, much amusement was caused at the- sale hv the ■ ©cmpetit,;on of drawing a nig blindfolded. Thq pig drawn by his Worship the Mavo'r was greatly admired and it far excelled the one drawn by the Hon. Carneros'S. Towards the end of the evening Mr Trlsham auctioned the goods. 31st March.