DISTRICT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13487, 18 May 1917, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

TAUPiRI.

Progressive League. At the last meeting of the Taupiri Progressive League there was a good atti ndance, presided over by Mr W. A. Lovell. It was resolved to communicate with the member for the district (Mr R. P. Bollard), asking his help in obtaining the n:\ieh-needed verandah for the railwaj station. In the matter of widening the narrow road leading from the hotel to Orini and Gordonton, it was decided to obtain the help of the member for the riding, Mr J. McGregor. The Postmaster. Mr Shaw, our local postmaster, has left on a few weeks' leave, prior to joining one of the reinforcements. During his sojourn among us Mr Shaw has made himself deservedly popular and has proved a courteous and efficient officer. Sneak Thief. The news that the sneak thief at the Taupiri station has at last been apprehended has been received with relief by the whole township. Mr Graham, the stationmaster, and his staff are to be congratulated on their perseverance in at last bringing the offender to book. The boy (a Maori) was, at a recent sitting of the Magistrate's Court, committed to an industrial school. Y.M.C.A. Fund. Our township is exceptionally quiet at present—a state which seems to be growing on us more and more. Time was when there was always a weekly entertainment of some sort in the hall, but nowadays there is a great dearth of amusement. Mr and Mrs T. T. White intend breaking the spell by holding a social on Friday, 18th, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the Y.M.C.A. Trench Comfort Fund. The Taupiri public school has raised £3 towards the same object.

WALTON. Welcome Home. The residents of this district entertained the returned soldiers at a smoke concert on Friday last. There were about 40 present, including eight returned mpn, and a very enjoyable time was spent. Mr Lewis Mapp presided. The programme consisted of songs, recitations, and the usual toasts. There was a good supply of refreshments, several ladies having given generous help. The programme was as follows: Toasts, "The King," chairman; "Army and Navy," Mr Jordon—Mr Richmond: "The Guests," Mr Lewis Mapp and Mr Given—Trooper Beasley, Sergt. Russell (on leave), Bugler Bolton; "The Ladies," Mr Adams —Mr McLean; "The A.N.Z.A.C's," Mr C. Smith—Mr Mennies; "The Press,' chairman—Mr Yardley. Songs, Messrs Yardley, C. Smith, Bugler Bolton (comic), Sergt. McQueen; recitations, Messrs McQuain and Wallace; card tricks, Bugler Bolton.

MORRINSVILLE. Water Supply. A special meeting of the Town Board was held to consider matters connectod' with the proposed artesian water supply. There were present: Messrs G. Howie (chairman). F. A. Hanan, D. Rickey, H. J. Clifford, F. Marshall and A. Gifford. Two otters were received for sinking bores, hut were held over in the meantime. Mr Bowen, the owner of the land on which it is proposed to bore, was present, and offered the Board five acres at £35 per acre, or t'on acres at £3O per p.crc.—An agreement, was drawn up and signed, giving the Board'the option of purchasing oil the terms mentioned by Mr Bowen, and subsequently a similar option was obtained from Mr Lowry for land to give access to the bore. It was resolved to write to the engineer for advice and specifications for sinking 'he bore. Golf Club. The annual meeting of the Golf Club was held on Monday evening, the chair being occupied by Mrs Seville. The following officers were elected: President: Lieut.-Col. S. S. Allen: committee : Mr Berry, Mesdames Smith and Shaw; Ladies' Captain: Mrs Pettit: secretary: Mr M. Barnett. The men's captain will be appointed later in the season. The subscription was fixed at

£1 lis 6d for men, and 15s for ladies. Eight new members were elected, and the opening day was fixed for Saturday, the 19th inst. Patriotic Ladies. A well attended meeting of the local branch of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League was held on Friday. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to U. ladies who assisted in the recent Y.M.C.A. sollection. It was resolved to write to the St. Matthew's Girls' Club to organise a literature committee to collect books, magazines, etc., for distribution in hospitals, military tamps and transports. Mesdamcs Hewitt, Fraser and Shaw were appointted conveners of the committee to arrange for the making of handkerchiefs for the gift parcels in the schools. Mesdamcs Tarlour and Marshall were appointed conveners of a ministering committee to arrange for providing refreshments for returning soldiers passing through Morrinsvillo, and Mosdaes Aitken and Dunneit, conveners of a Soldiers' Relatives' Entertainment Committee. An offer by Mrs Thynne, to organise a bottle day for the children, was gratefully accepted. It was reported that the conveners of the entertainment committee (Mesdamcs Pcttit and Barnett, had formed a strong committee, and were to hold the first dance this week. Personal. Mr I'. Cornish, whose death occurred at the Thames Hospital on Tuesday morning, was well known in Morrinsvillo, having resided here for about five years prior to removing to Waitoa, and later to Paeroa. He was a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge, and took n prominent part in athletic sports while in Morrinsvillo. Deceased has left a widow and three young children to mourn h'S loss, and the sympathy oi friends will go out to them in their trouble. The friends of Ml' H, .Miller, of Kiwitahi. will bo sorry to hear that he has had to undergo two operations in a private hospital in Masterton, for an abcess at the back of the eve. He is progressing satisfactorily, but it will probably be about a month before he will be able to leave the hospital. Killed >n France. Details to band concerning the death of "Jerry" Shaw, of Morrinsvillo, show that one night the shelter containing him and two oth. rs was struck by a huge explosive shell, which made a hole some ten feet deep. When search was made later "Jerry's" body was found at the bottom unscathed. When the body was touched, it collapsed, and it seemed as if every bone in the body must have been smashed by the force of the explosion. Evidently death must have been instantaneous and without pain. Miscellaneous A Girls' Club has been formed at St. Matthew's Church for the purpose of holding socials fortnightly during the winter months. A strong committee has been formed, with Mrs Mallett as the secretary. A picture matinee was given by Mrs Thynne on Saturday afternoon to celebrate her boy's birthday, with the object of raising money for the Hauraki Trench Fund. A-targe number of childien accepted the invitation and spent a very pleasant afternoon. Morrinsville's rontrihution to the B lgi n Relief egg fund amounted to GO dozen eggs, 28 hiving been contributed by tie school childien.