LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15164, 14 February 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Representatives of the Auckland Power Board are visiting Arapuni today as the guests of the Putaruru Development League. • A prisoner named Woods, undergoing a sentence of three years’ reformatory treatment at Waikeria, escaped on Monday night about 7.30, and was recaptured about 11.30 p.m. on Punui bridge, near Kihikihi Hill. He will appear before the.Te Awamutu court in due course.

Valentine’s Day falls to-day, but the observance of the occasion belongs to a past generation. It was on February 14 that in former times in England, Scotland, and some parts of Europe each young bachelor and maid was assigned by lot a member of the opposite sex as a “valentine" for the year. This was a mock form of betrothal which frequently led to real engagements and marriages. In later years the practice developed ijito a habit among young people of exchanging sentimental caricatures or “valentines.” It is many years since the observance of the day in New Zealand was allowed to lapse. “Most of those who nave got farms about Mataura started on wages at £1 a week,” said an old identity to a Wyndham Herald reporter. His brother had swagged it from Tuturau to Kelso for work at £l, but the employer, recognising that he was an especially good worker, added 5s a week to his cheque abov e what he had agreed to. “Fanoy a man swagging it for a job now,’’ he said. “Men come to work in cars, or one has to send a car for them. We used to get 4d for our butter,” he added. Another farmer said that in the old days the farmer saw very little money. It was often a matter of balancing accounts at the store.

The monthly meeting of the directors of the Te Awamutu Terminating Building Society was held in the Society’s/Office on Monday, Mr F. HVile (chairman of directors) presiding. It was decided to hold the first ballot for £4OO in the second group of the society on March 14. As this is the commencement of this group’s activities it is expected there will be a record attendance. This society has been in existence nearly ten years, and its second group was opened last year. There are still shares available. The first group noyv holds an appropriation every second month, alternately by tender and ballot. Its last tender brought £127 10s per £4OO, which works out approximately at four per cent per annum.

A meeting of the Roto Manuka Drainage Board was held at Ohaupo last Monday morning. Thfere were present: Messrs A. Karl (chairman), A. Turnwald, P. Kivell, A. G. Trott, J. Turney. The Board’s time was taken up ~ in. /discussing .the drainage work necessary for the season, as far as the Board’s funds will allow. It was resolved after the chairman had conferred with . the county members, to have the road drain cleaned from Trott’s to Jarry’s road, the county to pay half cost, and that tenders be called for al\once. It was also decided to have the drain running through Jarry’s cleaned, apd to call for tenders. The clerk reporteU on the amount of rates unpaid, and said that it would be necessary to get them in before the Board could attend to all the drains. It was resolved that all those be written to owing rates, stating that the 10 per cent penalty will be imposed on all rates remaining unpaid after February 28.

The schoolroom of First Church, Frankton, was well filled last evening, when a social was tendered to Mr T. L. Millar and Miss Jessie Black, to mark the occasion of their approaching marriage. Rev. Macdonald Aspland, in a happy and appropriate speech, punctuated with light anecdotes, asked the guests to accept on behalf of church workers and friends, a silver jam dish and spoon, a hall stand and brass jardiniere, and a reversible floor rug. Mr Aspland referred to the high esteem in which the guests were held and their strenuous and useful activities In connection with church work. The gifts were accompanied by the sincere good wishes of their many friends in the church. Others present added their testimony to the high regard in which the .guests were held. Mr Millar, in a neat speech, returned thanks. Messrs Wood, Kay, McClymont and little Thelma Pemberthy contributed songs, and Misses Whitaker, Dempster and Marsh delighted hearers with their splendid elocutionary offerings. Miss G. Jones played the accompaniments. Games and supper were not the least important feature. “Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close a most pleasant evening.

An ordinary meeting of the Ofraupo School Committee was held last Saturday evening. There weVe presents Messrs E. W. Sage (chairman), A. Graham, F. Field, J. M. Boyd, the head teacher (Mr R. Burrell), and the secretary (J. H- Jcnkinson). The chairman reported having heard ' nothing further regarding the proposed septic tank. ' A circular letter was read from tlie Education Board re the dental treatment of school children. The committee resolved to make arrangements and render all assistance possible to secure visits of a dental nurse The Instructor in Agriculture (Mr H. W. Hesse), forwarded report on the dual garden plots conducted by the pupils—-vegetable gardens (boys) and flower y gardens (girls). In both classes every effort was made to make a success of the individual gardens, and the results obtained were most encouraging. The vegetable gardens showed careful attention to the educational aspect, the lessons indoors being applied practically. The flower beds showed careful attention to arrangement, treatment of seeds and seedlings, border plants, and general coloui’ scheme. It was decided to hold the annual school picnic on Friday, March 2, 1923.

The ladies of Hamilton arc taking; full advantage of the fresh bargains brought forth daily at the Big Sale at Hooker and Kingston’s, and crowds of satisfied customers leave their store daily. The firm’s motto, low prices, quick service and entire satisfaction, appeal to their numerous clients. A few of the bargains worth noting arc: Heavy forfar for Is 5Jd yd.; 36in x 36in "bordered supper cloths for 5s 6d; nursery flannelettes, specially priced, 9s (>d doz. yds; pure linen finish white calico, 8s ltd doz. yds; black cashmere finish hose, two pairs for 3s Bd. Shop where your money goes furthest, at the .popular store, Hooker and Kingston, Ltd.*

“NO-nUBBINCr- laundry Help will save you a lot, provided the water Is boiling far.*. 7

The northern and southern ends of the North Auckland railway will be linked up this week, and the through passenger train from Auckland to Whangarei will run next week without the break at Mareretu. The through passenger service from Whangarei to Auokland was established on December 21, the first run being made on that date from northern end. At that time there was an uncompleted gap in the line near Mareretu of rather more than half a mile which had to be negotiated in road vehicles. The portion of the line still under the control of the Publio Works Department comprises the section between Huarau and Portland, a distance of 31 miles, |he latter station being seven miles from Whangarei.

In Upper Queen Street, Auckland last evening, a car proceeding to Grey Lynn had stopped at Turner Street when a car following collided with it. The front of this car was smashed and the driver temporarily incapacitated, with the result that the oar commenced to run backwards down the hill, many of the alarmed passengers jumping off as it did so. The conductor leapt from the matonnan’s end, and running to the other end, applied the hand-brake and brought the car to a standstill after it had travelled some distance. Both cars were considerably damaged by the collision, and Motorman Pilkington sustained severe injuries to his ankle. A passenger, Mr J. E. ’ Ensor, was also slightly injured.