LOCAL AND GENERAL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 10018, 6 March 1929, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Searching through the ancient hies of the Bay of Plenty Times, we find that filty years ago to-day a meeting of the town board was hold.- In the report of that meeting wc read:—“Wharf Street. —Mr Conway suggested that the Wharf Street contract should be completed at once. The contractor (Mr Peter Grant) being present, stated that he had been engaged on other works which ha<fi delayed him. The chairman observed to him that this was no excuse, and that he_ had only ten weeks to finish the Harington Street contract.’’ And so after fifty long years of waiting Wharf Street is just being finished.

Several of the Auckland motor craft which have been cruising to the Bay of Plenty called in at Slipper Island on the way back, and an inspection was made of the wrecked steamer Manaia. Soon after the wreck the after portion of the steamer disappeared into fairly deep water, but the bows are still there, canted a.nd wedged in the same position as they were immediately after the vessel was piled up, on the night of June 6, 1926. All movable gear has long been stripped. The remains of the wreck arc often pounded by heavy seas, and it, is surprising that the forepart has stood so long.

Thc driving of motor cars and motor cycles on the New Plymouth wharves has been prohibited by the Harbour Board in consequence of a complaint, of injudicious driving which was convoyed to the board. ‘ The average overseas tourist is usually a middle-aged person,'/ said Mr \V. Harvey, at the publicity meeting in Napier the other night, “but on the other hand the New Zealander who travels seems to he of all ages (reports the Napier Daily Telegraph). New Zealanders always seem to take their children with them. Speaking at a meeting to consider publicity matters in Napier the other night, business men urged the value of newspaper advertisements (reports the Napier Daily Telegraph). Mr J. Harris said’ the newspaper advertisements caught the reader in a receptive frame of mirjd, after he had had bis tea and finished his day’s work, and was more impressive to its readers than poster propaganda. Mr A. Hobson agreed. Newspaper advertising had a psychological effect upon its readers not given by any other form of publicity.

“Behold the fisherman. He griseth early in the morning, and disturbcth the whole household. Mighty are his preparations. He goeth forth full of hope.. When the \day is far spent he returneth with the smell of strong drink upon him. But the truth is not in him.’’—Some Wellington sportsmen who visited Lake Taupo on a recent Sunday were quite interested in these words, neatly written in old English and framed in the hostel at Tokaanu (reports the Dominion). One of them told a story of a countryman who went into the hotel and saw the immense trout ("stuffed- which was hanging on the well, inscribed with its weight, 1 s 1 1!^- After gazing at it earnestly for a moment the countryman remarked. “The man that caught that fish is a liar.”

The visitor to Poverty Bay cannot but be surprised at the "desperate competition which prevails among the motor service cars (says an exchange). One firm offers to lake Gisborne people to Wellington and back for £4! Another quotes £2 for the trip from Gisborne to Napier and back. The establised services, which charge more, complain that although they maintain the passenger services throughout the year, “pirate cars rob them of business in summer, and go off the road in the winter. It seems impossible, however, that the “pirate'' services, or any other, can be making profits at the present scales of fares. In the meantime Poverty Bay people may, when they wish, go to cither Auckland or Wellington in a day, and go very cheaply.

.i representative of dairy larm-a-a ; t i is uaaKa tola me minister ui I'uuiic \> oi ks, tuc Hon. F. »v. naiisum, mat at a meeting ot farmers at mo locality a practically unanimous decision had occn readied to urge the Government to continue the present half-hour of daylight having, and to continue it throughout the year. Opposition, however, was expressed to the former eperiment of a full-hour during the summer months.

The work of improving the road through the Waioeka Gorge goes on steadily, but there is still much to be done. Although this road is almost exactly the- same length as the Motu Gorge Road, it is infinitely easier in grade. After leaving Matawai and entering the gorge, motor vehicles will have to climb but one hill, and after a steep descent they will have before them a long and winding, but almost flat, roajd. The Minister of Public Works and hi. party motored through the Waioeka ten days ago, but the road is not in general use, for a number of bridges have still to be Built, and there is much widening to be done. The bush scenery along the route is not greatly r inferior to that of the celebrated Motu.

At a recent meeting of the District Council of the Auckland A., and P. Association at Pukekohe Mr O’Donnell (Auckland), brought forward a scheme for the registration of side-show proprietors, sideshow assistants, and also an approved list of games and devices to be permitted on the grounds of affiliated A. and P. Associations of the Auckland Province. The scheme met with the unanimous support of the meeting, and a resolution was passed that the scheme be put into effect as soon as possible, and that all Associations be asked to assist the scheme by recognising the provincial registration and the approved list of games, and to permit none but these on their respective grounds. Mr Butler (Whangarei) brought up the case of two men domiciled in Whangarei who took part in the Whangaref Show only. These men would be done an injustice if they had to apply to Auckland direct. It was resolved in the case of such persons that their license would be granted on the recommendation of the secretary of the show concerned.

“Hawaii sends £IO,OOO of its products to New Zealand annually, while it buys £130,000 of New Zealand products, so it can be seen that the balance in trade is very much in favour of the Dominion.’’ This statement was made by Mr Charles 11. Frazier, of Honolulu, at Auckland a few days ago. “Your deep sea fishing is going to attract people from all parts of the world,” added Mr Frazier. “As an instance of the interest which is being taken in it I might say that while in London I saw photographs depicting the sport exhibited in the Strand, and they were attracting the attention of thousands of people. Your sword-fishing, I feel, is going to bring a better class of tourist wFo has money to spend and does not look lor too many luxuries.”

The death occurred at Wanganui last week of Mr George Fredric Allen, at the age of 92 years. Mr Allen was born in London in February, 1837, and was the son of Mr Ceorge Allen, architect. He sailed for New Zealand in the ship Egmont in 1859 and went, first to Auckland. Later he -went to the Great Barrier Island as engineer to the Great Barrier Kauri Timber and Copper Mining Company., Subsequently Ee returned to Auck’ land, where followed his profession as architect and surveyor, entering into partnership with Mr D. Barnard. The firm designed, among other buildings in,.Auckland, the old St. Matthew’s Church. Early in 1863 Mr Allen became a surveyor with the Wellington Provincial Government, and came to Wanganui. Some time later he resigned and entered once again into private practice with his old partner. Later he went farming. Mr Allen took a keen interest in public affairs, and was prominent in Masonic and musical circles. He leaves a widow, four sons add a daughter.

The Northern S.S. Company’s A.M.V. Toa is in port for shelter. Her destination is Whakatane with a cargo of drum and case oil. The auxiliary scow Altair (Captain Bell) arrived in port last night with 70 drums of Big Tree benzine consigned to Guinness Bros. The Altair will leave for Opotiki and Whakatane when weather moderates sufficiently to work the bar harbours. A clearing sale on behalf of Mr E Atkinson, of Te Puke, is to be held by the N.Z. Loan Co. on March 16th. Full particulars are advertised.