OUR Daily Features

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12825, 21 August 1939, Page 2

OUR Daily Features

A PAGE FROM THE PAST TAURANGA FIFTY YEARS AGO We take the following paragraphs from the Bay of Plenty Times of August 19, 18S9: “Tenders are invited hy Mr J. A. Clarke, agent of the Public Trustee, for a 21 years’ lease of the premises lately occupied by Mr Thomas Corbett at the corner of Devonport Road and First Avenue. The site is an exceptionally fine one, and contains half an acre of land with buildings on it, so that any person desirous of securing a home at a cheap rate could not do better than invest.”

“The Pioneer Press recommends that maize should be cultivated foi purposes of fuel, as three acres would be sufficient for a winter, whereas the same quantity sold would not purchase either wood oxcoal enough for a winter. Maize may be used in either a wood or cool stove without any change of grates, and makes a steady, hot fire which can be regulated as readily as a coal fire. Two bushels of corn in the ear, it is estimated, will keep a> comfortable fire the coldest day in winter. Regarding the squeamishness about burning an article that is used for food, the writer says: T would sooner burn an acre of corn that can be replaced in a single year than burn an acre of timber that takes yeaxs to replace even on the score of sentiment,’ There is common sense in this. It is'cheaper for people on the fertile prairies to raise their fuel as they do their food, and save what little timber they have for other purposes. While there can be some excuse for wastefulness, there is a good reason for burning corn when it is of more value for fuel than the proceeds would be if txsed in the pui'chase of wood or coal.”