FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14185, 9 October 1946, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

The following items of interest are taken from the Bay of Plenty Times of 50 years ago: Persistent rumours are current that quite a number of Te Puke claims have been, taken over by foreign syndicates on working options. Consequently, we may expect a large increase in the number of men working at mining at Te Puke in the near future. In spite of the awful consequences of the drink traffic, only one of the deaths occurring in the four large cities of New Zealand during the month of August was attributed to alcoholism. Polynesia is probably the only place in the world where the marriage feast takes place without the presence of the bridegroom. For some unexplained reason the young man is sent into the woods when negotiations are opened with the family of the bride and he remains there during the subsequent festivities.

It was publicly stated at Thames that the Crown had recently acquired by purchase from the native owners no less an area than 50,6 25 acres in the Thames and surrounding districts. Boating men seem to be very slack this year in getting their craft into cruising trim and boat processions and regattas seem to be things of the past. A good deal of "new blood" has come into the district lately and we hope to see a revival of the healthy boating spirit during the coming season.