TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 153, 16 March 1923, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

. NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

A settler inland from Waitotara relates a curious thing (says the Wanganui “Chronicle”). He states that he now sees from his house more of the ocean than he used to, and he is at a loss to account for it. A decade avo ho could see very little of the South Taranaki Bight, but now he sees, a lot more, of it.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Dr. Tracker) is anxious that Onawe Island. ■in Akaroa harbour, should be made a national reserve for afforestation purposes and to serve as a sanctuary for birds (states the “Lyttelton Times”). At the present time part of the island is privately owned and part is reserve. Dr. Thacker is communicating with the Government on the subject, and is suggesting that if necessary other reserve lands less suitable for afforestation, should -be given in exchange for Onawe Island. Particulars in regard to the Arapuni hydro-electric power scheme were forthcoming at a meeting of the Auckland Electric Power Board (states an exchange). A letter _ received bv the board from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, dated February 21, stated that the plans and specifications for the dam and headwork would be ready within two months, and that tenders, would be called immediately on the completion of the - specifications. It was expected that the work would be completed in five years. Several tributes to the work done by him on the road between Wairoa and Gisborne were paid to the Minister of Public Works (the Hon J. G. Coates) by various speakers on the different deputations which waited on him last Saturday (relates the “Gisborne Times”). An expression of hope that Mr. Coates would long continue in office brought forth the remark from the Minister: “It’s looking pretty dickey now.” (Laughter). It is not uncommon for tram passengers to use their tickets for a little gamble, on the value of the number as a crib hand (states an exchange). Four Southlanders on a tram the other da}’ agreed that t*e holder of the poorest hand should “shout for . the crowd.” The first produced a ticket bearing the number 87.856, worth 21; the next man’s number was 87.887, and worth 20: the third’s was 87,888, also worth 20, while the fourth ticket was 87,889, worth 21. The Ne-w Zealand Counties’ Association reported to the Vaina Council (relates the “Waikato Times”), that the Automobile Associations and Motor Unions were desirous that there lie a uniform universal by-law enabling local authorities to compel nil persons using motor vehicles to have mirrors attached thereto. The Counties’ Association suggested that councils give this matter favourable consideration when amending its by-laws. Several councillors considered mirrors of little or no usp. No action was taken. In addition to having bred and developed the two greatest butter-fat producers of the Jersey breed, Taranaki can now claim (states an exchange), that one of its former herd leaders has established another New Zealand record by siring three 7001 b. butterfat daughters. This was the bull. Ponmise Tom, formerly owned bv Air. John Hale, owner of the Holly Oak Jersey stud. Mr. Hale has now’ bred two daughters from this bull, which are both champions of New Zealand in their respective classes. One, a senior two-v Car-old, produced 6801 b. of but-ter-fat. and' the other, a senior four-year-old, 7801 b. of butterfat. Salmon are running freely in tho Rangitata (reports tho Oamaru “Mail”), and owing to the streams being narrow and therefore mostly negotiable, fishermen aro enabled to place temptation in their way, and check their career to the- head waters. One South Canterbury angler with twenty-five to his credit was found asleep beside what is colled “The Salmon Pool” on Saturday. With a sufficient supply to last all witner, he was content to let others get full baskets. Mr. Mcßride .(chairman of tho South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society) got seven big fish during last week-end, tho heaviest scaling 1711 b. Other fish were caught weighing up to 211 b., and it has been reported this week that a forty-pounder was landed. In reference to the protest raised by farmers against the recent Increase in stock commission rates (reports the Gisborne “Times”), a number of replies were received from different centres at a meeting of the Gisborne Farmers’ Union, giving the rates charged there. In four districts 24 per cent, was being charged,'and in two of them 4 per cent, was being charged as in Poverty Bay. In connection with the proposal that the union and the Sheepowners’ Federation should maintain a sales agency in their offices, the chairman (Mr. M. T. Trafford) said he had conferred with the president of the federation on the matter, and he hud expressed himself ns sceptical of the success of the scheme. The opinion seemed to bo that the farmers would not support tho scheme. —Mr. Monckto.i said R was probable that the stock companies would reduce the charges as soon as they recouped their past losses. , Ho doubted Whether farmers were sufficiently keen to make an agency scheme a success. An experiment in tho maintenance of - roads is to bo carried out by the I’aparua County Council in conjunction with the Canterbury Automobile Association -(states an exchange). The toad selected stretches from Hornby up. to Weedons, a distance ( of approxi mutely six and a half miles. Tho scheme decided upon is for this section of road to be under the care of one man, who shall put in his whole tune on the road doing all the necessary work. If it is found that one man can attend to more than the above section, his length will be extended. The Automobile Association is to pay the wages of the surfaceman, while the county will provide all necessary materials. A strict record will he kept of expenditure on the road for a period of twelve months. The experiment will probably commence on April 1. About 50 tons of salvage cargo from tho Wiltshire were brought to Auckland last week (states an exchange). The cargo consisted of 400trallon tanks and crates of crockery, bales of felting, bales of cotton waste, cases of plate glass, rolls of plate iron, barrels of paint and white zine, kegs of white lead, and crates of pullev wheels. The lead, crockery, and other items are very little damaged by the long immersion. One of the articles salvaged from the wreck is an Aberdeen granite monument .consigned to Dunedin. It is understood to be undamaged. The cotton waste will be taken back to Tryphena to be washed and reconditioned before helper offered for sale. Tho salvers have two scows ami two launches engaged in the work, which gives employment to 20 men. There is a considerable amount of cargo in the wreck that can be recovered if favourable weather continues.

The executive of the Gisborne Far mers’ Union was confronted with the following letter at its last meeting (says the Gisborne “Times”): —“Some months ago at a Farmers’ Union meeting a proposal.was put forward by a member that, as soon as the prices of wool and meat went ip, employers «f farm labour should increase the wages of their regular hands, who had been so generous in the slump period towaids their bosses by agreeing to have salaries cut down nearly 50 per cent. Has that promise made by your farmers been carried out or aro the various stations being worked at the reduced wages If not, why make verbal promises such as this and nob do what is just? Perhaps you will use your efforts at next meeting, as it is only fair that men should bo treated as men.” The letter was signed “Tom Atkins, station hand.” —The reading of tho letter was received with amusement by members, one stating that Mr. Atkins could be informed that many station owners had not cut down wages at. all.

An anomaly regarding men in New Zealand who hold diplomas of Australian and Imperial agricultural colleges wa.s mentioned bv Mr. T. Patterson. bolder of a diploma _ from Hawkesburv College, at a meeting of the Agricultural Educational Committee at Auckland (states an exchange). Mr. Patterson pointed out that there were a number of students in New Zealand who held diplomas from agricultural colleges such as Hawkesbury, while others held the National. Diploma of Agriculture (Great Britain), and they were held in high esteem in New Zealand, but if they , desired to obtain their B.A. in agriculture in New Zealand, according to the statute of the New Zealand University, they must attend the Canterbury Agricultural College at Lincoln, as this was the only school of agriculture recognised bv the University. Those, concerned were engaged in some profession or other, and -would find it impossible to nut in two or three years at Lincoln College. If the University extended its recognition of diplomas to well-known agricultural schools it would enable these men to sit for examination and qualify for their de--gree.

Members of the executive of the Taraniki War Relief Association have for a long time been worried over the association’s scheme of grants to permanently disabled soldiers (remarks the Stratford “Evening Post”), as, after it had been in operation for some time the Government placed an embargo on further pa-ymenits. While in Wellington recently, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, chairman of the executive, made representations to the authorities on the matter, and has now received notice that shortly the War Funds Council will submit a scheme permitting further payments. It is not expected that it will be possible to carry out the original scheme- in its entirety, but probably anything which will enable something further to be done will be satisfactory to tho executive.

A corrosnondent of the Christchurch “Press” writes: —“If ever the B,aka-in Raver Lad a day out it - was on Sunday. And such salmon! From early Saturday afternoon the cars began to bank up till by Sunday afternoon tho irregular road that yuns uast the huts looked like a veritable city 'parking’ lane. If only the habitues of this spot, who for some 20 years have quietly fished expectant. could have had this day out to themselves 1 But no —rods from everystream and county round lashed ths water, and .if anyone over doubts! that the Rakaia has a ‘salmon’ future. thev should havo seen the haul? that lav shining on the beach in the Sabbath morn-ng sunlight. By ths end of the afternoon tho place was fairlv deserted again.”

More than ordinary interest centre? in the boilers of Nelson’s electric light and power scheme, now in course of construction (remarks ths “Mail”), for they were, in quite an important sense, the' originators of the scheme. When an option was secured over the boilers, which were then at the Talisman mine, it was thought by one or two eutev prising citizens that a good opportunity presented itself to inaugurate an electric light scheme in Nelson. And so, a syndicate was formed lor the purchase of the boilers, and for a time attention centred on the formation of. a privaio company for the installation of electro light in Nelson. Later, however, > was felt the bettor scheme was to urce the City Council to carry out tho woxk and run the scheme as a municipal concern. And so the boilers were offered to the City Council, the sale to be dependent on tho ratepayers giving tie necessary authority. This given, tie boilers duly passed into the hands the City Council, and now they haTe been erected and await final inspection-

A returned soldier and his youig wife, who with much courage took ip a backblock farm in the King Country, and who find the work hard aid sometimes not. very profitable, siy that they do not see a very great leturn for' all their labour, but tic.V still remain hopeful and look forward to better days (says an ■ exchange. ’riieir worst trouble this season t&s been the ragwort pest. A wet season seems to have fostered the growth ot the pests, and what they call me “vellow neril” seems to be poppng up everywhere and showing- its hsad in some of their best paddocks. T-iey have been told that sheep help to keep iv down, but on a 130-acre bash farm where dairying is tiieir source of income there is not inlicn room for sheep. They had tried to kill the roots after. pulling .up the plants bv filling the holes with lalt, and in some cases pouring in ferosane, but with' wliat result thej at nrcsent did not know, but ragyort thev had found out was one of the worst nests on the farm, for all feed died down in the vicinity or . the plants, which this season had nade such rank growth.

The study of tho face value of postage stamps on letters and posttards coming to New Zealand from Gernany and Austria enables the receiver io realise somewhat the tremendous de’.ericration in value of thq German hiark (shilling) .and the Austrian kioiien <lod.). A resident of Otago (states an exchange) frequently in communication with these countries supplies thi following notes: —“In 1918 a pcstage stamp value 15 pfennig (100 pf. :qnailing ono mark) franked a postcard from Germany to New Zealand ; i” 1910, 80 pfennig were required: in 19ta 1-0 pfennig; but in 1923. bv this nnnth s mail, a postcard from the same place boro a stamp of the value of 50 marks or 500 pfennig. iV fetter fron Germany in March, 1922, bore ft jostage stamp of the value of four mirks pi--400 pfennig; in July of the sane roar tho stamp was six marks of 600 ifennig. What tho postage on a letter is now I do not exactly know, but considering that a postcard takes 50 marks, ! a letter will require not" les* tbai- K? marks or more. A letter from Austria in October, 1921, carried a postatc stamp of the value of 10 kronen: if 1914 it was 25 holler (1 kronen): by this month’s mail there camo a Inter with a stamp value 1500 kroner, a prewar value in English money of £60.”