TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 164, 29 March 1923, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

Moro than ordinary local interest attaches to the fact that one of the two agricultural books selected from the ten previously employed for future use in tlhe secondary schools of the Dominion, is the work “Agriculture 'in New Zealand,” which was written by Messrs. R.. P. Connell, M.A., and Hadfield, two authorities wqll known in the agricultural life of the Waikato (remarks the “Waikato Times”). Mr. Hadfield was for several years instructor in agriculture in this district, while Mr. Connell is at present associate editor of the “Dairy Farmer.”

The Napier Competitions Society has received a total of 378 entries for its competitions at Easter (states the “Hawke’s Bay Herald”). There are no big entries, but all the classes are well filled. A feature is the fact that in the character recitals for boys and girls under 12 there are ten entries, and in the section under 18 sixteen entries.

Those who maintain that the pushbicycle is becoming a “back number” in those days of motor transit will probably feel inclined to modify this opinion upon learning of the tour just completed by Mr. C. Barwell (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Within ten weeks Mr. Harwell has completed 600 miles. Equipped with tent and camping gear, he has journeyed from Te Reinga in t'he Far North to Stewart Island, and has successfully demonstrated that the most distant point in the Dominion can be visited on a “push-bike” by anyone with a six weeks’ vacation.

“The board shouk] enter a strong protest against the unnecessary work entailed in this particular case,” said Mr. J. Wallace, chairman of the Otago Education Board, when the question of the erection of a new school building at Nugget Point was under discussion, states the Dunedin “Evening Star.” “If local knowledge does not count for anything,” he continued, “then I am sorry for those who profess to have knowledge in 'Wellington.” The Education Department had reported that the application had been placed before the Marine Department. The secretary to the board said that Wellington should be satisfied with the information supplied by the board’s inspectors. Tile present building at Nugget Point belonged to the Marine Department. It was originally intended for a lighthouse, and stood on a dangerous site. It was decided, that the Department be informed that the board was satisfied that the new site was not damp, and that the present site was quite unsuitable, and was most dangerous in windy weather.

An interesting souvenir was shown at a largely-attended meeting of Maoris at AVaitara, reports the “Taranaki News.” It was simply a request to a forgotten newspaper to discontinue delivery, but interest lay in the fact that the faded paper was headed by a clear print of the <ld Bell Block blockhouse and surrounding country. The letter was dated March 30, 1874, nnd bore the signature of E. Dover, one time proprietor of the Red House Ho/el in New Plymouth, a former sergeant in the 70th Regiment. The Utter is now in the possession of Mr. Philip Dover, of Waitara, whose mother landed in Taranaki from the ship Blenheim on November 7, 1842.

The law puts a limit of £2OO as the maximum amount which a. candidate, for a seat in the House of Representatives may spend in his election campaign (states an exchange). The story was told during the hearing of the Western Maori petition of a candidate who must be regarded as the most economical of all aspirants for Parliamentary honours. This candidate won a Wellington seat some years ago, and when he filed l.is statement of election expenses it was seen that he gained his success on an expenditure of 35., by confining his campaign to open-air speeches. His statement contained the two items: “Tram fare 2s. 6d., and one packet of cigarettes 6d.” It is not recorded whether the packet of cigarettes was the price of a vote

An interesting piece of bowling history recently came to light during the visit of tho Auckland bowling touring team’s visit to Taranaki, relates the Auckland “Star.” 1 The Auckland Bowling Club was the first in the North Island and has celebrated its diamond jubilee. Thirty-seven years ago the second club in the island wa-S formed at New Plymouth, and the members became so enthusiastic that they were hardly ever off the green, and when they received a visit from teams from the Auckland Club a few months after they were formed in 1886, they heat their visitors by 114 to 112, which was considered a marvellous performance for so young a club. A return match was played a year later in March, 1887, at Auckland and again the New Plymouth teams won by 88 to 79, and they arrived back with victory ’■ pressing heavily upon them and were received as conquering heroes and received a great reception froth the other members of tho club in New Plymouth. After a lapse of 36 years it is interesting to recall tho players of those days who played for Auckland Club, Gorrie, Tait, Oliphant, Winks; Billington, Mirfm, Moore, Saunders; Frater, Miller, Taunt, Kingswell: Paul’s team defeated Winks’s team by 31 to 23 ; Downes defeated Saunders by 32 to 19; and Morey lost to Kingswell by 25 to 37.

Referring at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Union in Hastings'to the' blackberry pest, Mr. N. Beamish stated that he was satisfied that there was only one way to beat this pest, and* than was by inakiiig such areas a feeding ground for goats. He would like to see the Government acquire an area of the infested part of Tangoio, and put in the goats, and in a very short time the result would be seen. The goats trimmed the young shoots in the spring and bled them to death. Mr. G. Elliott said that this might bo all right in lighter class of country, but he doubted if it would work where the pest was so thick- Mr. Beamish said that goats would do the trick all right. It was decided to write to Messrs. Fernie and Shields, wlio first introduced the goats to beat the blackberry for information.

The reduction in school committees’ Further evidence of the advantage of transporting fat lambs by motor lorry (states the “Wairarapa Age ) was supplied in a test made on Friday by Air. N> F. Gregory, of Longdale, Masterton, with his patent collapsible double-decker pen, with which ho brought to Waingawa, from Mr. Gordon Laing’s Riversdale farm, 82 woolly lambs. These were carried without loss or damage, in a few hours. This season Air. Laing has sent by lorry to Waingawa 1000 lambs, without any loss. A further tost was made with a consignment of lambs from Eparaima, which is about 36 miles from Wai. imawa. A draft of 250 lambs was selected. 200 being sent by lorry and 50 taken bv drovers. The former Idled out at 331 b. and the latter at 301 b. Mr Gregory expects to bo able to carry 110 lambs with his double-decker.'

The feeling of many tradesmen is that Saturday apparently is not the best day in the week for a half-holiday, and a consequent stir is being made in some of the southern towns. In Oaniaru a petition is in circulation (says the local “Mail”), requesting that a poll be taken at the coming municipal elections on tho question of the day for the weekly half-holiday. The petition is in favour of a reversal to the half-holiday on Thursday.

Several Ashburton farmers, members of the Farmers’ Union, have expressed satisfaction in the fact that the millers had very willingly offered to allow, and assist in, an investigation of the wheat and flour position as affecting them* relates the Ashburton “Guardian.

The Minister of Agriculture, the HonW. Nosworthy, it is hoped, will be able to satisfy himself from the investigation that it would be inimical to the interests of the grain-growers, millers, and the country in general to permit of the embargo on Australian flour being lifted. It was not known who would Conduct tho investigation; the Board of Trade was now out of commission, but departmental officials could, thought the farmers approached, carry out the work.

The spectacle of two business men settling their grievances by resort to the old-fashioned method of fisticuffs under prize-fighting rules in -the middle of the street, is not often witnessed nowadays, but this was what happened in the peaceful village of Ohaeawai up north on eale day last week, general regret by the cattle men, etc., being expressed that they were not among the privileged few to see the <<co ™' bat” (states the Auckland “Star ). However, it provided an interesting topic of conversation, eclipsing the usual rise or fall in stock prices. There was no elaborate stage setting. One of the business men is somewhat snort in stature, but is supposed to have had a boxing record way back. His opponent was on the large side, mtl> a long reach and a wild swing. The cause of their difference does not transpire, but a few heated words led to an adjournment to the middle of the road where they stripped and wont at it. All Ohaeawai in sight was flabbergasted, not to say shocked, and excitement ran high. At first 4be big man had all the fortune, and the little man bit the dust. But in the end •science told. Ducking under the wildly swinging arms, the small man landed a hefty one on his big opponent s temple, the impact being heard a blocir away. It was the finish. With a grunt but no spoken word, the defeated eno gathered up his traps, and disappeared into the sanctum of his show, there no doubt to have the bleeding staunched-.

The high standard of the New Zealand Police Force, and the excellence of our good system; were matters commented npon by the Rev. Jasper Calder nt the Princess Theatre in Auckland on Sunday (states the “Star”), when delivering the second part of his sermon entitled "When 'Winter Comes.” The most hardened criminals, he said, generally began with the most trifling offence. When they camo out of gaol there was no one to help them to get buck to tho paths of rectitude, or to regain their position in social life. It wan a mistake to say, as he has often heard remarked, that the Police Department was ever ready to hound these men down. He had never conio across anything of that kind anywhere ; on the contrary, he had always foupd both the members of the police and detective forces ever ready to assist any young fellow who. had foolishly, got himself into trouble*, often going out of their way to give him assistance. “As for our prison system and our probation system,” continued tho preacher, “I think it is the finest in tho world. I have studied it, and I can find noting in advance of it to be found anywhere.” Such an excellent system as they had in New Zealand was bound to bring good results. Itgave young men a chance to make good,, and was judiciously exercised by tho Magistrates presiding.

Much confusion and not a little temper was caused the other day by the cutting-off of a number of telephone subscribers for non-payment of their monthly accounts, states the “Otago Daily Tinies.” In a few cases the effect was quite demoralising, and as some 60 telephones were disconnected a largo number of people were put to great inconvenience. A subscriber seeking to communicate with another who had neglected payment of the monthly account was subjected to inconvenience by delay while tho operator endeavoured to procure a number which had been cut off. If the subscriber persevered he was subsequently rung up and told that the number he desired was “off the ’phone. 3 If it happened that he rang up tho number at intervals he was forced to conclude that the person with whom he desired to communicate was’ “not at home.” In one ease a subscriber was cut off before the conclusion of a call, having hung up his receiver for a few moments in order to get some information for a client. The owner of a telephone who had omitted to pay, ana was unaware of his oversight, could not communicate with the exchange because he was “cut off.” In some cases final notices were sent out by the Department, but this warning was omitted in at least one case brought under notice. The loss of time in the exchange mfist have been considerable, for the"’ operators were apparently unaware of the reason why some telephone subscribers could not be celled. After having done their best for one caller tho process would be repeated by them in other cases where the monthly account had been overlooked. It would have been easy for an official to ring up the lagging subscribers informing them of the position. Certainly much time would have been saved in this way, but perhaps such a simple method would not be in keeping with departmental dignity.