TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 179, 17 April 1923, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

Altogether 22 burglaries in the city and suburbs —all believed to have been carried out by youths—are being investigated by the Christchurch police (states a southern exchange). In the course of the robberies four safes were cut open with tools, and cash and goods to the value of hundreds of pounds were taken.

Mrs. E. R. McCombs, one of Labour’s Councillors on the Christchurch City Council, has a proposal in. the “Lyttelton Times.” to establish a municipal flour mill, at a cost of £15,000, to be driven Iby municipal electricity. By this, she contends, full market prices could be paid for wheat to the farmers, end a reduction in the cost of flour of £3 a ton, or a loaf effected. Spread over the whole Dominion, the saving of IRI. a loaf would mean an economy of £450,000. a sum greater than is contained in the promised penny postage concession.

During his recent visit to South Westland, the Commissioner of Crown Lands visited Welcome Flat, between Waihio and Copeland Pass, on the way to the Hermitage. Hot springs at Welcome Flat (states an exchange), are forming terraces of a bright yellow colour, a miniature of the former pink and white terraces at Rotorua. The Commissioner considers Welcome Flat a delightful holiday resort for alpinists, and only requires improved facilities to attract large numbers of holiday makers. Ho states that a hut is also required at Douglas Rock, on the Copeland track, to give shelter when the weather conditions are unfavourable for crossing the divide.

When speaking of the care of teeth at the Invercargill Education Board meeting, Mr. T. ,A. Hunter (the Government Schools Dental Officer) said that people wanted their wheat so fine to-day that it was only fit for the paperhanger and bill sticker. All the nutritious qualities of the wheat were removed by the refining machinery now used in the mills (reports an exchange). “We pearl our barley,” he said, and monkey with our oatmeal until it is of little use.”

A Wanganui business man, who recently motored through to Auckland and back, states that a great deal has been published from time to time by northern papers regarding the progress of tho Auckland province (says the “Wanganui Herald”). There is one thing the Aucklanders cannot boast of and that is the main road in the southern end of the province. It was so rough, said the local resident, that he was obliged to put the hood up to prevent his friends from being jolted out of the car.

’There was some amusement at a recent meeting of the Blenheim Borough Council (states the “Marlborough Express”). Councillor Curry was philosophising on the duties of councillorship—it was a thankless job, with more kicks than ha’pence and so on—and went on to remark, apropos of the lurp of office: “I often feel like an ass!” “Hear, hear,” fervently ejaculated Councillor Churchward amid laughter. “Oh, it’s all right,” rejoined Councillor Curry, smartly. “When I look round the table I see that there are seven or eight other asses here, so I have nothing to worry about.” The sally was received with hearty laughter.

Tn the course of a recent address at Gisborne Dr. French Oliver stated that physical beauty is dangerous unless it is overshadowed by the, love of God (says the “Gisborne Times”). History told sordid and desolate stories of beautiful girls and beautiful women who had fallen victims to unscrupulous men. Physical beauty was indeed a dangerous thing. “But. as I look the audience over I don’t need to warn the Indies here,” said the speaker, the remark being followed by hearty laughter.

As the result of a fire at Mangawhaiiki, near Ruatorea, last week (says the Gisborne “Times”), the house of Mr. William McClutchie was completely destroyed, and the seven children of the family, who were asleep at the time, had a narrow escape from being burned. Mr. McClutchie was an aliened about midnight by the sound of the fire, and upon investigating found that his way to the children’s room was cut off, and it was only by forcing an entrance from the outside bv means of the window that he was able to extricate them.

Dipping back into ancient history, the Patea “Press” states that on June 10, 1878, a land transaction on a stupendous scale took place in Patea, when the Natives of the Ngaruru Tribe, residing at Whenuakura and Waitotara, sold the whole block of land between tho two rivers above named from the confiscation boundary as far hack as the bounds of the county, estimated to contain 200,000 acres. Tho deed, which was signed in the presence of Captain Wray, S.M., ceded the whole of the block to Mr. William C'owern, auctioneeu, Patea, who, it was stated, intended offering the block to the Government for settlement purposes.

Some 12 or 13 years ago, Mr. Ayson, the Government Inspector of Fisheries, liberated some fry of the Atlantic salmon on the shores of Lake Te Anau. The fry was obtained from Scotland, and it should be mentioned that, this salmon is distinct from the quinnat salmon caught on the west coast of America, and also acclimatised in New Zealand. For a number of years no trace was obtained of tho fish placed in Lake Te Anau, and it was generally considered that they had died or been eaten out by other fish. The fish did not die, however. They evidently made their way to the sea, and indisputable evidence is now available that they have returned to their first haunts. Mr. H. Dyn> °f Christchurch, has just caught 25 Atlantic salmon, in tho (,'pukerora River, which runs into Lake Te Anau, and Mr. Eustace Russell has caught 11. One salmon weighed 111 b. Three of the Atlantic salmon are be"n" forwarded to Dunedin (states the “Otago Daily Times 7 ’). Tho Atlantic salmon is a very fine sporting fish, and it is confidently expected that when it becomes generally known that they can be secured in the southern rivers fishermen from overseas will visit New Zealand to indulge in the sport of catching them.

“Fully 5C per cent, of the accidents in the building trades are through the neglect of the worker himself, I am sorry to have to say,” said Mr. E. Stringer, Chief Inspector of Scaffolding, in the course of an address on the new Scaffolding Act at AVanganui (states an exchange). Ho added that thev did not think oi what they were doing. This vzas, however, counterbalanced. by the fact that New Zealand stood ‘lowest in tho world so far as percentage of accidents were concerned. Mr. Stringer expressed tho opinion that there would not be so many serious accidents if tho workers assisted the inspectors in seeing that the provisions of the Act were carried out. In tho past the inspectors had not been given tho credit or the assistance they were entitled, to from the men they were out to protect.

“Half a ton of coal each for the winning lady and gent” is the “Westport News’s” way of describing the prize „ list at a recent local euchre party.

A crusade against uncertificated drivers of motor-vehicles was advocated by Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at tlie Christchurch Magistrate’s _ Court (states an exchange). He said that the city traffic inspector ought to go along the street and ask the drivers for their certificates. They need not, of course, interrupt the traffic. Mr. H. Macintosh, city traffic inspector, sard that tho majority of drivers wasted no time in the street. They mignrpull up, do their Business, and be away again in a few minutes. With the staff at his disposal, he found his time fully occupied in other ways. “Something will have to be done,” said Mr. Wilson. “A raid is going to take place shortly,” the inspector foretold.

That one effect of the, rise in wages made by- recent Arbitration Court awards was to create a new class of unemployed was the opinion expressed by Palmerston North’s relieving officer to a “Daily Times” reporter. These were middle-aged men, whom employers said they could no longer afford to keen at the new wages, and replaced by younger and more active employees. The relieving officer mentioned in particular hotel and restaurant workers, quoting a case of one man who was an excellent cook and waiter, but rather deaf. Fie lived on his savings as long as they lasted, and had then walked out of town. He was now working at one of the Power Board camps. There were many instances where middle-aged men found it impossible to find work.

At a meeting of the Taranaki Nurserymen’s Council at Stratford (states the “Taranaki News”), the question of the botanic survey of the Egmont national park was considered. The committee reported that there had already been some correspondence between it and Dr. Cocaynu, and the convener had a personal interview with the doctor, who was in deep sympathy ■with the movement. On account of tho stress of work it was decided to suspend active public propaganda on the subject till the :pring. _ Meantime, the- council took tho financial responsibility of the initial part of the movement, and in addition each member undertook, as the opportunity offered, to do individual work and to secure the moral and financial support of as many as possible to the project. It was suggested that at the time of. the botanic survey, arrangements might also be made for a geological and general survey.

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Fruiterers’ Association Mr. J. Longton, commenting on the report and balance-sheet, stated (reports the Christchurch “Press”) he noticed thatthis season crops had been-fairly plentiful, but he also noted the fact that Jonathan apples were marked up in the retail fruiterer’s shop at 6d. per lb. This price was altogether too high, he contended, and it damaged the retailer, the consumer, and the producer. It especially reflected on the consumer who, by the high price, was prevented from obtaining sufficient fruit. The producer was prevented from securing a satisfactory price for his fruit, and the fruiterer was having fruit left on his hands.. He did notknow why such high prices should be charged for this particular class of apple. Perhaps they were basing their present prices on those ruling for the past four or five years, when there happened to he a shortage. At all events, fruiterers were buvmg Jonathans at ss. a case, so he did not see why sixpence per lb. should be charged the public for the fruit. The fruiterers were not entitled to this price.

With a view to obtaining a more frequent and more reliable passenger service to Gisborne, tho Gisborne Chamber of Commerce and the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce (states the Auckland “Star”), have been in communication with the Northern Steamship Company; and the result is the inauguration of a through service to Gisborne. A bi-weekly service will Ixi run on Monday and Thursdays, and the steamer will connect with a train at the Mourt, Tauranga, and passengers will proceed to Matatn., about twenty-five miles, by train. From there a motor service will run to Whakatane, Opotiki, and Gisborne, the whole run from Auckland to Gisborne occupying about 24 hours, which is the time, at present taken by the Arahura. It is stated that the present arra.ngement has been made to obviate the trouble and inconvenience frequently caused to intending passengers by the steamer beig unable to work Gisborne in rough weather, and at times when the tides are unfavourable.

The guarantee required for the freezing of pigs at the Picton works was the subject of a letter received by the Waitohi branch of ths Farmers’ Union from Mr. J. H. Saundereon, the provincial secretary (states the “Marlborouah Express”). Mr. H. Groensill expressed the opinion that if a guarantee was required by the Refrigerating Company, it would bo a. better proposition for the farmers to consider the question of starting their own freezing works. Mr. Derbyshire said that the majority of farmers wore not in a position to give a gu ar ' antee as to the number of pig» likely to be available during .the season. Racon companies at the present time were not altogether successful, but ba thought there was a big opening in t.h : s class of trade in the near future. Ho thought, however, that if the farmers did anything with Pigs, they should get together and nmke n start with their own works. Jhe farmers present, being personally appealed to. could not give any guarantee, and the matter was dropped.

A very interesting piece of ditch and bank fencing, probably . nearly seventy years of age, and reminiscent of the'days of old Patuone,. the patella's friend,” who lies buried in the old Dovonport burial ground on tho slopes of Mount Victoria, was uncovered recently. Patuono was accorded a Government funeral, after living to the great age of over a hundred T ea rs (states an Auckland paper) Post and rail fences, with gorse planted at the foot of them, was the usual style ot Tence in the old days, but Patuone had travelled far and seen much on the mission stations where he learnt to love the pakeha’s ways, and never lost much time in teaching improved methods to his followers. M hoever did the ditching and banking to keep in the stock which grazed .''Vlnn ,ts .boundar'es must have beep skilled workmen, for tho rain and the sunshine ot manv seasons and many moons have failed to raze it to the around. It is appropriate that a footpath, which was formed during the war period to link up the Melrose district with Stanley Pay bv the then borough council, should 'lnter on have been named I atuone Place after tho old chief who made such a picturesque figure in the streets not many years back, and who was indeed a splendid specimen of his race.