TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 54, 28 November 1923, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

Wild, ducks abound in the marshes of the Puki Puki lagoon, Oroua Downs (states the “Manawatu Evening Standard”). Through being unmolested they are so tame as nob to take wing when horseman approaches them within a chain or so.

As evidence of the splendid growth in Waipukurau, a well-known gardener was observed cutting down his cabbages with an axe. Thp cabbages (says the “Napier Daily Telegraph”) were of great size and in splendid condition.

A Fordell resident said that since the paths and part of the _ school grounds had been laid down in concrete, the health of the children had improved materially. They were now able to keep their feet dry, and colds in consequence were not so prevalent in wet weather. —Wanganui “Chronicle.”

Investigations conducted on the West Coast, near Oroua Downs, have led some Government experts interested in the movements of sand dunes to maintain that the coast is steadily (states the “Manawatu Evening Standard”) being built up. Proof of the contention is found in the driftwood and heaps of sea shells recently.cast up by the sea,, to be found a short distance inland.

Afforestation work at Oroua Downs is greatly hindered by the depredations of rabbits, and when young trees are planted the State Forest Service officers protect them by miniature palisades of flax sticks and stakes. The Forestry Department men spread poison on a fairly extensive scale, but the furred pests still come in in thousands from adjacent properties and find ideal cover in the loose sand dunes. A noticeable feature (saj;s the “Manawatu Evening Standard”) is the great proportion of black rabbits.

A Waikato youth has returned from Germany, where he was paid off from a German boat, after having shipped at Panama as a stoker (says the “Times”). His two months’ wages at the American rate of pay totalled 800,000,000 marks (£32). The German rate of pay would have been only £1 10s. A suit of clothes cost him 97,000,000 marks (£4).

The satisfactory financial result of the Ashburton gala art union wtis remarked upon at Saturday night’s meeting of the members of the committee. It had resulted in almost £lOO being added to the gala funds. “Yes, we’re all gamblers,” philosophically remarked one member as ho folded his arms with a satisfied air. “There’s nae gamble aboot it,” returned a son of Scotland, ’'for it were a sure loss I”—Ashburton “Guardian.”

“Do you suggest that there would be anything left over from £3 after three people have been adequately fed and clothed on it?” asked Mr. H. A. Young S.M., at the Magistrate s Court?'Hamilton, of counsel who was pressing for an order against an engineer who stated that after paying rent 15s. he had only about £3 left on which to keep himself, wife, and young child. Counsel contended that many’ labourers were keeping a family on less, but His Worship (says the “Waikato Times”) could not see how it was reasonably possible to make £1 ner week suffice for each person, and accordingly refused to make an order.

A period of six months or more having been spent on the restoration or the carvings, the front of the Maori carved storehouse from the lauranga district has now been erected m the Maori Hall at the Otago Museum (say s the “Star”). About a third of the carvings as they now stand are restorations. Tho execution of this work has been in the hands of Mr. Kania, who has followed the drawings of a member of the museum staff, and he has carried out his work m a most admirable manner. The st ? r ® h °" so fc as it now exists is probably tiro most attractive and expressive single exhibit in the Otago Muselm.

“There are ninety-seven. New Zealand soldiers buried in the Br . ock ®"' hurst parish churchyard, and it has been suggested that many of their relatives might like to contribute to a church bells memorial fund, stated a letter received by the executive ot the Christchurch Returned Soldiers Association at its meeting on AVedncsday night. It was w’ritten by C Salvey, the president of a ladies committee which is caring for tiro craves of New Zealanders at Brockenhurst (states tho “Passs”). Thp fund is for the restoring of three old church bells and for the hanging of three new ones. The alterations are estimated to cost £4OO. The letter expressed the hope that one of the new bells would bo dedicated to the memory of the New Zealand soldiers, and suitably inscribed. The secretary of the R.S.A., Mr. AV. E. Loadley, was asked to receive any subscriptions to the fund and forward them to England.

A well-known Carterton horticulturist declares that in many cases, although fruit trees showed profuse blossom, and strawberries gave great promise in the came way,. much disappointment is being experienced at the small proportion of blossom setting for fruit. Our authority (says the “Wajrarapa Daily News”) ascribes this drawback to the shortage in the number of bees this season, due, he believes, to the condemnation by the Government apiary inspector of so many hives on account of foul brood. So drastic has been the destruction, says our informant, that whole sections of country are practically denuded of bees, and the usual pollenising of trees and plants is consequently not being effected. It is an interesting theory, and possibly other fruit growers may give their experience on the subject.

With reference to a proposal to introduce earwigs into New Zealand, a Cliristchurch resident writes to the “Lyttelton Times” as follows: “Sir, — Will you kindly allow mo space to make an oiler to the orchardists of the North and South Islands who have suffered through the lack of knowledge or means to control the insect pest? I read in a recent issue that some enthusiastic party had a cargo of earwigs on the way to New Zealand. lam astonished to learn of this. I wonder if the party are acquainted with the earwig’s existence hero already. And so 1 come to offering as many thousands of these pests as the North Island requires. I have reason to pronounce these creatures as pests, and of the wost nature. too, since in 1922 my garden was absolutely controlled and destroyed by them. ’ I make no exception in their choice of material to eat, and they even sought refuge from climatic conditions in the house. Indeed, I believe, I nearly always carried one with mo somehow in my clothes So 1 again offer to donate as many an the North Island requires. Ca.i I ir.-go that the shipmoat bo drowned hl favour of our local breeding, whose vicious I qualities I can Wacfj. for?”

A correspondent from Mahoenui (on the Mokau-To Kuiti road) has written to the New Plymouth Tourist League stating that some rivers in that district are practically unfished, and so full of big strong rainbow trout that tho settlors are frightened to let the children bathe. He says he would be pleased to show fishermen lound. but would remind them that the water is cold at this time of the year and it is a no-license area- —“Taranaki Daily News.”

Ab a pipe-smoker. the Hon. W. Downie Stewart could not resist a humorous reference to the decision that there should bo no smoking at the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, held in the Auckland Town Hall. Speaking at tho luncheon (says the “New Zealand Herald”), he expressed his regret at being unable to attend the conference. But he had reconciled himself, he said, to some extent when he discovered that “no smoking” was the rule. As Minister of Customs, and realising that tobacco was one of the main sources of revenue, ho had hoped they would not have merely made smoking optional, but compulsory.

An unusual phenomenon was witnessed by many Te Awamutu residents on Thursday morning. and much wonderment was expressed as to the causa and probable effect. A dark ring was noticed round the sun much similai in appearance to the more rshinien ring round the moon (says the “Waipa Post”). One resident who takes something more than a passing interest in tho mysteries of the heavens said that not being a scientist he could not give an explanation, but it was a form of corona that usually presaged a violent storm. The Government meteorologist’s forecast, however, does not uidicate anything unusual. On the other hand, phenomena such as sun spots do not usually affect the weather on this planet for several days after they are observed.

“We want more lines up the pavements than one in the centre,” remarked an Auckland resident on Saturday morning. “There should be one for loiterers on the edge of the. kerb, and another for ladies who wish to look in the shop windows. As it is now vou have to bustle the ladies on one side and the loiterers on the other.”—Auckland “Star.”

In a bankruptcy case at tho AVanganui Supreme, Court on Saturday morning counsel mentioned (reports the “Herald”) that the bankrupt paid .£5O an ’acre for land at Te Awamutu. His Honour tho Chief Justice said it was an enormous sum to pay for land in that locality, and any person familiar with the locality knew that to get any result out of the land it required a considerable expenditure in manures. Commenting further on this transaction, His Honour said he had taken steps some time ago to warn people of the evils of this gambling in land, but no notice was taken of the warning. People went on and took these farms with sometimes five, six, and seven mortgages, and with little capital committed themselves to be responsible for thousands. In the present instance, if bankrupt had kept to one farm he might have nulled through tho slump.

A mob of about 300 bullocks in charge of two Featherston drovers, coming from the Martinborough cattle fair, caused some excitement in Lincoln and Brooklyn roads, Carterton, on Saturday afternoon (relates the “AVairarapa Daily News”). Through some cause the cattle stampeded, and despite the efforts of the men in charge, they careered over the wire fences into the dairy farms situated on both sides of the roads. The bullocks were not altogether proficient hurdlers, and failing to jump their fences they wont through them and consequently caused considerable damage. It is thought that the cattle, being ’ very thirsty, smelled the streams istuated in the paddocks, and in their frenzied desire to get to water they took tho shortest route thereto.

With reference to the destructive habits of rabbits on young trees, a correspondent informs us that if trees are rubbed with animal fat when they are planted, it will be found that the rabbit will not touch thorn. —“AVairarapa Daily Nows.”

Reports that there are instances of blackleg in this district having been substantiated (says the “AVaipa Post”), representations have been made to the Agricultural Department, at the instance of tho Dairy Farmers’ Union. Mr. G. B. Melrose, tho local stock inspector, is prosecuting inquiries and enlisting all possible assistance in the effort to stamp out the outbreak. The seriousness to the whole of 'the stock in AVaikato if the outbreak is not checked i* of course realised, and it behoves all stock owners to use every endeavour to stamp it out.

Wairarapa agriculturists are already crying out for rain (states the “Age”). They state that the ground is too dry and hard for ploughing, while that turned over has become baked and impossible to work. Those who have planted mangold? and other root crops aro looking for rain to give them the necessary start. Grass on light, stony land has already commenced to assume a brownish tint, and generally the conditidhs back up the farmers’ appeal for rain.

In a country district a lecturer Trom the Department of Agriculture addressed an interested gathering upon the all-important question of improved methods on the farm. .In particular (relates tho Auckland “Star”) he stressed the need of herd testing, top dressing pastures, and th© cultivation of roots and forage crons. At tho close of his address, in response to invitations from the chairman, a number of those present expressed various opinions upon the all-absorbing subject. Presently a voice camo from down tho hall: “Don’t see what we want with all the new-fangled notions, such as herd testing, top dressing, and growing roots; my father could buy good cows, they had good grass, he didn’t manure tho paddock, and ho didn’t grow roots. And 1 what was good Enough for my father is quite good enough for me.” There came a voice from somewhere addressing the last speaker: “I say, didn’t I sco you drive up to this meeting in your new motorcar?” “Yes; but what has that got to do with you. anyway? I’ve paid.for it, and surely I can use it.” “Well, hut your father never had a motorcar. He had to put up with a horse and trap, and so should you.” A furious look camo across his face, but before he had time to think of a suitable rejoinder there was still another voice: “Why. he Lias a te'*pliono laid on io his house. His father never had one. What docs he want one for?” This war, too much for the “good enougn for father, good enough for mo,” who grasped his hat and walked out cf the room boiling w'th mdignntic/u,,