RANGITIKEI ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 89, 9 January 1926, Page 10

RANGITIKEI ITEMS

Vital statistics for Hunterville for the year just concluded are as follow:— Marriages 11, births 61, deaths 7. ’lhe figures for 1921 were: Marriages 17, births G2. deaths 6.

Air. Alorton Coutts, the Tailiape amateur wireless enthusiast, has been notified by headquarters that it will be necessary for him to work on a wave length of 37 metres instead of 250 metres as previously. 'This will mean that the Tailiape station (2AQ) will tio longer be heard in New Zealand and that the, popular wireless concerts which Mr. Coutts is in the habit of broadcasting will become, sweet memories of the past. It is understood that a protest is being entered. Eighteen bov scouts from the Marton troop left yesterday for the Jamboree at the Dunedin Exhibition. Scoutmaster P. H. Leonard is in charge, and it is intended to take part in competitions for signalling, athletics, marching, anti bridge building. On Wednesday afternoon a motorlorry driven by John Porter, of Alarton, crashed over the side of a bridge while endeavours were being made to negotiate a particularly dangerous turn on the Pukeroa Road (near Hunterville). The driver jumped clear and escaped without injury, but the vehicle was slightly damaged Stray dogs are causing a good deal of trouble in the Tailiape district and several farmers report the loss of sheep which have been worried. The Hunterville troop of Boy Scouts enter camp at Silverhope on Tuesday. The spot chosen is an ideal one, the natural facilities being excellent. Dairy, farmers in this district state that the season has been an exceptionally poor one, and the prospects for the next few months are anything but bright. Rain is badly needed, as the hills are fast becoming browned, and only a very heavy and prolonged downpour will revive the feed, which is far from plentiful.

Mr. A. I. Coleman, of the head office staff, Wellington, has been appointed stationmaster at Hunterville in succession to Air. E. T. G. Osborne, who has been transferred to Auckland. During the week a line of 200 lambs from the Uliku property of Air. A. Hibberd were forwarded to the Ngahauranga works. Tliev are said to be the best line that has left the district for manv years, their average weight being 381b.’

During December a total of 3.45 Inches of rain fell in .the Raetihi district. It rained only on nine days, the heaviest fall being on December 12

Air. nnd Mrs. Chas. Ellis returned home to Hunterville on Thursday evening after an extended tour of the Old Country.