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Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 23

An indication of the hardships faced bv the fanners in the outlying districts was revealed a day or two ago, savs an exchange. Mr. J. Smith, who with his brother, holds a 20,000-acre block of land near Mangaweka, stated that a disastrous fire completely swept some 1100 acres of grass on the holding. and destroyed a quantity of valuable standing bush. The fire, which lasted three to four hours, destroyed from 1000 to 1200 sheep. Tn one paddock alone containing 350 sheep, only five escaped. Three years ago thg brothers felled and grassed about 500 acres of land, and owing to fire have had no return from it. The estimated cost of resowing and restocking the area is about £3OOO. Harbour, county, city, and river control arc terms that are familiar with all Napier citizens, but child control „was introduced most forcibly into the city’s scheme of things a day or two ago (states the “Dailv Telegraph”). A unique sight in Napier, an itinerant brass band,’was discoursing more or less sweet music in Hastings Street, and during its efforts a small child, whose mother was engrossed in a shop window display, took upon itself the responsibility of driving the fam -I .’ perambulator straight at the street orchestra, and bad almost accomplished the object of “beating the band” when the mother turned. She bore down upon and seized the offspring, and before an interested crowd meted cut swift punishment. From thence on the strains of the band were rivalled by sounds even les? musical.