TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 13

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS FROM NEAR AND FAR

A total of S5O lambs, or 93 per cent, .of the season’s produciton, has been dispatched from the Ruakura State Farm (states an- exchange). The management has consigned the lambs to England.

Numerous dead trout were seen floating down the Waikato River the other day (states an exchange). No angling has been done in the river from A rapuni downstream since the water flowed over the spillway on January 1, t nd it is believed that the foreign substances brought down by the erosion in the Waited channel have killed most of the fish in the river.

The latest bowling story that, is going the rounds concerns some lady players who were spending the afternoon on a certain green in Invercargill (says the “Times”). To the consternation of one newly initiated but enthusiastic lady player she sent down a owl which, instead of rolling neatly down the green to the Icitty, turned of! and finished up two rinks away. “What was wrong with that?” she innocently remarked. “Oh,” was the reply, “the bias was on the wrong side.” “I must take it down to-morrow and get it fixed,’ said the aggrieved lady.

For many years the cow that was most popular in North Otago for dairying purposes was the Ayrshire, which combined milking qualities with a robust constitution (states the “Times”). The claims of this breed are now disputed 'by the Holstein Friesian (better known as the “black and white”) and the Jersey, both of the latter have strong supporters in the district, and milking strains of all breeds have this season been in good reqeust.

The long spell of dry weather experienced in Waihi has made it necessary to confine the use of water from the town apply to domestic purposes only and consumers have been warned to exercise the strictest economy to avoid further restrictions and possibly rationing (states an exchange) . While the position is not such as to cause itnmeliate alarm, it will become serious unless the warning is heeded and the weather breaks during the next few weeks.

' A greenish discolouration in the water at the Invercargill Tepid Baths is causing the authorities some concern at present (says,the “Tinies”). The trouble evidently arises, from the pipes after the water has passed through the filter, at which stage it is free of all impurities. 2k distinct greenish tinge was noticeable in the water which ran from the pipes for the first two or three minutes when it was turned on the other morning. The officials are at a loss to account for the occurrence, but are confident that it will be remedied in a very short time.

A repertory theatre, which plans to produce a programme of fine plays, will probably be formed in Christchurch early this year (says the “Times”). The venture will be supported by the Rotary Club. The. repertory movement was begun by Professor Shelley, of Canterbury College, when he formed the Bittle Theatre, whose three productions to date have been very successful Professor Shelley has always been an enthusiastic worker in amateur dramatic circles. He has given lectures and readings of drama all over .the province. The Auckland Bittle Theatre Society is a thriving organisation with a membership of over a thousand. Since its founding some excellent plays have been produced.

As a number of Boy Scouts were arriving at Milford Lagoon the other day a horse and dray was seen to fall over a steep incline, and land upside down in the Opihi riverbed )says an exchange). Fortunately, there was no water at the particular spot. Two men, the driver of the car, and the Scoutmaster, unharnessed the horse, which was little the worse for its experience. Then with the assistance of twentysix scouts, the dray was hauled back to level ground, one wheel having to be detached to keep it from capsizing.

Contrary to expectations, the Christmas and New Year tourist season in Otago has equalled that of last - year (reports an exchange). The Milford Track, attracted a fairly large number of parties, including 33 members of the Tararua Tramping Club, who were greatly pleased with the trip. There was also a big holiday rush .to Stewart Island, while Queenstown experienced a record season. A few parties went over the Haast Pass, but the weather before Christinas was not favourable for this walk.

A fire which, burned right' to the clay almost completely destroyed the vegetation of the most western of the-three islets at the foot of the Paritutu on a recent morning (states the “Taranaki Herald”). The extent of the damage was noticed from a harbour launch cruising in the vicinity. The island was of interest not only because of the native flora, which was of a rare type, but on account of the remains ..there of a Maori pa. At one time there were notices' warning visitors of the danger if firing the vegetation, for which there is a heavy penalty.

A fair-sized kitten in the Eketahuna district, which in various ways seems to nossess more than ordinary intelligence, has commenced to retrieve small birds which are shot with an orchard gun while raiding small fruit (says the “Express”). It does not seem in the least disconcerted by the noise of the explosion of the gun. An older cat of the same family will round up fowls in the garden, at the word of command, much in the same way as a dog rounds up sheep. Both are keen small bird hunters on their own account.

Te Aroha is threatened with a- shortage of water in the event of the present dry weather spell being prolonged (reports an exchange). Both reservoirs which supply residents of the borough with water are nearly empty, and drastic measures are being employed to prevent the use of garden hoses. Four men have been patrolling the borough environs in the evenings, and are instructed to cut off the supply altogether tb residents found using hoses and with leaking taps in their homes.

While returning from Bluff the other afternoon, a patty of local cricketers were involved in an accident (says the "Southland Times”). 'The bus was approaching the Ocean Beach station, when a small three-seater forged up alongside and attempted to pass without giving any warning. However, it drew level with the frontwheels of the bus, apparently its outside back wheel began to slip over the edge of a slight bank, and in order to bring his car back on to the road,"the driver had to swerve in front of the bus, which, in its turn, was forced to turn sharply to the left to avoid a collision with, the car. The front mudguard of the bus crashed into a tcegraph poe, but except for a bumpy, nerve wracking passage for a few yards, the passengers escaped unhurt. The driver of the small car will not easily forget the few choice words delivered to him bv the righteously indignant bus driver and a few equally indigant -M>ssene.axa-

Passengers on the Limited express which arrived from Wellington.' a lew •ays ago were impressed by the very pungent evidences of bush on lire in the country between Taumarunui , and Frankton (says, the Auckland “Star”). So dense was the smoko in the neighbourhood of Te Kuili that even the railway boundary fences were invisible from the carriages, though no Hanies could be seen. The acrid quality of the smoke in the vicinity of Te Awamutu suggested that neat in swamp lands was burning, and the opinion was freely expressed on (he train that grass and peat fires must Ge causing trouble to many settlers in the upper Waikato districts. The anxiety of farmers by the shortage of water in some localities would also be intensified through the heavy pall of smoke increasing the thirst of their stock, especially as practically all pasturage at (lie present time resembles hay more than grass after the long dry spell. Passengers on the train were also made most uncomfortable on account of dust.

It is an invigorating spectacle during Plunket Shield matches to watch mother knitting socks, crewelling antimacassars •or doing macraine table-centres through the hectic hours between runs (says an exchange). But there is a modern palliative to the dreadful excitement of cricket in tlie radio set. A man who has gone to see local Graces open 'their shoulders to the visiting Spofforths carried with him a set that could hardly have weighed less than 401 b With his eyes on the flying leather and the bright cricket generally, his ears were in tune with Ellerslie. Thus he would suddenly' leap to life and scream, “They’re off!” while his neighbours, imagining ho burbled of. bails, denied the imputation. “Grandstand Handicap!” he proceeded as another run was registered. When he announced in a hushed voice that Mask had won, cricket devotees koked anxiously at the wickets and much more anxiously towards Ellerslie.

An astute poultry expert of Blockhouse Bay has solved the fowl feed problem (says’ the Auckland “Star”). An old motor tire and a few feet of eelinfested water are all he needs.' Every evening he sinks his old tire and every morning he pulls it to file surface, the interior replete with curled-up cels. He boils this rich food, and the air is filled with the glad cackle of laying liens. Motor ear tires nowadays are not merely used for running over pedestrians. Divorced from their parent wheels they become hoops for the rising generations, who imperil their lives and horrify drivers by bowling them across streets. Every trans-harbour wharf pile has its series of old motor tires, making them look in the distance like gigantic fingers covered with rings. Then every working launch in the harbour has old tires along its rubbing streaks, and the art of the rope buffer maker Is thus interfered with by millionaire rubber growers. One occasionally meets a softwalking gentleman whose presence is unexpected until he breathes down your neck. With infinite care and a sharp tomahawk he has carved soles for his boots from an extremely resistant car tire.•

The spirit of irresponsible mischief which seems to enter into some people when holiday-making sometimes leads to rather serious results and is, at any time, to be deprecated. The Southland Electric Power' Board had done much to make things pleasant for visitors to Lake Monowai by allowing them the use of a row boat on the lake if permission is obtained from the officer, in charge at the power house, and by allowing them the use of three huts in the vicinity. Recently some visitors took possession of the dinghy without asking permission and smashed the lock, and, not content with that, damaged the oars and knocked the beat about generally (states the “Southland News”). This in itself was a serious matter, especially since at times the dinghy is urgently required in connection with the control gates and if it is not available the results are likely to be serious. The three huts were also left in a deplorable condition, the bunks being broken and the mantle-shelves torn down, wanton destruction, since there is good firewood within a few yards of the huts. It is to be hoped the miscreants will be traced and adequately punished.

It is difficult tn explain why the wind, wjien it blows all round the compass, is termed a' "soldier’s wind,” but it was quite a common expression at one time in New Plymouth (says the "Herald”). On a recent day, although it blew from the south-west for most part of the day, there were occasions in the afternoon when it veered to almost all points of .the compass, coining back to the starting point with additional strength, stirring ,up dust, removing) headgear, and generally making things ■unpleasant. New Year tournament bowlers, osgpecially those on the New Plymouth green, found it most trying to gauge the strength, and sometimes a bowl that under ordinary circumstances would have found the ditch, would stop short yards in front of (he jack.

The flightiness of dame fortune at a racecourse is remarkable (remarks the Stratford “Post”). A Stratford man "in the' know” found that the "certs” were having a day off, and in pecuniary difficulties sought his wife for further funds, which were given with a few remarks about hi s "inside information,” luck, racing ability, etc. He next borrowed from a friend, then from his brother, then from his sons—and still the "certs” missed the mark. Arriving home he found his youngest son, Ifi years of ago, demanding the return of various pounds loaned to mother, brothers, etc., all of whom referring to father. The youngster was the only one to return home financial, and ho had kept most of the family going in cash on the course.

The dry weather has had tlite effect of lessening the amount of water in some of the tributaries of the Upper Waikato River, with the result that the main stream is this season well stocked with trout (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Tourists viewing the Aratiatia Rapids, near Taupo, have been much interested in. watching the large rainbow trout fighting their way up the turbulent waters. In one pool a visitor recently observed as many as nine fish making their attempts to get up. The Waikato River from Aratiatia to Taupo is fielding very fine fish to the anglers and one fine fish of 121 b. was recently taken on the fly a short distance above Aratiatia. The condition of the Waikato River fish is in marked contrast to the poorer fish now being taken near the shores of Lake Taupo. The theory is .held that the dry weather has driven the good trout into the deep water, and that after good rain the big fish will approach the shores again. Meantime, sport is disappointing except to those who know the favoured spots in the Waikato River, the banks of which require clearing before the fishing will be acceptable to the majority of anglers.

A resident of Titnaru who was in England last vear, told a reporter that he was interested in reading the cable news with reference to greyhound racing at Home (says rhe "Herald”). When at Home.he had seen a good deal of this sport, and he was assured by people there, that it is something of a benefit to the community, . because it caused hundreds of thousands of pounds to be spent on betting, instead of on drink. There-was no doubt that drinking at Home had declined. Millions of working people had ohly a very limited amount to spend per week on other than necessities, and it was considered better that thev should spend it on betting, rather than on beer. The fact that steps arS being taken to restrict greyhound racing, both in England and Australia, however, suggests that it has not proved of much benefit to the community.