POST OFFICE AT TUAKAU.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5370, 30 December 1876, Page 3

POST OFFICE AT TUAKAU.

To the Editor : Sir,—Previous to the advent of the railway, Tuakau as a township had a centre of its own, although but very few people living in it (about half a dozen) and that centre happens to be on the edge of the Tuakau swamp, which is some thousands of acres in extent and the piesent Post office happens to be on the very edge, so that one third of the district around cannot be settled on. much for that being a central locality. Since the railwaystation has been established on the main Tuakau Road, atadistance of a mile and a half f 1 om the present Post-office, the whole position has materially altered. We, the outsiders, are now in the centre of traffic, as it all goes through the station, ladiating from which, in all directions, goods have to be got and produce sent, and, as there is no real centre of population, consequently what is central for traffic is central for the Postoffice. It has been stated that the people around here did not wish the change, but their signatures testify to the contrary, as they all, without exception, were anxious to sign. True, our petition was for a branch office, but the mere fact that the authorities are unwilling to grant two offices does not alter our minds on the subject of our getting one. There were none signed my petition who did not wish their correspondence to be forwarded to this office, and thoroughly understood it when signing, and as more than half the population of the district signed my petition, we considered our case so good that we invited Mr. Bias or the Inspector, who would both be unbiassed by local jealousies, to visit the district and decide the case on its merits. Mr. Biss very courteously acceded to our request, and, as your correspondent states, saw for himself how matters stood, and we are quite satisfied he did see the necessity of removing the office.— I am, &c, T. Walker. Tuakau, December 26, 1876.

The Phylloxera Vastatnx : If no cure has yefc been found for the vino bug malady, the attempts to conquer the phylloxera are far from diminishing. Submersion of the vine3 19, up to the present, the sole remedy that lias everywhere succeeded where tried ; the sulphuret of carbon has given but chequered lesults. A feeling in favour of importing American vines, on winch French stocks could be grafted, has set in, and the Government has nominated a commission to go to Philadelphia and investigate the subject. The Black Bean Rug • The bean crop in France is seveicly attacked this year with the black bug Ashes, soot, guano, scat-' tered in the early morning while the dew is on the plant, a solution of mine, &c, ha\e becu tried with moieor less effect Steep ing seeds in a poisonous solution and hastening the growth of the young plant are amongst the most efficacious preservatives. M. Burvenich recommends that an excellent means to prevent the root of cabbages fiom being attacked by the worm, 13 to plant them in furrows, somewhat like celeiy. The cause of the disease, he asserts, is due to he aridity of the soil. As a gentleman was passing a stieet beyond the Atlanta Medical College, U.S., in which a numbei of negroes icside, he heard an old negio calling out to his wife, "Mauda! is you got dem chickens coral'd in de smokehouse, like I told yer ?" "No ! An' T'd like to know w liar's de matter wi' you, d it \ou so tickler 'bmt them chickens ail at .-nee," ■she lephul. " Nebber you mind ! 1 know whai's de matter, and that's milt till them chickens is housed. When i hears dat dem niggers ober dar in de next yard is gwine to hab a party to-morrow nigkt, I wanted to be shore dat my chickens doosn't 'tend it, you hear me *"