NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 130, 28 November 1929, Page 21

NELSON NEWS

FEAB OF FIEEBLIGHT

THE WAIMEA COMMITTEE

(From Our Own Correspondent.) NELSON, 27th November. At different times to-day there has been a bright red glow over the city similar to that caused by a fire at night—evidently the reflection from a reddish-brown dust in the clouds. When surfaces which were exposed to this morning's showers dried, it was noticed that deposits o£ red-dish-brown dust remained. On car hoods and bonnets the deposits were particularly noticeable, while pools oil water had a brownish tihn on top, and a heavier reddish deposit on the bottom. The rain was similar to Australia's "red rain," and it is probable that the dust which fell in this morning's showers originated iv the interior or the Commonwealth, and travelled in high clouds across the I'asman. Dust deposits similar to those iv Nelson were noticed also in the Waimeas and at Motueka. Severall eases are reported where washed clothes hanging on the line were fringed on the bottom ends with red, necessitating a rinsing to wash out the dust. For the first time since Sunday the sun shone this afternoon. The rain, which commenced on Mouday morning, and continued almost unceasingly, ended with a heavy thunderstorm between three and tour o'clock • this morning, and it is well that it did, for rivers in the district were on the verge of overflowing their banks. The Maitai carried a lot of water, and a pier of Clouston's bridge was undermined. In spite o£. surface .water and flooded creeks, service cars were able to keep to their timetables, and other traffic was not seriously inconvenienced. Last November was one of the driest on record in Nelson, only an inch and a half of rain falling. Peculiarly enough, this month promises to be one of the wettest on record. For the 24 honrs ended at 9 o'clock this morning, the meteorological section of the Cawthron Institute registered 2.56 in of rain, making the total for the month 6.45 in, an.amount which has been only twice exceeded in November during the. last 46 years. For the year 44.16 in has fallen, against 41.21 for the whole of 1928. Dr. Bowerbank, president of, the Toe H in Wellington, occupied the chair last evening at a preliminary meeting to form a group of Toe • H in Nelson. After the chairman had explained the principal objects of the movement, it waa decided'to form a group in Nelson. Flags at the city schools were flying at half-mast to-day, Mr. Edward W. Kidson, of the teaching staff of the Motueka High School, having died yesterday. The late Mr. Kidson was a son of Mrs. C. Kidson, late of Nelson, and now of Christchurch. The death of Mr. Herbert C. Henderson, of Kairuru (Takaka Hills) occurred yesterday after a brief illness, from pneumonia, supervening on influenza. He came to the Nelson district from Christchurch about 21 years ago, and during that period made many friends, and gained the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. The deceased was a member of the Revaluation Board, which reported on soldier settlers' farms in the Nelson district a few years ago. The late Mr. Henderson was a married man with four children. A well known and highly respected reeiderit of Motueka, Mrs. J. S. Wratt, passed away suddenly' at her residence, VVhakarewa street, on Sunday morning. Mrs. Wratt, who was the eldest daughter oi the late Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Ohallies, of Waimeat West, and was born in Appleby in 1862. In 1886 she married the late Mr. J. S. Wratt, Motueka, who took a prominent part in public affairs during his lifetime. Mrs. Wratt is survived by three sons, Edgar Stewart, Leslie William, and Arthur Ashley (Motueka), and four daughters, Mrs. L. Cook (Matamata), Mrs. J. C. Smith (Blenheim), Mrs. F. Rogers (Otorohanga), and Miss M. Wratt (Motueka), and twelve . grandchildren. Death has taken another old and respected resident from the district in Mrs. Barbara Teressa Berry, of Aorera, who was born in letterkenny, County Donnegal, Ireland, 68 years ago. She came to New . Zealand at the age of 16, landing at Port Chalmers. After a few years' residence there and 'in Wanganui, the late Mrs. Berry . came to Takaka, where she met and married Air. Arthur Berry, later with her husband moving to Collingwood, where she resided up to her death. Mrs. Berry is survived by a widower and two sons—Mr. A. Berry, of Rockville,- and Mr. W. Berry, of Aorere; and one daughter, Mrs. J. Nelson, of Cashmere Hills, Christchurch. At a meeting of the. Waimea District Fireblight Committee, a letter was read from Mr. J. A. Campbell, Director of Agriculture, which'indicated that the cost of collecting a levy of 6d per acre would be out of proportion to the revenue produced. While members were reluctant to strike a larger rate, it was eventually unanimously agreed to strike a rate of 2s per acre, and rescind the resolution passed at the previous meeting to strike a rate of 6d per acre. Referring to the possible introduction of fireblight into the Nelson district, Mr. D. Haining expressed the opinion that there was a reaft source of danger in private '.individuals bringing cuttings of' trees, shrubs, or plants from a fireblight area, -"in their personal luggage. In view of the fact that it was not generally known that it was against the Government regulations to bring trees, shrubs, etc., from the North Island without a permit, it was decided to take steps to make the fact more generally known, and thus. lessen the possibility of the menace being introduced to the district. The meeting also decided, to draw up a list of names of residents in the district who are acquainted with fireblight, and who might be of assistance in the event of an outbreak.