LOCAL NEWS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1949, Page 4

LOCAL NEWS

The Loder Cup for 1948 has been awarded to Mr A. D. Beddie, of Lower Hutt, it was announced yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. E. L. Cullen. The cup was presented in 1927 by the late Gerald vV. Loder, of Sussex, England, to encourage the protection and cultivation of New Zealand flora.

Last evening’s express from Christchurch was more than 20 minutes late in arriving at Greymouth, ’the railcar from Westport was delayed yesterday morning through a gooeb. train having to be split at Tawhai to make the run through the Reefton tunnel in two sections, and the express from Greymouth was delayed at Stillwater 15 minutes- to enable Westport-bound passengers to connect. This delayed the arrival of the express from Christchurch, owing to difficulties at the Otira dining rooms.

A second party of farmers, a total of 19, from South Australia will arrive in Auckland on March 1, said the Australian High Commissioner (Mr A. R. Cutler) yesterday. They will travel through both islands until April 1, when they leave Auckland by air on their return to Australia. Officials of the Agriculture and Maori Affairs Departments and also Federated Farmers were co-operat-ing so that the visitors would see as much as possible of farming developments in New Zealand.

Notice of the Governor-General’s approval, under the Defence Act, to the formation of a new corps of the New Zealand military forces to be known as the New Zealand Provost Corps, was contained in last night’s gazette. —P.A.

To meet the cost of grading, a levy on all butter and cheese manufactured, is provided for by an amendment to the Dairy Produce Regulation gazetted last night. Hitherto the levy has been struck only on the butter and cheese actually graded, but the charge will, under the new regulations, apply to all butter and cheese manufactured whether or not it is actually graded. Details of the new scheme have been known to the dairy industry for some time.' —P.A. The charge made for farm dairy instruction is increased Slightly, ana tne oasis on which the charge is made is modiiiecl by the Farm Dairy Instruction Regulations gazetted last night. The charge which is levied on dairy companies, win now oe payable in one sum instead of in monthly instalments. The charge is calculated according to the amount of milk or cream received for manufacture and according to the number of suppliers. •—Press Assn.

Notification of the approval of a design for the flag for Western Samoa was gazetted last nignt. A similar notification was given on May 27, last, but the New Zealand Government has since been requested, on behalf of the Samoan people, to approve of a flag of slightly different design. This request has been acceded to, and in future, the flags tor general use on shore within Western Samoa will be the New Zealand Ensign and the new flag now approved. It is red with the first quarter blue, and bearing five white regular iiyerayed stars, representing the squtnern Cross. The size and disposition of these stars is prescribed in detail. —Press Assn.

At the monthly meeting of the Greymouth Aid for Britain Committee it was reported that the food which was collected in Greymouth last year as a Christmas present lor the people of Islington, arrived lo days too late. The delay was caused in‘ New Zealand. However, another shipment of 42 cases of edible fat and tinned foodstuffs will be ready lor dispatch to Islington shortly. Ine Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustndge, presided and extended a welcome to Mr H. R ’ Pool, the Chief Postmaster, who has replaced Mr H. C. Rose on the committee.

At the Grey district Acclimatisation Society’s monthly meeting, it was reported that 20 pair of Mallard Mucks had been obtained. Five pairs had been placed on a property at Ikamatua, and two pairs at New River. The balance were being held at Ngahere in the meantime. This is the commencement of a scheme to liberate Mallard ducks and pheasants in the Society’s area. It is also proposed to investigate the possibility of obtaming quail from other societies for liberation. The secretary (Mr M. R. Bunt) was instructed to write to various societies inquiring whether they could supply quail. It was decided to appoint the secretary to represent the Society at special meetings of the Council of the South Island Acclimatisation Societies, and the South Island Vermin Control Board at Christchurch this week, and to indicate the Society’s views on the question of the abolition of payments of bounties on vermin, and. to Tisk that due consideration be given, to the effect on the native bird life, particularly before any alternation is made. The resignation of Mr E. Dumpleton (Blackball), was accepted with regret. The chairman expressed appreciation of Mr Dumpleton’s services to the Society, and presented him with a five years’ service certificate.

Two outsize tomatoes have been reported. One weighing lib 9oz was grown by Mr F. J. Marsden, of Onehunga. The tomato, which is irregular in shape, measures sin by 4in. Theer are eight or ten other large fruit on the plant. A tomato, sin across and just under 4in through, and weighing lib Boz., was grown bv Mr V. Cooke, of Bell Road, Remuera. Mr F. C. West, of Newmarket, was reported last week as growing" a tomato weighing lib 7oz and measuring 4-in across and 3m through.