LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ten degrees ■of frost • were reported at Hawera last night. Chaff is in demand in the south and a sharp rise has been recorded. It is quoted at £6 15s on trucks to farmers. The Wanganui Agricultural Association yesterday fixed their next show dates for November 12 and 13. Dr. H. P. Buck, in a lecture, said that he belonged partly to the tribes who believed that their ancestors came to Taranaki in the Aotea canoe during the great migration from Hawaii. Every Maori traced his ancestry to one of the canoes of the fleet going back for at least twenty-two generations. Recent advices from Bradford by letter (states the North Otago Times) confirm what has been a well-known fact, i.e., that speculative wool purchasers there this season have resulted in a. profit to them and a consequent loss to the sheepfarmers of not less than £2,000,000. The population ,of the Dominion at March 31 was 1,293,934, an increase of 4731 during the quarter. Including Maoris the population is 1,347,754. The births during the quarter totalled 7081, compared with 6823 during the first quarter of 1923, and the deaths totalled 2385 compared with 2371. —Press Assn.

“It will kill anything it touches,” remarked the secretary of the Wanganui Farmers’ Union recently, when referring to the liquid discovered by a Patea resident for destroying noxious weeds. “And it will be sold at 4s 6d a bottle.” “It is dearer than beer,” exclaimed a member, while another farmer chimed in: “It might kill the Farmers Union.” It was eventually decided to ask the discoverer of the specific to give a demonstration with the fluid at an early date. —Chronicle.

A member of the literary staff of a newspaper in the Westport district, who takes a keen interest in wireless broadcasting, had a novel experience the other day (states the News). Having gained all the knowledge possible to obtain from the stations in vicinity of Westport, he took advantage of visiting a Union Steam Ship Company’s boat which was in port with latest of modern appliances installed, and was so far interested in the boat’s plant that he did not observe that the boat was leaving the port until she was in the river, and the boat had to put back to avoid taking him on to the next port. The Bank of - Australasia intend erecting a new building on the site of the present one at Manaia. The plans have been received and provide for a most commodious two-storeyed concrete building. The ground floor is set apart for hanking purposes, and include a roomy banking chamber, manager’s room, and compartments for the* accountant, ledgers and general staff. A manager’s residence is also provided for on most convenient lines on the upper floor. Altogether the bxvilding null be a striking addition to the business portion of the town.

At Oaonui on Wednesday next, I/ewton King Ltd. are conducting a clearing sale on behalf of Mrs E. Cook. The dairy herd consists of 57 cows, Jersevs, Jersey cross and Holsteins. The horses are all good and can be recommended, and there is a full range of farm implements, including a reaper and binder. A 3-eow New Zealandia releaser milking plant with I.H.C. engine will also be sold without, reserve. At the same sale there will be sold on behalf of Mr Langdon, without reserve, an 8 li.p. White engine, double bagger chaffcutter and saw bench.

Growers of cereals in Canterbury and Otago have had a bad time of it during the present year, remarked the Prime Minister recently. In many cases, he said, their crops were just failures, and anyone could understand that that sort of thing affected business. It was operating against the briskness in trade that one would like to see. There was nothing in the wav of a depression in Otago, but when a very important section of the producers found that they had made no profit during the year, and in many cases a loss, that fact alone must affect the whole of the people in the district where it happened. The sheep-farmers have done very well indeed. “Thev have had a season that suited them,” said Mr. Massey. ‘‘There was a good lambing, and the lambs and whethers fattened well, and the farmers got a particularly good price for their 'wool. They are all right, and, of course, very cheerful and happy.

The executive of the Hunterville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ "Union on Saturday last passed the following resolution:' “This meeting of the executive of the Hunterville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union takes strong exception to the action of a section of the farmers as represented by Mr Duxficld and others representing the Auckland executive, taking advantage of the union organisation to promote a strong political party, as the union has alreadv declared itself non-political. We .further consider the farmers are already well represented in Parliament, and that a separate sectional party is quite unnecessary and not likely to stand.”

The Melbourne Ltd.’s Sale will positively end on Saturday, June 21. If you have not already bought anv of the following lines do not delay: 22in. linen and cotton tea cloth, lid yard; Arcadian 3-ply wool, 5-kI skein; '3(sin. cream Belle twill flannelette, 1/9 yard; Kaiapoi and Bruce nine-quarter grey blankets, 25/- pair.—Advt.

A sharp earthquake was felt at Hawere at about 4 o’clock this morning. The tremor, of thirty seconds’ duration, was also felt in the Kaponga district.

The ladies’ committee controlling the arrangements for the hall to be hel.l at Rowan on Wednesday next are making all possible preparations to lend attraction to the event and ensure its success. A waltzing competition will figure in the programme, which will also include a balloon waltz and other novelty dances. Vinsen’s well known jazz orchestra has been engaged, and an excellent floor is promised. Those who anticipate attending may look forward to an unusually pleasant evening.

The case in which Piko Rangi (Air Matthews) claimed £59 from A. Hastie (Mr Beechev) for wages due for harvesting was continued at the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday. A coun-ter-claim for £75 for damages is being considered on the same set of facts. For the second year in succession Mr F. Whittle, of Stratford, won the Taranaki clay bird championship shoot. The 1924 competition was field at Stratford on Thursday, the winner breaking the ‘‘possible” (21 clays), the first 19 with the first barrel, and having to use his second barrel only on the last two.