LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 January 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The statement of rates supplied by the clerk of the Rawera County Council to Saturday’s meeting that tne amount outstanding was Tib,44/, or a total levied of £22,747. It was resolved at the Rawera County meeting on Saturday that Saturday shall bo the half-holiday within the county, as lias been the case lor years past.

At Auckland Miss Mercedes Gleitze succeeded in breaking; bey own world s record for endurance swimming, Bhe finished at 12. Du o’clock yesterday morning, having swum continually lor 43 hours. Her previous record was hours, established iu 'Wellington. An unusual accident occurred in Rais well Street, Wanganui, on Saturday morning. A city council lorry sank into a great hole, about Six feet deep, which suddenly developed as the lorry passed along. The lorry was not damaged. , The Whareroa Hoad leading to the Waokeno metal depot was, in 192*2, made a charge on the whole of tne Rawera County, as well as the Mokoia riding. Now that the depot has been moved the resolution passed in 1922 was rescinded at the county meeting on Saturday and the stretch of road mentioned was once more made a charge on the riding. Some months ago the “Hawera Stai published the text of the last letter written by Sir John Franklin, the original of which is in the possession of Mr A. I. Huggins, of Hawera. That article was the subject of a paragraph in a recent issue of the “Sunday Dispatca (London), in which it was stated that “Sir John Franklin’s last letter before setting out from his shore base is held by a resident of Hawera, New Zealand.” . The popular Kaupokonui beach was the scene of an unusually large assembly yesterday, the dual attraction of the river and sea bathing, together with other holiday recreations, attracted several hundreds of people from various parts of the district. During the afternoon 80 motor cars and two buses were parked on the flats on Mr F. Gamlin’s property adjacent to the river bank, while a number of other vehicles, were parked in the higher area at the top on the beach road.

The request sent to all county councils by the Waitomo Council for help in their request for relief from road taxation and a circular from the Auckland Fanners’ Union executive, urging that derating of farm lands be made effective, were briefly considered by the Hawera County ‘Council on Saturday. It was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, that “while we have every sympathy with Waitomo we can do nothing to help them.” The letters were received.

A human, -skeleton was discovered by two boys who were playing in the sandhills on the south side of the domain at Brighton (Marlborough) on Friday morning. Constable Hamilton was informed and found the skeleton ten feet above high water mark, little more than the skull being exposed. By removing the sand he was able to obtain most of the principal bones. He is of opinion that the sand and vegetation slipped down on the body, which Avas later exposed by wind. Owing to a mishap at the Invercargill aerodrome on Thursday afternoon, the autogyro, piloted from Christchurch by R. Matlicson, Avill be out of commission temporarily. It will bo impossible to undertake any further llignts until spare parts arc procured. The accident occurred wnile the ’plane was on the ground and resulted in one of tne rotor vanes being broken through striking the propeller. The pilot states that this could not have occurred while' the autogyro was in flight and aauis caused by a sudden jolt while the machine AA-as moving along the ground.

When returning to Wellington yesterday afternoon on a motor-cycle tAvo police constables, A. Hush J. Bratty, of the central station, collided with a car near Linton, and were admitted 1 to the Palmerston North Hospital suffering from injuries. Constable Bush suffered a. broken thigh, and Constable Bratty injuries to the loot. Both men arc very popular in the force, and are noted wrestlers. D'uring a brief discussion oil the question of road upkeep and the suggested derating of farm land's, at the HaAvera County meeting on Saturday, the chairman (Or. Murdoch) said that if derating Avas brought into operation there woufid be no need of the local bodies, for local administration \A r ould t* very light compared with the present. There Avould be need said a councillor, of local committees or boards, but local requirements could not be effectively met by a central authority. “My opinion is,” said the chairman, “that counties in Avhat are knoAvn as rich lands would 'lose both ways.”

“In 1914 the roads in every district Avere mainly used for local traffic; to-day Avlio can tell how far the people of a district travel?” asked the chairman (Cr. J. B. Murdoch) at the Hawera County Council meeting on Saturday. ‘“And in 1912,” added Or. Winks, “there was: grass growing on Paekakariki Hill — uoav its fine roads support a. constant stream of traffic.” These remarks mere made to illustrate how the problem of road upkeep and formation has been accentuated in the past 1H years and lioaa- conditions haA r e changed. McG-RUER, BONE & 30., LTD. Weekly “Star’’ and “Diamond’’ Specials. Watch our front and side doorway AvindoAvs for these specials. “Star’’ Specials—No. .1: Boys’ Sun Hats, all colours, 2/G. No. 2: Collapsible Food CoA-ers, all one price, 9d each. “Diainonu” Specials—No. 1: Traced Tea Cosies, 1/G. No. 2: 44-inch Coloured Organdie Muslins, all shades, just arrived, 2/G yard. Proving that it pays to watch our windorvs.—Advt.. A vinegar of quality—Sfliarland’s) Vinegar. Has aa'oii faA’our everywhere i because of its strong, piquant flavour | and absolute purity. In bottle or bulk, j All grocers. —4

Two parties eacli with a lorry were busy down the Oliawe Road, last week cutting cocksfoot from the side of the roadway. There has been an abnormal growth this year of grass on all roadsides and. a good proportion of cocksfoot could ibo gathered. “There is not much chance of subsidies for roading work in the future,” said Cr. Winks at the Hawera County meeting on Saturday. Therefore it was wise to get done now all work where subsidies were, allotted. It was considered good policy because, in some cases the council had to supply material only. It was better to keep the men working on such contracts. One of these contracts was the sixty chains on the Ohangai Road, mentioned by tile, engineer in his report. Among the largest of the organised gatherings at the Kaupokonui beach yesterday was a party ol approximately 60 who attended a picnic organised by the Hawera Ladies’ Amateur Athletic Club. Tlio success of the club’s representatives at the Taranaki championships on Saturday was a subject of congratulation by the club guests for the day. The facilities for bathing and igames offered by the rendezvous were exploited fully and the out,ng proved replete with enjoyment.

Members oir tlie Ohawe Troop Legion of Frontiersmen and their guests to a total number of about 80 attended the Troop’s picnic at the Kaupokouni beacii yesterday. Several cars and a motor bus which met at a rendezvous at Hawera conveyed the large party to the popular picnic ground on the river Hats, the use of which was permitted by Mr. F. Gamlin. Tents were provided by members of the troop and luncheon and tea were served in community parties. The long swimming pool of the river and the beach breakers proved popular with many of the party, while games of cricket, in which a lady player punished the bowling, and rounders were among the other items of the day’s enjoyment. As the dispenser of the fruit and sdveets and the general supervision of entertainment for the juveniles Mr. W. Barleyman senior was a popular figure and the successful organisation of the day’s arangements reflected credit on the committee combining with the O.C. Lieutenant A. E. Stevens. The outing will, it is expected be held annually.