LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4312, 2 September 1921, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Preliminary steps have been taken in connexion with the formation of a businessmen’s association at Paeroa.

Mr Arthur R, Richards, optician, Waihi, inserts a card in our “professional” column to-day.

“Whoever shifted the bell from the station to its present position should be made to ring it every time there is a fire,” said Superintendent Watts at a social evening in Paeroa on Wednesday night.

The stop-banks bounding the river areas on the lower portion of the Hauraki Plains are said to b.e effective, and since their erection have been known to break away only twice.

Farmers are directed to a description of one of the most valuable machines connected with dairying that has been yet-invented, the Wallace and Stephenson (Te ’ Aroha) Herdtesting and Sampling Machine. See page one.

A Native named Thakawatario, 58 years of age, was found dead this morning at his residence, at Op.akura Pa, about four miles from Paeroa. The body was brought into the morgue by Constable McLinchy, and. an inquest will be held to-morrow morning at 8 o’clock. Deceased was quite well when he went to bed last night, but he had been suffering from asthma.

The members or the Thames Fire Brigade may well feel proud of' the fact that the servi.ee of three of its members almost totals a century. ExSuperintendent H. Stone has 36 years’ service to his credit, Superintendent A. Garrett 26, ami Ex-Fireman G Kenny 29.

“If a town or a district, is worth living in, it is worth working for,’ said Mr A.. White at a social function on Wednesday evening. “Some say we are fools to devote so much time to public' affairs, but when we come to the end of our term .we can at least have the satisfaction of knowing that we tried to improve the town and district we lived in.” (Applause.)

Interesting particulars in reference to the “battle of the queens,” in respect to a campaign for funds for St. Mary’s Church are advertised. St. Mary’s was first Roman Catholic Church of the Goldfields, and its fortieth anniversary will shortly be celebrated. Lively interest is being taken in the competitions and the art union, the prizes of which include bicycles, watches, £5O, and £25 prizes. The advertisement is very readable and informing.

A piano-tuner representing a reputable firm put an advertisement ’n the “Gazette” last week announcing that he was visiting the district and that orders could be left at the “Gazette” Office. Already 42 requests te call have been lodged with us, ami other intimations have been sent direct. Some of the requests have come from out-district centres. In one case the lady owning the piano offered tp pay expenses if '.the tuner would go put to attend to the instrument. Advertising is quite a good business proposition, so long as it is trjuthful, and the man and-his goods are reliable.

A day of meagre rations and a long, cold, bumpy drive in the much abused Ford, was the lot of Mr S. G. Baron and his party, who journeyed "o Kopuarahi on Tuesday to address a meeting pf pig breeders. ’ The privations of the party began at Ne.therton, at which place a halt T*as made to allow a heavy shower to pass over. At Hikutaia a fresh car was found necessary, and after “swopping” cars and partaking of morning tea, pushed on '.to Kopuarahi, where a rather lengthy meeting 'was held. Nothing further in the way of victuals was obtainable till the party reached Paeroa, at 6.30 p.m., after a long and cold drive, which, ovej the roads in their present state, occupied two hours.

Mr A. E. Fear, organiser for the New Zealand Dairy Farmers’ Union, who has recently been organising in Pukekohe and pilfer parts, says there are applications received by various Waikato dairy companies for £50,000 to supply herds to dairy farmers, and none of .these can be accommodated. He points out that vvhen dairy farmers (including ex-soldiers) have purchased land, fitted it up, incurred a big mortgage 1 perhaps, and are ready to start producing, it is disastrous that they should be deprived of their income because they cannot obtain the cows. He proposes to visit Wellington shortly to urge the Government to meet the case by expediting the payment of the balance of the butter subsidy, which, he says, is about £lOO,OOO for Waikato.—Times.

Superintendent Canton, of Morrinsville, speaking at a Fire Brigade function on Wednesday night, recalled a demonstration of 23 years ago in Auckland, on the occasion of a serious outbreak of fire. There were two Thames firemen present, who let ‘’he reel get away with them., Most of the- time their feet were swaying in the breeze. These two were present, but he would not mention names. (Laughter.) Captain Moore and he were old friends., and always agreed to differ. (Laughter.) He was a believer in the volunteer spirit in every walk of life. Morrinsville Brigade was the youngest brigade in New Zealand, had little capital, but plenty of cheek.

A Te Aroha general merchandise firm has a rather quaintly dressed window, consisting of a battlefield scene. The leading feature is a sandbag p'ozzie, around which are arranged the appropriate details, comprising a tripod with billy-can suspended over pieces of firewood, an imitation machine-gun, frying pan, plate, a German helmet, a long-stemmed pips or chibouque, and a small mirror. The ground is 'covered with moss, a few shell splinters are lying about, and upon the dug-out lies the national flag. The meaning of .the display is expressed in the following invitation, hung up at. the entrance of the pozzie: "Don’t anchor on the outside, but walk right in.”