LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2806, 27 November 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The surface of Pekapeka Road is now receiving the second coating of bitumen. Formation w«ork is still proceeding at Netherton and on the Ngatea-Kerepeehi road. The Paeroa Amateur Swimming Club will open its season at the municipal swimming bath at 2.30 tomorrow afternoon. An interesting programme has been arranged, and the trophies won during - the past season will be presented. The public are invited to attend. No charge is being made for admission.

This afternoon at 2.30, a demonstration of fire drill in schools will be carried out at the Paeroa District High School as part of the Fire Prevention Week activities. The public are invited to be present. The system of fire drill in schools was designed by Mr C. W. Malcolm, of the Paeroa Volunteei* Fire Brigade, and is now used throughout the Dominion.

Dress reform for men, to accord with the particularly hot weather experienced has been begun in New Plymouth. Upon being approached by their employees the principals of two firms agreed to allow their employees to wear open shirts and light alpacca coats. It is understood that a New Plymouth accountant has also agreed to allow his staff to follow the new style.

A literary gem in the way of juvenile prevision appeared in an essay written by a pupil of Taihape District High School recently. The subject was: “A Hundred Years Hence,” and the young essayist wrote: “Schools, there are none. Instead, a ray gun is focussed on the brain and all necessary knowledge shot like bullets into the head. Don’t I wish they knew how to do that now!”

The fact that some New Plymouth people are not great travellers was remarked upon by a Taranaki business man. He had called on a woman who had lived in New Plymouth for 61 years and she had gone to Waitara for the first time in her life a short time ago, when some friends had taken her in their car. Another instance was recalled of a man who went to Wanganui a short time ago, that being the first time he had been out of Taranaki province.

A huge saving in hotel bills is being effected by many travelling representatives of business houses just now. Where formerly travellers put up at the best hotels they now make use of the motorists' camping grounds at the places where they stop, and for a few shillings obtain accommodation. Hitherto it has cost them up to 15s a day for hotels. While the “ummer lasts an increasing number of travellers will probably be found practising economy in this way. An Ashburton man who made a trip through the south a few days ago (says the “Guardian”) met several instances of travellers in camp on the motorists' ground.

Mystified as to what has been the cause of serious ravages in his vegetable garden, a New Plymouth householder determined not to rest until the matter was cleared up. Young cabbages, cauliflowers, and green peas were found each morning, eaten to the stalk. First slugs and snails were suspected, then 'possums and a friendly hare, but in each case they were found not guilty. Finally, in the very early morning, the culprits were discovered having an early breakfast. They were quail. Inquiries made from other people showed that the trouble was by no means confined to one garden. In several parts of the borough quail have now become a real menace to young vegetables.

The lining and ceiling of the Ngatea Hall has almost been completed and the supper rooms are now under construction.

Mr Wesley Woolhouse, visiting piano tuner, has been laid up in the Auckland Public Hospital with a painful operation, but is much better and hopes to be in Paeroa again at his usual time.

Mr B. Duffy, of the Hikutaia Butchery, wishes to announce to the people of Paeroa and surrounding districts, that on Tuesday. Ist December, he will be opening up a butcher’s business opposite the Criterion Hotel, Paeroa. As usual he will offer only prime quality meats at the right prices to his many patrons.*

Attention is drawn to the fact that the Kiwi Bacon Company has changed its receiving day from Tuesday to Wednesday. Pig's will now be , received every Wednesday at Hikutaia, 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and Paeroa, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.