LOCAL AND GENERAL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2669, 20 December 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There will be no publication of the Chronicle after Saturday till Thursday, the 27th inst.

It is interesting to know that two copies of the Te Kuiti Plunket Society's cookery book were taken by the Southern Cross on the flight of Kingsford Smith and his party from New Zealand to Sydney.

One of the largest meetings of West Coast sawmill owners was held last week under the auspices of the Greymouth-Hokitika Millers' Association, practically the whole of the mills on the Coast being represented (says the Grey River Argus). It is stated that the meeting is likely to have an important influence on the future of the industry, as the result of co-operative action.

Members of the local Dr. Barnardo's Young Helpers' League were entertained ait afternoon tea at the house of the League's president, Mrs Broadfoot, yesterday; afternoon, the occasion being the annual opening of the contribution boxes. The kiddies had a very enjoyable time, and were waited on by a number of ladies of the town. tA going-home time, three cheers were given by the children for their president and hostess for the afternoon.

The silting of the Waikatto River as a result of the diversion at Arapuni is likely to have serious consequences, in the "opinion of Mr J. Barugh, the well-known farmer and company director of Hamilton. The roads in the neighbourhood of Mercer are now being raised, as they are subject to flooding, but as the bed of the river is also being raised by silting, further expensive works will probably be required. Moreover, considerable damage is being done to farms by the backing up of the water on to the lower levels.—Waikato Times.

"I have often heard it said that Rotorua is the Yellowstone Park of New Zealand, but after I have seen I would rather say that Yellowstone Park is the Rotorua of America. The thermal displays cannot compare, with Rotorua, as the distances between the different points of thermal interest are so wide. One has to travel 50 miles between them."—Mr. T. N. Horsley, who returned to Christchurch recently after a six months' trip abroad.

A Dunedin resident, Mr. R. S. Black, states that he is anxious that the silver fox should be introduced into New Zealand, and also a better type of opossum. He says that the Forestry Department has 8,000,000 acres of bush which would carry at least 40,000,000 opossums without detriment to the bush. Given five years' protection the marsupials should increase the export ratafias by millions of pounds annually.— wmcidentially, Mr. Black remarks, substantial relief would be provided for the unemployed.

Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M„ in the Magistrate's Court at Palmerston. North recently expressed a very decided opinion on the question of the suppression of names. Following a refusal in one case, a second solicitor entered a similar plea. "These requests for the suppression of names are becoming absurd," stated the magistrate emphatically. "Every man who comes before me appears to expect .. it." That provision in the Act is only for very special cases of young people who slip but who, if given a chance, would be able to reform."

Last week the Mako sharks have been fairly numerous in the vicinity of Bird Rock, Bay of Islands (says an exchange). One monster cruised round a launch containing a party who were fishing for schnapper. Unfortuately, they were not deep-sea anglers, otherwise they might have experienced some of the thrills the Mako could give them when hooked on rod and line. A number of wool buyers have intimated their intention of spending their Christmas vacation on the deep-sea fishing grounds.

The membership of the Chrischurch Returned Soldiers' Association has shown a big increase during the past two years, and at present there are 1280 names on the register. At the end of the last financial year the though there are still four months to go in year last year's number has already been exceeded. The secretary of the association (Mr. E. F. Wilcox) is confident that this year's total will number 700 more member than last year's.

A Greymouth angler, out after trout during the last week-end, had a thrilling experience (reports the Greymouth Evening Star.) Using a trout rod, casting with the whitebait minnow, he caught and landed a 281 b eel, 4ft 6%in in length and with of 17 inches. Inside the eel was found a trout 10% inches long, and the remains of another which must have gone from 2% lb to 31b in weight. The eel took over two hours to land. Recently another angler landed a trout with a round stone about and inch and a-half long in its stomach. He was fishing near Omoto and thought at first that he had solved the mystery of the disappearing golf balls.

Two boys, a bicycle, a basket and a can of milk played prominent parts in a mix-up outside a milk vendor's house on Wednesday morning (re.ports the Ashburton Guardian). Rain was pelting down on the boys, they were thoroughly wet, and this, no doubt, urged them to hurry home; but in their eagerness to ride away on one bicycle they forgot to account for the basket dangling on the handle-bars, and they did not allow for the wind. Gingerly one boy seatSll himself on the bar, and the other climbed to the saddle, holding on to the fence. A push launched them on their way,.but the wind counteracted their efforts, and they landed in the mud, the milk can going in one direction, the milk in another. The lads, apparently, were so wet by this time that they had got past the "miserable" stage and arrived at the funny stage. The milk supply having been renewed, a successful start was made, the boys' faces wreathed in smiles.

The first of a series of social functions which will be held in the Maori pa during the holiday season "will take place to-morrow night. A full string orchestra will supply the music, and everything points to a succesful and enjoyable evening being spent.

On the 16th ult., in the Supreme Court at Auckland, on the application of Mr John Alexander, solicitor, His Honour Mr Justice Blair granted probale of the will and codicils of Alfred Head Wrightson, late of Puketutu, farmer, to the Public Trustee in so far as same relate to the New Zealand property of the said deceased.

The Stratford races to be held on January Ist and 1 - 2nd, is one of the most popular outings for the Taranaki district, and should also attract a number of visitors from this district. The run by motor car »to Taranaki is one of the most interesting motor routes in the Dominion, and is becoming more popular every year. Particulars of the Stratford races will be found on page 1.

The Pio Pio branch of the Women's division will hold its annual picnic in Mr Hobson's paddock on Wednesday. December 26th, when a good day's fun js promised for both old and young. The objective is to provide funds for the Rest Eoom at Pio Pio, and residents of the district can help this worthy cause by bringing along a little small change (to the fund.