NOTES BY THE WAY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3444, 12 November 1932, Page 5

NOTES BY THE WAY

(By Rambler.) At the Wairere Power Board meeting on Wednesday a letter was received from a prospective consumer stating that he was anxious to have the benefits of cheap power and light, but "his sins would not allow him." A look of surprise went round the table until the secretary explained that the writer had a number of sons. So this country, to pay its way, is going to tax the domestic egg producer. What a brilliant idea to make a levy on anyone who keeps over a dozen fowls! I suppose this will come under the regime of the Stock Inspector, who will make periodical visits to all the hen roosts in the Dominion. When the overworked official has classified the fowl yards, no doubt he will be called upon to compile a census of canaries, parrots and goldfish. Now that the elections are over perhaps Mr. Hoover will revise his political views on many questions of the day. Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, in his final election shot, exhorted the people to vote for a "tonic of change." As the prohibition issue was very much to the fore in the campaign, perhaps the good wholesome beer and Scotch whisky were in his mind. There are persistent rumours of a dramatic happening last Saturday night, when Mr. Lang was invited to open the new bridge on the Hanga-tiki-Otorohanga deviation. Mr. Lang brought with him a small but interesting menagerie, and the function was staged for a very impressive ceremony. By a curious coincidence exactly the same thing happened as at the opening of the Sydney bridge. Captain de Groot evidently must have shadowed Mr. Lang, for just as that gentleman in his top hat, black coat and light trousers, after an impressive speech on the financial troubles of his country, was ready to cut the ribbon and declare the bridge open, Captain de Groot rode on to the bridge on his diminutive charger fashioned on the same lines as the animals used to eradicate blackberry, and frustrated Mr. Lang. It is stated that there was a tremendous uproar b""" the assemblage from Otorohanga and Te Kuiti, and the vandal was promptly arrested with his charger by members of the Otorohanga Fire Brigade in the absence of the mounted police. It is stated that Mr. Lang is still in the Otorohanga district, but no word has been heard of Captain de Groot, and it is feared that Mr. Lang has at last revenged himself for the two attempts to belittle him in the eyes of the people of Australia and the King Counry.

A former headmaster contends that the depression of 1882 was more serious than the present one. Be careful, Mr. Wickes, that is almost sacriligious! There are no vacant sections in Napier on which material might be deposited while building is in progress. Another earthquake to provide them has not so far been suggested. Mr. Roosevelt is eager for personal contact with modern Britain and the new spirit of Europe. Well, some of the old spirits have had a good run—champagne and suchlike —and probably Mr. Roosevelt will include Scotland in his "personal contacts." In consequence of the result of the American elections, it is perhaps understandable that brewery shares are firmer, but I did not think things were bright enough over there for the champagne interests to benefit. But such is so. London newspapers, since the American election, now feel free to mention the subject of war debts. But when will President Roosevelt be free to mention them? Shows how hard things are! The Government is determined not tfo pursue its wasteful policy, but will use every possible means of practising economy, raising l money, and helping the man on the land. The middle aim is within a short way of being realised, but people are a trifle sceptical as to the other two. I was anions: them until yesterday morning. You will perhaps remember a fire we had a little time ago. Well, that self-same site has been cleared since, and looks just ideal for a cemetery, a rubbish dump, or, if the wire-netting were extended, a fowl-run. But no! Our Government, with the eye to detail for which it is noted, remembers the amount of potash, etc., in the ashes of shoes, tea, wood, and tennis racquets. So what does it do but lease, buy, rent, or just take possession—we know not which —to use the land for the srowth of vegetables. That is the first instance where the Government is maligned—economy—disposed of. The second is explained by the notice above the plants:— THESE VEGETABLES Will be sold by the CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT For the RELIEF OF CROWN TENANTS. Our benevolent Government! Always helping the man on the land! Strangely enough, none of the Government Departments will admit to being the planter, but this no doubt is due to modesty. P,S.—An inquiry will be held tonight into the pedigree of the olants.