THE MATAMATA RECORD. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1927. BRIEF MENTION.

Matamata Record, Volume X, Issue 805, 17 February 1927, Page 4

THE MATAMATA RECORD. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1927. BRIEF MENTION.

Nominations are called to fill the on the Matamata Town Board, due to the resignation of Mr. ''J. Pohlen.

An innovation is being tried by the Matamata Club, a fishing,; expedition to Tauranga being arranged for members on Saturday.

A dance for the young folk is being held in the Te Poi Hall next Tuesday, when free buses will leave the bank corner for the convenience of Matamata people.

Mr. J. C. Phillips, who met with a shooting accident last week, _by which he lost the sight of the right eye, is progressing well at the Waikato hospital.

Ratepayers of the Matamata Town District who have not yet paid their rates would be wise to do so by March 16, after which date the 10 per cent penalty will be imposed.

Mr. Wild, officer of the Department of Agriculture, visited Matamata a few days ago, in connection with a proposed farm school. The president Mr. H. Rollett) and secretary (Mr. B. Blennerhassett) of the' local branch-of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, were. approached on the matter, more of which will no doubt be heard in the near future.

Before Messrs. J. W. Barr Brown and T. F. Snell, J.’s P., at Putaruru last Saturday, Frank Thornton, Richard Porter and William John Quinn were charged with the theft of* a hand bag from Frankton Junction station. The cases against 1 Porter and Quinn were dismissed but Thornton was found guilty and fined 40s plus 12s 6d costs.

When the lighting of the town was being discussed by the Putaruru Town Board at the last meeting a member, remarked that a ratepayer had complained that most town boards did things the wrong way round. “ They metalled the roads and footpaths, and then erected lights. What is wanted is plenty of light when there are no footpaths, and one is likely to break his neck. We don’t need the lights so much afterwards.” ( Laughter.) —Putaruru Press.

“ I wish to assure members that until some degree of stability is enjoyed by our present settlers, the country will not be involved in the expenditure of the large sums of money which would be necessary to develop our low grade unoccupied lands.”— Thus Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister for Lands, wrote to the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, which recently sent a letter to the Minister, congratulating him upon the stand he took in the matter of land settlement.

Aii outside dealer purchased a very fine line of two-year-old heifers fr&m Mr. J.C. Cleland, Ngatea, this week, at a price averaging £7 a head (states the Hauraki Plains Gazette). It seems strange that Plains farmers do not . realise the value of this kind of stock at-this season and allow outsiders to come in and take their pick .) In a few months’ time heifers will be in keen demand, and Plains farmers will have to pay about twice the present price, and possibly the line that left this week will he brought back and sold.

The sight of the policeman’s uniform is a potent power for peace, notwithstanding the sneering which has been levelled at uniforms and insignia of all kinds. An amusing illustration of this truth' occurred on the Rotorua-Matamata train last Saturday. Two constables were returning from having been on duty at the racecourse, and ensconced themselves in. an otherwise empty" carriage. As the day was very hot, they took , off their' helmets and tunics and put them up on the rack. Presently a number of Mamaku bushmen came in, seated themselves at the other end of the carriage, and soon there was the “ cloop ” of corks being withdrawn from “ square riggers.” After a while, one hefty and bibulous whacker of chips came along tp ,the guardians of the law and asked them to “ have a pull ” , from the bottle. The policemen said nothing, but looked steadfastly up to their helmets and tunics above. Slowly the grisly truth dawned upon the brain of the bushy, and he went back to his companions, all his roisterous style having evaporated. There was some whispering and then parcels of bottles were brought down from the luggage rack, and the party quietly filed out and into another carriage, no doubt being very thankful for their escape from an embarrassing situation.