LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

After speaking at Hikurangi tonight, Dr. Findlay will return to Whangarei. He will leave again early in the morning for Waipu. The "vlarori, an oil launch from .Auckland, arrived at the ToAvn Wharf on a holiday cruise on Saturday afternoon. The yacht Calypso is moored in the stream near the toAvn Avharf. She called into Whangarei this morning on her return to Auckland from a cruise of the North.

Cabinet has accepted the tender of Mr G. M. Fraser, of Hamilton, for the construction of a combined road and railway bridge to span the Otamatea River on the route of the North Auckland main trunk railway. The cost v.ill be £20,841.

Dr. and Mrs Findlay spent a quiet Sunday yesterday, Avhen they Avere the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress 'Mr and Mrs T. H. Steadman). A launch trip dOAvn the harbor was undertaken and then the visitors kept Sunday as it should be kept.

On Saturday night a party of thirteen Whangarei business men t.d in Mr T. Donovan's launch, and anchored between the Heads and the Uen and Chickens, where several hours Avere spent in fishing. Over thirteen dozen fish Avere caught.

A deputation from the Whangarei /.. and P. Society waited upon Dr. Findlay this morning to ask for assistance in clearing Kensington Park. Dr. Findlay promised to visit the park and to urge the matter before the Minister for Defence.

The tug Tui, which was engaged in towing vessels out of the Ngunguru bar, came to Whangarei yesterday. She is now in the hands of the Whangarei Engineering Company, who are compounding her engines, and practically renewing them.

On Saturday the planking of the Walton-street bridge was completed by the contractor, Mr T. R. Alde.ion. The bridge has undoubtedly been considerably strengthened by the work, and if the loan proposals materialise should last until a substantial concrete structure has been built in place of the wooden one.

Another railway engine, of the class W. 8., was brought to Whangarei by the scow Moa yesterday and will be built as early as possible. This addition makes seven engines for use on the Kioreroa Towai section, and will, mean that Avhen the section is through to Opua, there will be nine locomotives a\ r ailable to run on the line.

Every burgess in Whangarei is intimately concerned in the loan proposals which are to be expounded at to-night's meeting in the Theatre Royal, and should make a special effort to attend. A good deal of explanation is still sought, and those Avho desire full enlightenment Avill have the opportunity of satisfying that wish. The meeting is announced to commence at 7.30 o'clock.

A man on the street suggested to an ' Advocate" reporter that he hoped the

.ittorney-General Avas not to be judged by the company he kept Avhile in Whangarei. He said it was painful 'o see a broken-down-looking crowd of would-bo somebodies bumming around a Minister like moths around a candle. The whole Liberal party requires reorganising, and the hang-ers-on told to go somewhere else.

Messrs T. E. Shiel and Co., auctioneers, Stafford-street, Dunedin, supply the folloAving report for the week ended 15th inst:—There is a good demand for all lines coming forward, especially good dessert apples, which pre realising excellent prices. Choice Gravenstein and Rhodes Orange apples, 8s to 9s per bushel case; smaller cases, 5s to 6s; cooking apples, ss; peaches, 241b boxes, 4s 6d; apricots, 'is to 4s 6d; plums, good late sorts, 3s 6d to 4s case; quinces, first con- ! ignments should bring good prices; tomatoes, hothouse, 4s 6d to ss; nears, 241b cases, 3s; grapes, choice hothouse, 7d to 8d lb; nectarines, 5s Cd per box.

In accordance with his promise, Dr. Findlay visited Kensington Park today, and after walking over the ground admitted that the representations made by the A. and P. Society were strong, and that the deputation had made out a good case in asking Government assistance to clear the ldid.