LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A most interesting and valuable historic sketch of the pioneer career of tlie late Mrs H. C. Holman, e'ontributions of country news, and a Whangaroa rhapsody arc published on the initial page of to-day . "Advocate" issue. Commercial quotations to the latest date are supplied on page 4. The heavy showers of rain which fell throughout last night should do an immense amount of good both to pastures and crops. Feed should come along rapidly now. »» Commenting on the fact that motor car travel is again possible between Whangarei and Dargaville, the "Wairoa Bell" adds that this is "in spite of the Whangarei County Council." —An Ashburton farmer who recently consigned eleven tons of potatoes to Auckland for states that after paying railage, shipping, commission, and so on, his nett return amounted to £2 13s, which was barely the value of the sacks.

The consent of the Governor-General ! has been given to the Dargaville Borough Council for borrowing from the State Advances Office the sum of £90 to complete the construction of the Mangawhare road, and £500 to finish off the waterworks scheme. The casein factory of the Northern Wairoa Dairy Company is being rapidly proceeded with. It is a commodious building, with concrete floor, at the rear of the butter factory. It is expected that the manufacture of casein *will be started in a month or thereabouts. '•The motor bus service between Dargaville and Te Kopuru has been taken off the road, as a result of the demand by the Hobson County Council for a bond of £500 eto cover damages to the road over a period of twelve months. This means that the,. Dargaville children: attending the Aratapu District High School, which is several miles distant, are left without any adequate means of conveyanceThe overflow of the river on to the lands of the lower Wairoa, was again discussed at the last meeting of the Otamatea County Council. It was stated that the flooding had become so bad that if Government did not do something several settlers will be compelled to leave their holdings. Chairman R . C. Smith denounced the apathetic attitude of the Government. It was resolved to again approach the Government for a report and assistance.

'* An agitation is proceeding in Victoria to render it illegal for shopkeepers to weigh the paper with the articles purchased. The "Melbourne Age" says: "The weighing of the paper means that over an extended period even the individual householder pays considerably more for her tea or sugar, or whatever it may be, that she should be required to f\o. The injustice has been recognised in various other parts of the world, and in several countries legislation has been introduced to provide for the sale of goods by their nett weight." ■A workman recently employed at a southern port in England loading 15in. shells wrote his name and address on one of the shells that he was carrying to the ship. He has since received a letter from a gunner in the R.G.A., telling him that his shell was dropped on a railhead in Flanders as two German troop trains were unloading. The writer adds that the shell was well aimed and that an airman reported that it wrought considerable damage. "So you see," the gunner says, "it did some good towards winning the war." i The workman, who is now hopping, feels that he has done his "bit."

Yesterday the members ot the Whangarei Ladies' Hockey Club and a number of friends defied the threatening elements, and at 12.30 p.m. took passage by the launch Rose for a harbour excursion. A halt was called at ' the Nook for a landing and refreshments. On the return journey the .pxeursionists' launch cruised around a ship anchored off the Grahamtown wharf, and returned to the town wharf .Ut 7.30 p.m. It was voted by all an enjoyable outing, notwithstanding wind and showers. Mrs McGill, of ' Kauika road, accompanied the party as chaperon, in order that compliance with the proprieties might be duly maintained. The chairn.au of the Auckland Woolbrokers' Association (Mr A. W. Perkins), referring to the working of the regulations governing the disposal of the season's wool clip to the Imperial Government, says that everything had worked smoothly. Up to the present from 10,000 to 12,000 bales had been valued, and practically no appeals had been made. The wool was coming to hand freely, the fine weather experienced of late permitting farmers to get their sheafing operations completed. Tho latest allotment of shipping space would clean up what was left in store of last season's greasy wool, though a quantity of scoured and slipe wool was still in storemeeting attended by some sixty people was recently held in the Wellington Town Hall for the purpose of forming, a new political party. The .chairman explained that the meeting had been called for the purpose of calling public attention to a new political organisation to meet the needs of the present situation. It was not the intention of the new party to harass the National Government in any way while the war was on. But it was intendod to do everything in its power to make after-war conditions in tho direction of more freedom. It was recognised that changed conditions would arise after the war, and it was desirable to have an organisation well prepared to deal with those conditions. North Auckland meteorological stations and rainfall returns (for the mouth of October) arc gazetted as follow, the number of days on which rain fell appearing in parentheses:—Mangonui 5.50 (12), Puhipuhi 5.17 (12), Aponga 5.30 (10), Maungaturoto 4.14 (13), Mangawai 3.63 (7), Rangitihi 5,1(5 (14), Kaitaia 1.02 (12), llerekiuo 634 (14), Umawera 4.66 (10), Taheke 9.02 (14), Wekaweka 8.91 (22), Rangiahua 5.70 (20), Kohukohu 5.04 (16), Waimatouui 7.29 (15), Keretoki 6.41 {13), Maugarata 3.54 (S), Pakotai 8.25 (20), Heleusvillo 4.13 (14). The noted Otira. (at 1255 feet) topped the Dominion measurements with the huge itggrcgato of 36.75 inches, and was •10.c1.v followed by Arthur's Pass station with 31.74 inches. The smallest ..turn was less than one inch (.95) erom Te Pah Farm station, Soadown.

The name of James Somervillo Whangarei appears in the "Gazette"' | record of the ballot without a star against it to show.lie enlisted, This in incorrect; ■ Mr' Somcry.il le ..lifted i. ifS. i.4/5/'l_. b_t ""'e:. ' d.> v ' ; 'r_.' —%4iis_i *~ j

The work of re-grading Bank street has now been carried as far as the Walton street corner. Good progress is also being made with the metalling.

A "shirker" in Wellington has avoided enrolment for a long time, but using another man's enrolment card, which he showed when accosted by tho" police. He was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

•"■■The electors of Wellington North havo expressed grave dissatisfaction with the action of tho Premier in solecting a candidate for the Wellington North seat without consulting them first. At a meeting held this week in the Kelburn Kiosk, the following resolution was passed: —"That a very strong committee from this meeting wait upon Mr Massey and convey to him the feelings of the electors of Wellington North that unless some consideration is given to the wishes of the people of this electorate in the selection of a candidate there is a danger of the Government's nominee not being supported, and that Mr Massey be asked to consult with the committee as to the selection of a candidate."

Three hours after sunset each evening the planet Venus is now a conspicuous feature in the western sky. The planet has now reached its maximum elongation of 47 degrees from the sun, which it will approach rapidly. Its brilliancy and size will increase Until January 5, as it approaches the earth. The present distance from the earth .0 million miles. Viewed through a telescope, Venus displays phases like our moon. It now is half full, while at the time of its maximum brilliancy only one-quarter of its surface is illuminated. Its nearness to the earth at this latter time compensates for the reduction in the illuminated area. Venus is now so bright that it is easily discernible in the day time to those able to locate it, which, however, is difficult for the casual observer. Jupiter at present rises just-before sunset, and in the early hours of evening these two gems of the sky, the one in the west and the other in "the east, present a striking spectacle.

I have met quite a number of flying men on short leave from France during the last few days (says a correspondent in a London paper of a recent date.) They tell me the whole front is discussing the remarkable air achievements of a young lad of nineteen, who belongs tb Glasgow, and only joined service about a year ago. He has already been overwhelmed with honours both' by the British and French Governments, and I am told that some of his daring exploits altogether exceed anything that has yet been accomplished during the war. He was given an extra bar to his D.S.O. the other day for coolly landing in the grounds of one of tho enemy's aerodromes and accounting for the occupants by gunfire as they left their berths. Having completed this work, he returned unharmed to our own lines and celebrated the occasion by looping the loop soveral times before he finally touched the ground. The War Office, with their usual red tape, make it impossible for his name to be mentioned; but sooner or later the world will be told.

In conversation with a "Guardian" reporter on Tuesday, an Ashburton grain-grower, when discussing the prospects of receiving an early supply of grain-sacks, said he had been informed by merchants that sacks could not be obtained before late in February or oarly in March. He considered farmers would have a difficult problem to face if they had to find labour to stack their wheat instead of being able to thresh out of stook. He Baid he thought farmers were as much to blame in the matter of sacks as the Government was; through an oversight both parties had neglected to secure supplies, aud only discovered that the sacks would not bo forthcoming when the harvest was practically upon them.

| There were big attendances at the * Whangarei Methodist Church last Sunday on the occasion of the Sunday School anniversary services, the 1 preacher for the day being the Rev. J. R. Clark. The evening ceremonial was particularly impressive, the children, and assisting friends, under the baton of Mr Dobson, sen., giving a number of well-rendered vocal selections. The services were continued on Monday evening, when the church was practically filled with an interested congregation. The resident minister presided, and the report of the year's work was read by the secrc tary, Mr George- Twenty-eight items were given by the children exclusively, the high quality of the various renditions reflecting much credit upon the •lady teachers responsible for the young people's training. In the presence of the Sunday School Superintendent (Mr F. Reed), the awards gained for attendance, etc., throughout the year were presented to the successful scholars, and votes of thanks to all who had assisted concluded a very pleasant series of celebration.