LOCAL AND GENERAL

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A short supply of labour continues to hamper the prosecution of the drainage extension work in Whangarei. The Arnpohuo Fanners' Union is arranging a lecture by a veterinary surgeon who is also a local farmer, the subject being contagious abortion. Dargaville has on hand a plan for a cemetery memorial gateway, costing about £150. Offers of practical help are being received, and many have intimated their willingness to increase their subscriptions in order to mak 1 ' (, a good and worthy memorial." The number of cattle in the Dominion on January 31st last was an increase in one year of 166,013. The numbers in the different districts are:—North Auckland, 428,375; Auckland, 575,089; Hawke's ' Bay, 479,012; Taranaki, 349,824; Wellington, 576,914; Nelson,. 58,788; Marlborough, 38,299; Westland, 42,042; Canterbury t 189,----217; Otago, 132,619; Southland, 165,299. A variety of most interesting experiments with soils, manures, seed selection, etc., are being made at the Whangarei High School, the details of which would prove of considerable practical value. It would appear that superphosphates show very good results on the volcanic soil experimented with, but the full results of the carefully arranged trial plots are all most interesting, and we hope to publish later a most instructive summary. The original children's story this week is the first part of an interesting record of the life, aad longings, and adventures of a little prince. The first part deals with incidents of life in the palace and ends with an escape of the prince from the splendid prison of outer luxuriance, which, however, did not give the satisfaction sought. The attention of parents, guardians, and teachers is directed to "How the Dream Came True!" written by "Riroriro." The Flower Day of last Saturday realised a total of £16, which will go to swell the funds of the Whangarei Beautifying Society, and enable the good work to go on more easily. The thanks of the community in general, and the society in particular, are due to the convener of the Ladies' Committee, Mrs. Harington, and her band of willing lady helpers and girl assistants. There were two stalls in evidence, and the blaze of colour delighted pedestrians and assisted a local movement of benefit and delight to all. The public are reminded of the Barnardo fete of Thursday next in Mr. H. Weaver's paddock. The great orphanage founded by Dr. Barnardo is wellknown by all Britishers, and the splendid national asset represented by thousands of children rescued from slumdom with all its horrors, is too valuable to be allowed to languish for want of funds. Stalls of flowers, produce, sweets, ices, fancy work, etc., will be in evidence, as well as races for the children under the direction of Mr. S. Walker and Eev. G. C. Cruickshank. Admission is free and it is hoped to exceed last year's collection of a little over £100.

Dr. T. H. A. Valintine announces that hitherto the intention of the Midwive s Act has not been fully carried out. Competent midwives have been trained in large numbers—over five hundred during the twelve and the number increases each year; but they have not acted as midwives, merely as maternity nurse s working under doctors. One reason of this is reluctance on the part of many to take the responsibility of acting without a doctor and fear that by so do-

ing they would alienate the medical profession, which so far has strongly discouraged women from working independently.

The clean-up idea is catching on slowly. Citizens do not seem to have realised that a concerted movement was on foot, despite the fact that it has been advertised in the "Advocate" and attention has been otherwise directed to the excellent move. A fair proportion, however, fully entered into the spirit of the procedure and household refuse of all kinds, including kerosene tins, bottles, sacking, etc., were in evidence* on tho kerbstone as per the request of the Borough Council. An advertisement appears in this issue indicating from which district collection will take place to-morrow. It is quite obvious that unless there is a glad and joyous co-operation the scheme is shorn of its highest communal utility. The glaxo factory at Afatangi, in the Waikato, registers not only a rapidly expanding local industry, but a concern of national interest, being, it is claimed, the largest dairy products factory in the world. The factory cottages and land had cost £113,000, machinery £45,000, and when completed would approximate £120,000. The milk handled in the district last year amounted to over 750,0001b, returning nearly £00,----000 to the suppliers. Tho estimated supply for tho coming season was 900,----0001b. In 191G-17, 542 tons of dried milk was manufactured in Now Zealand, and this at the time scorned a very Inrgo quantity. Tho following season, however, the amount had increased to 2950 tons, while last season it had risen to 3225 tons. It was easy to predict, therefore, that the output?" during the season now commencing, would show a still further increaso. The Hikurangi Cow-Testing Association have issued a result of their tests for the period ending October 29. Twenty-one herds aro included in the 3G3 cows dealt with, the smallest herd numbering three, and tho largest 32. The highest herd average was 4.2 and the lowest 3.3; the former was from a herd of .18, and tho latter figuro was similar in the case of a herd of 23, and that of three also. The highest hord average for milk was from a herd of eight and the yield was 1061; the lowest, was from a herd of 24 yielding 442. The highest herd average for fat was from a herd of seven and the result was 30.53; the lowest was from a herd of 24 giving a return of 15.04. The highest individual yield calculated for the month was, milk 1335, test 5.0, fat 53.40. Tho lowest individual yield calculated for the month was, milk .105, test 3.0, fat O.GO. Your secret for that dazzling shine on your Shoes, Miss Pretty Maid?" " 'KEEP SMILING' Boot Polish, Sir," she said. 285