LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 2 February 1920, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A large number of pears, plums, and peaches wre being loaded into the Kanieri this afternoon, and fresh consignments by road, river, rail were constantly arriving.

The Prime Minister has stated in .he course of a recent reply to Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P. for Napier, that the survey in connection with the utilisation of hydro-electric power trom Waikaremoana is already m nand. An enthusiastic local gardener is warm in his praise of pittosporum eugenoides, a« either an ornamental shrub or as a hedge plant. In two ond a half years it reached a growth of over six feet, and the light green leaves present a most pleasing and refreshing appearance. is undoubtedly a much larger area under oats this year, and the increasing tendency among farmers is to extend their cultivated areas. One farmer laments that there is not a threshing machine in this district. There is evidently room for development in this direction. Here and there as one journeys through the town, one is charmed with a splendid display of Bouganvjllea blooms. This gay climbiug plant is well worth cultivating, and does amazingly well in the Northern climate. The triumph of motor power over oil and steam seems to be more and more assured. The cheap and convenient supply of electric current quickly displaced many an oil engine in the yards cf the firewood cutters, and local workshops. A big ..motor plant is about to be installed in a Whangarei mill. To make up war's dislocation of ordinary industry is a huge task and it is evident that some years will be spent in the endeavour. Notwithstanding the great demand, Australian 'ronbark poles for street electricf. 1 fittings are unprocurable, and the delay is hindering local electrical extensions.

Ninety new books. including twenty four for juniors, will be available for the public in a day or two at the public library. Over 600 new books were added last year. There an' now, approximately 6,000 books in the institution, which is quite double that of ten years ago. There are 500 subscribers and there has been a decided increase during the past year. The librarian is kept more ihan busy with the rapidly-increasing number of subscribers and visitingpublic, and an addition to the staff would seem warranted. There can

•v: no question as to the growing popularity of 'he Whangarei Public Library.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce discussed the Great Nor'h "Road question at its meeting, and decided to send a delegate to the next conference. The. ten Whangarei rowers who h.id been to the Waikato Regatta returned on Saturday, delighted with tlv.r success in securing the Youths' _<'ours. The sportsmen had a good time, and ar, ; keen to go to the Wanganui aquatic sports, where they consider they have good prospects of success. Details of the Waikato cv rds were given in our Saturday's 'ssue. There still appears to be much difficulty in securing electric fittings and general supplies. Fittings for street lighting have been on order from America for two years, and the borough electrical engineer is still waiting. Now that American manufacturers arc freed from war work, they are striving a' top pressure to fill large home orders, hence the delay in executing orders from New Zealand. The Te Awamutu Electric Power | Board, the first established in New Zealand has Leen elected, without any contest, ail the nominated members be ug returned unopposed. Five of the member:- held office on the original committee which brought about the creation of the power district. Tlv first meeting of flit, new board will take place at Te Awamutu on February lOth. A.-, idea is abroad that tlv supply ■>f electricity per the Whangarei Borough Council, is strictly limited, and that a curtailment is possible. This is, -he '"Advocate" learns from the borough electrical engineer, quite incorrect The present equipment of power is up to 300 kilowatts, and but IV ois being used. To cope with any possible difficulty that may arise owing to the lessened power available at ;he Wairua Falls, a new provision is almost ready for service. A big ste.im plant is being removed from Limestone Island to Portland, which will obviate any possiVe shortage of supply in the future. I .ere need be no fear (Mr Dawson says) that if the electric current is conveyed to North Shore and Maunu that the town supply will be in danger.