Local & General

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1936, Page 4

Local & General

Unfortunate Accident. Mr W. H. Beehre met with an unfortunate accident yesterday morning. When walking through the Whangarei Timber Company’s mill, a board gave way and he was thrown against the decking, breaking two ribs and fracturing another. He was attended by Dr. Campbell and taken to his home, where he is progressing as well as can be expected.

Census in April. Following the census, which is to be taken next April, after an interval of ten years instead of the usual five, it will be the duty of the Government to set up two statutory commissions to determine the Parliamentary representation of New Zealand at the next General Election. If the Labour Government carries out its promise to reinstate trienniel Parliaments, the election will be held at the end of 1938.

A Barometric Record

The phenomenally low barometer reading of 27-91 in at Doubtless Bay during the storm on Saturday night is reported by Mr L. J. Matthews, which he claims is a record low reading for New Zealand. The reading at Cape Maria Van Diemen was 28. Sin and at Kaitaia 28.00. The lowest barometric reading previously recorded in New Zealand was 28.55 in at Martindale, Southland, in July, 1871. Auckland’s record low level is 28.73 in, registered in July, 1867, and again on Sunday last. The lowest reading on record at Wellington is 28.586 in.

Hedgehog Refugee. When Mr E. Prouse, of 9, Walton Street, entered one of the front rooms of his house after dark last night, he found a well-grown hedgehog walking round on the floor, squeaking. Evidently it was a refugee of the storm, and, as no hedgehogs were previously known to exist in that part of the town, it is thought that the prickly young fellow was washed down from the highlands of Whangarei by the flood. After a supper of bread and milk, voraciously attacked, the hog curled up into a pincushion ball and enjoyed a good night’s sheltered repose. Today be is still very much at home in a home a long way from home.

A Verandah Topples.

An old-fashioned curved roof verandah toppled over in Upper Bank Street this morning. It was part of the premises occupied by the undertaking firm of W. E. Keyte, and the fall was caused by the side of a threeton truck from Hikurangi catching one of the verandah posts, which it knocked on to the footpath. With a loud crash the verandah collapsed on one side, suspended by the remaining verandah post and by portion of the stout woodwork joining it to the main building. The crash occurred a few minutes before scores of school children passed along this part of the footpath on their way to lunch.

Marooned!

An unenviable experience, but one which had its humorous aspects to the onlooker, befell a prominent resident of Waipu during the height of the flood on Sunday last. Early in the afternoon becoming alarmed for the safety of his stock, he ventured outdoors and transferred his herd to higher levels. On his way back to his home he suddenly found himself marooned on a small knoll, with a raging torrent on every side. Within a few minutes the water was swirling around his feet and a few minutes later, he was compelled to seek safety, choosing a precarious perch on the slender limbs of a cabbage tree. His plight remained unnoticed, despite the fact that he was within sight and sound of the main road, until some passing friends were attracted by his calls. To effect a rescue it was necessary to dash to Waipu, procure a motor lorry and small dinghy and return to the scene. After a lot of manoeuvring the victim of the vagaries of Northland’s climate was rescued from his perch where he had been marooned for the best part of two hours.

An advertisement referring to the Waiotira Show appears in another portion of this issue. The schedule of classes and the list of prizes may be had on application to the secretary, Mr S. W. Crawford, Maungakaramea. 157

Entries for the Auckland Metropolitan Show close today at 8 p.m. All correspondence dealing with entries must be posted and addressed to the secretary, Mr W. F. O'Donnell, 41, Albert Street, Auckland, Cl. Letters must carry the post mark of February 7th. 154

Final clearance of Benjamin’s stock at Henry Wilson’s. —Smocks, 2/11; Pure Silk Fully Fashioned Hose, 1/11; Print Frocks, fast colours, 3/11; Girls' Panamas. 1/11; Oddments in Corselettes, 1/11; Spun Silk Blouses. 5/11; Oddments in Bloomers, 1/-; and 36in. Marocains, IOJd yard.

Fishing Inquiry From South Africa. The Whangarei Chamber of Commerce. at its last council meeting received an inquiry from Mr G. N Moor, in Natal, South Africa, regard* •nig the fishing prospects oft’ the coast of Northland. It was decided to reply giving full details and suggesting that the prospective visitor make his headquarters for comfort and convenience at Whangarei.