News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 17 January 1944, Page 2

News Of The Day

Waro Mine Idled As the result of a fire in the electrical transformers at the Waro coalmine, Hikurangi, the mine was idle on Friday. Discovery of the fire was made at 3.10 a.m. on Friday, and after the Hikurangi Fire Brigade, which had been summoned immediately the fire had been discovered, had extinguished tire -flames, it was found that the transformers had been completely burnt out. Production was resumed by the shift on Friday night,

Bottling of Fruit Me ay Kaikohe housewives are busy at this season with the first of their fruit-bottling. Piums are the mainstay of preserved fruit enthusiasts at the moment. With a modicum of apples to be picked up at farm orchards, making of apple jelly, of sauces and chutneys are also under way. Peaches, nectarines, pears and late plums will keep the women busy for the rest of the summer. While fruit on the whole is not so plentiful, the main difficulty will undoubtedly prove to be shortage of bottles and airtight covers. * * » * In' Spite of the Frogs Even if they cannot get away to the Bay beaches every weekend, Kaikohe children —and not a few Kaikohe adults —enjoy the privilege of a swim. The Kaikohe Swimming Club's 33 yards pool on the High School grounds is a popular rendezvous almost every afternoon. The water, which is regularly drained, is so clear that the bottom is easily visible at the 10ft. end. Seemingly, patrons do not mind unexpected company, for there are daily at ieast a dozen fat young frogs in the baths. “But they swim away from you, so why worry about ’em?" one swimmer said.

How Green are the Valleys With two days ot' intermittent rain, some of which was heavy and prolonged, Kaikohe and surrounding districts are. apparently iit a more favourable position thaui many parts of New Zealand. The sun has come out brightly again, but is prevented by clouds from scorching tlie earth and evaporating the moisture now soaking have come more opportunely for many benefit the rain has been is to be seea -—hills and valleys are greener, vegetables are given a new lease of life, pastures are revivified. ’’Haymaking is mainly over and the rain, could not in. On every hand, evidence of the farmers, as it will check the inevitable tendency of cows to dry off in rainless weather.

Heavy Rail Traffic Stating that he did not know of any serious motor accident on the northern roads during the past holiday period, the Whangarei patrol of the Automobile Association iMr L. G. Bull) said private motor traffic had been much heavier during the past holiday season than for the previous one Army vehicle traffic had declined, and the absence of these heavy vehicles had caused less road deterioration than would otherwise have been the case. The roads were in an improved condition compared with the previous Christmas period, especially in regard to the main highways. The recent rains had benefited ’ the metal roads, but any continued heavy rain would be detrimental to unsealed roads.

Motor Fitness Warrants

The question as to whether a warrant of fitness certificate for motor vehicles was required on a sixmonthly or yearly basis has been exercising' the minds of some Whangarei motorists who had received reminders from a garage firm that the renewal was required on a six-month-ly basis The Whagarei patrol of the Automobile Association (Mr L. G. Bull) stated that in accordance with the Minister of Transport’s notification seme months ago, a certificate of fitness was to be renewed every 12 months, except in the case of a vehicle having exceeded 2000 miles. In this case the renewal was on a six months’ basis. Inquiries from motor garage firms revealed that this information was conveyed to them in a memorandum issued by the New Zea? land Motor Traders’ Association some time ago, although in some instances this had apparently been overlooked. The Whangarei representative of the association (Mr W. T. Surman) confirmed the issue of the memorandum, and said he would take steps to issue a reminder and thus remove any misunderstanding that might exist.