LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 17 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The new electric lighting scheme has been installed at Trafalgar Park and last night the Electrical Engineer (Mr Fleming) gavo a demonstration to representatives of the Rugby Union and the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. The illumination is excellent and all who saw it'were very satisfied. The.Rugbj Union is looking forward to improved facilities for training. Under the im-, proved conditions and as soon as the cychng track is put in order the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club intend to arrange a: series of evening meetings. Probably one of the oldest horses in North ' Auckland is a bay gelding by Conviction, one of the first thoroughbred sires brought to the Northern Wairoa. This gelding, which is nearly 40 years of age, is owned by Mr Bert Woods, and is at present in camp with his owner at Maule's Gorge (says an exchange). The old horse, which still carries a good deal of condition despite \ha fact that he has only four teeth; is still able to do a good day's work, .and carried Mr Woods' brother, who is well over 13 stone, in weight, over 40 miles on a fishing excursion, and came home as fresh as a daisy.

The, Main Highways Board intends commencing a lengthy"tour of the Smith Island roads immediately it _ completes its business at a short meeting to be held in Wellington on 21st January. Its itinerary is from Christchurch to Invercargill, "and the inland route from Pembroke to Mount Cook, the tour concluding on 31st January. When .the board is in Dunedin it will have a general discussion with public bodies, representatives on tho distribution of the petrol tax and reconstruction of important main highways near that city. Canterbury farmers are complaining loudly concerning the havoc that is being wrought by small birds among the early-ripeninp cereal crops." It is stated 'that the small bird nuisance is worse this season than ever it has .been in South Canterbury, and that some of the early oat crops, which promised to yield well, will now scarcely be worth cutting. The need for concerted net ion of farmers to destroy small birds in the winter months is n' ,rf nd. One grain grower told a "T'imaru Herald" reporter that he had obtained excellent results last wiTuer by feeding the birds on wheatpoisoned with strychnine; and he considers that it would pay all farmers to adopt this method of getting rid of the destructive small birds.

The question why Wnngamii extends "fnveroargill in population lias again been raised (says tho "Southland Daily News.") Tho explanation is simple. Practically all the business from the back country of Wanganui is centred in that town. It has no inland centres io compare in regard to business blocks and residential quarters with Winton, Olautau, Wyndham, and Gore, and (lie seaside towns of Bluff and lliverton, not to mention Orepuki, Tuatanere, Luinsden, and other smaller townships. Southland's trade is distributed over all these towns. II" it centred in Invercargill. as is the case with Wanganui, then the population of Southland's capital would materially exceed that of its northern rival, iftid it would easily become the "fifth city in the Dominion." Cookham House shoe sale starts tomorrow.*

Come to Cookham House shoe rnle.* Cookham House for bargains in footwear.*

Tho.'portion of Selwyn Placo between Trafalgar. street and Church street is now being put down with "Laykold."

Tho current issue of tho "New Zealand Gazette" notifies that on and after Ist May, 1928, the various road boards in tho Waimea County shall be dissolved and merged in tho County Council. The road boards are: Suburban North, Stoke, Waimea West, Dovedale, Upper Moutere, and Riwaka.

At last week's meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council a letter was received from the, Hawke'fi Bay Association applying for a match against tjie Australian team, which is flhortly to tour the Dominion and guaranteeing £SO for such a game. The chairman (Air .D. Rpese): "1 think we should express surprise at the action of tho Association making such an offer after the delegates at the annual conference had unanimqusly agreed on the terms, £3OO in respect, of the major unions and £IOO in respect of the minor unions." It was decided to adopt this course. "The dairy season now passing will probably be one of the best New Zealand has ever experienced," said Mr J. O'Dea, supervising dairy produce grader in addressing a meeting ot factory managers and directors at Castlecliff, Wanganui. Mr O'Dea further ventured the opinion that providing the present drought did not continue too long, it would 'be the best the country had known, and he would expect the output of butter to bring in about £20,000,000.

A proposal to introduce whippet racing as an additional attraction at the next show of the 'Danneyirke A. and P. Society has been turned down by that body.

Returned travellers, report that the bush surrounding Otira is riow a riot, of colour, which makes the average : express passenger wish to tarry a t littlo longer in ; that charming mountain resort. The"'forests.on the mountain 1 sides along the Otira valley are thickly studded with white birch blossom, while splashes of crimson rata flowers, which are now coming into bloom, give tho final touches to one of Nature's masterpieces.

The dentists' register, published in last week's "Gazette" contains tho names of 854 practitioners. The list of registered New Zealand medical practitioners contains 1346 names.

1 While traversing the Omahu track on Sunday a party of seven Thames residents came upon a female kiwi on her nest of two eggs. It was very docile, several photos being taken. Members of a gang of workers in tho vicinity stated that tho bird was fed at their camp and allowed itself to be handled. Its mate was shy but was frequently heard calling.—Press Association. Considerable interest is being taken in the prospects of the present season's potato ordp, .saya Ithe "Otago Daily Times." Some are inclined, to take a slightly pessimistic view of the conditions. This is to an extent, based on tho yields being taken from the early crops, which are generally looked forward to to yield good returns. As a rule the crops that are being utilised for the supply of new potatoes are not quite up to the usual standard. Many of the fields are yielding scarcely more than 30 cwt. to the acre, while in the majority of instances there is very little crop! that is going about; a two-ton average. Prices for old tubers, too, suggest that returns to growers are not particularly remunerative. So far as the main crop is concerned it is yet too early to make' any statement, but there appears to be no justification for undue pessimism in this respect. -A well-knovaj potato grower told mo the other day that for the present the season was not causing growers any great concern. The area under this crop on the Taieri this year is well below, the average, but some splendid crops are expected in the Clutha district.

An Invercargill resident recently brought to Mr G. F. Jacquiery for identification (says the "Southland Times") a strange-looking insect measuring about Bin from tip of antennae to the end of the hind leg. This was caught in the kitchen v of an Invercargill house. On inspection Mr Jacquiery pronounced it to bo a weta or cave locust. It is the first of its kind reported in the town. The insect belongs to the order Orthoplera arid the family Tettigoniidae. It is devoid of wings and unlike the cricket, it has neither sound fracturing apparatus nor ears. It is a formidable insect and can inflict a nasty bite if carelessly handled, one of its distinctive marks being the strong, well developed mandibles suitable for biting. In Auckland there is a species which runs from 12in to 14in.

The OpunaKe district is a*t present experiencing a modified form, of curfew, as owing to shortage of water the power board switches all lights off at 11.30 p.m. The committee which organised an entertainment at Pihama one night last week had prepared for this contingency by pressing into service a number-of kerosene lamps, and these were quickly lit, but the illumination they provided was in marked contrast to that of the electric light. Under the new system of providing for the compulsory registration of electors, the rolls of each electorate are kept up to date and practically are ready in case they are wanted. It should be impressed on persons attaining 21 years of age that they are given one month within which to register.

Reports from South Westland indicate that) feed being very plentiful this season, the stock are doing excellently. Some prime bullocks will continue to come out of the district for some time, the supply being good. Fat lambs are also in excellent order and numerically the increase is also substantial. Settlers engaged in dairying are finding a large increase in the milk supply, ensuring greater production in 'the matter of cheese and butter. The settlers generally have the promise of a very good season in the south. Shearing also has been very successful this season, the weather being all that could be desired for the purpose. Those engaged cropping have had a good harvest, assuring increased supplies of winter feed. The prospects for the year are, therefore, encouraging to those on the land. No instructions have yet been received by registrars of electors to put in hand, 'iri those instances where the boundaries; of their electorates have been altered, the work of transferring electors who .are affected by the change in the boundaries. When the transfer is made all the electors concerned will icceive notification. Tn some instances, notably in respect of the new electorate of Mid-Can-terbury and the altered Hiccarton electorate, some field work by the registrars of electors will be necessary in order to make sure regarding the electorate to which residents in, or near, the boundary belong.

The banana is a fruit which may be added to the already long list of those produced in the North Auckland district, (states the '"Northern Advocate.") Foe 50 years past Maoris at the Pukepoto settlement, near Kaitaia, have cultivated Hie palm and trees are growing in several Whangarei gardens. A Tew (lays ago one family had the first bunch of the season and, although the fruit was much smaller than the Island product, it was heartily enjoyed.

Attention is called to the alteration in date of closing of tenders for painting the Technical School, Nelson.

The actual quantity'of goods" handed oVer to the railways of New Zealand for conveyance during the twelve months •rnded 31st March last was 7,308,449 tons. This quantity is a Mew Zealand record, and is equal to the total carried by the South Australian, Western Australian and Tasmaniau railways combined. New Zealand's total is two million tons greater than the tonnage carried on the Queensland railways in one year, and is only a little more than a million tons short of the Victorian total. New South Wales is the only other Australian State having a greater freight traffic by rail than our own Dominion, the quantity being in proportion to the difference in the population of the "two countries, that is, at the ratio of two to one.

The recent alarming malady which occasionally causes sudden death to extensive, patches of strawberry plants as well as to peach, apple and other orchard trees at the opening of spring (which has been termed "mystery death ) receives a plausible explanation from Central Otago. It is published in the ''New Zealand Smallholder from its Teviot correspondent, who says: "Investigations point to tho probability that the affected peach trees were caught by an early frost. The trees which died were all vigorous and drainage was perfect. One orchard with a large Percentage of deaths was on hill gravel. The belief is now held that owing to the wet autumn, during which over nine inches of rain fell, the growing period was prolonged and slight frost in April affected those trees which showed vigorous growth. The occurrence is not a new one, though this year it has appeared in a worse form than ever before. Many years ago a grower lost practically all }u's peaches under tho same conditions. These experiences point to the fact that a wet autumn followed by an early winter will induce these conditions. Tho rainfall for the past autumn was a third more than that in the same season for the past seven years, while the past winter has been the severest. It is. also the first year during that period; that frost was recorded in April.' The Railway Department is experiencing a particularly busy, time in handling live stock for the various freezing works in the Auckland province, and its rolling stock, particularly that which makes provision for the conveyance of sheep, has been heavily taxed during thejpast few weeks (says the "Star.") Another phase of the Department's work that has been maintained is that relating to the cartage of wool. The drive made some years ago in this connection, when motor competition became a serious factor, with which the railways had to contend, has beeri repeated annually, with a good deal of success. The good season experienced by woolgrowers th># yeal- has resulted in additional quantities of fleece being carried at the present, time. According to a Wanganui resident who returned from a motor tour, thermal activity in the Taupo district is decidedly on the decline, reports the "Herald." He is a careful observer and has visited the above-named districts regularly for the past twenty years. He says that the WairakTe Valley is less active by 50 per cent than it was twenty years ago. This* applied to all the thermal wonders of the Taupo district with the exception of the great steam blow-hole called Karapeti, which he found working with all its old-time vigour. Coming nearer home he found the crater on the side of Tongariro, known at Te Maire, which used to be; the scene of intense activity, and whose smoke and steam cloud could be seen 100 miles away, absolutely dead. Of course, this is not the first time that Te Maire has slumbered. He was silent for five years about thirty years ago, but one day there was a great upheaval, and all debris was hurdled out of the old crater, and it went I like an avalanche down the side of: Tongariro mountain, and did not stop till the ejected rocks came to rest in Lake Roto Aura, three miles away. The track made through the forest by the passage ot this avalanche is plainly to be seen on the mountain side to-day. When Te Maire takes it into his head to clean out this crater again, it will- be well fqr passing motorists to step on the gas, as the locality would be a decidedly unhealthy ono.

"Tho Government, and even the Piime Minister, who is doing his best for New Zealand and its people, have been blamed by, everybody for the hard times and the state of the country," said Mr Allen. Bell, M.P., at the luncheon following the opening of the Waimamaku Road on Friday afternoon. Mr Bell admired the way in whi'en the Prime Minister took his punishment without flinching. They were round the corner and il was time to get behind their' leader and heb him through. Mr Coates said that the output of dairy produce for tho year.had constituted a record and the wool, production had iiv creased greatly. Tho number of fat lambs coming forward exceeded M records and wheat-growing was at a record level. He referred to the improvement in small holdings and spoke on marketing as the great problem still confronting the primary industries of (he Dominion. .The organisation in Great Britain must have, a beneficial effect, he said. In their endeavours to market the output of the country to the best possible advantage, the Meat, Wool, Dairy, Honey and Fruit Boards Were working in unison for the first time. Prosperity would come back gradually. Unemployment was a bugbear, but !♦ could only be overcome by the righting of the ' economic position through economic causes. He described other measures as-mere palliatives.

The invasion of rabbits into South Taranaki has caused considerable unrest amongst farmers, and in some districts boards have been set up to deal with the nuisance. Reference was made to it by the chairman of the Waimate West County last week, when he remarked that it was up to all local bodies, to take steps to grapple with the pest and to prevent its spread.

New customs regulations, requiring a sworn declaraton of their dutiable luggage from oversea passengers arriving in Sydney, came into force on Ist January. The first vessel to come within the scope of these regulations was the TJlimaroa, which arrived from Auckland on 3rd January. In the past, says the "Sydney Morning Herald," customs officials have demanded from oversea arrivals merely an oral declaration of the dutiable goods in their possession and, as by some obscure psychological process people find it easy orally to deny possession of such goods, the system was open to, and did, suffer from*great abuse. Strangely enough, evasion of customs duty is generally regarded as a light matter and an achievement af which, anyone might he proud. The new regulations will tighten the customs knot in two ways. People, will be more reluctant to flout the law, for the swearing of a. false declaration assumes a more definitely criminal, complexion than the. mere ornl negative. In the second place, possession of documentary evidence will enable customs officers to secure conviction more easily. The new regulations bring Australia into line with other countries throughout the world and are expected to result in considerable increases in revenue coming through customs channels. The new system works in tho following manner: Declaration forms are sent in advance to oversea passenger vessels approaching Australian ports and are filled in by passengers while the vessel is still at sea. On arrival in port the declarations are signed before a customs officer and the passenger is then escorted to the baggage shed by another officer, who examines his luggage.