General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 January 1944, Page 4

General News

Long Railway Journey for Sheep A rail journey of over 600 miles is being undertaken soon by sheep to be entrained at the Matawhero railway station, near Gisborne, for the Waikato and Auckland districts as far north as Waimauku (states the “N.Z. Herald”). A special train will be run for the purpose and will be one of the longest haulages for large numbers of livestock the railway has ever undertaken in the North Island. Every summer hundreds of thousands of sheep are sent away from the district, mainly to the Waikato, but also to Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki. Those for the Waikato in the past have been driven on road to Taneatua and entrained there or shipped to Tauranga, where they were entrained, but this year the shortage of drovers has forced some purchasers of breeding ewes to send them all the way by rail. The first consignment of 44 trucks, or nearly 4000 sheep, is leaving within a few days, and should be followed by more when the ewe fairs commence next week. South Westland Timber Since the reopening of the South Westland sawmills large consignments of timber have been sent forward by rail for east coast destinations. Typical was a train of about 700 tons which reached Greymouth on Tuesday afternoon from Hokitika with 23 bogey and six other waggons of timber. Some 376 ‘tons were lifted at Hokitika and the remainder at Kumara and Gladstone. Bound for Lyttelton. it went across in the evening. Normally this timber would be shipped from Greymouth. Short Honey Crop The dry weather has caused a very short honey season in North Canterbury, as white clover flowers from which the main crop is gathered, have ripened off much earlier than usual (states “The Press”). The view was expressed by growers in the district that if there was honey to spare for the private consumer it would have to be sent from the North Island. Below the Rangitdta river, where there have been some showers, the position is not so serious, and Southland beekeepers have reported a good return. The big producing areas of the North Island have had a very good season. Another effect of the dry weather has been an exceptionally earlier crop of red clover and the absence of humble bees has in many cases caused the failure of fertilisation of the flowers. Tastes in Caravans Trailers and caravans of all shapes and sizes have been seen on the road during the holiday period. Some holidaymakers have shown a flair for bright colours which have given their mobile homes a gay air. Many people prefer the nearest to home comfort as possible. even when camping, and most caravans can boast frilled curtains at the tiny windows. The most unusual trailer seen so far was pulled by manpower. Rather like a large billy-cart it was big enough to seat two small boys comfortably and was attached to the rear of a bicycle—certainly a good way to see the country, but rather a tiring mode of travel for the person supplying the driving power. A horsedrawn caravan attracted attention at Pohara beach during the New Year holidays.

Forty Applicants “This indicates that there is a desire by many young chaps to take on a farming career, when they can sec prospects in it,” said the director of Ihc Canterbury Agricultural College (Professor E. R. Hudson) at a meeting of the college Board of Governors this week, when it was reported that there had been more than 40 applications for positions as cadets at the college. Vacancies numbered from four to six. Winter Feed on Coast Farms There are bright prospects for an excellent supply of winter feed on West Coast farms as a result of the recent spell of dry weather, giving hopes of a big improvement on last winter. It was stated this week (says “The Press”), that this is the best of many years so far as feed is concerned, there being heavy crops of lotus major on even the poorer types of ground. Unseasonable Frost There has been an unseasonable frost in the high country near Waimate. No recordings were taken, but ice formed on the water at Waihaorunga during Monday evening. Conditions were cool in the town area, but the grass temperature did not fall below 35 degrees. The change was in marked contrast to conditions last Friday, when the highest temperature was 86 degrees. Death of Maori Centenarian The death has occurred at Kaikohe of Hare Irimana (Charlie Edmonds), who was stated to be over 100 years old. About 18 months ago, when he was questioned on the matter, he stated that he was in his 103rd year. He enjoyed splendid health up to his last illness, which was very short. There is no official record available as to the date of his birth, but a younger sister who died 15 years ago and whose age can be verified would have been in her 91st year had she been still alive. An elder sister of Hare Irimana is living at Whirinaki, in Hokianga County, and it is said that she is in her 107th year. Hare Irimana in his earlier days enjoyed a wide reputation in the north owing to the excellent eight-plait oxhide bullock whips he made and which were eagerly sought after by the bullock drivers offtthat day. Believe it or Not “Believe it or not” is not unknown as a newspaper and film caption. Something in this category is reported from a Marlborough township (states the “Express”). A man doing roadwork hung his waistcoat on a fence. It was missing when he came along at knockoff time. A little intelligence work showed a cow chewing something cheerfully in the adjoining paddock and closer investigation proved that the something visible was the last few square inches of the missing garment. The owner of the cow promised to keep an eye open for the watch that had been in the waistcoat pocket and joined in a hasty first search 0 f the paddock. Next morning she was able to tell the owner of the timepiece that she knew exactly where it was. As she milked the omnivorous animal the previous evening with her head against its flank, she had heard it ticking gallantly away inside. Gumboots for Winter Supplies of gumboots are to be available for farmers and those in allied trades next winter, according to a statement made at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production. The council emphasised the necessity for an early release of any supplies available and suggested that steps should be taken to have the distribution made through representative organisations in order that each section should share equitably. Surprise Off New Guinea A squadron of Japanese dive-bomb-ers recently had an unpleasant surprise when they attacked a small ship off the coast of New Guinea. It looked like an easy target and after stalking it for some time the bombers came out of the sun, peeled off and attacked. They ran into a blaze of anti-aircraft fire and five aircraft were shot down in the first and last dive the Japanese attempted. The reason was that the ship was carrying an army anti-aircraft battery, with its guns set up on deck. Work of Land Girls The minimum age for land service girls has been reduced from 18 to 17 years for girls working either on their parents’ farms or those of near relatives. It has been pointed out to the Auckland District Council of Primary Production that the land service girls are available only for dairy and sheep farming. In view of the egg shortage the council has reiterated to the National Council of Production that it considers other farming industries, such as poultry-raising, are quite suitable for the employment of women from the land service. Replacing Wairakei Pines Wairakei will lose much of its pic,turesqueness as a result of the fire which recently swept through the Wairoa Valley (North Island). Most of the pine trees have been seared or destroyed, though a few of the older trees near the road escaped damage. During the winter some of the big trees near the well-known Honeymoon Cottage were cut by milling interests, and the waste fired to avoid risk during the summer months. In their place it is proposed to plant poplars, which will ultimately restore the beauty of the area without being subject to the summer fire hazards which are now the menace of the district. On Wellington Markets Shortages of carrots, cabbages and potatoes were reported by retailers in Wellington yesterday. They mentioned advice from growers of both fruit and vegetables that these were three weeks behind normal because of the previous long spell of wet weather followed by a period of poor sunlight. Plums were reported short, very ordinary Burbanks worth 3s a box making double this. Labour difficulties with the picking of raspberry crops in the Wairarapa were also reported, one of the biggest growers having only six pickers. According to one leading retailer, raspberry growers under the regulated prices found it a better proposition to sell at their gardens, instead of bearing transport expenses to the market. Five-pound lots which, before regulation, would bring up to 18s were now approximately 6s. Auckland was feeling this raspberry shortage more than Wellington. Nelson was sending forward tomatoes in good quantities, 3000 cases being received this week. Prices were from 8d to Is 3d a pound, the higher price being for local hothouse. Some were being sent to Auckland after purchase on the local market. Auckland was short on its local grown tomatoes, crops there ripening earlier than in the south. Peas were bringing 4d a pound wholesale, showing “sunburn.” though well filled. Stringless beans were 5Jd a pound wholesale and 6rl to 8d retail. Retailers were divided in their opinions on present shortages. SoTne thought them the result of growers’ planting less because of price regulations; others considered the lateness of the season, through weather factors, the primary cause.