LOCAL AND GENERAL

Northland Age, Volume 14, Issue 45, 19 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr A Harris member for Waitemata recently asked in the House whether the Government will give instructions tor a new revaluation to be made of the whole of the Counties in the North Auckland Peninsnla. Some eighty-eight quarters of Rhodesian frozen beef, representing the first shipment from that country, were recently placed on the Smithfield market, states the Meat Trade Journal.” It is said that the meat attracted a great deal of interest and favourable comment. We have received the Programme for the Juvenile Costume Comedy Company who will give concerts (as per advt.) in ail centres in the County next month we can guarantee a performance which, has not previously been given in the North in point of merits. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds who attended a performance given by the “Juvenile Players Costume Comedy Company,” who will shortly tour the North under the direction of Colonel Allen Bell, writes speaking in the highest terms of the quality of the entertainment and the high standard attained by the versatile artists. The following are a few of the rainfall returns for the month of May. Kaitaia 5.27 inches, Mongonui 7.10, Herekino 8.30, Waimatenui 12.49, Puhipuhi 6.57, Aponga 7.60, Ruatangata 7.91, Whangarci 8.05, Mount Eden 8.77, Tahekc 14.61, Wekaweka 16.30, Kohukohu 8.53 Onehunga 6.16, Hamilton 7.00, Ngaruawhaia 9.67. Farewells have been the order of the day lately. On Monday Pt Bert Green of Peria was farewelled in the Peria 'Hail, the function was a most pleasant one, music by Mr C. Christensen, appropriate remarks by Mr J. Pearson, and J Garton. On Tuesday the ever popular Gordon Wallace was farewelled at Victoria Valley, “Gordon” is well known and liked in this district. The agitation started by the North Auckland Development Board some months ago for the reclamation of harbour and marine areas has already borne good fruit, last week Mr Vernon Reed M.P., asked the Prime Minister, whether he will introduce legislation vesting mangrove swamps in the Crown Lands Department, with a view to enabling Crown Land Boards to open those swamps for Land-settlement on the optional or freehold tenure ? Tasmanian fruitgrowers have approached the State Minister for Lands with a project to evaporate a million bushels of apples, and so relieve the glut on the Commonwealth markets by reason of their being no export overseas. There is at present £IOO,OOO worth of jam at Hobart awaiting shipment, but it cannot be exported, owing to no tonnage being available. It has to be stored pending the arrival of ships, and 75 per cent, of the cost is to be paid to the markers by the Imperial Government. Whangarei is beating even its own remarkable rainfall records. Mr L. Hanlon, meteorological observer, reports that during June the rainfall totalled 9 47 inches. For the first half of this year the aggregate measurement was 49-39 inches Ihe first six months of last year, which stood out the highest tally then known 30.52 inches. For the whole of last year the rainfall amounted to 78.33 inches. In 1915, for the complete twelve months the measurement was 46.45 inches, or 2.94 inches less than was accounted for in half the time since the first of January last The rainfall for June in Hamilton was 5 -05 inches, and that for Kaitaia for the same month was 5.73 inches. An announcement is made by Mr Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician that all certificates of enrolment in the Expeditionary Force Reserve have now been issued, and forwarded to the post offices named in the application. All reservists are warned that on and after Monday last they must have their certificates of enrolment in their personall possession, systematic and concerted action will then be taken by the police toapprehend those who have failed to enrol. Returned soldiers and members of the Expeditionary Force not in uniform are advised to have in their personal posses, sion a discharge from the forces, or a leave pass.

Mr Henry Sloan was in this district last } week attending the monthly sales. A meeting was recently held at Ohacawai with a view to arranging dog trials in that district. The Kaitaia School Committee report unavoidably held over until next week owing to lack of space. Private Douglas Kitchen of Victoria Valley was up on final leave looking in tip-top form, he makes a smarter soldier than many a younger man, all will wish him good luck. The usual monthly Stock sales took place at Victoria Valley and Kaitaia last week, at Kaitaia stock were in good demand, a number of outside buyers were present and prices showed an advance. At the last Council Meeting the Mangonui Count v Council decided* on a rate of 40 "alt in" a considerable increase bnt surely our local body must be resigned to a state of impecuniosity—or is it next November’s event? Mrs Wallen of Taipa will no doubt receive the hearty congratulatons of her large circle of friends as we understand her husband Mr T. Wallen has received } the Military Medal for gallantry, good boy “Tommy.” Some excitment was caused in Kaitaia last. Saturday when it was seen.that the _ Post Office was flying its flag, a great ' British Victory was the verdict, a ring on the phone dispelled the visions— Ihe National holiday of our Allies the French. The member for Mangonui Riding at jast Council Meeting decided to exhume the Council Chambers Site W rangle, and gave notice of motion to rescind a former motion dealing with the question, the matter will come up for the second round at next meeting. Hokianga went back on the 6d rate proposal and notice was given that at a T special Meeting to be held in August 2nd a new rate be struck as follows: Waihou riding 3 7/Bd, Rawene 4M(l‘ Kohukohu Taheke i%d, Waipoua Horeke 4'zid, Whangape 4 5/H, Tutamoc 4s4)d, Omapere 5 7/Bd. Miss Eva Foster, County Clerk, visited Kaitaia, on Tuesday last on business connected with Kaitaia, special rating area, the roll and preliminaries in this matter are almost complete and the compaign will shortly open. Miss Foster expressed surprise at the progress made by Kaitaia Township since her last visit. An Appellant stated at the Military Service Board at Hawera that his mother, who was 65years of age, last season milked 25 cows night and morning, and she would probably do the same this season, "The Taranaki people ought to present her with a special medal as an example to the younger people,” remarked Mr Me Laren, a member of the Board. The Farmers’ Co-op. advise us that they V- have been appointed agents for the Alpha Light, which is a thoroughly up-to-date Benzine incandescent light of great Brilliancy very suitable for installation in private houses, up to date there have been no less than nine installations in private houses here. Full details in next issue.—(Advt.) Mr Massey, qyestioned as to the intentions of the Government re sending men to the front, said there were four drafts in camp, and there would be others before the First Division came to an end. } By that time the Government would know the position belter, but, said he. “Don’t make any mistake adout it, New Zealand is going to act up to its pledge given at the commencement of the war.’