In and About Kaitaia

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 14, 5 January 1934, Page 1

In and About Kaitaia

There are a few oases of suspected diphtheria among children in the Waipapakauri district. * * * * Kaitaia and the surrounding districts were the centres of most unusual weather conditions, heavy fulls of hail having been experienced in the week between Christmas and New Year. Sages sav that they have no recollections of similar occurrences happening in the past. * * * * The Public Works Department anticipate spending £2OOO a year on the Wai-pupakauri-Northwards main road and when comp'eted this road should be con siderably shortened by deviating and be put iir good running order. * * * * “The rates are coming in very slowly and it does not look as if any greatei percentage of rates will be collected this year than last year.”—County Clerk at last Council meeting. e * * * A few years ags all the benzine requirements for the district came in cases. Today it is most noticeable that drum benzine has almost ousted the case benzine. Benzine drums by the hundred aie • now to be seen at both the Awanui wharves. * * * * “During my lifetime I have weathered three or four slumps, maybe not so severe as this one, but I think that the clouds are lifting and we will soon be p out of the depression.”—County Chairman. •** * * “From my own experience I know that ratepayers who have put their positions fairly before tlie Council or County Clerk have been most reasonably treated.” — Mr. W. Johnston regarding the rates in arrears. * * * * Good catches of mullet have been made during the past week by the fishermen in the Awanui Harbour. Several good hauls of flounders have also been made on the Ninety Mile Beach. * * * * The Kaitaia Camping Ground in Sunray Park has been well patronised during the holidays and the tents of motor campers are to be seen every night. The maximum number so far, for one night was eight, that being the number on three occasions. • * * * Lr The hay making season is now in swing, particularly in the Kaitaia district, where stacks are appearing in profusion. The weather has not been particularly good for haymaking operations during the Christmas week but farmers are making the most of the fine weather this week. • * * * * On Wednesday of last week, the motor vessel “Hokianga” bound from Auckland to Hokianga had to shelter in the Ahipara Bay at the south end of the Ninety Mile Beach from the heavy winds and was not able to leave to cross the Hokianga Bar until Sunday. * * * * Various tribal parties of the Native race are at present travelling about from one settlement to another busily engaged with combined practices of their hakasof welcome in conjunction with the Waitangi Centenarian to be held in Waitangi in February. The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata is touring the district on a final preparatory basis with reference to the same effect. * * * * As an illustration of the mild climatic conditions we enjoy in the North, Mr. Mark Hoggard has shown us some very fine dahlia blooms that he had grown at Waiharara. Although dahlias are really an autumn flower, owing to the mild climate in this district blooms have been observed in some gardens during the past month, Mr. Hoggard stating that his commenced to bloom early in November. * * * Mr. J. tty an has commenced his mail contract between Kaitaia and Mangonui this week, he being the successful tenderer for this service. The many residents on this rural delivery will miss BillGeard with his fund of news. The main mail route to the North—the Otiria-Kaitaia-Awanui service is being carried on this year by Taaffe’s Motors, they having suh-contracted from the successful tenderer, the Northern Publishing lu**Coy, of Whangarei. The Kaitaia-Here-F** kino service is still being carried on by Mr. T. Curreen, he, having also sub-con-tructed from the successful tenderer, the game Whangarei firm.

The County Council is calling for tenders for various road works. * * * * Tenders are being called by the Kaitaia School Committee for tho conveyance of children to the school from the Double Crossing. * * * *

A Busy Christmas Old Man Depression was banished from Kaitaia during Christmas week, when busy shoppers thronged the streets and surveyed the gaily-decor-ated windows. It is stated by store proprietors that Christmas this year was a busier period than that of last year, but the inevitable reaction followed after Christmas with the result that trade was very slack on tho business days from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day and also during this week. It was estimated that there were over 1200 people in the Kaitaia streets on the Saturday eve before Christmas and about 200 motor vehicles were parked at the side of the main thoroughfare. There was not accommodation for those who desired to enter the “talkies,” and large numbers had to be turned away. All the shops were thronged with Christmas shoppers and gave tho appearance of a sale day in a large city drapery store, the crowd being so dense.

* * * * Campers at the Beaches The popularity of the holiday resorts at Cooper’s Beach and Taipa is developing year by year, increasing numbers of tourists from the South spending the holiday season there. Tokerau Beach, to which a good road now gives access, is also becoming deservedly popular with campers and picnicers. The entire number of cottages at Taipa for holidaymakers have been rented, but the smaller backs have not all been taken. Good luck has attended the efforts of the fishing enthusiasts of this locality, big hauls of schnapper having been obtained. The Ninety Mile Beach and the Far Northern Beaches have also their quota of visitors but the number is pot so great as in previous years, but the camping season is. just beginning and it is anticipated thm: ai\ increasing number will be on the beaches this month. Kaitaia has been as a deserted city during the holidays, all the residents who could being away, the majority camping or at least spending the days at one or other of the splendid beaches within easy reach of the town. During the week between Christmas and New Year the weather was by no means favourable for picnickers and campers, cold boisterous southwesterlies blowing, with occasional showers. This week the “weather god” is smiling on the district and regular holiday weather is being experienced.