ABOUT TOWN

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 16, 23 November 1948, Page 2

ABOUT TOWN

I’m afraid I’ve nothing to talk about today. This week just gone has been particularly quiet. Been nothing doing at all, except for a fire or so, and a spot of banditry hither and thither. I have been able to rest as the aged should. Just a quiet weekend. Ha, ha, ha ! ! ! (cynically). ® The Public Service drive for “dead marines” proved to be very lucrative, and what’s more, proved that I was right in my prognostication that we’d knock Whangarei into a cocked hat. We managed somewhere about 20,000 bottles for our population. Whangarei 26,000 for their’s. Now, I ask you. Let’s advertise Kaitaia. Come where the beer tastes sweeter, should be our slogan. But still, a very stout effort. ® Apart from the flames in the sky from the Awanui fire on Friday morning last, there was another bright spot in the event, and that was the fact that Super. lan McKinnon has had his “decent” fire. And peculiarly enough he had it at Awanui where he mentioned it so patly. Nevertheless, Super, the “decent” fire proved that you and your men are up to handling such a situation, and handling it well in the shortest possible time. You saved Awanui that night if ever firemen saved any town. ® Deep pity the Awanui Brigade lost all their gear in the blaze. What are we going to do about it ? I suggest that we all give a little bit harder to the Contest now being staged, so that Awanui can get a little of the loot. But this would have to mean that the Awanui residents would have to show a little more interest in the contest than they have done. I’ll bet that’s started something, and another bet says that I’m for it in a big way from those bad men of the swampy Everglades. And what’s more, I’ll bet you can’t find me when you go gunnin’ for me. ® So I’ve forgotten the Barterhouse crowd in favour of (the Popular Girl crush, have I ? So what ? Don’t you deserve being forgotten. Have I yet received

my pig ? Have you done anything to endear you to my heart? NO ! ! All you are likely to do is to attempt—l said, attempt—to take money from me at your Barterhouse hold-up next Friday. Fortunately for me, I don’t know the way to the A. and P. Hall. ® I was going to drop the matter there, but why should I. They asked for it, and now they are going to get it. And “it” is publicity, though in this case it is adverse. They are going to charge two bob for a meal of pork or poultry or something. Then there are to be a number of other things for which they will want money much money. But there’s one thing certain. I don’t propose to tell you what the competition for men is, but if they hold the same competition for ladies, I’LL BE THERE AFTER ALL. Better be with me. ® I was at the R.S.A. Mystery Carnival last Saturday night. Boy, oh boy 1 1 What a “do.” I’ll be there next Friday night also. Might as well be broke as the way I am. Saw a lovely racket there. A picture was being autographed for a deenar. Think I’ll sell mine for the same. Don’t rush me, but I do need the money. ® I’m told that Mrs. Foster of the Awanui Road is proudly displaying an egg which was laid by a Rhode Island Red hen. It measures just over 4 inches in length, and is 7 inches in circumference. Just an ordinary hen, so she says, but I doubt it. Seems to me as if a stray Moa must have entered the hen-coop. ® I don’t know what’s come over the place. What with two-head-ed calf, twin foals, and potential pterodactyl eggs, it takes a little understanding. Of course, in view of the response to the bottle drive, anything is likely to happen—or be seen. Elephant hunters will observe Sundays as a close day. ® And whilst I’m speaking of things extraordinary, I’ve heard of mice communing with lions, cat and dog relationship, horse and dog as pals, but when one gets from the domestic animals to the wild things of life, there such association should cease. In wild life carnivorous animal sel-

dom mixes with bird, but in the wild life of Kaitaia and its environs, this has actually happened. I am told that there is an instance where a crane is living with a fox, and all is amicable —except on Friday nights when human beings are normally paid. ® Let us to the more serious things of existence. The Power Board building is growing fast. Looks something like a building of utility now. And don't forget those sections. Don’t let the heavy rains fool you. They will dry up very soon now.