TAURANGA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 17

TAURANGA AFFAIRS.

railway traffic returns. ! JUBILEE OF KATIKATI. \ MERRIES MEMORIAL PARK. [jlY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANG A, Wednesday » The traffic returns for tlio four-weekly ftp rind ended September 15 show that the Pay of Plenty section of thu East Coast Main Trunk railway continues to be well patronised. The. number of outward passengers was 7281., The live stock railed Aivay totalled 9529. The outward revenue amounted to £6065. and tho inward revenue to £5679. The total revenue was £11.744. against £11,411 for the previous Jour-weekly period. ' Tho stuff of the. Railway Department is now engaged in constructing commodious refreshment rooms at Tauranga railway Station. The building will be 100 ft. long pud will cover a ground space of 2000 square feet. Tho counter room is large and convenient. A verandah 20ft. wide will he erected, and will bo a uniform continuation of tho present station verandah, giving a total verandah length of« 250 ft. The building will be opened at the beginning of December. ; The date of the first of the regular summer excursions to Tauranga is fixed for Sunday, October 28. The train will tun from Frankton Junction, and will arrive in the morning and leavo in tho evening. Given fino weather tho extensive beaches of Tauranga and Mount Jlaunganui will provide enjoyment for many" holiday-makers. Fishing and land excursions will bo arranged by the Chamber of Commerce. The Otakiri cheese factory on the Eangitaiki Plains has decided to send its produce through by rail to Auckland. The company previously shipped its cheese from Whakatane. Shark Fishing Season Opens.

The first mako shark of the season was captured by a party aboard the launch jS'aomi off Tauranga Heads oil Monday. The shark, which put up a strenuous fh'ht, measured Bft. Bin. and weighed 2901b. Three parties of visitors enjoyed excellent fishing during the week-end, their catches numbering some hundreds, and comprising principally schnapper and ternkihi, with .1 few hapuka. Tlie Katikati settlers will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bliip Ladv Jocelyn, with the second band bi pioneers 01" the settlement, by holding a smoke concert on October 12. Representations were recently made through Mr. C. E. Macmillian, M.P-, to the Government for a subsidy for improving the Tauranga-Oropi I-toad, which serves a large area of good producing country, as well aa sawniilling blocks. Advice has been received of a vote on the supplementary estimates of £IOOO, on the basis of C2 for £l. Ploughing operations are now in full swing all over the district, in preparation for tlio planting of maize crops, both for grain and green feed. A large area will be put down in maize, as farmers are now assured of hotter returns for this grain, as the result of vail communication with outside centres. The Maoris also are going in for more cropping, as the completion of the railway works means that many of thein will be compelled to make profitable use of their land, and maize will prove the staple crop. The early crops of potatoes are well forward, and are Joking very promising. Peach, plum and pear trees in the local orchards are now in full bloom, "and present a beautiful sight, especially the pears, which are a mass of white blossom. .Another week-' or two will see the apples, nn:l lemons in bloom. Fire Brigade Competitions.

The Tauranga volunteer fire brigade will lie. represented at the competitions for the Hay of Plenty five brigades, to be held at Rotorua on Labour Day, when contests will take place for the Chilton Cup and other events. The local team for the Chilton Cup will be: Firemen F. Bickers, A. Griffiths, J. Downey, and G. Griffin. The competitors in other events will be Superintendent J. Padlie and Firemen 11. Hartnett and W. Padlie.

The official closing day of the Gato Pa golf links has been fixed for Saturday next, when a Canadian mixed foursome match, driving and putting competitions will be held. The trophies won during the season will be presented. The erection of the entrance arch to the Herries Memorial Park at the eastern end of Harrington Street has been completed. A pond and rockery have also been constructed. Tho whole area along the town waterfront has been tastefully laid out. The Tauranga Agricultural and Pastoral Association has decided to approach the Railway Department asking for concessions for the transport of show stock. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on tho Domain Board last evening, and urged that facilities for heating water bo installed on the Domain for the use of picnic parties and sports meetings. The board signified its willingness to erect a small building and appointed a committee to wait _on the Borough Council to ask it to instal and maintain an electric hot water plant.