ALEXANDRA NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 7

ALEXANDRA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ALEXANDRA, February 16. THE WEATHER. The weather for the first part of last week was beautiful. On Wednesday evening, however, a nice rain set in, and gave the countryside a drenching. On Thursday it brightened considerably, and on Friday .again rain fell, followed by warm .weather. The rain is proving excellent for farmers, and the whole countryside has a different appearance from the parched look it usually has at this time of the year. Irrigators have been fortunate in that they have not had to rely on the irrigation schemes this season, EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS. On Friday at 9.40 a.m. residents were alarmed to feel what appeared to be the tail-end of a far away shock. No damage was done, but people were on a tension for some time in case the shocks became worse. EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. On Sunday in all churches large attendances were present at the special earthquake services, when all the clergymen preached appropriate sermons, Last Monday evening a meeting of women representative of the district was called by the Mayoress (Miss F. Bringans) for the purpose of devising means of helping the unfortunate people in Hawke’s Bay. It was decided to start collection lists immediately in the borough and outlying districts. Collectors started next day, and met with an excellent response, but so far the exact figures are not available. It was also decided to hold a concert later in the month. POWER BOARD MATTERS. With the local body elections not far off it is considered certain that Mr W. Black will, on account of ill-health, not desire re-election. Mr Black has since the board’s inception been an indefatigable worker in its interests, and it is in no small measure due to the marathon efforts he put into the board’s activities that he is now in his present state of health. Mr Black was chairman of the board from its inception until the last annual meeting, when even then his colleagues tried to persuade him to hold the office of chairman, owing-to his marked ability and business acumen. The Mayor of Alexandra (Mr W. Bringans) was appointed chairman of the board on Mr Black’s retirement, and lias proved an excellent substitute for Mr Black. PRICE OF MILK.

In common with the general fall in tne price of dairy produce, the dairymen delivering milk in the borough have reduced the price of milk by Id a quart. The price of milk is now 5d a quart. FRUIT CROP.

The fruit growers are now hard at work, and are having an all-round excellent season. The quantity and quality of the fruit has been good, and, considering tlie general depression, prices have been particularly good. Outside grown tomatoes are now offering in small quantities, and with some hot weather will soon he available in good quantities. About 40,000 plants have been planted in and around Alexandra this year. POOLBURN DAM. Work at the Poolburn dam is proceeding at a good juice. Three shifts are employed daily, and the work is being pitched ahead with all haste so as to have the dam finished before the winter sets in. Accidents were rather numerous at the works a few months ago, but these are, fortunately, now not so frequent. Mr R. Brown, of Alexandra, who had his hand badly lacerated about a month ago, is progressing very favourably, but it will be some months yet before he is able to recommence work. FIRE BRIGADE STATION. The tender for the erection of the new tire station at Alexandra has been let to Mr W. M. Lopdell, the price being £743. The station, which will be of brick and up to date in every detail, should prove a decided asset to the brigade’s men, who have worked under considerable difficulties for some years. Besides the room for the reel and general fire fighting equipment, the building has a spacious social hall and sleeping quarters for two men. AVIATION. Matters regarding aviation are a very popular topic of conversation in Alexandra. The possibility of Alexandra being the central aerodrome for Centra] Otago has no doubt in no small measure helped to create greater enthusiasm. The site which is considered ideal for an aerodrome will shortly be put into good

order. On Wednesday last another wellknown aviator, Flying-officer Olsen, of the Otago Aero Club, paid a visit to Alexandra, and said be considered the site very suitable for a landing ground. It is understood tluft as a result of his visit a branch of the club will be formed in Alexandra and a start made with training recruits for flying. Flyingofficer Olsen made the trip to Alexandra in 60 minutes, as compared with a fivehour car journey or a seven-and-a-half-hour train journey from Dunedin. UNEMPLOYMENT. Unemployment still continues to be serious in the borough, and on Tuesday tho Borough Council started 13 married and two single men on different works in the borough. _ The men are carrying out much needed improvements to the streets. This work has been made available through the Unemployment Board’s No. 6 scheme. Very few have so far been placed under the No. 2 scheme. PERSONAL. The many friends of Miss Mary Hull, school teacher, of Taradale, will be pleased to learn that word has been received by her father, Mr H. H. Hull, that she is safe and well. ■, Mr C. B. Richards went to Dunedin ou a business visit during the week. Mrs E. R. Curtis, who has been on a visit to Christchurch, returned to Alexandra yesterday. Mr and Mrs E. Russell left on Thursday to spend a holiday at the beach. Mr R. H. Foulkes, of the local jjostal staff, returned from his annual leave on Wednesday last. Nurse Watt is at present spending her annual leave in company with her brother, Mr J. D. Watt, at Karitane. Mr H. A. White, of Alexandra, who is keenly interested in aviation, flew from Dunedin to Alexandra with Flying-officer Olsen on Wednesday last. Mr F. W. Lindup, the resident engineer of the Public Works Department, left yesterday on his way to attend the engineers’ conference at Auckland. Messrs J ames Duncan and Robert Thomson, who have been on a motoring tour, have returned to Alexandra. Miss M. H. Anderson has commenced duties on the teaching staff of the local school. Mr and Mrs J. T. Downes and family, who have been on a holiday to Waikaia, have returned to Alexandra. Mrs J. M'Lauchlan, of Dunedin is at present spending a holiday in Alexandra. . Mies G. A. Brown, who has been spending a holiday in Auckland, has returned to Alexandra.