NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 37

NEWS IN BRIEF.

In connection with the fact that Poverty Bay growers are bolting their maize in anticipation of a rise, a note of warning was sounded by one of the Gisborne agents recently’ (states the Herald). He stated that if the growers held out for too high a price it would be found that the merchants would import large quantities from South Africa, and it was his advice that the farmers should not wait for the price to rise too high. " Drainage operations in a portion of the Mount Roskill district (Auckland) were arrested recently by a discovery of an unexpected nature. Workmen were making a sump in Duke street to carry off storm water, and when they reached a depth of 32ft, after boring through a strata of solid rock, water began to rise from the bottom. The flow increased, showing that an underground stream had been tapped, and further work at that poin; was impossible. ‘■l've seen some road-hogs, but this lady takes the bun.” This was the colourful description read at the other night's meeting of the Wanganui Automobile Association (states the Herald). The letter was from a drover who disapproved of x woman motorist’s behaviour. The association commended the drover’s action and it has since been discovered that the woman in question hailed from Palmerston North. A New Plymouth male motorist also has eirr.ed the displeasure of the drover and the association.

Teo late!” said a member at a meeting of the Mount Albert (Auckland) Borougii Council the other evening, when a letter was received from the National Council of Women urging the conservation of natural beauty spots, and Mount Albert cone in particular (reports the Star). “ There is a considerable amount still left,” said the Mayor. It was decided to reply that the matter was one that had the full support of the Borough Council. “ The New Year has been favourable to business in the property market,” a Timaru agent told a Herald reporter the other day. He said that house properties were selling better than they had been for some time, although sections were inclined to be a trifle slow. A feature of bouse sales was that the deposits were increasing, and quite a few cash sales had been reported. The best business was being done in houses from £BOO to £1250. So far the New Zealand Defence Force has not followed the lead made by the British Army in cnlistin<r mechanical aids, to an v extent, for military purposes (remarks the Christchurch Sun). There are two Holt tractors in Palmerston North which are used for hauling big guns. There are none of this type in Canterbury, «nd it is stated that the ordinary type in use by farmers would not be suiable for miliary purposes, if required. However,’ the authorities have information from a census of all motor vehicles which could be used for tr.-nsport. The situation of the Mackenzie Country allows some parts to get a liberal suppi,of rain, while others are just the opposite (says the Timaru Herald). Reports from runs at the foothills are to the effect that too much rain has been experienced, while another report from past Burke’s Pass stated that one runholder had got through shearing operations without a single day’s rain—the first time for some years. Visitors to Pleasure Bay complain bitterly of the language used by numbers of small boys who are at play there. A Southland representative who was watching some boys, about 10 or 12 years of age, playing at “ war,” found it necessary to remonstrate with them over their choice of words. A few minutes later a gentleman who was sitting with his wife was forced to listen to a particularly filthy phrase. Cannot something be done to keep these lads under proper control? Close on £30,000 was taken, at the Auckland treasury one day last week, when there was a heavy influx of rate payments to avoid the 10 per cent, imposed on late payments (says the Star). Since reopening after the holidays, the treasury has taken over £135,000, which is about £17,000 better than the corresponding period of last year. XJ le takings mentioned were a record, and the staff had a heavy day. Many of the public remarked upon the courtesy shown under trying circumstances. The tramway toilers who move about Christchurch with broom and spike are known to their fellow-workers as “ line scratchers,” though Mr J. A. Flesher prefers the. term of “track-cleaners” (remarks the Sun). The use of both,, terms at the Conciliation Council, sitting the other morning, by one of the workers representatives confused Mr Flesher, who begged him to use the more dignified name,