STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK LINE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 November 1932, Page 4

STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK LINE

THROUGH TRAFFIC AT END OF MONTH Press Association—Copyright Tangarakau, To-day.—Hope was expressed by Hon. J. G. Coates to-day that if no unforseen circumstances arose, through traffic on the Stratford-Auckland Main Trunk line could be accepted by the end of this month, although the line would not be finally completed until five or six months later-

A Long Row Three men who travelled to the far end of Arapuni Lake in a boat with an outboard motor had a 25-mile row homo recently. When right at the top of the lake the propeller was smashed on a rock and they had to put their backs into it" for the whole of the homeward voyage. The word "boat" is now barred in all three homes. Penny f«r the Guy! Although it is said that the Guy Fawkes celebrations are yearly losing interest the children of Stratford are certainly showing no signs of flagging interest. On Saturday many were busy canvassing for "a penny for the guy." Exceptional bad weather marred the day, but the younger ones Ave re determined to uphold the occasion and endeavours were made to make a display at their small bonfires in the evening when considerable fun and amusement was centred. Most of the children, however, have withheld their spoils for tonight with a view of helping in the big display for the "send off" to Stratford's day of days.

Tremendous Grass Growth Along- the rop" i'rom Stratford to Palmerston North there is ample evidence of exceptional growth of pasture. From Wimganui to Palmer. Bton North there are many pastures which seem more like hay, and cows lies quietly amid a luxuriance of fresh feed. In the Marten area ,and in other parts of the Raugitikei, farmers are using all the stock they can to keep the feed down to its best (•porting height, and some have been taking on grazing in an effort to cope with the heavy growth. On one farm the grass is being cut for ensilage. and from the appearance of the land i'rom the road a number of farms have paddocks in a similar condition.

! Lizard Caught i A bronze-backed lizard, measuring ! S about six inches in length, was j | caught, on the roadside near Okaiawa j early this week by Mr. N. Hawkins, who brought it into the Hawera Star ; Office on Friday. The lizard, a grace-; fill little fellow, appeared to be thriving on the pieces of grass in the hot- j I torn of its biscuit, tin. II obviously en- : I joyed being stroked under the paw j by its new owner, climbing en to his . hand to permit him to perform this: 1' soothing operation. Mr. Hawkins said that old residents of the district . had told him that they had never seen j a lizard at large in this district and j they looked upon the little reptile as a rarity.