LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3830, 6 November 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The race for the New Zealand Cup is to be run to-morrow at Riccarton. Messrs H. Andrew and Sons advise farmers in Te Mawhai, Pokuru, Tc Kawa, Korakonui, Hairini, and Puahue districts that they will not collect bobby calves next Monday, having discontinued collection for this season.'!' Word comes from the south that a man in the Taihape district has won a £50,000 prize in what is euphemistically called “ an overseas consultation ” on the Melbourne Cup. The opening of the new rifle range at the local District High School grounds to-morrow afternoon promises to be interesting and attractive. The School Cadets have issued a challenge to teams of six from various or ganisations to a target shooting match at 2 o’clock, and indications point to at least six teams competing. When the big new Fairfield bridge over the Waikato River at the northern end of Hamilton borough is made available for traffic in the next few weeks the work of repairing the old traffic bridge further upstream will be undertaken. This work will involve steel-grid decking and a new footway. The Government Placement Office in Auckland has found work for 1262 men out of the New Zealand total of 11,864 since the scheme was inaugurated early in May this year. These figures are given in a return compiled at the end of October, and an analysis shows that of the total placements slightly more than 51 per cent were in permanent employment.

A Westport message states that Miss Nita Rosslyn, known throughout the Dominion as “The Girl in Red,” was last week presented with a brooch mounted with a nugget obtained from the Buller river, as well as a document summarising the natural wealth of the Buller district, by admiring well-wishers in her cycling tour, she having just completed a journey throughout the whole of the South Island. Two statutory first offenders for drunkenness, arrested by the local police on Wednesday evening, were convicted and discharged by Mr G. A. Empson at the Court yesterday morning. In discharging them, the Bench advised both men to get out of the town at the first opportunity, otherwise they would be apprehended on more serious charges. The men, who were strangers to the district, undertook to leave at once. At the meeting of the Te Awamutu A., P. and H. Association executive on Wednesday evening Messrs Gordon Johnson, Hairini, F. H. Terry, Korakonui, and C. McDonald, Korakonui, were elected members of the Association. An effort is to be made to considerably increase the membership before the annual show in February next, and it was pointed out that membership enables entries for the various classes to be made at half the cost to non-members. The diamond jubilee celebrations of the Paterangi school are being observed to-day, and quite a number of Te Awamutu residents are attending. A feature of the function will be a roll call of all old scholars, and the gathering is expected to attract scores of former pupils from all parts of the North Island. This morning a school children's sports meeting opened proceedings, and then tree planting in the grounds by former scholars will follow. Work is proceeding with the construction and installation of two new’ turbines at the Arapuni hydro-electric works. One of the new units is more advanced towards completion than he other; the turbine casings have been assembled, and the generator and rotor are being perfected. At present the steelwork for the outdoor transformer is being erected, and the walls of the extension to the powerhouse down in the old river-bed are almost completed.

The Main Highways Board has authorised the Public Works Department to accept a tender for reconstructing and surface-sealing that section of the Great South Road between Ohaupo and “ Green Hill,” near Te Awamutu, and when this work is completed during the coming summer here will be a continuous sealed highway from Auckland to Te Awamutu, a distance of approximately 105 miles. As several other contracts are now n hand for extending the work to the southern boundary of Waipa county, and gangs of Public Works Department men are busily engaged at points for three miles further south, it can be seen that the progress of the work of sealing right to Te Kuiti is proceeding apace. A district settler, commenting on the ragwort eradication work being carried out by gangs of men under the supervision of the Waipa County Council’s noxious weeds inspector, points out that a gang of sixteen men is paid £l2 16s per day of six hours. On one farm he knew of the area of land dealt with was approximately seven acres, and the cost of sodium chlorate and lime, plus cartage, brought the total outlay to £37 16s for one day’s work—a heavy expenditure that obviously no farmer could undertake. However, he commented that that money has to be found somehow, and every taxpayer in the country is contributing to it. As there are many thousands of acres of land in South Auckland and the King Country it can easily be seen what a huge outlay is necessary to effect a clearance. In a column of reminiscences published in the Thames Star, Mr J. B. Doidge, an old identity (aged 86 years), recalls having, as a youth, witnessed the threatened destruction of the New Zealander newspaper building in Shortland Street, Auckland. That paper had previously published an adverse report of the action of some of Her Majesty’s sailors during an engagement in the Maori war at Tauranga, and on arrival of the warship at Auckland a reprisal was planned. A heavy rope was brought ashore and put through two windows of the second storey of the building, and when Mr Doidge arrived on the scene the sailors had hold of the end of the large loop waiting the word of command to pull the front out of the building; but the situation was saved when one of the newspaper men tendered an apology from the front of the office.

A reminder is given that the annual meeting of the Kakepuku Hall Association will be held next Monday evening. Armistice Day will be observed throughout the Dominion on Wednesday next, Uth inst., by the customary two minutes’ silence at 11 a.m. Advice from the hon. secretary (Mr P. J. Twomey, of Christchurch) to hand yesterday is to the effect that a total of £llO2 2s 4d has been subscribed to the fund for providing Christmas comforts for the 577 lepers at Makogai. Farmers in various parts of the province complain of a shortage of labour for haymaking, and it has been suggested that the men at the present time engaged on ragwort eradication should be made available for this seasonal work. A proposal to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to raise a loan not exceeding £89,000 for levelling Garden Place Hill, an area of 11 acres in the centre of Hamilton, acquiring adjoining properties, removing and re-erecting existing houses, and constructing new streets, was adopted by the Hamilton Borough Council on Wednesday evening. When the present Cambridge post office was opened in February, 1908, it replaced a building that had served for 30 years. Now, almost another 30 years later, it has been found necessary to enlarge and improve the existing building, and this afternoon a post office in keeping with the progress of Cambridge will be officially opened by the Postmaster General, the Hon. F. Jones. “With the way the present Government is heading, it will not be long before children will have to help in the cowsheds,” said one district farmer during a brief discussion at the Te Awamutu A., P., and H. Association meeting on Wednesday night. There were smiles all round the room, but the speaker was pressing the point that special provision in the revised schedule for child exhibitors in other than calf classes was not needed. The New Zealand Counties Association recently asked that sheep-lor-ries and other vehicles with a wide “top-hamper” should carry side lights on the outside of the “tophamper.” The Commissioner of Transport replied that provision was being made in the proposed Traffic Regulations for the lighting of the offside of loads having excessive width, and the suggestion concerning side lights on sheep lorries etc., had been noted for consideration.

With the completion of the improvement work at the municipal saleyards there is now ample provision for all stock sales likely to be held here for a number ot years, for the pen and yard accommodation for sheep has been increased from 8000 sheep to fully 30,000. Two hundred and seventeen additional pens for pigs have increased the capacity in this section from 700 head to 1100 head, and there is provision for still further enlarging this department to provide for another 1000 pigs. The cattle section is already well catered for, but next year’s plans for saleyards enlargement include another row of 35 pens, which will hold 200 grown beasts. In the work just completed was renewal of several gates and general renovations. A walk of fifteen miles, from Leamington to Hamilton, all the way to see twin baby relatives, was the exploit ol two eight and nine year old Leamington girls last week-end. Their parents were beginning to entertain fears for their safety when word arrived of their arrival in Hamilton. Perhaps the average girl's love for babies arose in these two girls. They decided to walk all the way to Hamilton to see the twin babies, relatives ot one of the girls. The journey, which was completed on foot, occupied about six hours. Meanwhile both lots of parents thought the pair were at the others’ house. Soon after their whereabouts became uncertain, however, fears were allayed when news came of their arrival at Hamilton.

Farmers in this district should note the intimation from Waipa County Council’s inspector of noxious weeds that particular attention is drawn to the fact that, without the necessity of any notice being served, it is the continuous obligation of all occupiers to clear their lands of ragwort and to keep them so cleared. It may be explained that some occupiers., when prosecuted, have complained to the magistrate that they had not received written notice of the inspector’s requirements; but it was made clear to defendants that the Act does not require that written notice be given, for it is a continuous obligation on the occupiers to clear their lands of noxious weeds, and to keep them cleared. The present inspector, in conversation with our representative, said he did not require that every weed be eradicated—such a requirement would be impossible and impose a direct hardship—but he did expect occupiers of land to reasonably comply with the Act’s requirements—in their own interests and for the sake of others.

Writing to a Te Awamutu relative, a farmer in Devonshire, England, makes reference to several matters interesting to New Zealanders. For instance, he expresses thanks for a special packet of New Zealand butter forwarded to him in time for last Christmas, and adds: “We always eat New Zealand butter, in nrciference to English butter.” Also, “We have had a miserable summer —the wettest that I can ever remember. Some farmers have not carried in all their corn yet, and it will be October in a day or two .... The farmers here are all making good prices for sheep, cattle and horses. At present horses are making from £5O to £6O for good animals. They have to pay £3 to £4 each for Weeding ewes, and £2O to £25 for milkcows. Perhaps it is because of ihe war and the likelihood of another big war; but they won’t have me serving in any further war, unless they supply me with a new pair of legs, as I am crippled with rheumatism.” The writer also makes reference to wages in a small town, mentioning 'flat his fifteen-year-old son earns 11s per week at a grocery, which sum barely keens him in food. An acquaintance (a middle-aged man), is refe"red to as doing odd jobs, such as rabbit-trapping and potato - digging. and he earns £2 to £3 per week “as long as the fine weather lasts.” The writer inquires how that compares with earnings in New Zealand.

Te Awamutu Beautifying Society has begun planting thousands of seedlings in the various , plots under its supervision in the borough and neighbourhood, and soon residents will be able to admire a glorious array of blooms. Included in the aggregate being planted is a special donation of seventy modern dahlia plants from Mrs J. P. O’Sullivan. We understand a delegation from the Te Awamutu branch of the Waitomo Labour Representation executive is visiting Cambridge this afternoon to interview the Hon. F. Jones, Postmaster - General, with special mention of the need for expediting work on the reconstruction of the Te Awamutu post and telegraph office!. Messrs Candy Bros., of Pokuru, who weire very sucessful exhibitors of Large White pigs at the recent Waikato A. and P. Show, scored further important successes at the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Spring Show, at Palmerston North yesterday. Their pigs gained two championships (and a supreme championship), three firsts and two thirds. This is a further convincing indication that Messrs Candy Bros, have a very high class stud of Large Whites at Pokuru. “ What a great relief it is to see once again schoolboys in shorts, openneck shirts, and rolled-up sleeves,” remarked Mr J. E. Lovelock, New Zealand’s Olympic athlete, addressing six hundred secondary school pupils in Hamilton. “ For the past few years I have been talking to boys cramped in long trousers and collars and ties. You have no idea how pleasant it is to see boys dressed as comfortably as I used to be.” Addresses were given at Te Rau-a-Moa and Oparau yesterday by Colonel S. J. E. Closey on “ Compensated Prices,” and the settlers present at both meetings eagerly scanned the graphs and diagrams displayed by the lecturer in support of his arguments. At each meeting a resolution supporting the claim for compensated prices, as set out by Colonel Closey, was carried unanimously. Colonel Closey, with delegates from the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union, is attending the monthly meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive at Hamilton to-day.

■ The garden party promoted to assist the Mangapiko Hall funds, and held in Mrs C. M. Alexander’s pretty grounds on Wednesday afternoon, proved very successful, and there must have been an attendance of fully one hundred. The day was beautifully fine, and everybody entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. Quite a number of clever and interesting competitions were held, and Mrs D. McArthur won the clock golf, Mrs S. Alexander the croquet, Miss Joan Bremmer (Tamahere) the cake competition little Shirley Corliss the doll, Mrs S. Alexander the pickled beans, Mr L. Brough the hen and chickens, and Mrs A. J. Tailby the tin of biscuits. The bran tub provided for the children was literally “rushed,” and soon completely emptied. Delightful afternoon tea ,was served and at the end of the day a beautiful crystal vase was presented to Mrs C. M. Alexander in appreciation ot her kindness in making her home and grounds available for the occasion. It is understood that the hall funds will benefit by about £2O as a result of the function. The Fire Brigade’s annual monster procession, bonfire and fireworks display, in celebration of Guy Fawke’s Day, eventuated under favourable auspices last evening. The procession, which started from the Big Tree corner and proceeded to Albert Park, was headed by the Municipal Band (which, incidentally, was making its first public appearance since returning from the band contest at Whangarei), and also represented were the Fire Brigade, Boy Scouts and a motley array of caricatures, including prehistoric animals, Indians, Maoris, Arabs and minstrels, with several motor cars full ot happy celebrators. Arrived at the park, the Band played a number ot bright selections, to the enjoyment of the many hundreds of people assembled, and then the huge bonfire was lighted. Several sideshows provided more amusement and interest for the crowd, and then the fireworks display was commenced, with the letting oft of a thousand small crackers. The intention was to set oft a varied selection of fireworks during the next hour, but the scheme went awry, for early in the proceedings a small cracker ignited the whole box of other fireworks, rep resenting an outlay of about £lO. The explosion was by no means as spectacular as would have been the planned display, but it effectively settled that plan. However, the sideshows kept the crowd amused and it was not until the big bonfire had been reduced to embers that the assemblage dispersed.