LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4046, 11 May 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

According to an announcement in a recent issue of the Raglan Chronicle, that paper, which has been m existence for about 35 years, will cease publication on 26th May. The Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G- Sullivan, announced yesterday that the tender of the Vulcan Foundry Company, Ltd., Lancashire, had been accepted for the supply of ten complete standard rail-cars for the New Zealand railways. Messrs G. Spinley (chairman) and W. J. North were granted authority at the meeting of Te Awamutu Domain Board on Monday evening to purchase a set of harrows for use at Albert Park, it being remarked that the playing areas of the park would benefit very appreciably by the regular application of the harrows. At a meeting at Pukekohe in connection with the outbreak of eczema among his stock, it was stated by an official of the Department of Agriculture that in England the number of veterinary officers averaged one to every 14,000 head of live stock. In New Zealand the average was one to every 57,500 head. Merc confidence was displayed by butchers when competing for fat sheep at the Frankton stock sale yesterday when larger supplies of mutton were available. Although juices, were not as high as for the small entry last week, the market tone was generally very bright. Beef was not so eagerly sought and values were hardly on a par with last sale. In seme cases, however, late rates were obtained. A buoyant market was experienced for fat pigs and porkers and baconers were traded at slightly increased values. At the final meeting on Monday evening of Te Awamutu Domain Board as at present constituted, the clerk, Mr D. Bockett, read a letter prepared for dispatch to the AuditorGeneral setting out the position at Selwyn Park, which had originally been adapted for a motorists’ parking area but which now was occupied by more or less “permanent ” residents, some of whom had been established there for more than a year, claiming that they could not get houses in oi near Te Awamutu. It had been contended that the Board was not providing adequate sanitary and other conveniences for the dwellers there, but if the place was used for its proper purpose the facilities would be adequate in all respects. The cost of improvements suggested would be between £BO and £lOO. It was added that some of the tenants had already departed, and it was anticipated that the number would be further reduced appreciably in the near future. The position would gradually right itself. No new’ tenants had been admitted lately.—The Board approved the letter.

The first of a series of four eclipses to occur (hi. year will be visible in To Awamutu and district, given favourable circumstances, early on Saturday evening, when the moon will undergo a total eclipse. A brief sitting of the Children’s Court was held at the local Courthouse this morning when Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., committed a Maori boy aged 16 years to the care of the State after hearing a charge against him of the theft of a suitcase valued at £l. An observant and keen lover of flowers reports that double Roman and paper-white narcissus have been seen blossoming in several local gardens and adds that though it is not uncommon to see these harbingers of spring in the gardens of Auckland City and neighbourhood at this time of the year he was surprised to find them in such luxuriance in Te Awamutu. At one stage of borough affairs section 100 was much discussed, but in recent times it is seldom referred to. However, at the meeting of Te Awamutu Domain Board on Monday evening, an inquiry was received as to whether or not the section of land in question could be secured under a Glasgow lease. The chairman (Mr G. Spinley) said that the section was held under special conditions, and it could be let only on an annual tenure. Mr H. A. Burchell has just had erected over the verandah of his men's wear department store, the latest model of a publicity time-keeper. The clock has a glow-dial and is electrically run. Naturally, Mr Burchell uses it for publicity purposes—‘•Burchell’s for Value,” —but the clock itself should prove of great convenience to the general public in giving the'right time. As it is illuminated at night by electricity the face can be seen with ease. At a meeting of about 200 delegates of the National Party representing approximately 3000 members, held in ‘he Ngatea Public Hall on Wednesday. Mr J. M. Allen, of Morrinsville, was selected at the party’s candidate to contest the Hauraki seat at the forthcoming general election. Other nominations were Messrs W. W. Massey (Mangere), H. A. Dent (Ngatea), W. A. Clark (Te Aroha), A. E. Allen (Kopuku) and J. Dean (Pokeno). It is understood that the Labour nominee for the seat wpill be Mr R. Coulter, M.P., who at present represents Waikato (and electorate). Embodying much of the ancient ceremonial which has been practised by the Maori people throughout theii history, an impressive service took place at the Ngaruawahia pa during the week-end when Judge F. O. V. Acheson, of the Native Land Court and Native Appellate Court, was made a member of the Waikato tribe. With hundreds of natives drawn up in the grounds of the pa, Taingia, the oldest living descendant of the Maori kings in the female line, came forward to confer the honour on Judge A.cheson. The chieftainess placed a korowai over the shoulders of the judge, who was acclaimed by the assembled Maoris. One of the results of the hot summer and autumn in the Opotiki district has been the flowering of taro plants, two instances having been reported one in the borough and one in the country. This is the first occasion that the flower has been seen, according to the older residents of Opotiki. The taro plant is not a native of New Zealand, but was brought here by the Maoris. Mrs Matchett, who is 103 years of age, states that the taro, which flowered in the garden of her daughter, Mrs Warren, was the first flowering taro she had seen. The blossom is greenish-yellow, is about a loot long, and somewhat resembles a narrow lily.