LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4189, 26 May 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Accounts presented and passed for payment at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council totalled £8629 16s.

“ Is an aerodrome one of the objects classified as acceptable for the subsidy for a centennial memorial 1 ” inquired a councillor at Wednesday's meeting of the Waipa County Council.

The Te Awamutu Cribbage Club’s session on Thursday evening was again well attended, and the best score was that of Mr C. Reed with eight games. Among the ladies Mesdames Welch and Mulgrew tied for first with six wins each.

The Government has announced three more names of doctors who have accepted the State plan under the maternity benefits scheme of the Social Security legislation. One of them Is in Wellington and the other two at Te Awamutu.

The audited balance-sheet of the Ngaroto Drainage Board' (which is the Waipa County Council) for the year ended 31st March, 1938, and the draft balance-sheet for the year ended 31st December, 1939, were tabled at the annual meeting of the Board on Wednesday.

Thirty-four clubs are attached to the South Auckland Bowling Centre, with an aggregate membership of 1604, according to the report of the centre submitted to the annual meeting yesterday. A new club at Kawhia had applied for affiliation and the Matangi Club should be in a position to apply for affiliation next season. The receipts for the year were £260 Ils, and the expenditure was £233 4s.

The engineer told the Waipa County Council on Wednesday afternoon that he expected the first section ot the Frankton - Plrongia main highway reconstruction and sealing to be completed by the end of June. He added that he had prepared for a total expenditure on main highways in the new year of about £63,000, of which one-fourth would be loan money and the balance from the Highways Board.

Though Lord Nuffield generously gave £50,000 for the establishment of a home for crippled children at Takapuna, any child sent there from Waikato must be approved by the Waikato Hospital Board, for the Auckland Hospital Board requires an undertaking that the Waikato Board will compensate it to the extent of 16s per day for each child. This statement was made at Wednesday’s meeting of the Wiaipa County Council.

Once again there is a rush of business at the local post office ot’ motorists seeking to re-license their vehicles. The postmaster informs us that in an effort to reduce Inconvenience to applicants it had been arranged to have extra attendance for motor registration, commencing to-day. until the end of the month. Officers will be on duty this evening from 7 to 8 o’clock, from 9 a.m. till noon tomorrow, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is the last day ot the month, and the office will also be open from 7 to 8 p.m. that evening.

“ I am not a militarist—far from it. I saw sufficient of the vicissitudes of the Great War to regard war as a real horror. There are no greater pacifists to-day than those who went through the four years—l9l4-1918 on active service. But we realise probably better than other people what war means and the necessity for preparedness.”—So declared Mr J. Hargest, a man who rose from the ranks to become a colonel, and gained coveted medals for gallant services in the Great War, when speaking at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. “We have the courage and the will to defend our homes if there is an outbreak of trouble.”

Import restrictions were having unexpected effects, said Mr J. Hargest at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. He stated that the restrictions prevented nine well-known makes of English motor vehicles coming into New Zealand. Imports of linoleum were also interrupted. But the Government had offered to remove restrictions on goods for which manufacturers were prepared to leave money in New Zealand. That was distinctly in favour of the wealthy commercial firms, which had already arranged for whisky and tobacco to be admitted. Smaller traders could not finance along those lines, and consequently their goods were forbidden entry

The chairman mentioned at Wednesday’s meeting of Waipa County Council that certain drovers were grazing mobs of cattle on the roads, and he thought a stop should be put to the practice. The roads were being -damaged. Cr J. T. Johnson remarked that there were two or three holding paddocks near Te Awamutu, and mobs from those paddocks were turned on to the roads for several hours each day, Cr D. B. Livingstone stated that one mob of boner cows had been on the roads for three weeks, en route to Westfield. They were being grazed along the roads byday and put in holding paddocks each night. Councillors quoted the law on the subject, and decided to obtain a legal opinion on the Council’s powers in the matter.

“ This is tantamount to the employee receiving a rise in wages,” asserted Cr F. L. Onion at the Waipa County Council meeting on Wednesday, when discussing the Government’s proposed Holidays .Wlith Pay Bill. “He is doing less work for the same wages—that’s w’hat it means—and the question is whether- or not industry can stand it. The farming community has in many cases had to do without necessary labour, and the result has been that to-day there are more women and children than ever employed in the milking sheds. This is so because the farmer cannot pay the wages and give the established holidays as well. We have seen the effect of these conditions in the farming industry. What will be the effect in other industries ? ” “ The outlook of the farming industry is very gloomy,” contended Cr J. B. Livingstone. ’

Irrecoverable rates totalling £293 were formally written off at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council.

In order to clear up some misapprehension which seemed to exist the information was given at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council that no objection could be taken to blinds hanging from shop verandahs as long as they complied with regulations as to height from the footpath.

“ I recently undertook an extensive motoring trip, passing through-eight or nine counties, and everywhere I found that where there was no tarsealing the roads were corrugated. The only solution is to go in for sealed roads.”—Cr N. Reid at Wednesday’s meeting of Waipa County Council.

Mr G. B. Melrose, chairman of the local District High School Committee, mentioned yesterday that he had asked the business men’s holiday committee to close their shops from. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 31st May, for the official opening of the new Intermediate High School by the Minister of Education, Hon. Peter Fraser.

Surprise and some regret were expresent at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council at the fact that the promised report of a Government officer on the suggested afforestation plan for Kakepuku mountain had, not come to hand, and inquiry is to be made. It was mentioned that the time was almost at hand for commencing any tree planting, and delay would involve leaving the work till next year.

The dairy cheque for April supplies paid out by the Te Awamutu Cooperative Dairy Company was £ll,BBB on 197,7981 b of butter fat, this comparing with £13,672 on 254,1811 b of butter fat for the corresponding month last year. Supplies during April were 22 per cent down on the figure for the corresponding period last year. Up to the end of April the company had manufactured 2219 tons of butter, this comparing with 2501 tons up to the end of April last year.

The engineer told the Waipa County Council on Wednesday that, with the Otorohanga county engineer, he had investigated the prospect of getting access from Wiaikeria Road to Puniu River near Mr J. H. Onion’s afrm. He explained the details. The line of the country road was not satisfactory for reading purposes, and he suggested getting about two acres of the Tokanui Hospital property. Mr Onion could purchase the old “paper” road area. The Council decided to enter into negotiations.

“ The Government to-day is trying to assure the sheep-farmers that it intends to insulate them against loet; but the Government has forced costs up so high that the sheep-farm-ers simply have had to abandon large areas of land, especially along the slopes of the Southern Alps. The Prime Minister, however, is still assuring all and sundry that he is de--sirous of protecting and insulating the producer.”—Mr J. Hargest (National, Awarua) in his Te Awamutu address on Tuesday evening.

Mr J Hargest, M.P. for Awarua, speaking at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, referring to the guaranteed price, said the Government had placed dairymen on piece-work, a form of payment that all labour unions opposed in their own spheres of employment. Leaders of the labour unions looked with horror on piecework, yet their representatives in Parliament were putting farmers on piece-work by paying them a fixed price per 1000 lbs of butter-fat produced. '

Keen advocacy was voiced by Mr J. W. Civil at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council of a plan for securing an area of 700 acres of native bush on the northern slopes of Maungatautari mountain for eventual use 1 for water supply to serve the whole of the Roto-o-Rangi dintrict. Mr Civil said he had computed the water supply from the catchment area, and considered that the land could be acquired at a reasonable figure; but prompt action was very desirable. There would be ample water also to supply the Kairangi settlement farm lands.

“The present Government’s housing scheme is all right, or would be if there was provision for tenants being able to buy their Homes. Furthermore, there should be a provision for building homes on the farms for farm workers, so that the occupiers could enjoy at least the same amenities and conveniences as are provided for the workers in the towns and cities.”—Mr J. Hargest, at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The speaker added that there should be opportunity for a young man and young woman on the farm to obtain a home—that would make for a contented rural population, without which this country must fail.

Officials of the Waipa Hockey Association are very busy at present as they are handling several events which make the most important part of their year’s programme. This week-end they are holding a dance in the Te Awamutu Town Hall, and also are sending a team to Taumarunui to play against the King Country representatives. As the success of Saturday evening’s dance will in a large measure determine the prospects of the association being able to send a strong team to Nelson to challenge for the Norden cup, it is being supported with stfch enthusiasm by players and friends of the game that an unusually enjoyable and bright evening is assured those who attend. The game against the King Country is looked upon as a trial run for the representatives to play in the White Horse Cup competition during the Auckland country week tournament. The following Saturday Te Awamutu will receive a visit from the Rodney representatives to play their annual match against Waipa. The association also is dealing with correspondence in connection with a game to be played against a team from Fiji which is touring the Auckland province this season. As the game for the Norden Cup is the most important of these fixtures; and the strength of the team sent away will depend largely on finance, the response to Saturday evening’s dance is expected to be particularly cordial.

At last night’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council, Cr A. Rowan gave .notice of motion to move that in future the Council hold its meetings once a month instead of fortnightly.

Among quite a number of interesting reports, etc., unavoidably'held over until next issue is an interesting account of a, visit to the Ruakura State Farm by the Kakepuku Young Farmers’ Club.

For the eighth time, and for the second time within a week, the Whatawhata Post Office has been entered by thieves, the latest occasion being yesterday morning. Explosives were again used, and extensive damage w-as done.

“ I am of the opinion that tije only way to have men trained for military work and defence is to make it compulsory,” remarked Cr S- C. B. Macky during a brief discussion at the Waipa County Council meeting on Wednesday on the subject of military training.

The Te Awamutu Orphans’ Club commences its 1939 session on Monday evening next, the annual meeting having decided to depart from the old-standing practice of holding meetings on Saturday evenings. It is interesting- to note that Cambridge Orphans’ Club has also departed from Saturday social evenings in favour of Wednesdays.

The May Synod of the South Auckland district of the Methodist Church was held at Waihi Beach this week, and on Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at Waihi, presided over by the Mayor, Mr W. Wallnutt. An address was given by Rev. H. Spencer, of Te Awamutu, who spoke of the individual church member’s part in the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

When he returned after having a cun of tea, a motorist, who had left his car parked in Devon Street New Plymouth, found a. front tyre on fire. A cigarette stud thrown casually by a passer-by rested against the rubber which had passed the smouldering stage and was beginning to burn. In extinguishing his tyre the motorist suffered a burnt finger, but he had the satisfaction of saving himself the possible cost of replacement.

Reporting on a deputation which waited on the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr J. C. Montefiore said an encouraging reply had been received to a request to have the footpaths in Wynyard Street paved. At the same meeting it was decided that a deputation should wait on the Hon. P. Fraser to enlist his help in getting the footpath outside the new District High School paved.

“ If every councillor at this table is honest with himself he will realise that he desires peace, and I think we should , give our moral support to any movement which has that as its objective,” said Cr J. T. Johnson at Wednesday’s, meeting of the Waipa County Council when a request, from the National Peace Council, sought the Council’s support for a world conference on economic and other questions affecting the peace of the world.

A remit from the Waipa County Council to the annual Counties’ Conference, in August next, decided on at Wednesday’s meeting, is in the direction of securing legislative authority to increase the travelling allowance to the chairman, it being considered that the £lOO limit was too low for the chairman of such a large county as Waipa. “ The limit is absolutely absurd ! ” commented a member, and that view was endorsed by his fellow councillors. '•

Perplexed because his old model car would not run properly, a resident of Waituna, Southland, took the vehicle to a local garage, where a dead mouse was found to be blocking the float chamber of the carburettor. There was only one way for the mouse to have made the journey of exploration which resulted in its death. Entering the exhaust pipe, it traversed a difficult passage through the muffler and into the manifold. Evidently, still curious about what made cars go, it dropped down through an inlet valve and was gassed in the mixing chamber.

The Paddy’s Market held in Te Awamutu yesterday, to assist the fund being raised for painting the Convent School, etc., proved decidedly successful, for brisk business was done throughout the day. Among many competitions conducted were the following: Sheep, Mr D. Heslop, Te Rahu (No 6); pig, Mr A. J. McGovern, (No. 2); fireside stool, Mr M. Ryan (No 11); order on Central Stores, Mrs Cameron (No 6); turkey, Mr J. Ryan; baby’s frock, Judy Picken, Kihikihi; 501 b. flour, Mr L. W. Spence; tea cosy, Rose Pryor; dressed turkey, Q. Symes; cushion, Mr J. Herlihy; dinner, Mrs M. O’Connor, Mangapiko; hand-painted d’oyley, “Ngaio,” Te Awamutu (N.Z).

A meeting of the Te Awamutu Sharemilkers’ Association convened by the Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C., was held last Friday and met with considerable success. Mr W. Cavanagh of Puahue took the chair. Although associated with the N.Z. Workers’ Union, it was pointed out the association had its own officers and controlled its own affairs entirely and that there was no fear of them being tangled in an industrial dispute. Those present agreed unanimously to the recommendations of the Sharemilkers Agreement, Committee for the 1939-40 season. Mr A. A. Hughes, Of Te Awamutu was appointed District Representative for the Association, and appealed to all share-milk-ers for their full support, adding that he felt sure the many differences between farmers and sharemilkers could be alleviated.

Little Jack Horner sits in the corner Nursing a terrible cold; The chills and ills that his little frame fills Would lake a large book to unfold. He’s sneezed and snuffled, grumbled and ached For days—but he’ll no longer endure Such miserable torments, for see, in his hands He has Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.