LOCAL NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17318, 5 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL NEWS.

That, the popularity of the various seaside resorts fringing the Coast is spreading far and wide is exemplified by the fact that the number of camping parties (including visitors from the South Island) at present in residence, constitutes a record. Mr. J. Collins, stntionmaster at Thames South, reports that a specially large number of passengers entrained by the Thames express this morning. Tlje quota, /included several visitors to the' town and district. Cricket enthusiasts who journeyed to Waihi on Tuesday to witness the Thames-Waihi representative match, are unanimous that the game provided the most exciting finish seen in the district for. many seasons past. The excellent sporting spirit in - which the match was played was also the subject of tribute.

Mr. Baden D. Chapman, of the King’s De Luxe Theatre, has engaged the Lyric Quartette, of Auckland, to appear at Thames on Tuesday next. These talented artists are known as Auckland’s best, and always attract crowded houses with their excellent music.* '

In reference to the Tapu sports held on New Year’s Day, the handsome cup ; for the 15,iiic-h ' standing chon was a. ( trophy provided by the committee, and presented by the Mayor- •of Thames,' Mr. W. Boiigard, to tne winner. \Ve I have been asked to make this point clear by Mr. iiongar-d, as tucre is an impression that lie bad donated the cup. Mr. Berngard’s donation to the sports was £5. The Postal Department advises that the mails which left Auckland on the 22nd November, per the Niagara, via Vancouver, arrived at London on the 24th December. ;

Seyteral gangs of workmen are still employed on tile Ivnunai Hills . between Mataniata and .Tauranga. The road is being widened and straightened and in numerous places the level has been lowered. 'Many corners have been eased and the surface has been greatly improved. The New. Zealand Smallholder tells the story of a wonderful little iris plot down Tauranga way. It is only oneeighth of an acre in area, but it gave its owner so many blooms last winter and spring that they brought him a return of over £2OO in net sales. The crop was marketed in many New Zealand towns from Auckland to Dunedin, and the blooms were yielded continuously from tlie end of January till early August. The magazine gives details of the culture and variety on this £160.0-an-acre•■plot, which will greatly interest ambitious gardeners. A little-incident happened in connection with the arrival of the Margaret W. ■ the auxiliary schooner, which, further demonstrated the conscientiousness and keen interest in his work by Mr. H. Stone, the Harbour Board s foreman. Mr. Stone happened to be at Tauranga on holiday and just happened to notice the Margaret 'V. leaving the harbour for Thames.' Feeling enxkms about the arrangements for her arrival at Thames and wishing to see everything right on her arrival nere, Mr. Stone immediately set off hack for Thames across the Kaimai track, arriving in time- to meet the schooner as she came up the Gulf. The ship was not able to berth at the Burke Street wharf, so proceeded to Kopu and unloaded there.