LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1938, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Aerodrome. Work is progressing on the Thames aerodrome at Parawai. Internal drain ing is being carried out over tho whole area. Mails Reaoh London. The Chief Postmaster at Thames advises that the letter mails despatched by the Niagara from Auckland on November 10 arrived in London on Do comber 2. Height of Hollyhocks. What is a good height for a hollyhock? There is one in a New Plymouth garden which is 9ft 6in from the ground to the tip, and the top bud shows no sign of opening yet. A “Matric.” Question. “Of course, they would have to ask that question!” commented a Thames matriculation candidate on leaving St. James Hall yesterday after sitting one of the papers. Evidently the question was one which did not find favour with some of the candidates.

Cutting Back of Hedges. There are one or two hedges on the highway between Thames and Paeroa which, if cut hack, would give roadusers a better view at corners. At the second corner south of the Kirikiri Bridge an improvement could be effected. A New Year Resolution. Thames people should make it a New Year resolution to have some definite statement made regarding the Thames to Tairua Road. Officialdom, while not seeming to be over-keen on fostering the project, has not yet given a negative reply to the pleas previously made. While there is life there is still hope. “How’s Business?” In reply to the query, “How’s business?” put to a number of Thames shopkeepers again this week, the replies generally were “Good.” The spirit of Christmas is abroad and numbers of Thames and Ilauraki Plains people seem to be doing their gift shopping earlier than usual. Convent School Picnic. The pupils of St. Joseph’s Convent School held their annual picnic to-day. This is usually held on St. Patrick’s Day, but owing to inclement weather over the past two years, the date has been altered to act as an end-of-the-year function. Used Cars and Trucks. A special opportunity to secure a bargain in a reliable used car or truck is offered in the big announcement on page 4 of this issue by Hawke Motors, Ltd. Their local agent, Mr. Clive Wishart, will be only too pleased to arrange inspection, and in the number offered there is sure to be one to please every individual interested. Payment in Potatoes! “Will they take payment in pota toes?” asked Mr. H. Hayman when a pamphlet on a of New South Males was received at a meeting of the Waimate branch of the Farmers’ Union. “Here,” said the chairman (Mr. J. Dempsey), handing the pamphlet to Mr. Hayman, “see if you can go over and make a deal with them!” Springbok Retires. News from South Africa announces the retirement of J. White, Springbok centre three-quarter. Known to his team mates as “Jimmy the Killer” because of liis vicious tackling, White was recognised as the sheet-anchor of the Springbok backs during the 1931 tour of England and the 1937 tour of Australia and New Zealand. First N.Z. Railway. Seventy-five years ago this week the first railway in New Zealand was opened. This was the short stretch of line between Christchurch and Ferrymead. It was a gala day in the city, and hundreds of people enjoyed the thrill of travelling in the quaint carriages drawn by a fussy little engine, -which represented the last word in railway progress in 1863. Roadside Post Offices. By providing for regular collections from and delivery of mails and parcels to rural mail boxes fixed outside the farmer’s gate, the Post Office brings many of its services direct to the country home. The total number of boxes distributed throughout the Dominion has now reached just over 30,000, which includes 4836 in the Hamilton postal district and 4687 in the Auckland district. Not Uncommon. Surprise has been expressed that a hurdle racer should be top weight in the Auckland Cup. A hurdler iu Record Reign ran third in the Auckland Cup with 8.12; Paritutu, a good performer over hurdles and fences, ran third in the Auckland Cup and second in the New Zealand Cup; Liberator, a notable winner over hurdles and fences, won the Dunedin Cup and the Wanganui Cup; and Padishah has a Wellington Cup and Metropolitan Handicap to his credit, as well as the Grand National Hurdles.