LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2319, 3 April 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The obstetrical fund in Hamilton is now approaching £4OO. The canvass has been extended to a inter date than originally fixed. All interested in resuscitating the Karapiro Football Club arc co.dially invited to attend a meeting called for to-night (Thursday) at the Karapiro Hall.

Roto-o-rangi had much less rain than Cambridge for March, the fall totalling 1.00 in., compared with l.S4in. in the town. There were four wet days at Roto-o-rangi, the maximum fall being .68in. on the 7th.

The Government has acquired 138 acres in the suburbs of Hastings for closer settlement. It has been cut up into areas of from 12 to 25 acres, providing for occupation by eight settlers. Mr F. R. Howard, sight testing specialist, representing Messrs Barry and Beale, Ltd., of 322, Queen Street, Auckland, will attend at the Electric Power Board's Buildings on Wednesday, April 9th.*

As advertised in to-day's issue notice is given that the partnership carried on by Messrs Twigg and Western, electrical contractors, has been dissolved as from April 1. In futuro the business will be carried on as usual by Mr Cos. Twigg.

Good progress is being made with tho construction of the new railway station, at Auckland, and it is anticipated that the opening of the new building will take place about September next, and that everything should be in working order bcfoie next Christmas holidays.

The by-election for the Christchurch City Council, caused by the death of Mr P. W. Sharpe (Labour), resulted as follows:—Mr C. E. Jones (Citizens' Association), 11,924 votes; Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P. (Labour), 8690 votes. The polling wasunprecedentedly heavy for a by-election.

It is stated, on the authority of a gentleman in a position well placed to obtain reliable information, that the next important railway contraction work to be put in hand will bo the railway between Pokeno and Paeroa. It may bo, he said, a couple of years before a definite start is made, by which time the Stratford line will be completed. Tho annuouncomont that 51 membovs of tho club had contributed £950 to the Rotary Plunket Appeal Fund was made by Sir Alexander Roberts at the Wellington Rotary Club luncheon. He expressed the hopo that tho otter members of the club would try to make the amount up to £IOOO. A citizen of Wellington, lie £tdded, had donated through a member of the club £IOO to the fund, but that was not include. 1 , in tho £950.

Suppliers of 22 dairy companies situated in North Taranaki have received £72,809 within the last few days, the payments being on the basis of 1/3 for cheese and about 1/1 for butter. The cheese factories have saved the effect of the decreased pay-out for February through increased production. Compared with the corresponding period of last season, butter factories, however, have been less fortunate, the drop in butter prices being too great for an offset through production increase.

To sit down for a rest on a hillside and rise with a magnificent Maori greenstone axe in his hand was the experience of Mr Charles Shicker, near the banks of the Patea River on Sunday. The end of the axe was projecting from the ground. The axe is 14 inches long, 5% inches at the widest part; and 1J inches at the thickest part. It weighs 81bs, and except for defect* in the stone, is a magnificent axe. One man intimately connected with the Maori race congratulated its possessor upon the wonderful find, remarking that it was a very valuable specimen.

The secretary, Fencoui't Drainage Board, by advertisement in to-day's issue invites tenders for cleaning of drains. A reminder is given Kcform supporters of the meeting to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening, as advertised. Arranged by the Golf Club, on Tuesday evening next at 8 p.m., a "Flag" bridgo evening will be held in the Triangle tea-rooms. Members of the United Football Club are advised by advertisement" of practice matches to be held on Saturday next. ■»■... The Auckland Education Board has granted permission to the Waitoa School Committee to give Bible reading under the Nelson system. No less than fifty-nine schools in' the Auckland Education District have now adopted this system.

The town clerk reports that already there are twelve prospective tenderers for extensions to the sewerage scheme. It is apparent that very keen interest is being displayed in the proposed work, and keen tendering may be expected. At the present time a Christchurch contractor is in Cambridge, inspecting the borough and the sewerage plans and specifications.

The Te Awamutu Borough Council decided at a special meeting held on Monday night, to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to raise a loan of £15,000 for an up-to-date town hall, municipal buildings, public library and reading-room. This decision is in response to a recommendation made at a recent publie meeting of ratepayers. The council was divided on the proposal, five voting in favour and four voting against the motion.

It is the ambition of most golfers to be able to say that, at some time during their foiling career ,they have "holed out" in "one." Yet many plus men and scratch players have never gained the distinction. It is impossible to state what the odds arc against the achievement of this meritorious fluke. Probably it runs into many thousands to one, but there is a golfer in the State of Western who has performed the feat no fewer than seven times in the last four years! The doughty player is Ernest Cuthbcrtson.

Fifteen thousand free licenses issued by the British Parliament have been taken out by blind owners of wireless sets. It is said, however, that there is still need for at least 15.000 wireless sets for blind people. The value of wireless to the blind is obvious. People with sight have newspapers, books, pictures, cinemas, and other diversions; and, ; lthough Braille has done much to banish the loneliness of the blind, wireless is practically their only means of obtaining topical news and, entertainment. Engineers of the British Broadcasting Company have designed a simplified set for easy reception by blind people.