LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1638, 7 May 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There is a probability that Pirongia, Puahue, and Te Awamutu teams will compete for the challenge cup offered by a local enthusiast for cribbage players.

An enterprising horticulturist, residing at Temuka, had a plot of ground measuring 30ft by 9ft under cultivation, which he noticed was infested with slugs (says the Timaru Post). He set to work to capture the marauders, and as diligently counted his capture, whidh totalled upward of 14,000. He is wondering whether he is being visited with a plague of slugs.

In our report in last issue of the local school committee election on the previous evening we gave the voting but omitted to make it clear that the first nine were elected. The committee elected, was the Rev. H. White and Messrs G. S. Clarke, C W. R-ckit, F. B. Bowden, J. F. Brooks, R. Ross, A. A. Reese, A. T. Cullum, and R. I. Fox.

“The cost of road making in Taranaki is more than the land can support,” said a councillor at Whangamomona County Council meeting recently (reports an exchange). A settler he knew of had tc. mortgage his farm to the extent of £6OO to get a mile of metalling done. It would take him 32 years to pay that, and the road would be worn out by them. There was not enough attention given to maintenance, which was necessary if the roads were to last.

Commissioner (Boggard, of the Salvation Army, has announced that arrangements are now completed for the establishment at Auckland of -a home in which elderly women may find rest in the eventide of life. It is to be called “ The Lady Alice Eventide Home.” Similar homes have been established in Australia and other countries, and have proved most successful. A residence in View Road, Mount Eden, with nearly three acres of land, has been purchased for £5500. The building is a handsome two-storey one, handy to the trams. When necessary alterations have been made there will be accommodation for twenty guests. The furnishing and equipment will cost £IOOO.

An * exchange' says it is understood that the ballot by members of the Labotifi'Party in the Rotorua electorate for the selection of a Labour candidate for the electorate, will take place on . May. 9, and that 14 nominations have been lodged.

The illustrations in this week’s issue of the New Zealand Sporting an 1 Dramatic Review reach an incomparably high standard. The beautifully-ar-ranged centre pages depict the King and Queen at Calais, the Prince of Wales’ voyage, and racing at Gibraltar. Half- page photographs of those equine heroes, Gloaming and The Hawk, will attract more than ordinary attention.

There was a keen contest at the local Cribbage Club competition last Tuesday night. Playing in a fourhanded contest of ten games, the best tallies were those of Messrs C. Crotty, Roy Hinton, and M. J. Wheatley, .with seven wins each. In the play-off Mr Crotty was successful, and he takes Mr S. H. Dwen’s trophy. Mr Frank Hinton has donated the next trophy.

With second money in tlhe A.J.C. Plate and first money in the City Tattersall’s Cup to his credit, the General Latour—March gelding Te Kara will more than have paid his way in Sydney. By running Windbag to a length in the weight-for-age race, and by giving so good a horse as Stoney 81bs and a beating in the handicap event , the Auckland Cup winner has fully justified his owner, Mr M. H. Tims, of Te Awamutu, in making the journey to the Commonwealth. —Dominion.

Chun Yuen Tai, the Chinese conjuror and magician, made his first appearance at the local Empire Theatre on Tuesday evening, and the good reports of his performance from other centres were fully justified, for he kept the audience completely interested from start to finish. His repertoire of tricks and illusions is a varied one, and each was carried out in an extremely capable manner, the while he kept up a running fire of the usual “ patter ” that accompanies most conjurors’ tricks.

A farmer from the Woodlands district in Invercargill states that the milking season there has practically finished. The season has not been a good one, owing to the severe drought, yet it has not been nearly so bad as was anticipated. For himself, he will come out on the right side and he is very satisfied with his cows. The rains which have prevailed since the drought broke have provided an abundance of winter feed and already the farmers are looking forward to the next season recouping them for the deficiencies of past seasons. —Southland News.

Comparisons are nasty reminders of the good-bad days (remarks an exchange). Recently a Maori memorial was unveiled at Wanganui, when the chairman, Mr A. Takarangi, in the course of his remarks, mentioned that within a few yards of where the memorial stood Wanganui had been sold by the natives to the Crown for £IOOO. The area comprised 80,000 acres, part of which was now occupied by the city of Wanganui. Here is where the comparison becomes interesting. Today the city of Wanganui comprises 7039 acres, and the unimproved land value for which totals £3,206,000.

Rumour has it that the Te Awamutu Municipal Band is rapidly following the lead of the Kihikihi Town Bard, which last week decided to return the whole- set of instruments to the local body and disband. The reason given at Kihikihi is lack of interest. Thesame reason may apply to Te Awamutu, for of late —in fact, ever since the Auckland band contest—the attendances at practices and parades have been far from satisfactory. The one bright spot in this connection was the splendid muster on Anzac Day, when the full Band was on parade in uniform, and many favourable remarks were passed therednent. It is to be hoped that the Band here will not be allowed to go out of existence as a combination.

Te Awamutu district sportsmen will be interested to learn that a wellknown Morrinsville owner-ti ainer, Mr Angus Gibbons, has leased the fine range of stabling on Dr A. Henderson’s property in Te Awamutu, and intends to have his string of horses trained on the Te Awamutu tracks. As the horses include those capable performers Kauri Park and Tall Timber much interest will be displayed ia their essays in future. Another well-known sportsman, Mr J. 'Smith, of Auckland, who is best known for his interest in the horses Gold Jacket and Glen Canny, has, we are informed, purchased a property here on which stabling accommodation will be provided. Rumour is also busy with the name of a metropolitan trainer who has a string of about ten horses in work. , The story credits him with also having practically decided to make Te Awamutu his training headquarters.

An Otago Daily Times reporter, in conversation with Mr F. W. Furkert, chairman of the Highways Board, was informed that there was little justification for the South Island complaint regarding the Highways Board not being sufficiently sympathetic towards the South Island. Mr Furkert stated that on the last highways estimates the South Island was given practically everything asked for. but the North Island’s demands were pruned drastically. The North Island had submitted proposals for £418,000 and the South Island demand only amounted to £4.2,000. In addition, the North Island had submitted proposals for the coming year for £450,000, and the South Island had not yet submitted any proposals. The revenue received from motors in the North Island was well over 50 per cent above the South Island. If the mileage of the highways were adjusted in proportion to the number of motor vehicles in the respective islands, the South Island would have 350 miles less highway than at present. If the mileage of the Government roads were based on the motor vehicles in each island the 70 miles of road which was now Government road would not be so maintained, but would be a charge on the South Island. Mr Furkert concluded by stating that several hundred thousands of pounds available for the South Island were locked up because the money had not been asked for.

When in Auckland call at 12, Kingston Street, and hee the very latest Cooper Sheep-shearing Machines in motion. Plants to suit flocks of all sizes at attractive prices.—William Cooper & Nephews, Ltd.' 2

The Auckland Board of Education yesterday confirmed tlhe appointment; of Miss iS. McOarroll (daughter of Mr J. W. McCarroll, of Te Awamutu) as infant mistress at the Leamington public school.

Recently there has been a demand in Wanganui for good yearling vealer 3 not for local consumption, but for export (states the Herald). It appears that this demand has come from Italy, where the veal is made up into various forms of Italian dishes greatly relished by the more wealthy of the population.

The attention of readers is directed to the Railway Department’s advertisement appearing in this issue in connection with the •inauguration of a system of through booking of passengers, goods, and parcels between the North and South Islands. This is another of the rment innovations introduced by the Department for the purpose of popularising the railways. The new system provides for a long-felt want, and will be much appreciated, not only by the travelling public buc by the people as a whole. Ratana, besides his other attributes, is evidently a business man (states the Wanganui Chronicle). During two evenings last week a circus was showing' in the vicinity of Ratana’s settlement, and a charge of 3s and 2s for admission had been made. The arrangement with the circus management was that Ratana received Is from each 3s seat and 6d from individual 2s appointments. Asked the reason for the tax, a well known follewer of Ratana stated that the money went to ease the “tucker bill.” “Had there been no Farmers’ Union there would have been no increase in the price of wheat,’’ declared Mr J. Bitchener, M.P.. at a recent meeting of the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union in Timaru. Mr Bitchener’s views were unanimously endorsed by a large meeting, and it was agreed that in view of what the union was doing for farmers every farmer should be a member of it unless he was mean enough to accept every privilege gained for the Farm r ers’ Union without paying or doing anything for it. It is satisfactory to observe that during tlhe first quarter of the present year the deposits in the post office savings bank at its various branches throughout New Zealand exceeded the withdrawals to the extent of £405;576, and were more than £IOO,OOO in excess of the balance of deposits over withdrawals for the corresponding quarter of last year. The total amount of the deposits in the post office savings bank during the past quarter works out at about £6 per head of tlhe whole of the population of the Dominion, this being estimated roughly at a million and a quarter. What may be termed the savings bank habit is not unworthy of consideration in an assessment of the more solid virtues of a nation.

The Ormond Memorial Gold Cup of 1925, to be run on Saturday next, has been invested with a tremendous interest, far above the monetary value of the stake, om account of the presence in the event of Gloaming and The Hawk. Undoubtedly, with fine wather, the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club will have a record meeting on this account. The meeting of these champions over a mile will go down as one of the classic duels of the New Zealand turf, and is being looked forward to by every racing enthusiast in the country and beyond. Gloaming is reported to be as fit as ever he was, and his six year old competitor, in view of his wonderful Australian record, should be at the top of his form.

The Mayor of Invercargill, Mr Andrew Bain) has just received the following letter from Edmonton, Alberta (states the Southland Times): “As a prospective resident of New Zealand I shall be grateful if you will direct this letetr to such department as will furnish me with information, literature, etc., as will be helpful regarding your city. Not knowing the names of any Invercargill newspapers, I would appreciate having one mailed to me. I may say that mine is one of twentytwo Scotch and English Canadian families making arrangements to migrate to your country, and we feel that any assistance by way of information or counsel may in due time, and in ether ways be amply reciprcated.’’

At the Gisborne Collie Club smoko, in replying to the toast of the “Visitors,” Mr A. Hyde, of Napier, explained why he had regularly followed up dog trials all over the country (says the Gisborne Times). When he was farming a few years ago he was caught in a snowstorm while mustering slheep. His horse went over a precipice and was killed, and he lay for hours with a broken leg. His sheep dog had carried home a message for help, and but for that, he would not be alive to-day. No wonder, then, that he thought so highly of the work of the collie dog, and as long as he was able to do so he would follow up the dog trials. He would always have a warm spot in his heart for the sheep dog. (Applause.) The Maori people seem to have found the art of catering for a multitude, as is once again evidenced at Putiki (states the Wanganui Herald). The art itself, quite apart from the tasty dressing and mixing of the foodstuffs before cooking and the skilled attention on the part of the cooks, lies in the adoption of the process of cooking with steam heat.' The original process of cooking in the Maori oven is adopted for meat and poultry, and recently a few privileged pakehas had the opportunity of sampling the products. For the steam cooking process, for food which can be cooked that way the main implements are a boiler for producing the necessary steam, and two barrels into which the steam is led. The food is placed in suitable receptacles in the barrels. An abundance of hot water is provided in the same way. This process enables a hot meal to be cooked very speedily (potatoes, for example, being cooked in ten minutes to perfection), and everyone can be assured of a hot meal, which is one of the bugbears of the usual temporary camp experience.

Owing to the information being supplied by telephone the names of the school committee elected at Wharepuhunga on Monday evening were somewhat inaccurate in our Tuesday’s issue.! The correct names are Messrs E. G. Watson (charman), W. Thomson, S. Pratt, J, Luke, and F. Gooder.

“The education authorities would lik,e to give all schools large playing areas ” stated Sir James Parr, Minister of Education, at the opening of the Bunnythorpe school, “but,” he added in humorons vein 4 , “the price demanded by the farmers for the land prohibits such action.”. The remark (says the Manawatu Standard) was greatly enjoyed by the farming community present.

The Pukeatua Sports Club’s annual gathering took place yesterday in Mr O’Halloran’s paddock, and despite the short notice following the lifting of the restrictions of the Health Department there.was a very fair attendance, notably including representatives of most of the surrounding districts. The snorts passed off very successfully, reflecting great credit upon the management. Pressure upon our space compels the holding over until next issue of the 4 results of- the various races and competitions. ;

They grow hardy youngsters in the King Country (states the Taumarunui Press). On a recent morning as a local business man was coming to work he was stopped near the railway crossing by a bare-footed youngster who asked him the time. 1 “Eight o’clock ” was the reply. “That’s good,” said the boy, "I’ll be in plenty of time for school. I left home at 6 o’clock and have walked six miles.” “And do you have to walk home again from school?” inquired the man. “Yes, but I might get a horse soon,” was the hopeful youngster’s reply. A telegram from Wellington this morning states that in connection with the rifle championship meeting it is notable that Anderson, after securing fifth place in the aggregate on the first day of the Belt series, jumped to the lead on Monday and has never been displaced since. A gold medal for best senior cadet aggregate in the A (service shooting) and B series was won by R. Hare, of Wellington, with a score of 579. H. Judkins, Christchurch, ,was runnerup with 540. For the grand aggregate (all matches in A and B series), H. Simmonds, Wanganui, leads at present with 680, and Nicholls, Petone, is next with 673.

Considerable interest is - now being taken in the testing out of a fruit which is new to the Dominion —the Avocado (states the Wanganui Chronicle). Specimen trees are already doing well in North Auckland, Tauranga and Wanganui. In Tauranga an imported grafted tree has several well developed fruits on it this season. It is stated that the Mexican and other hardy varieties of the Avocado will fruit successfully wherever the lemon can be grown successfully. This, of course, does not apply to the West Indian varieties, which are considered too tender for New Zealand conditions. The frui£ of the Avocado is rich in fats and proteins. •

A -visitor to Masterton ‘recently showed the Wairarapa Age a letter he had just received from his mother in Cairo, containing an interesting reference to the graves of New Zealanders which she had seen in the military cefhetery. “ The cemetery is beautifully kept. The stones, which are 2J to 3ft high by 18in wide, are in straight rows, no mounds, and it is like one big lawn. The grass is kept short. There are some beautiful trees and flower beds at each end. All the headstones are alike both for officers and men. I am sure any mother would be glad to know how well the graves are cared for.” There was a very large congregation at the Presbyterian Church last Sunday evening for the special services. Rev. W. Todd officiated and delivered an inspiring address. Special music had been prepared, including the cantata “Esther,” and this was rendered in pleasing style. Most of the solos were rendered very creditably indeed, while the choral work was excellent. The soloists were Mesdames Wilson, Todd, Mathews, Miss Edwards, and Messrs J: B. Wilson. S. Snook, G. Galloway, T. Martin and G. Morris. Mrs Gibson proved herself very capable at the organ, and her rendition of the prelude was delightful. Mr H. T. Salter, the conductor, and members of the choir are to be congratulated on the success of their enterprise. The cantata is to be presented this evening at Kihikihi, at Paterangi on Monday next, and at Te Awamutu on Tuesday, 19th.