LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waipa Post, Volume 35, Issue 2100, 22 December 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We gladly acknowledge, and heartily reciprocate, seasonable greetings from the Farmers' Auctioneering Co., Hamilton; Brown and Stewart, Ltd, Auckland; Wallace Supplies, Ltd., Te Awmutu; the A.M.P. Society, Auckland; the chairman and members of Te Awamutu District High School Committee.

The postal officers are very busy just now, and the rest of the week will see them working at highest pressure, in the endeavour to handle the great volume of postal, telegraph, and telephone business. Mails at this season have a habit of arriving late, and this, added to the extra quantity, makes the work all the more difficult.

It is hard to believe a'parrot could be so tame and so knowing as to fly alongside its owner's car from his home to quite a long distance away, alighting ever and anon for a rest on the car hood or bonnet (says the Hawera Star). Yet that is the case with a white parrot belonging to a settler at Oeo. The other day, however, when it came with him to the calf-judging at Auroa, it flew round and round overhead. When the party was ready to leave it mistook the owner's car for another and flew away with the other for a distance of several miles. It seemed quite reconciled to the change and had to be sent back by a man who knew the bird.

Mr J. W. oampbell, M.N.Z.1.5., M. 1.5., of the firm of Lockie, Gannon, Wolsley and Campbell, of Auckland and Sydney, is spending his holiday with his parents at Te Kawa, having arrived from Sydney by the Maunganui on Tuesday.

"Can you see without your glasses?" inquired counsel in the Blenheim Supreme Court the other morning in handing a document for perusal to a witness 93 years of age (says the Express). "I don't need glasses, thank you," replied witness, to the surprise of the court.

The business area presented a very animated appearance to-day, with many farmers and their families in t own —the menfolk to attend the stock sale and the women and children to make purchases for the Christmas season. The fact that dairy company cheques were distributed yesterday assisted greatly in stimulating trade.

"Now, children, I have an uncompleted proverb problem for you this morning," remarked a teacher at the Eltham School the other day to her class (reports a Taranaki paper). "I want you to complete the saying: 'People who live in glass houses should not .' " "Have a bath!" was one hopeful's brilliant idea, which convulsed the class and also upset the teacher's facial equilibrium.

When the proficiency and attendance certificates gained at the Te Awamutu District High School during the year just closed were being handed out at the breaking-up ceremony on Tuesday last, it was announced that Master Ivor Grant had not only gained highest marks in his class, but had also achieved the distinction of gaining the highest marks in the school. Master Grant was suitably, complimented by Mr G. S. Clarke (chairman of the School Committee) and Mr J. F. Roberts (headmaster). Mr Reed, one of the Education Department's physical instructors, was a visitor to the local District High School on Tuesday. In the course of a chat he outlined a new method of physical training, which has for its basis improvement in posturing, which medical authorities have commended as conducive to much improved health. Mr Reed indicated that the new method would probably be introduced in many of the schools early in the New Year, and to this and special classes for instructing teachers would be held in Dunedin during the midsummer vacation. Mr Reed expressed himself as confident the new teaching would find popular favour and be a big factor in improving health.

Of the coal used on the railways, approximately 60 per cent, is of New Zealand origin. A certain amount of Newcastle coal is still used, the proportion varying with the stocks on hand, Newcastle coal is favoured by the drivers, and Mr L. W. Robertson, chief locomotive engineer for the South Island, told a Lyttelton Times reporter thrt the department keeps an eye on the drivers to see that too much Newcastle coal is . not used. When a small shipment of Newcastle coal arrives, it is mixed on the Coal stacks with the New Zealand coal, but it is impossible to do this wheji a boat bringing 7000 or 8000 tons arrives. This has to be stacked by itself, and the Usual method is for the engines to coal at two places, taking in both New Zealand and Newcastle coal.

- There is no way of preventing any sectional organisation from issuing questionnaires and asking for pledges from candidates, but there is a practical method, all the same, whereby these sectional fanaticisms can be checked. The political parties could, and should, adopt the rule that no candidate will be officially recognised or supported who does not refuse to give pledges on any matter outside the official party programme. All the parties, and all the politicians, present and prospective, would welcome such a rule, and whether the other parties adopt it or not, the Reform Party ought to do so. It would leave every candidate free to express his views on any subject he chose, but it would operate against the undue influence of particularist minorities in national politics.—Christchurch Press.

"Tobacco is a very dirty weed," someone has said, but nevertheless many smoke it, and pay well for the privilege, so that tobacco growing has become a lucrative occupation (says the Poverty Bay Herald). In New Zealand the industry has shown steady growth, and in several of the districts good profits are being made; now interest is being evinced by some of the Poverty Bay farmers of the possibility of the district being suitable for its growth. Much of this interest was aroused by a statement a few months ago by Mr Charles Lowe, the Department of Agriculture's tobacco growing expert, that in the Nelson district returns of up to £IOO per aero had been secured from small , areas. Since this statement was circulated, Mr* Lowe, according to a letter received by a Gisborne resident a few days ago, has been inundated by correspondence from prospective growers.

Christmas is almost upon us, and the feeling of "goodwill towards men" begins to stir in the breasts of many folk. It is a question for consideration, however, whether the said goodwill should embrace the succour of poor and out-of-work girls so farafield as Vienna. There is a girl in this far-away city who is evidently strong in the belief that it might, for one of our citizens has just received a letter addressed to him at "Dunedin, New Zealand, Amerika," in which the writer points out (in French) that "the same moon shines over you as over me, and the same sun shines into my room as into yours" (says the: Star). This is trite enough to suggest real "moonshine," but when the young lady goes on to say that she is poor and out of work, and asks for a loan to help her along (promising to "repay with interest"), the addressee not unnaturally remarks, "Why pick on me?" One wonders whether any others have received similar epistles from unknown foreign correspondents.

Twenty-one bankruptcies were notified in last week's issue of the New Zealand Gazette. Sixteen of the number were in the North Island.

His many friends here will note with interest that Mr J. H. Elliott, so well known in Te Awamutu, has rejoined the staff of the Farmers' Cooperative Auctioneering Company, his headquarters to be at Hamilton.

The question of the transfer of the Auckland Lands Office to Hamilton was referred to at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce on Monday night, the secretary (Mr H. Cracknell) was instructed to approach the Hamilton Law Society on the matter.

During the breaking-up ceremonies at the Te Awamutu District High School on Tuesday it was announced that the judges had awarded Frank Mason and Bernard Armstrong first prize for the best kept "school garden plot, and these lads were handed the valuable trophy associated with this competition.

Already some people are speculating as to what is to happen on New Year's Eve (says the Christchurcty Press). Will clocks and watches be put back an hour to standard time so that the old year shall depart and the new year enter at the correct hour. Midnight by,the unaltered clocks and watches will mark the passing of the old and the incoming of the new year

The largest continuous stretch of concrete roadway in the world has just been completed in America. This road is 137 miles long and passes through 29 towns and villages. It is estimated that the new road will save thousands of pounds annually,_ since prior to its being constructed it was costing as much as £750 a mile to maintain as a gravel surfaced road.

Probably one of the largest deals in sheep in Taranaki has just been completed in Stratford (says the Post). The deal consisted of a line of about 3800 store wethers, which were owned by one man and purchased by a farmer residing in the Waitotara district. A line of wethers of such dimensions from one owner is seldom sold in Taranaki to one purchaser. A special train of 40 trucks, was, necessary to deal with the consignment.

In the Manawatu district it is estimated that dairy payments to be made this week will amount to; approximately £IOO,OOO. The amounts to be advanced by some, of the companies are stated to be, as follow: Awahuri, £15,500; Rongdtea, £14,000; New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union,, £11,500; Kairanga, £10,000; Palm Dairy Company, £8000; Tui, £2500; Reliance, £1800; Newbury, £1800;' and Tiakitahuna, £1250.

In accordance with custom, the Te Awamutu Orphans' Club has forwarded to " The Nest," Hamilton, the contents of the "penny box" m which members lodge odd pennies at the winter series of socials. This year the total reached to £7 IGs, and this sum • vV ;ii tin doubt assist greatly in providing" Christmas cheer for the inmates of "The Nest," which is &n orphanage conducted by the Salvation Army.

Local sporting enthusiasts will learn with regret that Mr F. E. Loomb's candidates for the Auckland Cup on Boxing Day, Desert Glow and Phaola, are by no means certain to face the starter. Desert Glow has been lame since his fall after winning the Te Awamutu Cup last Saturday,, and Phaola has an enlarged knee that may mean an extended spell for the Catmint mare if the swelling does not respond satisfactorily to treatment. This is indeed hard luck for. the local trainer, who had his charges in firstclass condition for their important engagements.

There are still some who value the horse in business (remarks the Wellington Post). At a meeting of creditors of a carrier, one of the creditors (Mr D. J. McGowan) referred to people who, with little capital, acquired motors on the instalment plan. In his opinion motors were absolutely no good in business unless they were to be used on a run of a mile and a half. "Horses beat them out of sight," he added. The Ofiicial Assignee (Mr S. Tansley): "They all go down on th<; motors, and as long as motors are here suppose they will jump at them. Horses require feeding when the day's work is done, but it is easy to run a motor into a garage and leave it there for the night."

As announced in our last issue, the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company paid out advances yesterday on the basis of Is 2d per lb. for superfine butterfat for butter-making and Is 4d per lb. for superfine butterfat for cheese-making for the November supply. The company distributed among its suppliers £485,828 for butterfat. Compared with the figure for the corresponding month of last year (£4oo,o36)'this represents an increase of £85,792. Following on the release of over £lll,OOO by nine other co-ope-rative companies in the Waikato, this allocation makes a total of £598,828 distributed in the Waikato this week for butterfat supplies.

"Limited protection to the extent of assisting any industry during its infancy, that can within a reasonable time carry on without external support, and thus contribute to the national wealth, is agreed to by most farmers," states Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Export Board in the Dairy Produce Exporter, "but any industry that needs continued assistance from the community to enable it to balance its accounts, is a parasite, and source of national loss, and should not be tolerated, least of all by farmers, who in the final settlement have to foot the bill. Of local causes; of the present unrest and instability .this is immeasurably the greatest; ' We have too many drones and,parasites in the hive which have increased the cost of living and cost of production enormously."

Mr A. W. Blair, barrister and solicitor, of Wellington, has been offered and has accepted, one of the vacant judgeships of the Supreme Court. A young Te Kawa lady, Miss Evelyn Gladys Thomson, has returned home from Auckland, where she lately sat for her musical examination. She is only 17 years of age, but she succeeded in gaining her L.C.M.A. certificate.

"There can be such a thing as two bankruptcies before a man can be discharged from his first," declared counsel the other afternoon in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court (says the Chronicle). " I know of a case where there were three," remarked Mr T. S. Barton, S.M. "It was becoming a habit."

"Yes, and am up against it," the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer) rejoined the other day when a member of the deputation of unemployed men remarked that they were all up against it (says tne Press). "I have never been tempted to run away from my job, but I have been halftempted sometimes when I have had you fellows to think about."!

"Well, Constable Swan came into the passage of the hotel, and stood jingling money in his pocket. He did not look like a policeman at all—he looked as though he was going to shout for us," declared a defendant in a licensing case at the Timaru Magistrate's Court the other morning (says the Post). The court smiled broadly, as did the constable.

The Auckland Automobile Association appeals to all motorists leaving, the Waikato during the holidays to avoid the new Bombay deviation if the surface is damp. This clay road will provide an excellent short-cut for tourists if it is regarded solely as a fine-weather road. Heavy traffic has been using the clay after rain with the result that it has been suffering unnecessary damage.

The committee in Wellington which has been inquiring into the question.of the revision of the school syllabus, will assemble again after the schools have broken up (says 'the Evening Post). Various sub-committees have been deliberating on definite aspects of the question, and it is anticipated that the recommendations of the general committee will be submitted to the Minister of Education early in the New Year.

The number of schools participating in the school banks scheme, is 60, and for the 12 months ended November 30th the total deposits received at the schools numbered 96,250, and amounted to £7976. New accounts opened during the period numbered 4277. Withdrawals numbered 1198, and amounted to £lO2l. The total number of accounts remaining open is 7167, and they aggregate £8259. Since the inception of the scheme £9528 has been deposited at all schools operating under it.

The Parish Hall was thronged with a gay crowd last Monday evening, the occasion being the fifth annual treat for the children of members of the local Druids* Lodge. The stage had been prettily decorated, with a wellladen Christmas tree as the chief feature. Father Christmas arrived per sleigh drawn by six members, and to each child he had a cheery*greeting and a suitable gift, while near to the tree the willing helpers also handed out balloons, sweets, cold drinks and ice cream until every child had had almost a surfeit'. The evening was passed with games and music very pleasantly, and at the close the function was unanimously voted the best yet."

The 1928 calendar, so popular with our readers, particularly those resident outside the borough, will be issued with The Waipa Post on Saturday next. The calendar bears a full list of stock sales in Te Awamutu and the neighbourhood, besides information as to dates of principal local body meetings, the date of full moon m each month, etc., together with anouncements by local business firms. The calendar is available free to all subscribers, and if a copy does not go forward with Saturday's issue of The Waipa Post we shall be glad to supply promptly on application, so that every home in Te Awamutu and district may have one of these useful reference calendars.

An old drover, who, many years ago, drove lambs—fat for freezing—from a distance of 20 miles into Hastings (says the Havelock North correspondent of the Napier Telegraph). was much surprised the other day when interviewing the drivers of two sheep lorries—each a three-ctecker, he discovered that a thousand lambs a day were carried by this means into the freezing works. The load before his eyes consisted of two lorries each carrying 153 lambs, and these lorries made the journey from Elsthorpe, some 20 miles away, three times a day if necessary. The old night driving of lambs—or their being huddled up" in a paddock or knocked about—was all done away with. In two hours the lambs, taken from their mothers were delivered cool, fresh and unionised at the works. It was a great advance on the old time procedure.

The Dannevirke Power Board at its Tuesday's meeting considered the amendment passed last session to section 19 of the Electric Power Boards Act, 1925, whereby money payable to a board in respect of any electrical fittings or equipment installed by it on any land or in any building thereon shall not be a charge on such land or recoverable as a rate, unless prior to such installation consent in writing to such charge is given by the owner of such land where it is not subject to mortgage, or by the owner and mortgagee or mortgagee where land is subject to a mortgage or mortgages. It Was contended that this restriction was such as to render almost impossible satisfactory operation of this important part of the board's functions. It was decided to take the matter up with other boards' and the Power Boards' Association, with a view to stimulating united action to have the existing law modified.