OTOROHANGA NEWS

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3177, 19 July 1930, Page 4

OTOROHANGA NEWS

ITEMS OF INTEREST. (Our Resident Representative.) The new coalfield opened in the Ngutunui district is being well patronised by the settlers of that locality, who describe the coal as excellent for steaming or general household purposes. Arrangements are in train to place the coal on the Otorohanga market. The County Council have decided to make a levy of 3d per ton for each mile for cartage over the county roads. Store pigs well maintained their recent values at yesterday's town auction. Slips made up to 22s 6d, weaners to 24s and stores to 28s 6d. The quality of the yarding was excellent, and all sold under the hammer. Farm and garden produce sold well at late rates. There was a good demand for poultry, furniture and drapery. Mr David Prinald Youren, well known in Otorohanga business circles in the early days as manager of the Union Bank, died at Wellington on Tuesday last. The late Mr Youren left the King Country in 1920, to take over the managership of the Invercargill branch, and afterwards became sub-inspector of the bank. Deceased managed the Te Kuiti branch of the bank for four years (1916-20) where prior to the institution of banks at Otorohanga, much of the business of this district was transacted.

The unemployment levy (of 30s per head of males over 20 years) is adversely criticised here, as being an unfair way of apportioning the unemployment burden. Many declare that the tax is a precedent for a further extension of the poll tax, or dole, as obtains to-day in England, and all state that this method of taxation has a degrading tendency to those who benefit by its imposition. Bobby coif buyers are now preparing their programmes for the coming season's operations. Active buying will commence on August Ist and the holding pens are now being erected at roadside corners throughout the district. Many of the calves will be trucked by road direct to the works, whilst the residue will be railed principally from Otorohanga trucking yards. In the meantime a considerable number of calf skins are being purchased at Otorohanga depots at prices slightly lower than those obtained for. late July skins last year. The first early lambs have appeared in the Waitomo district, but general lambing will not commence for another three weeks.

In the expectation of an early spring natives are already planting small plots of potatoes, and preparing the ground for the main crops in early August. "Maori Chief" constitutes the bulk of the seed now being planted, while a fair quantity of Up-to-Date is also being introduced. Taking advantage of the suitable weather conditions all available draught horses are busily engaged in agricultural activities throughout the various districts of this territory.

There is a sitting of the S.M. Court at Te Awamutu on Monday. Football enthusiasts will be well served in connection with to-day's match, Auckland v. Britain, at Auckland, also next Saturday's test match at Auckland and the last test match at Wellington, through the kindness of Mr "O. O'Brien, of the Electric Service Co., who has offered to install a complete electric 8 valve Rogers radio broadcasting set at the local Town Hall for each match, a small charge to be made, and the proceeds to go to whatever fund the Mayor decides. This offer has been gladly accepted, and to-day's programme will commence at 2.30 p.m., sharp. I