Local and General.

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3270, 10 March 1931, Page 4

Local and General.

Owing to the incidence of the Easter holidays, the Waipa County Council decided yesterday to hold the next meeting on 27th April.

A Pirongia corrspondent mentions that, according to an agent operating in that district, there is a very poor demand for fertiliser. So far he has booked only thirty tons for autumn, in contrast with a booking of 300 tons at this time last season.

"To emphasise the -seriousness of the present position t " states the New Zealand Dairyman, "it is only necessary to point out that London cheese prices at around 54s mean a return of abdut lOd per lb. butter-fat, whereas butter at current prices returns Hid to Hid per lb. butterfat."

That there appears to be every prospect of the season's pay-out for butter and cheese ranging from Is 2d to Is 3d is the opinion of a Stratford resident in a position to know. He considered that farmers had no cause to take a pessimistic view of affairs, as most were doing, and pointed out that a pay-out round about the figures mentioned would be very satisfactory under the circumstances.

When the Matamata County Council's rather revolutionary proposal for altering the method of providing funds for roading purposes came before the Waipa County Council on Monday the councillors were rather dubious of the ultimate advantages, and the opinion was expressed that the Matamata proposals should be deliberated upon by the Counties' Association conference. Some of the items might be beneficial throughout New Zealand, but there were others not very attractive. Further consideration was deferred until next meeting.

The Waikato Independent reports that Mr H. A. Harris, a well-known auctioneer, of Cambridge, has severed his connection with Messrs Dalgety and Company after sixteen years' service, and is going into the butchery business in Cambridge. During his long association with the stock business Mr Harris has earned for himself the high regard of district farmers, who will regret his severance from the firm, but will, be pleased he is. not leaving the district.

Reporting to the Waipa County 'Council on Monday, the clerk stated that in the past the Valuation Department had held that if a valuation of part or all of a county was made during the financial year the valuation ■became operative for that year as from Ist April, but the Counties' Association counsel had now given his opinion that such a valuation could not be operative until the following year. He added that in the past he had at times to delay the issuance of rate demands until the new valuation came to hand.

It was mentioned at the Waipa County Council meeting on Monday that the traffic inspector operating north of Hamilton had travelled a total of 2143 miles in February. In the opinion of a farmer of thirty years' standing in this district, young cattle are lower in value at the present time than ever before in his experience, and the same may safely be said of stock generally.

A resolution was passed at Monday's meeting of the Waipa County Council striking a special rate of onesixth of a penny in the pound over Te Rore special rating area for the water works loan.

The Waipa County receives £2500 annually from the Government as a subsidy on rates, said the clerk at yesterday's meeting of the Council, and he added that this was the maximum contribution to any county.

One dairyman in Waipa county informed the Council at Monday's meeting that this season he had lost the product of 48 cows out of his herd of 68 cows owing to the incidence of acute mammitis.

Commenting on .the Government's decision to impose a 10 per cent reduction universally on the salaries of all civil servants, a councillor stated at Monday's meeting of the Waipa County Council that the basis of reduction was "damned iniquitous." Before routine business was proceeded with at Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, the Mayor referred to the bereavement suffered last week by Mr Reese, and the council carried a motion of sincere sympathy in silence, all standing.

The local District High School scholars are to hold their annual picnic to-morrow at the racecourse, and their annual swimming sports on Wednesday of next week. The children of the convent school will hold their annual picnic next Tuesday.

" What about the man who can pay and won't ? " queried a councillor at Monday's meeting of Waipa County Council, when considering the imposition of alO per cent penalty. Other councillors had litt'e sympathy with this type of ratepayer.

The Waipa County Council on Monday had before it a request from the Post and Telegraph Department that in future, when road improvements required a fresh alignment for telegraph or telephone poles, the two authorities should bear the expense equally. After consideration this basis was agreed to.

It seems that some of the abandoned farms in Pirongia district are badly infested with ragwort (writes a correspondent) and while the Agricultural Department has been seeking legal opinion as to who is liable—that is, the Agricultural Department or the State Advances Department—the seed has been ripening, and adjacent settlers foresee an unwelcome addition to their own crops next year. In fairness to the local district staff of the Agricultural Department it must be said that they have acquitted themselves very creditably in a most difi> cult job this year, proof of which is to be found in the noticeably gradual extinction of the weed in Pirongia.

A new departure in the use of talking pictures as a mode of advertisement has been taken by Epi bnalfoon and his orchestra of Maori instrumentalists, who, by the way, will play at the ball at Kihikihi on 17th March. The orchestra recently visited Whakarewarewa, where a picture corporation was making talking films of Maori life, and a talkie was made of the orchestra playing. Picturegoers will have an opportunity of hearing these high-class instrumentalists at the Empire Theatre on Wednesday evening, when, by the courtesy of the management, a " talking picture of their playing will be released. The clerk submitted a statement to Monday's meeting of the Waipa County Council showing how the year's rates are distributed. Of the total, 28 per cent is absorbed for payment of interest and sinking fund on loans; 15" per cent goes as compulsory contribution to the Hospital Board; and 30 per cent goes for maintenance of main highways and declared main roads. This leaves 30 per cent, which, with license fees, is availab e for the maintaining of by-roads and for administration, etc. The clerk added that if payment of rates was deferred the Council had to pay hospital levy and interest charges by way of bank overdraft, thus accentuating the position.

Cr J. T. Johnson asked at Waipa County Council meeting on Monday for a return j&t the next meeting showing the contribution of each riding toward the maintenance of mam roads; the miles of main highways and main roads in each ridmg; the amount expended in each idmg over the two years ending 31st March.on main roads; the amount of subsidy contributed by neighbouring local bodies to main road maintenance, and where; and the amount contributed out of county fund to enable grants and subsidies to be lifted, and where spent. The mover explained that this information would be useful at the annual meeting of the Council next May;

It is being suggested that Parliament should extend the period of daylight saving after 15th March, which is the date of the ending of summer time in New Zealand this year. Daylight saving was first inaugurated four years ago, when ; a full hour of daylight was allowed in the first year, with half an hour in the three succeeding years. It is a permanent measure decided upon m 1929. Summer time extends over five months, from the middle of October to the middle of March. Many people would like to have an hour in summer and half an hour for the rest of the year, but that is rather too much to expect in face of-the diversity of public opinion.

A reminder is given that the clearing sale of househoM furniture and effects, to-morrow afternoon, on account of Mr F. Mansell, is to be held in the shop premises in Sloane Street opposite Messrs Holmes Bros.' garage.

A special meeting of the Waipa Rugby Union is to be held to-morrow evening to consider the question of territorial boundaries.

Several slight earthquake shocks were felt in Te Awamutu late* on Sunday night and early next morning.

A message from Qhaupo this morning states that Mrs W. Smellie (formerly Miss Turnwald, of Ohaupo) died in Waikato Hospital at 3 a.m. to-day. She leaves a husband and young famh ily of five girls and a boy to mourn.

. It was stated at the Waipa County Council meeting on Monday that one sheepowner in the county had received on'y £62 as the net return from the wool of his flock of 800 sheep. "That shows what some of our ratepayers are up against," commented the chairman.

Among private companies lately registered is that of Turner and Cummins, Ltd., Pokuru and Te Kawa, dairymen, sheepfarmers, apiarists, etc. Capital, £4OOO in £1 shares. Subscribers: T. E. Turner and Sydney F. Turner, 1500 shares each; Dorothy A. Cummins. J 00?? «iares.

Mr G. A. Empson and Miss Stella Empson, of Te Awamutu, who have been on an extended tour of Great Britain and Europe, returned to New Zealand by the Tainui on Sunday, and have again taken up their residence in Te Awamutu. They had a most enjoyable holiday, and the whole eight months of their tour was full of interest.

The Town Clerk reported to the Borough Council on Monday evening that the total of rates still outstanding is £lO7l. Rates still to pay will be surcharged 10 per cent, according to a decision of the council in mid-February. It is understood that nearly £2OOO was paid on February 28th—the" last day, to avoid the 10 per cent penalty. The following players have been selected for practice in view of the South Auckland Shield match against Piako (challengers), at Albert Park next Saturday:—R. Mexted, R. Ashton, R. Snowden, N. Oram, J. Philp, M. Winter, J. Newman, C. Tarr, J. Orr, A. J. Coyne, N. Rusden, and A. J. Shepherd. The final selection will be announced Thursday. Practices will be held this week.

The secretary of the Te Awamutu Fire Board has been advised that the Underwriters' Association has reappointed Messrs G. Nevill and H. Duncan as its representatives on the Board. Mr D. McArthur has also been re-appointed as the Government's representative. The other two members of the Board are Messrs C. G. Downes and H. C. Rainey, Representing the Te Awamutu Borough Council.

At the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening several tenders were received for the supply of a quantity of special crockery for use at the Town Hall. Prices varied and apparently qualities also, and the councillors expressed lack of knowledge of the various points of excellence claimed by the various agencies. Finally the tenders were deferred for further information.

The Mayor eexpressed the opinion at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening that it was not generally realised the amount of work put in by the borough engineer and town clerk in carrying out the Unemployment Board's No. 5 scheme. It was not straightforward work for some of the men were only employed on two days a week, some on three days and others on four days, according to their family ob igations. This system entailed a tremendous amount of work for the engineer and clerk. The customary'imposition of 10 per cent on unpaid rates in "Waipa county will be operative as from 25th instant, according to a decision made at Monday's meeting of the Council. _ In moving the resolution one councillor stated that quite a number of property holders had already paid, and it was only fair to those people to see that others paid likewise or had the 10 per cent penalty added. There might be some who really could not pay, but most of those who had not yet paid were de'iberately delaying until just before the imposition of the 10 per cent penalty. Some people overlooked the fact that by deferring payment they forced the Council to pay bank overdraft, thus increasing the cost of administration.

At the Hairini Anglican Church harvest festival last Sunday, there was a crowded congregation and appriate decorations, besides a very big assortment of vegetables, etc., which were later sent to the Children's Home in Auckland. The offertories went to the Bishop of Waiapu, for church work in the earthquake area. The festival was one of the most successful held at Hairini in recent years. At the festival in Kihikihi Church last Friday evening the congregation was also large, the church being packed to the doors. There was a sp'endid collection of vegetables, etc., provided as thanks offerings, and these were all despatched to the Children's Homes in Auckland, while the collection, as in the case of Hairini, was sent to the Bishop of Waiapu. The local Oddfellows' Lodge members celebrated the opening of the recentlv enlarged lodge room, at the corner of Market and Mahoe Streets, last evening, when, after routine lodge business had been disposed of. a social and dance were held, at which there was a large muster of Oddfellows and their friends. During the supper interval N.G. Bro. H. Giles cordially welcomed D.G.M. Bro. F. C. Perry (Te Kuiti), and invited him to declare the new building open. This Bro. Perry did in appropriate terms, and he congratulated the local lodge upon its progressiveness, as was evidenced by 'the need for enlarging thelodge room. He remarked that a fine job had been made of the work, but predicted that at the present rate of growth the lodge would have to still further enlarge its room in the near future. (Applause.) Among those present were repreesntative parties of Oddfellows from Hamilton, Cambridge, and Otorohanga.