LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3181, 24 May 1932, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The annual meeting of the Waipa County Council is to be held to-mor-row.

Advices from Opotiki indicate that White Island was very active on Sunday,, dense clouds of black smoke rising to a great height. There was a strong odour of sulphur in Opotiki. A Hawke's Bay farmer, who has used macrocarpa posts with success in his farming operations of late, states that he recently split 200 posts and five strainers from a huge macrocarpa tree that he felled some time ago.

Considerable disappointment was expressed by racing enthusiasts on Saturday afternoon when we failed to display the results of the Waikato winter fixture then in progress at Te Rapa. As there has been a suggestion that we failed in a service that has for long been established, and which we have made available for the people here, it perhaps should be explained that in this matter we were entirely at the mercy of the Press Association representative at Hamilton, and that it is to be hoped such an omission will not recur in future.

The fact that boner beef realises 3s 6d per 1001 b., while bull beef makes 8s 6d per 1001 b., was somewhate puzzling to a party of Te Awamutu district farmers who paid a visit last week to the Westfield freezing works. It was stated that both boner and bull beef is shipped to Glasgow mainly, and it is the demand there that fixes the price. The 3s 6d and 8s 6d quoted were actually Glasgow prices. Chatting about the variation to a Waipa Post representative, one of the farmers said he could not suggest any feasible reason for the different prices.

The death has occurred in Hamilton of Mrs Mary Hunter, at the age of 73 years. Mrs Hunter was the daughter of the late Mr David Nolan, of the old-time auctioneering firm of Hunter and Nolan. She came to Auckland with her parents when about eight years of age, and in 1883 she married the late Mr W. J. Hunter and went to live at Ohaupo, where she remained for 20 years. Thirty years ago Mrs Hunter removed to Hamilton, where she resided until the time of her death. Mrs Hunter took a keen interest in the affairs of the Church of England, and was a vicepresident of the Ladies' GuiM for many years. She is survived by a family of three.

The trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand will come into force to-day. A supplementary Gazette published in Wellington last evening contained this notification and revoked the old~customs duties on Canadian goods affected by the treaty. In tabling thf draft of the agreement in *the House of Representatives on April 27, the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, said it would remain in force for one year only, in order to allow reconsideration to be given to it in the light of decisions of the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa in July. The treaty provides that New Zealand goods entering Canada are to obtain either the benefits of the Canadian-British preferential tariff or the advantage of lower rates than the British preference.

Mr W, J. Broadfoot, M.P., has received advice from the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. E. Ransom) that the Auckland Land Board would deal with the Crown lands at Rangitoto at the meeting to be held to-day (Tuesday). Some eighteen months ago the Crown acquired the freehold of several thousand acres of Maori land held under lease to European settlers, and a serious difficulty arose in arriving at the respective interests of the owners and the lessees. The lessees are still on the property, but do not know what their position is, owing to the complications that seem to be inseparable from Maori, leases. Mr Broadfoot has made repeated requests to have the matter cleared up, and it is the sincere hope of the settlers involved to have the matter finalised and make the land available for settlement.

There is a section in the community which is working systematically to frustrate what measures the authorities take to alleviate distress and provide work. The last thing this section desires is a fair trial of such schemes, with the possibility of a fair measure of success as the outcome. Every effort is made to discredit in advance the authorities' plans; if they take shape, to render them unworkable; and, in the last resort, to declare them "black," and bring about a strike of relief workers. The objective is to clear the ground so that there may* be a rebuilding according to plan—their plan. On how that is to be -accomplished we need not at present enlarge, but the model may easily be guessed. In the meantime, this country has its own system of government, and, judging, from the responses made to various calls, not alonef' in the shape of heavy extra taxation, the great bulk of all classes of the community has declared itself in favour of sticking to that system rather than adopt the one for which certain others are sedulously working. —Dunedin Star.

The well-known Taranaki and Rangitikei middle distance runner, D. C. Evans„ will attend the Olympic Games. His expenses were guaranteed at a meeting held last evening at Wanganui, says a Press Association message. Quite a number of local Rugby enthusiasts iintend journeying to Waikeria to-morrow afternoon to witness the Waipa senior rep team engaged if a strenuous practice match with the elect of Waikeria. This match should be a good practice for the contest at Matamata next Saturday.

A bulk petrol waggon was derailed at the Commerce Street level-crossing during shunting operations at Prankton Junction yesterday morning. The two front wheels of the truck left the rails and became embedded in the roadway, but were soon replaced on the track. Little damage was done.

Advice has been received in Wellington of the appointment of Mr A. H. Fear, of Wellington, to a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force. Permanent commissions are open to University graduates, and Mr Fear's is the first appointment under this scheme.

Petty thieving appears to be becom;ing a habit among some young people who attend football matches in Te Awamutu and neighbourhood. On recent Saturdays clothing and cash have been taken from Albert Park dressing room, while last Saturday cash was taken while the third grade teams were playing at Te Mawhai. We understand the thieves in this case are known, and that further developments may be expected.

Constable Forsyth arrested a young man named Gilbert Clalklen after the picture entertainment last Saturday evening on a warrant from Opotiki, and brought him before Mr G. A. Empson, J.P.J on Monday morning, when he was remanded to appear at Opotiki on Wednesday to answer charges of theft of a cream can, valued at £1 10s, the property of Mr R. Walker, farmer of Tirohanga, on April 10th or 11th. Clalklen was taken through to Opotiki to-day by Constable Rimmer.

An instance of the efficiency of our post and telegraph service: An old Christchurch boy, now resident in London, noticing the name of a close acquaintance of 36 years ago in New Zealand News, a London publication, decided to establish contact with him, and preserve the friendship started so long ago. Not knowing his address he took a chance and on the post card wirote: "Mr , care of 36 years ago, now somewhere in Christchurch, New Zealand." The postcard was delivered into the recipient's hands the same day as the overseas mail arrived in Christchurch.

A noviel and highly topical excuse was advanced in the Magistrate's Court at Blenheim by a defendant charged with failing adequately to spray his orchard. "We run pedigree stud cattle," he told the magistrate, "and it is the custom to tie the calves under certain of the trees in the orchard. On that account we have to be careful with the spray, for we don't want them nibbling at* sprayed leaves and meeting.the same fate as Phar Lap." "I'm afraid I know nothing of Phar Lap," commented Mr T. E. Maunsell, S-M., in imposing a fine of £2 and costs.

People complain of the hard times, said Mr R. Yardley, at the Gore A. and P. Association's presentation of prizes last week. He referred them to the early days of Eastern Southland. Then, 40 or 50 years ago, thousands of bags of oats were sold at Is a bushel. He had seen these stacked for chains along the Waimea railway station. Thousands of good lambs which would to-day sell at 8s and 10s, were sold at Is. He recalled a line of sheep in wool with lamb at foot being sold at 2s 6d, the lamb thrown in. That was how good things were 40 to -50 years ago.

Farmers can still laughi Any doubt regai-ding this was removed at the annual conference of the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union when the secretary (Mr E. K. Cameron) was reviewing the wonk of the year. He mentioned the visit of the Governor General, Lord Bledisloe, to a certain South Taranaki farm. "Since then," he said, "it has been sold, we are told, for £B2 an acre!" A voice asked plaintively if the union could get the Governor General to pay another visit, but when the laughter had abated, states the Taranaki Daily News, the secretary shook his head, and said he feared His Excellency would be inundated with offers of farms to visit.

During a visit last week to Westfield freezing works, a party of Te Awamutu district farmers was afforded opportunity for getting views on the " bobby" calf trade. It was learned that this department of the meat industry is not regarded favourably just now, owing to the low prices ruling overseas. This makes it impossible to offer even a reasonable price to the farmer. As to where the treated carcase goes eventually,! no definite information was forthcoming, but there was an impression gained that much of the meat eventually makes its appearance in tins behind the label " chicken and ham," or some such label. There was again a good attendance at the meeting of St. John's Girls' Club last evening, the president (Mrs G. Teasdale) occupying the chair. Several new members were welcomed. A delightful programme had been arranged, the hostesses being Misses V. Hutt, N. Brown, L. Finch and E. Irwin, while the entertainment committee comprised Mrs B. F. Morris, Misses E. Ricket, P. North and A. Hohapata. A pianoforte duet was contributed by the Misses E. and M. Howcroft, humourous recitations by Miss B. Montefiore, a violin solo by Miss E. Rickit, and a musical monologue by Miss A. Gifford, all being much appreciated, and a community sing-song was also much enjoyed. Three clever and amusing competitions were held during the evening, Miss J. Davis winning the jumbled composers, Miss A. Gifford the musical competition, and Miss Davis also accounted for the autograph hunt.

- The Boy Scouts Committee meets this evening.

A Press Association message from Christchurch last evening stated that the New Zealand cricket officials dec.ine to comment concerning the controversy over the M.C.C. tour. Their attitude; it is believed, is to avoid " adding fuel to the fire."

We understand Te Awamutu branch of the Women's Institute is to be one of fourteen branches who will each have a section of a huge exhibition .stall at the Waikato Winter Show. Keen interest is being shown in the enterprise, and there is, it seems, a certain amount of rivalry between the branches as to which will make the most attractive display.

Brief intimation was received in Te Ahvamutu this morning that the Te Awamutu wrestler, "Bill" Bayne, was defeated in the fourth round of his special match at Wellington last night Anton Koolman. Both men were the principals in a tournament staged in Wellington to aid the Dorrie Leslie fund," being raised to enable Mr Leslie to attend the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in August, when he will act as one of the official starterr in the athletic events.