LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waipa Post, Volume 47, Issue 3384, 24 October 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rabbits are fairly plentiful just now along some of the counti’y reads, and it would seem that if landownei’s will not make efforts to reduce the pest a few prosecutions will be necessary.

Dairy production of late has been far in excess of last year’s figures so far as the Te Awarfiutu district is concerned. The favoui’able weather of the past month or so has been a stimulus to grass growth, and daily herds have been at practically full flush for several weeks.

We learn this morning that Mr A. W. Skinner, the well-known local plumber and sheetmetal worker, has completed negotiations for taking over the old-established business of the late Mir C. F. Battson, in Alexandra Street, and the premises are being re-ppened for business at once. Mr Skinner completed his apprenticeship with Mr Battson and acted as foreman for him for about twelve years befoi’e entering - into business on his own account.

A district farmer, in the course of a chat a day or two ago, stressed the point that now. is the most profitable time to deal with ragwort. He said that in a few weeks’ time the plants will have grown so big and coarse that' it will take very much more sodium chlorate to destroy them. He characterised as foolish those farmers who had delayed purchasing sodium in the expectation that the local bodies would supplfv them at a cheaper rate. True, Otorohanga County Council had made a purchase in bulk, but the cost was relatively the same as was charged by local retailers. The only advantage was that, whereas the local body gave a certain amount of credit to purchasers, the retailers might not.

The derating of rural lands was discussed at a meeting of 90 farmers in Hamilton on Friday last. Mr W. Lee Martin presided. A resolution was passed demanding legislative sanction to give substantial relief to ratepayers, with the ultimate object of bringing about the total derating of all farm lands for reading purposes within three years. A proposal that farmers should refuse to pay their rates this year was defeated. Messrs R. H. Feisst, AV, Lee Martin, W. Boyd. V. Sims and D. B. Higgins were appointed to proceed to Wellington and cooperate with a deputation from .North Auckland in placing the question of derating before the Government.

A local resident had an alarming experience, and a lucky escape from more serious injury while motoring to Auckland on Saturday evening. At about 7.20. wh ! le still a couple of miles from Ngaruawahia,. he was driving along quietly when one of a number of cows grazing on the roadside jumped down a 3-foot bank to cross the road, and collided with the car, putting it out of commission with the force of the impact. The driver’s wife fainted from shock, but soon recovered, but the car was so damaged that it had to be towed in to Ngaruiawah’a for repaii’s. The party had to go the rest of the journey by train. Inquiries were made, though, as to the ownership of the wandering stock, and maybe more will be heard of the affair. Owners of stock wandering on the highways would be well advised to keep a close watch on them as claims for damages are usuallly expensive.

The usual monthly meeting of Te Awamutu branch of the Women’s Division, on Thursday afternoon, is to be addressed by Miss Hill who will take as her subject life and conditions in Rhodesia.

A very enjoyable cricket match was played at Tokanui yesterday, the participants being teams representing the United Club (Te Awamultu) and the Tokanui Hospital staff. Some of the players showed excellent form for so eai’ly in the season. /

Mr A. Cook’s horse Pegaway landed a double at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, which concluded yesterday. He won the Labour Day Handicap, two miles, and later in the day he again accounted for a good field in the Kemuera Handicap, li miles. On each occasion Pegaway was favourite.

The dance at the Kihikihi Town Hall last evening in aid of the Tennis Clul/s £unds, proved very popular, and a large assemblage of patrons had to be catered for. The arrangements were lusc-class, and patrons report one of the most enjoyable dances of the season.

Quite a number of Te Awamutu and district folk report damage to the vegetable gai’dens by the frosts experienced yesterday and this morning. The owners had been lulled into security by the comparatively mild weather of late, and neglected to provide covering on Sunday and Monday nights, with the result that Jack Frost had - an innings. Tomatoes, beans and other tender plants just developing were the chief suffei'ei-s.

The Waikato Hunt Club held a very successful race meeting at Cambridge yesterday, and there was a very large attendance, the fine weather contributing in no small measure to the success of the day. The totalisator turnover showed an increase, the investments amounting to £16,730, an increase of £4386 over last year’s figures.

'Daii’y returns throughout Te A'wamutu district this month appear to have ‘been quite up to the figures of October last year—and that was a rather abnormal period. In fact, but-ter-fat figures this spring compare quite favourably with the same pei’iod of last yeai\ Dairy company advances are also somewhat higher, so that dairymen who have not become too deeply in debt should be “ on a good wicket,” as the saying is.

The iWiaipa- Cricket Association’s championship matches comimence next Saturday. This season only four teams are competing in the senior grade, as compared with six last season. There is, we understand, a likelihood that a junior competition will be arranged, but the Association cannot decide in this matter until it is seen if there are enough junior teams to justify commencing such a competition.

As indicated in an earlier issue, an examination for professions is to be held in Te Awamutu. Further details show that the examination, called Professional and Degree Examination, is to commence on November 2nd, and continue until the 20th. A room on the top floor of Burchell’s Buildings has been secured for the purpose, and Mrs R. C. Andrew is the supervisor. There are seven candidates, one for teachers’ B certificate, two for bankers’ diploma and four for accountancy.

At the Waikato Hunt Club’s meeting at Cambridge on Labour Day the chief flat event of the day, the Members’ Memorial Handicap, 15 miles, was won by Mr A.. Rowan’s three year old filly Musquil, after an exciting struggle down the straight. Musquil won nicely, and the connections (the local apprentice, A. Baker, was the rider) were warmly congi'atulated. The only other Te Awamutu horse to gain place money was Tenakoe (trained by Mr A. Cook), which ran a very creditable second to King’s Archer/in the Bollard Memorial Handicap. The Cambridge trained St. Wari'igal won the Waikato Hunt Cup, after leading practically all the way.