OTOROHANGA NEWS,

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17840, 12 October 1929, Page 10

OTOROHANGA NEWS,

TOPICS OF THE MOMENT. DISTRICT HAPPENINGS. (Our Resident Representative.) Otorohanga members of the Druids ; Lodge visited Te Kuiti last Tuesday evening to assist at the annual banquet and dance. Swift’s Orchestra provided the dance music, while musical items were rendered by members during intervals. The function was thoroughly enjoyed by a large number of lodge members. School Shelter Sheds. The Rewa Rewa School Committee has been advised that Cabinet has approved of a grant for the erection of shelter sheds at the school. Musical Broadcast. A concert Is being promoted at Otorohanga which will be broadcast'! under the direction of Mr W. P. Wade. Leading Waikato and King Country afl’tists and amateurs will assist in the production. This . will be the first broadcast from the King Country. Largo Catch of Eels. A native reached Otorohanga on Tuesday with a very large catch of eels. Many of the fish were outsizes, some turning the scale at 1 Gib. It was evident that cels were considered a great delicacy by the natives, judging by the number of friends that gathered around the successful fisherman, and remained until the catch was generously divided. The natives consider that cels caught in October are the best eating. Public Library. The Otorohanga Public Library has been transferred to new premises in Maniapoto Street, pending the completion of extensive alterations to the Municipal ' Hall. The library will eventually be permanently housed in the Town Hall buildings. The library caters well for all classes of readers, and its well-stocked shelves would do credit to a town of much greater magnitude. Motorists’ Lights. Mr A. J. McCready, the local representatives of the A.A.A. has arranged for the patrol officer to be in attendance at Burrell and Son’s garage in order to adjust headlights, free of charge. Aerial Visitors. The Auckland Aero Club has advised the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce, that they propose in the near future to co-operate with them in a visit to the town by air. The club is satisfied that the landing ground for Otorohanga is already perfectly satisfactory. The Main Highway. The Chamber of Commerce appreciates’ the good work done by the Waipa County Council on its stretch of the main highway, but has suggested to that body the urgent necessity for a reduction of the angle at the southern approach lo the border bridge (Punui River), which they consider is a distinct menace to motorists and other travellers.

Musical Society. Otorohanga musical enthusiasts are showing activity in the formation of a musical Society, and it is now quite certain that a strong society will be promoted during the next few weeks. The town itself is quite fortunate in its musical talent, whilst strong reinforcements will be forthcoming from the immediate district. Bishop Cherrlngton. The Bishop of Waikato, Right Rev. Dr. Cherrlngton, will visit Otorohanga on Sunday next, when he will administer the sacrament of confirmation in St. Bride’s Church, and preach in the evening. Golf. Miss Innes-Jones was successful in winning, the Otorohanga Golf Club s ladies championship, after a keenly contested finish with Mrs Mrs Austin (Honikiwi) by 1 up. It was the most exciting contest for the ladies’ final championship ever played on the local links. Mrs Austin just failed with her final putt. There was a large gallery of golfers and spectators. The men will play in the captain's trophies competition on Saturday next. Railway Freights. The business men of Otorohanga are up in arms against the Railway Department, regarding freights from Auckland. The recently reduced freight rates from Auckland only operate as far as Te Awamutu, to which town class A goods are carried at bOs per ton. The freight from Te Awamutu to Otorohanga would be Ms per ton extra, making a total cost in freight of G4s per ton (from Auckland). Business men consider that the concessions given in the Waikato should be extended to the King Country, otherwise ways will be found to transport the goods by road at a lower cost to importers ttian the present railway charges. It is obvious that, under the existing conditions, it would pay Otorohanga business men to have their goods railed to Te Awamutu and removed from there by motor. The Commercial Agent of Railway Department has been asked to visit Otorohanga to meet the Chamber of Commerce and go into the question at an early date. New Bridge. The local Chamber of Commerce Is urging the Public Works Department to speed up the erection of the bridge on the new main road between Otorohanga and Hangatiki, in order to cater for the heavy motor traffic during 'the summer months. This road will eventually be used in preference to the main highway —which is a- serpentine route—between Otorohanga and Hangatiki, and involves the passling of three railway crossings, which I are entirely eliminated by the new ! road. The distance between the two places is also shortened by about two miles. The Weather. Slightly over an inch of rain has fallen at Otorohanga during the past three days, and pasture growth is now assured. The rain has been of great | benefit lo farmers who have recently ] top-dressed their paddocks, as the manures have now become well incorporated with the soiL

County Meeting. The monthly meeting of' the Waitomo County Council was held yesterday (Friday), when a large amount of routine work was transacted. The county roads are, with the exception of part of the main highway between Te Kuiti and Pio Pio, in very good condition for all traffic. On the Land. Although large numbers of male calves have been sent out of this district in connection with the “bobby" calf export trade this season, it is pleasing to note that most dairymen have reserved the bulk of their heifer calves, which they are rearing for replacement in the herds of 1931. Last year the slaughter of calves was almost wholesale, but the prices demanded for springing heifers early in this season indicated to breeders the inevitable shortage that was bound to follow 7 such a practice. The result is that a very large number of heifer calves will be reared this season. Agricultural Activity. The planting of the main crops of potatoes is now a conspicuous rural activity throughout the district. Although seed potatoes have been expensive to procure this season, it i; certain that a larger area will be planted than in any former year since the advent of white settlement here. The natives have already planted Iheir main crops, but are still engaged in planting supplementary plots of the valuable tuber. Musical. Local musical people are delighted with the success reached by theii fellow townsman, Mr \V. P. Wade, al the Musical Festival competitions at Cambridge earlier in the week. Slump In Herd Sires. Al the special bull sale in the Otorohanga yards on Thursday there was a big entry and a good attendance of the public. The sale dragged throughout the day, as sellers were loth to accept the offers of prospective purchasers, which in many cases were much below the vendors’ idea of value. As a consequence a large number of animals were passed at the hammer. The quality of many of the bulls was outstanding, the Jersey breed predominating. Personal. Mr W. A. Lee, late chairman and present councillor of the Waitomo County Council, has returned from e trip to Wellington. A young man, Stanley Vette, who recently suffered serious injuries as a result of being thrown from a motorcycle, is now improving in condition at the Te Kuiti Hospital. Market Reports. Heavy consignments of calf, rabbit, cattle and sheep skins reached Otorohanga yesterday, and went into the hands of local and outside buyers. . At the local auctions a good yarding of well-bred store pigs sold readily at firmer rates than have been in vogue for the past two months.