LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22321, 12 April 1944, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Operatic Productions in Auckland The Auckland Operatic Society has decided on “Our Miss Gibbs” for its next production. The Light Opera Company will probably stage “The Arcadians.” Draughts Championship After yesterday’s play at Nelson in the New Zealand draughts championship, the title-holder, J. Gardiner (Nelson), was leading with 17£ points and W. Davis (Raglan) was next with 16£ points. There are 16 competitors. Further Remand Granted

Richard William Keeys, aged 34, labourer, was further remanded to April 20 when he appeared before Mr S. L. Patersop., S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today, on charges of theft at Hamilton. Renewal of bail was granted. Keeys had previously been remanded from April 3.

Peer Buys a Village Lord Beaverbrook has purchased the small North Lincolnshire village of Swinhope, near Market Rasen, together with the mansion Swinhope House. The property has been owned by the Alington family since about 1600. By the deal Lord Beaverbrook obtains possession of about 1300 acres of farm land.

Drainage Board Affairs The number of ratepayers who signed a petition to the Te Rapa Drainage Board in favour of amalgamation with the Waipa Country Council was so small that it was decided at a meeting of the board to withdraw the petition, which was available for signature in the board’s office in Hamilton. A petition with the same object in view is being sponsored by the Whatawhata Ratepayers’ Association and circulated among the board’s ratepayers. Of the 37 ratepayers so far approached 35 are reported to have Signed the petition. It is contended by the association that it was not convenient for ratepayers to visit ' the Te Rapa Drainage Board’s office to sign the petition deposited there. Library Renovations

Hamilton’s two public’ libraries present a shining and attractive appearance as the result of considerable renovating work which has been carried out recently. At the Victoria Street library all the principal rooms and the entrance hall have been transformed materially by the use of paint and varnish, the work being complete except for two small rooms in the rear. The .renovation of the Frankton library was completed some months ago and at present what was formerly a committee room is being converted into a reference library, which should be a decided acquisition to both subscribers and the general public. The work at both libraries has been made possible through grants made by the Hamilton Borough Council last year. Serpentine Phosphate A Taranaki farmer visiting the Waikato during Easter, forecast a relaxation of the regulations affecting distribution of fertiliser so that limited quantities of ordinary superphosphate could be released. He explained that the rail restrictions had hindered the transport of serpentine rock from the quarries in North Auckland. For some time past manufacturers had been unable to procure sufficient quantities of serpentine rock. Government regulations made it compulsory for manufacturers to make and sell only serpentine superphosphate, but in view of the present circumstances the vital necessity of keeping up the flow of fertiliser to the farmers, his opinion was that the regulations would shortly be relaxed.