Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 94, 29 November 1939, Page 4

Local and General

Gulls Driven Inland

Farmers on the plains report the presence of thousands of seagulls which have been driven inland by the storm. The abatement of the wind yesterday has seen the number decline considerably but there are still many on the fields.

Pohutukawa in Bloom,

Vivid red patches on the Ohope foreshore indicate a number of pohu tukawa trees in full bloom. As yet the main flowering season has not arrived but from the profusion of white-topped buds in the foliage, the showing this Christmas should be one of rare beauty. Those in flower at the present time stand out with particular brilliance on account of the surrounding green.

Wairere Fall.

The Wairere Fall had dwindled with the spell of dry weather and was a mere trickle over the cliff before Sunday night's rain. On Monday morning it was tumbling over the edge and fanning out in a wide swathe, with the spray carried for chains by the high wind. Cattle Mortality. A remarkably good season for hay has been experienced by farmers in the Paeroa district, most farms having Avell over last season's supply. Clover bloat among cows, however, is one ill-effect of the good spring, several farmers on hill country having cases of mortality. Heavy rain over the week-end will increase the growth of clover, and there is a fear that the affection may become more prevalent.

Houses for Sale,

In this issue A. J. Canning and Co are advertising three residences for sale with immediate possession.

They Don't Work in N.Z

A recent arrival from Canada, on being asked his impressions of New Zealand, said in quite an offhand manner, "Well, there's one thing I can say, and that is that compared with other conntrics the people here

don't work."

Directors Returned

At the annual meeting of directors of the Whakatane Paper Mills, Ltd , the election of directors who had retired by the effluxion of time, and offered themselves for re-elec-tion, resulted in the return of Messrs S. J. Fortescue (Otorohanga) and C. O. Gibbs (Taihape, and formerly of Tauranga).

Shipping,

At 5 o'clock on Sunday evening the N.S.S. Co's Otimai came in with a mixed cargo. In her holds she carried 50 tons of paper pulp, 50 tofts of cement, 84 drums of benzine and general cargo. The Otimai left the wharf on Monday afternoon and proceeded to the Paper Mills for discharge of the paper pulp and loading. Breakers at Ohope. Dashing against the headland north of Ohope Beach the breakers during' the past few days have presented a wonderful and inspiring sight. It is estimated that the waves started to break fully half a mile out to sea, and the boiling foam, driven by the strong easterly, shot shorewards in three distinct scries of rolling surf. Few ventured to try a dip under the boisterous circumstances but those who did claim that the surfing could not be bettered. Maoris and the War. Overheard in the Strand yesterday. A group of Maoris were busily discussing the war and the prospects of settling Hitler without recourse to arms. One of them, a particularly burly specimen and evidently a great Labour supporter, ventured the following in broad, rich tones: "You tink Hitler too scared to fight? E'n! Well I dunno, but I tink if Mick Savage get at him for five minutes, and give him a State house, an a pension—he call the war off. By corrie, Eh!" Old Ngapuhi Fort. How many people who look up at the seried heights above the town realise that the earthworks, apart from those constructed by the militia in the anxious da3 r s of settlement constitute some of the earliest Polynesian excavations in the Dominion. More interesting still is the site of the old Ngapuhi fortress standing almost directly above the Heads. Members of this famous tribe settled here long ago, but for some forgotten difference decided to leave and migrated to North Auckland where their descendants still remain

In the Wind

He was not a thin man, and fcn crossing the intersection of Commerce Street yesterday, -he took every precaution to ensure that hat and parcels were gripped tightly in either hand, in the face of the strong headwind. Unfortunately a stinging piece of grit upset his carefully laid plans, and releasing his hat, he made a quick movement to the aching organ. The playful breeze whisked the headpiece into the air, and the next view was that of a stout figure holding up the traffic in a wild elTort to retrieve, hat parcels and overcoat, all of which were gleefully pursuing different directions. I

Death of Maori Leader,

Porangahau natives are mourning the death of one of their best known racial leaders, Taketakenui Orangi Matua, better known as Jack Tipene, who passed away recently. He claimed descent from Ngarangiwhawaupoko, paramount chief of a large portion of the Hawke's Bay district, who was notable in his generation as a determined and capable tribal leader, who joined with men of similar stamp at Whangarei and Mohaka to form a Maori "league of nations" for collective security of their lands and peoples. He was also descended from Rangitotohu, who applied the same principle in a confederacy with other chiefs to preserve peace and to protect the tribes from the Manawatu Gorge to OrmondvilJe. In his own sphere, Taketakenui Orangi Matua carried on the tradition of his ancestors and was highly regarded by Maoris and Europeans alike.