Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 110, 15 January 1940, Page 4

Local and General

New Twopenny Stamp. Complaints are made of the unsuitable size and colours for some purposes of the new 2d Centenary stamp, which has replaced the ordinary issue in sales by post offices. The stamp is considcied too large for many small receipt books and forms requiring stamps, as it i-s seldom these have sufficient free space for a stamp of such a size. Further, it is complained that the colours employed are inclined to absorb the cancellation, particularly wh.cn indelible pencil is used. The c< lours are blue-green with grey-brown for the borders. The stamp commemorates Tasman's discover/ of New Zealand. Haymaking Stories. Strange things occur in the hayfield. A haymaking helper of a South Taranaki farmer mysteriously lost his coat last summer. Most of thestack on which he was working a I I the time was consumed during the winter, but some was held in reserve for spring emergencies. While one of the last cuts was being made, the coat was found undamaged and preserved so well that even papers in the pockets Avere in practically the same state as when the coat was missed eight months earlier. A farmer in Taranaki once lost a young bull in a haystack. It appeared that the animal burrowed his way so deeply into the stack that it collapsed behind him and he died of suffocation. Many articles have been lost in the hayfield and found again in the stack. There was a case in Central Taranaki when a valuable gold watch was missed. Six months later the watch dropped out of a forkful of hay. When wound up and shaken it went as well as ever.

Sailors With Beards. Visitors to H.M.S. Ramillies al Wellington remarked upon the number of men aboard who have full beards trimmed in old naval style. Most of the men are young and the naval regulation that men must be cleanly shaven or wear a full beard is probably responsible for many of the beards, as long hours of duty under wartime conditions may not leave much spare timo fo: shaving. Work Before Play. The Steele Cup competition match, arranged for last week-end, between the Te Puke Cricket Club and Pukehina, has been temporarily postponed in view of the inability of the Pukehina Club to held a team. Work comes before play, and the farmer is naturally taking full advantage of the present weather conditions to push ahead with haymaking. The Pukehina Club is keen, however, and will soon be in a position to proceed with their season's programme. Mixed Month. For the whole Dominion, December was rather a mixed month, but •fine, warm weather predominated. Most of the precipitation came in substantial falls and the rain had refreshing effects, sustaining good pasture growth, especially in the North Island where very satisfactory crops of ensilage and hay have been harvested. The land over the greater part of Canterbury and Otago has continued too dry for the cereal crops, and with the feed shortage the autumn prospects are poor. Some of the coastal districts, however, had better rains which will help to fill the wheat. The reports indicate the excellent condition of stock. White butterflies are in evidence but in restricted numbers, states the report of the Dominion Meteorological staff.

Street Appeal. As a result of the recent street day organised by Mrs James in aid of the Ambulance Association the funds benefited to the extent of £31 10s 2d. Building Renovation. The Whakatane County Council building is'at present undergoing a painting, the cream mixture being sprayed over the rough-cast concrete by means of a 'gun'. Saturday's Cricket. Rain interfered with both competition matches on Saturday, Central and Paroa playing a drawn game Avhile Ilillcrest defeated P. and T. on the first innings. Results will be published in next issue. Vessels Clear Port. Both the Motu and Clansman left on Saturday. The former carried a cargo consisting of -478 benzine drums, 10 drums of tallow, 173 cases of empty bottles, 25 bales of wool, and 30 tons of general goods. The Clansman had consignments of 5588 boxes of butter, 498 crates of cheese, 195 drums, and some general. ' A Lucky Decision. Qpotiki residents who visit the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington, will certainly be of the opinion that it was a good tiling that both the Opotiki Borough Council and County Council made a wise decision when they refused to contribute to the Auckland section. The whole scheme has been merged into one, and while the display is an interesting one, residents will understand the feelings of Gisborne residents when they behold the value of Gisborne's little section. This consists of a coloured photograph of a small portion of, the Gisborne borough. There is certainly some rejjresantation of sheep country scenes, but it is hard to understand where Gisborne's contribution of £250. has gone. The Tauranga exhibit is a better one than that of Gisborne. Whakatane district forwarded a fair contribution but a hasty search around failed to disclose any sign of an advertisement for this district.