Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 149, 19 April 1940, Page 4

Local and General

Blanket of Fog. Prior to the heavy rain which commenced yesterday, residents on the Plains report that a succession of heavy fogs made it most difficult to negotiate the roads even up till 9.30 a.m. Hospital Visiting Hours. Following a recommendation from the Medical Superintendent* the Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday decided that the visiting hours in future will be 7 p„m. to 8. p.m. on Wednesday and Friday nights and 2 p.Un. to 3.30 p.m.. on Sunday afternoon. Gift Presented. After the Borough Council's meeting on Monday night, Cr Shapleyj, deputy-Mayor, handed to His Worship a present from the Council to the Mayor's infant daughter. The present was an engraved silver table napkin ring. Local Good Samaritans. Returning from Auckland a party of local motorists encountered some sportsmen who had been deer-stalk-ing at Te Whaiti, but who had encountered some trouble with their car. The Whakatanians stopped to give assistance and after doing so were surprised to hear the driver observe: "Well there have been three cars who stopped to give us a hand and in every case they were people from Whakatane."

Train Arrangements. The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of train arrangements on Anzac Day, 25tli April, Telegrams to Troops. Commencing forthwith addresses of telegrams to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt are to be charged for as four words irrespective of the number of words contained therein, plus one word for the indicator "LC" or "DLT" if these rates apply. Rate Collection Percentage. "I think that the rate collections percentage is remarkably high," said His Worship the Mayor, in discussing the Treasurer's report. "Other Councils congratulate themselves when their figures are not as good as ours." His Worship moved the adoption of the report. Unusual Accident. A large motor car driven by a visiting Australian girl, became involved in a curious accident, fortunately resulting in no serious injury, at Lake Rotoma. The car, was proceeding to Auckland from left the road and plunged down a slight bank, capsizing and nearly entering the lake. It was discovered that no one was injured, and all hands and passing motorists assisted in righting the car, when it was returned to the road. The bodywork was badly battered, but the vehicle was driven on to Auckland under its own power.

An Able Speaker. Mr R. A. Candy, Chairman of the Herd Testing Association, gave an able outline of the activities of his association at the meeting of the Bay of Plenty ward of the New Zealand Dairy Board last Tuesday in the County Chambers. His remarks were warmly appreciated by the district farmers present,, Margarine Problem. In discussing the inroads made on the butter market by margarine, Mr A. W. Murdoch said at Tuesday's conference that in 1936 the amount of margarine manufactured in England was 179,800 tons. In 1937 it had risen to 184,200 tons, and in 1938) the figure had reached 208,300 tons. New Secretary. Mr Murdoch, chairman at Tuesday's ward conference of the Dairy Board, introduced the secretary to the Board, Mr C. H. Courtney, who takes the place of Mr Brash. Mr Courtney said that wherever he went he found people missing his predecessor, who was so well known throughout New Zealand Growing Bitumen Roads. Warm praise for the manner in which the authorities are extending the bitumen roads in Whakatane was voiced by an Auckland traveller yesterday. The various stretches of new bitumen work he said would soon result in the Rangitaiki being on a par with any of the best roaded districts in the Dominion. It was a pleasure, now, he said to make the Rotorua trip. Rain Brings on Pastures. Farmers in some areas three or four weeks ago were faced with a serious problem owing to the lack of rain to freshen up the pastures and provide water for stock. The grass had dried up after a prolonged dry spell, and it was .feared that there would be no break until the winter., when the frost would further retard growth. Fortunately, however, rain began to fall fairly regularly, and the result is that farmlands are looking particularly good condition.

88-Page Newspapers Continue. Apparently unaffected by the paper shortage in other parts of the world, the mammoth dailies of the United States are appearing in their usual sizes. The latest issue of Hearst's newspaper, the San Francisco Examiner, which has just reach ed a Napier resident, contains eight sections, totalling 70 pages. Australian newspapers also are maintaining their usual sizes, the Sydney Sunday Telegraph's five sections still running to 88 pages. The price in Sydney is 3d. Death of Maori Chief. To pay their respects to the late Te Naera Hokotuku, Maoris from all parts of the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua districts travelled to Ohinemutu, where the body lay in state. Te Naera was a highly-respected chief of the Arawa people, being one of the head chiefs of Ngati Whakaue. Representatives from most sections of the Arawas paid their respects, and visitors came from Te Puke, Matata, Murupara, Ruatahuna and Waiohau, - beyond Te Teko, Tauranga, Opotiki, the Waikato, Whakatane and Ruatoki. Putting the Farmers' Case. "Surely there is some time when the air could be used by the most important industry in the country," said Mr Murdoch at the Bay of Plenty ward conference on Tuesday. The speaker stated that it had been suggested at a conference the previous day that use should be made of the Australian radio to present the New Zealand farmers' case. He said this suggestion would be mentioned to the Minister concerned. It was resolved that the Minister of Broadcasting be urged to grant time to the farmers' interests.