Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 185, 12 July 1940, Page 4

Local and General

Order Cancelled. Dick Haua (Mr R. F. Smith) successfully applied for the cancellation of,his prohibition order at the sitting of the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The police stated that they had no objection.Meeting Gives Way to Revue. It was decided by the Borough Council that as the next meeting fell on August 12 and the Red Cross Revue was also fixed for that date, and as the cause warranted the support of all councillors, the August meeting of the Council would be held a week latjer. Launch Beached. Mr N. Carter's 32 foot fishing launch, which struck the rocks at the harbour entrance on Tuesday evening after its steering chain had carried away, is now lying beached near the Rowing Club's pavilion. It is apparent that the vessel struck hard, a five foot gash showing at the bows, under the water line. The National Security Tax. The introduction of the National Security Tax of Is in the £ was the subject of some discussion at the Borough Council's monthly meeting, councillors expressing doubt about the date on which the tax would become operative. According to a statement made by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Walter Nash, the necessary legislation will be introduced into the House this week and the tax should become payable about a week after the Bill has been passed. BEACON' Wins a Prize. It pays to advertise in the BEACON, and it also pays to advertise the BEACON. At least that was the experience of Len Davis, a 13-year-old lad who attended the Thornton school's fancy dress evening on Saturday in a suit of calico on which an issue of the BAY OF PLENTY BEACON had been printed, with the kindly co-operation of the paper's foreman printer. Len was awarded first prize for most original boys' fancy costume. To make his costume even more "newsy," Len carried con tents boardis fore and aft Mke n bearing t*fe starUing news: "Outbreak of measles: Schools to be closed.." This neAvs proved to be "only a rumour."

Vandalism. Despite the warning issued by the Automobile Association concerning the damaging of signs, this vandalism continues. Less than a week after its erection a sign in McCracken's Road, Edgecumbe, was smashed. According to a statement made by the local officers of the Association a prosecution will follow in this instance and in all others reported. Children's Court. A Children's Court was held prior to the sitting of the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday when four boys, ages ranging to 16 years, were charg ed with offences ranging from theft to conversion of a car. One, boy answered four counts, another two, and the others one each. All were Maoris. As the Press is not permitted to attend the Children's Court, no details can be given. Enemy Aliens. At the monthly meeting of the Borough Council a letter was received from the Commissioner •of Transport advising that motor drivers' licenses should not be issued to enemy aliens without the written permission of the police. 'Enemy aliens' were defined as being citizens of any country with which New Zealand was at war. Councillors expressed amazement that enemy aliens were allowed about at all, the general opinion being that all should be interned. Starlings Disturbed. In an endeavour to prevent flocks of starlings from roosting at night in young gum trees at the plantation in Richmond Block, Napier, men equipped with guns have been firing blank cartridges in the locality for the lasit few nights. The noise has had considerable effect, and will have to be continued for several nights yet to prove wholly satisfactory. Eight year old gums for some time past have been providing nightly refuge for thousands of birds, and the reserves department of the Napier Borough Council had sought some method whereby the birds would be frightened away without the necessity of destroying them. * without discomfort—build health the Bonkora wajr. Pleasant, safe. Visit F. G. MacTilow, Chemist", Whakatane.

Fine Spell Breaks. After weeks of fine sunny weather, with frosts every morning, the weather broke early to-day. The winter so far lias been exceptionally favourable and the rainfall In aW districts for the last two months has been much lower than preceding years. Donation Acknowledged. The committee responsible for the promotion of the forthcoming Red Cross Revue, notify that the sum of {■10 donated to the cause and the timber necessary for the production, should have been credited in last Wednesday's acknowledgment to Mr Geo. Syme, Timber Miller of Edgecumbe. Boys Will be Boys. Dead rats may have their value from a fertiliser point of view but to -the eyes of the small boy they present a veritable mecca of curiosity. Such was the conclusion of an Ohope father recently, horrified one morning to see his youngest, aged one-and-a-half, dragging into the kitchen with great pride the decomposed carcase of a rodent he had buried the previous week. Out of the Silence. For some time there. had been a persistent murmuring in the Court, despite the orderly's repeated command for silence. Again he said, "Silence. Silence in the Court!" The whispering iDsrsisted. "Constable, put that woman out," commanded Mr E. L. Walton, S.M. "Put her out." As the constable moved to obey, the Magistrate as* sisted him. "You'll have to go out, Mrs , we ca.n't have that talking all the time."