Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 272, 17 February 1941, Page 4

Local and General

Cannibal Trout. A 91b trout caught in the water supply system of a Taranaki dairy factory was found on being cleaned to contain three smaller trout. Two of these were partly digested, but the third, which was 9in long, was alive, although rather dazed. On being returned to a stream, its gills began to move more strongly, and finally it swam swiftly away. Future Meetings Complications arising from the intensive work of the training of the Home Guard, have made it necessary for the Whakatane Chamber to review its future meeting dates. At last Tuesday's meeting it was decided to hold meetings on the fourth Monday in each month. Notification will be given to members as in the past. Most Sheep Clean. Very little lice infestation has been discovered either in the saleyards or on the roads in the Gisborne and East Coast districts since the inspections began last month. This statement was made by Mr F. R. Bould, stock inspector at Gisborne, who said that lice infestation was beloAV the average this season. Those sheep inspected on the roads so far had been particularly clean, while comparatively few instances of lice had been discovered in the saleyards.

, Ragwort Growth. [ "On account of the exceptional growth of ragwort the gang has been increased. In many cases properties have had to be treated for the third time," reported the engineer, Mr L. E. G. Shaw to Wednesday's meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council. The Cat Came Back. Another instance of the remarkable facilities caLs have for finding their way about was furnished by an owner who spent the recent holidays at Ohope, and returned later to his home off Domain, Road. The; cat, after spending almost a month contentedly in" his old surroundings suddenly disappeared and was given up for lost till last Sunday when the family, taking advantage of the fine weather revisited Ohope, to be greeted by Thomas as they entered the gate. Apparently Ohope is also an attraction for cats. Hospital Inmates. An average number of inmates per day, at the local hospital during January was 49.9. On January 1, the hospital contained a total of 61 patients, (28 males and 33 females), while admissions during the month were 60 males and 69 females making a total of 129. Discharges were seven more than admissions (64 males and 72 females). One death occurred during the month while 23 male and 29 females births were recorded. Four major operations were performed Lhe, minor operations numbering 31.

Buying and Selling. "If you go to buy, cows arc a 'tenner,' whereas if you are selling they only bring a 'fiver'," remarked Mr W. H. Freeman, sympathetically, when a witness in the Matamala Court last week stated to the apparent astonishment of counsel! that he priced his cows as being worth about £(5 each. Fishing at Ohope. Line fishing has been good at Ohope during the past few days, yesterday three lines landing nine fish in a very short time. Several fair sized sclinnpper were amongst the catch. The weather at the weekend again attracted large numbers of bathers to the beach. Yesterday's Picnic. Although the weather did not appear very promising in the early morning it brightened to make a success of the annualt picnic of the County Council staff, some 30 or more passengers being aboard the launch whein it left for Whale Island, and spending an enjoyable day. Thornton School Bus. The Thornton School Committee has made; a canvass of householders on the main Thornton-Whakatane Road, Eastern Drain Road, McLean's Road and Eastern Rangitailci Bank Road, with a view to seeing how many children would travel on a school bus. There has been a 100 per cent response, and representations for a subsidised bus service will be made to the Auckland Education Board. At present some of the children on these roads travel to Whakatanei Primary School and Paroa School by the bus which carries High School pupils, while the others use bicycles, lorries or "shanks' mare" to reach Thornton School. A full bus load of children will be collected on these roads, where there are many new settlers with young families.