Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 15, 11 February 1942, Page 4

Local and General

Home Guard Engineers The Home Guard Engineers are to parade at the Domain at 7.15 this evening. First Offender Bail of 10/- was estreated at the local Court on Monday morning when a first offending inebriate was chargcd. Borough Chambers Repairs The Borough Council has decided to make an inspection of the Chambers with a viiew to effecting any necessary repairs. Post Office Hours From Monday the 1(5 th February the Post Office, Whakatane, will close from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. daily for luncheon interval. Urgent telegrams only should be presented at -the Telephone Exchange for transmission. Further Fire Equipment Further equipment is to be purchased by the Borough Council for the Fire Section of the E.P.S. On the suggestion of Cr J. Creeke this decision was made and the equips ment will become part of- the property of the Fire Board. Incipient Fire The Fire Brigade received a call to the rear of the premises of Messrs Bridgers Ltd and Messrs Morpeth and Sons in the Strand on Monday just before 5 p.m. Grass had caught fire and had spread to packing cases with the result that the rear of the buildings was threatened. The outbreak was rapidly controlled. He Can Take It ! "1 am surprised the Mayor has not seen to it," jokingly remarked a councillor when a complaint was received regarding rufTble falling on the Hi.llcrcst steps. "Everything is not my fault," said His Worship. "I get the blame for all the lights that are left showing on Hillcrest but can't be responsible for all these things." New Banking Hours There were some puzzled people In Whakatane yesterday when after 2 p.m. they made a visit to the banks to find the doors shut. Either memory restored or advice from friends, reminded them that the new regulations whereby the closing for business under the new regulations is one hour earlier came into operation on Monday. Girl Guide Appeal The Girl - Guide Company is to make its first appeal for funds on Friday next and it is hoped that the response will be generous as considerable expenditure is necessary to institute the movement in any town. The stall will not be held in the Whakatane Hotel Buildings but in the Grand Theatre Buildings, while there will also, be a stall at Kopeopeo at Mrs Searle's residence. Large Burn Great interest was shown in Whakatane yesterday when a great pall of smoke was seen over the Thornton district and a number of rumours were rife. Scane; stated that a large flax fire was raging—others that pasture was ablaze, but en- - quiries revealed that lupins on the cost near Thornton were being burnt and in the 1 early afternoon the flames began to subside. The scene of the burn was at the rear of Mr McFarland's property. National Savings Early in last week the ball indicator on the Post Office revealed that National Savings for the week were well ahead, very likely there being an "overflow" from the previous week, and it was hoped that for the third time running the pennant would wave aloft toi announce that the weekly quota of £234 had j been obtained. However, unfortunately the good start was counteracted by a bad finish and the "hattrick" Avas missed. o>n Saturday at midday the indicator had reached just over halfway. Walking to the Pictures The absence of petrol sees a growing number of persons walking t<r the theatres in the evenings. Regular contingents of patrons march back and forth to Kopeopeo, the Heads and Apanui, appreciating the walk in most instances and thankful for the continued fine weather. An interesting indication of the growing number of pedestrian picturegoers, is furnished by the average figures taken over last week. These show that the average attendance at one theatre was 350, Avhile the cars parked outside averaged only seven.