Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 33, 14 December 1943, Page 4

Local and General

Social Security Payments The Whakatane postal authorities notify that age benefits will be payable on Tuesday, 21st. December and all other benefits including family, war veterans and universal superannuation will be met on Wednesday, 22rid December, Thoughtless Picnickers A party of picnickers at Ohiwa recently showed more than usual thoughtlessness when they went on to the property of Mr Walter Burton and lit a lire on the earth floor beneath the verandah of his bach. To make matters worse the wood used for the lire was torn off a shed, and the lire finally put out with earth dug out of a newly put down lawn. As a result of the damage caused, Mr Burton has had to prohibit all unauthorised people from going on the property.

Damage to Trees "Trees take, a long time to grow. Don't destroy them. They belong to everybody, and to tear their heart, out is silly and does not make for true victory in this war," said Mr R. G. Abernethy, S.M., when admonishing three youths who appeared in the Children's Court at Invercargill. They were charged with wilfully damaging a cabbage, tree, the property of the Invercargill City Council. School Leaving Age Some misconception regarding the school leaving age was apparent, said the secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, Mr L*. R. James*. Although it was proposed by the Government to raise the age to 15 years, the regulations governing it were not yet in operation. Nevertheless. it was noticeable that few inquiries^had been made by parents to local manufacturers regarding positions for children who would be leaving school this year.

Red Cross Society Shop Don't forget to visit the lied Cms* Society Shop on Tuesday, December 1-1 th (to-day)—ApanUi ladies day.* Last Borough Council Meeting The Whakalane Borough Council held its final meeting of the year last ■evening when the Mayor, Mr B. S. Bar it, extended the season's greetings to councillors, staff and press. Motorists Take Note Motorists arc advised to take careful stock of the advertisement in to-day's issue seting out the holiday- to he. observed by local patrol stations over the Christmas and New Year vacations. Gifts Acknowledged (]il'ts received at the Whakatane Hospital during November arc acknowledged with appreciation as follows: Magazines, Mrs Hurt; Onions. Mrs Gregory; Lemons, Mrs Appleby; Lemons and Oranges, Mrs Ilawken; Lemons, Magazines, Potatoes, Clothing, Games* and - donation, League of Mothers; Magazines, Mrs Print; Lemons, Mrs Powdrell; Clothing, Matata Red Cross. "Wishing 1 Tree" Intact

It. was reported in some papers a few weeks back that the famous "wishing tree" on Hongi's Track, just above- Lake Rotoit-i, had decayed and blown down. This is not so. According to a party of local business men who visited the track recently, the tree still stands as majestically as over. In places it is showing signs of decay by internal rotting, but is good for scores of years yet. One of the. tourists suggested that the tree could be saved by an ''operation" by a tree surgeon, who could cut out the infested wood and refill the cavities. Citrus Fruit Prices Price control of New Zealand grapefruit, oranges and Mej'er lemons has not tome as a surprise to the industry, according to inquiries made from individual growers in the north, but. it was hoped that the price; order would not be. introduced until next season. There also appears to be general agreement that a ceiling pricc. covering different grades will prove onerous. Asked to comment on the: price order, Mr S. M. Conway, secretary of the New Zealand Citrus Council, said the matter was still the. subject of negotiation with the Price Tribunal, and he preferred not to make any statement at this stage. Waimana Cemetery The Medical Officer of Health, Gisborne, has advised the Whakatane County Council that a report has been received from the Inspector of Health, Whakatane. with regard to the advisability of closing the Waimana Cemetery on account, of excessive dampness of the site which renders it practically unusable at times. According to the Secretary of the Cemetery Trustees twenty burials have taken place in the cemetery since 1918 though evidence; of only thirteen could be found by theinspector. The. -ccmetery trustees consider that any burials from the area could more conveniently be carried out in Whakatane. The council has referred the matter to the County Chairman and Cr Wardlaw for report.