Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 48, 13 February 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Red Cross Society Owing to the Borough Council Chambers being engaged, the Red Cross Society meeting will be held in the V.A. Room. Shapley's Buildings on February 13. Dust Nuisance at Hgads In reply to the Borough Council's complaint that heavy lorries carrying metal and spoil had occasioned a very real dust nuisance at the Heads the Harbour Board has advised that the work will be completed within two weeks. Regret was expressed as to the apparent discomfort to residents. Maraetotara Washouts In reporting to the Borough Council last evening that he had attended to the AVork ol' making temporary fillings over the worst gaps, the Bor. ough Engineer Mr W. Henderson, stated that he was now awaiting word from the Council as to the amount of money to be expended upon permanent work there. This Week's Coupons The following ration coupons will be requested by retailers this week: Meat (ration 1/9 weekly H coupor worth 6d, others .'id, child's ratior lid weekly J coupons sd). —Nos. 15 and 1(5. Sugar—Nos. 13 to 16. Special coupon Y8 available unti] March 31 for 31b for jam-making. Tea—Nos. 13 to 16. Butter —Nos. 15 and 16. Enquiry for Punt At the last meeting of the Wliakatane Harbour Board the Secretary reported that no replies had been received to tb.o Board's three advertisement for a punt of s,ixe 25' x 70' x 6' or near. The Board was endeavouring to acquire such a punt for harbour works and for the immediate purpose of removing the rock in the channel. Public Service Salaries The President of the Public Works Association, Mr A. H. O'Keefe, has announced that executive officers ol the association met the Prime Min. ister, Mr Fraser, on Saturday, and discussed with him questions relating to improvements in public service salary scales. It has been decided not to make any public announcement in- the meantime. Sales Tax Collections Sales tax collections in November totalled £1,170 342 a decrease of £150632 below the October total but an increase of £146,126 as compared with November of last year. With one month still to be accounted for, sales tax receipts in 1944 have already excfjded-the total for 1943. The amount collected during the eleven months ended November was £12, 603 230 which is £1 467 379 or > ? ' •> » 13.2 per cent above the figure for a, similar period of 1943. . j

Safeguard to Farmers The successful function of a Harbour Board in connection with a harbour such as is possessed by Whakatane was according to the opinion of Mr W. R. Boon, a guarantee to farmers that their lands would be protected from continual flood- - ing by inland rivers:. Mr Boon was speaking of the Whakatane Harbour Board last Friday when he pointed out, that the duties of a Harbour Board were to maintain and clear the channels leading to and from the harbour at all times. This was a guarantee to the ratepayers who in paying rateg, were actually receiving protection in return by the actions of the Board.

Adventure of a Sheep An unusual and somewhat costly incident occurred on the farm of Mr F, Weir, in the Ranfurly district (Otago) ? on a recent morning. On finding that a sheep from the flock had strayed into the house garden, the children endeavoured to drive it out. The sheep, however, had a different idea, and first of all made its way into the storeroom. After being removed from there it entered the open doorway of the house and then moved along the passage into a bedroom. It was here that Mr Weir found the sheep vieAving itself in a full-length mirror. Realising that a certain amount of strategy was now required, Mr Weir entered the bedroom by the window in the hope of driving the sheep out. But the sheep had different ideas as to the means of escape. It turned and dived straight into the mirror leaving it broken in many places.