Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 61, 3 April 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Stock Sale List on Page 8 Readers attention is drawn to the list of forthcoming stock sales promoted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson Ltd. which appears on page 8 of this, issue. Novelties at Taneatua Gymkhana Additional items which have been included in the Taneatua Gymkhana programme next Saturday will be relay races on foot, bicycle, and horse. All will be run as novelties to an already bright and varied list of events. A special feature will be the staging of a potato racc over hurdles. Rates from Galatea In reporting the evidence of the Chairman of the Whakatane County Council, before the Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry, we recently published a statement to the eil'ect that the total rates from Galatea prior to he Government taking over was £15,000. This figure was erroneous—the correct amount being £1500; not £15 5 0173. Waioho Drainage Proposal I am at present engaged in running a line through the low country parallel to the railway line, and when this is on paper will be in a position to finalise a report on this proposal. This scheme lias entailed a great deal of but finality is now in sight. (Extract from Engineer's rejjort to Whakajtane County Council). Highways Board. Representation A point raised by Mr B. S. Barry for the Borough, when giving evidence at last Tuesday's sitting of the Committee of Enquiry into Loeal Government, was that Boroughs should be given representation on the Main Highways Councils. At I present he stated only County officials and P.W.D. officers were eligible for membership, though many Boroughs possessed miles of State Highways within their boundaries. Bakehouse Destroyed by Fire A two-storeyed wooden bakehouse at Murupara, owned and used by Mr B. Benson formerly of Whakatane was completely destroyed by lire at about 8.20 p.m. on Monday evening last week. Fortunately the evening

, Avas "calm and neighbours who were promptly on the scene fought hard to save the house and adjoining shed. Mr Benson has only been in business at Murupara for about six months, and his loss will be a one al- " J though, it is understood, he has an insurance cover on the property. Constitution of Catchment Board In his evidence before the Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry Mr J. L. Burnett chairman of the 'J Whakatane County Council said in answer to a question that he thought it quite possible for the

County Council to extend its opera, I tions to include those of the Catchment Board which it is proposed to set up in the Bay of Plenty in the near future. The actual work of the Board he thought could be administered by the Council with advantage, as to a certain extent it would save duplication of staff, and conserve expense. Watersiders' Gift A party of waterside workers, working the day and night shifts on an overseas ship which was recently berthed at Wellington contributed £23 18s 4d as a gift to buy special : foods and other luxuries for a num- 5 ber of children aboard the ship. ( Many of the children had lost their ' fathers as a result of the war, and f [ in other cases the fathers were prisn * oners of war in the hands of the Japanese. The idea originated when a watersider asked one of the little boys if lie would like an apple. The lad replied, "Oh yes pease!" and promptly divided it into small pieces and shared it with his companions. The money was handed to a committee oi' women aboard to spend in the interests of the children.

Awakeri's Big Day The day of the Awaken Sports Meeting which is being held on. April 7th is drawing nearer. All arrangements are well forward and only the blessing of fine weather is necessary to make this meeting one of the best this season. The 120 yards Sheffield Handicap -with prizes of £15 5 £5 £3 adn £2 has attracted runners from j all over the Bay of Plenty and plenty of good, hard competition is bound to result. The half mile should prove one of the best distance races on the programme. R. Laurie an)d P. Farrelly arc scratch men in this event, while Mcxted and McDonald are also competing. A Meriy.Go-Round, a Shooting Gallery and plenty of other side shows will feature the day and will supply plenty of fun and amusement for everyone, especially for those whose interest in horses and horse events is, of a purely mercenary nature. »