Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 85, 29 June 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Patriotic Funds In the list oi' street days for Patriotic Funds at the Red Cross Shop which was published recently ? ,l«mes Road (Upper) was shown as having eollccted £13 i>& 9d. This amount was understated. Our attention has been drawn to the fact that it should have read £15 9s 9d. Possibilities of New Industry Intimation that Messrs Thompson and Hills intended starting a cannery at Tauranga, was received by the Whakatane County Council at. its meeting la&t Tuesday ; when the letter was referred on to the Chamber of Commerce. "It might act as a deterrant to the spread of blackberry " observed Cr Leslie drily. Holidays for Soldiers A local resident is interested in the recent visit of Mrs Innes j Liason Officer to the Army for the creation of holiday centres in the Dominion for troops returning from overseas. He informs us that such a movement is long overdue, and quoted the case of live soldiers who some month ago ? found themselves stranded in Whakatane with all the hotels full and no place to go. By accident they were and the resident concerned provided accommodation lor them for a week's holiday. He welcomes the proposal to systemise the new scheme and hopes that there will be a constant flow of visiting soldiers to the town and district. Full Rugby Afternoon All those who enjoy a good football match as well as confimed Rugby fans will no doubt be attracted to the Whakatane Domain tomorrow j afternoon where the fullest programme of football to be entered upon this season is to be ehld. Altogether five matches are to be played including a ladies' match. Paroa will play teams from Waikite on both the junior and senior fields whilst a senior match between Waimana and Poroporo and a junior one between Waimana and Whakatane will also take place. The ladies' match will take the form of a contest between a team of Ohin.emutu girls and a Paroa team.

Allegations! Refuted 1 Some time we published, an article criticising the actions of a gang of irresponsible youths and boys which was apparently operating at where it was alleged numerous complaints had been raised by residents. Whilst not seeking to defend those directly concerned with the depredations and instances of cruelty, we have to state that a number of parents have raised the point with us regarding the sources of our information. They contend that most of the allegations are exaggerated and in fairness to the boys concerned we make no apology in presenting the case from their point of view. With regard to the death of several cats caused as we were

j informed by pellets from shanghais we have now been told that these were due to the laying of poison by another resident at the beach. This would explain the inaccessible positions in which the deceased, animals were later found. Whilst admitting that the boys coiacerned are jirobai>ly in need of a sharp parents claim that the article, concerned throws a deep reflection on all children at the beach 5 and that this aspersion is unfair and in many of the instances mentioned totally unwar- j ranted.