Local & General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 98, 24 February 1947, Page 5

Local & General

Opotiki Burglary As we go to press we are informed that last night, thieves broke into the Ford garage, Opotiki, carried off the safe and proceeded with it to Waiotahi, where it was blown open and rifled. Police discoveries were made this morning.

Edgecumbe Red Cross The Edgecumbe Branch of the ' Red Cross wish to thank all who contributed to their successful day. We also would like to advise the public that No. 105, Mrs J. E. Winstone, was the winner of the dinner. The Pyrex dish has not yet been drawn.

Successful Scout Appeal As a result of the street appeal conducted on behalf of Scout funds last Friday the sum of £4O was realised. Stalls on the Strand and at Kopeopeo did exceptionally sound business and the street appeal met with a generous response.

Medallions for Justices

The question of medallions for Justices of the Peace was again discussed at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Justices of-the Peace Association on Monday, and it was decided to write to the Federation of New Zealand Justices’ Associations pointing out that it was unreasonable that members of the association who had paid their fees had not yet received medallions.

Southland Remit Supported A decision to support a Southland remit, for consideration at the Dominion conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices’ Association next month, that the Government be urged to establish cottage homes for border line cases apart from the present system of mental hospitals, was reached at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Justices of the Peace Association at Tauranga last week.

Hawke’s Bay Artists’ Tour A concert party which is to tour the Dominion in the near future is •• to include two Napier artists. They are Miss Marie Gannaway, pianist, and her brother, Master Tom Gannaway, who is regarded as a violinist of considerable talent. Miss Renais Gage, Hastings, mezzo-sopra-no, will also travel on this tour. The object of the tour is to give opportunity for talented young New Zealanders to be presented to the public. Constitution to be Drafted A suggestion by'Mr. A. L. Baumgart that the incoming committee draft a constitution for submission to a general meeting, was supported at the annual meeting of the Otumoetai District Ratepayers’ Association on Monday evening. The chairman (Mr. N. Gibson) said he did not want to "oppose the motion,' but as ' one who had had much experience of boards and committees, constitu- * tions could be a stumbling block. Perhaps, he concluded, the association should have one. The motion was carried unanimously. Smallest Post Office Midway between Blenheim and Havelock on the main road leading to Nelson there is a little village called Okaramio. This little village claims that it has the smallest post office in the Southern Hemisphere. The size of the building is 9ft. by 12ft. The residents are proud of their P.O. In this tiny building one can transact business in the same way as at a large General Post Office. The postmistress is very efficient in her work, and is employed as a full-time officer. The small building is a great attraction to visitors.

Shearing Difficulties With heavy clips after a mild winter, and early sales returning good - pi'ices, Canterbury woolgrowers ex- -1 pected a profitable season, but they have been dogged, by a shortage of experienced shearers. The weather has spread the shearing season a little and this has given some relief. On some back-country stations, big flocks have had to be shorn by one man, and in many cases owners have had to leave other work to assist. One woolbroker said that a good number of elderly men, who had remained in shearing teams to meet war-time needs,, were now retiring. There were few young men offering to take their places. There was keen competition in paying substantially more than award rates to secure good men.