GALATEA NEWS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 12, 31 March 1947, Page 5

GALATEA NEWS

WELCOME RAIN FALLS PROGRESS OF DISTRICT The many weeks of fine weather came to an end on Friday when rain fell for a few hours. Although the weather cleared on the Saturday rain again commenced to fall on the Sunday evening. A good downpour is needed by both farmer and householder. In some cases wells which have served in the past years have become dry this year and those dependant upon tank supply have been carting water for some time. If the rain continues to fall for some days it will assist in easing the worries of the Forest fire watching department as well as farmers.

Petrol Consumption Each day we see passing through the district, usually in clouds of dust, numerous logging waggons and timber trucks. An estimate of the petrol used by this class of vehicle per day has been worked out at 545 gallons. This is computed on vehicles operating from Ruatahuna, Te Whaiti and Minginui mills to both Whakatane and Rotorua.

Game in Abundance

During the past week or so pheasants have been noticed in abundance in various parts of the district and even by motorists along the roads. In some stretches of the rivers ducks to are plentiful and if the present inications are any criterion the next shooting season should provide good sport.

Football

With the cricket season not yet closed but well advanced some of the football clubs in the district are calling their general meetings towards the end of this month. Galatea Football Club being the premier in calling theirs for the 26th. Te Whaiti has also called theirs for the same date. The Galatea Rugby SubUnion’s general meeting will be held early next month. If patrons of the sport are treated to some of the brilliant displays of last year gate receipts for the forthcoming season will be high. Dr. North’s First Visit Murupara and Galatea patients had their first opportunity of visiting the district’s resident Doctor last Thursday when he was in attendance at the District Nurse’s cottage at 9 a.m. and from 1 p.m. at Galatea. N.Z. National Party The annual general meeting of the local branch of the New Zealand National Party is to be held in its usual place on April 18. Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., has been invited to attend. According to the local branch secretary a full meeting is anticipated. Electricity Shortage The moans and groans of our city dwellers at the recent curtailment of electric power makes us wonder just what they would do if like many other new inhabitants they were asked to completely do without this vital necessity. No eletric lights to illuminate the house by the flick of a switch —no electric stoves, toasters, radiators, washing machines, sewing machines etc. to provide and make easy the daily routine of the house. Would they complain still more loudly if they had to depend on the one and only means of cooking and as for light, at the best a local generating plant which usually has to be nursed so that all the lights are not on at once thereby running down the battery, or if not so fortunate, at the best a benzine lamp and at the worst a candle to provide illumination. The country dwellers live in a blackout far more real than the' WSiytime blackout of the city. No street lights guide them in the early hours of the morn towards their milking sheds. Neither have they electricity to power their milking machines. (Perhaps they are lucky in that respect). The cheery community still carry on . . . Production must go on.