Local & General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 62, 4 August 1947, Page 4

Local & General

July Rainfall According to Edgecumbe measurements the rainfall for July totalled 8.63 inches for 15 rain days. The total for the year to date is 36.6 inches compared with 32.90 inches for the same. period last year. The figures for July 1946 were 5.80 inches and the average for the month over the past 12 years was 6.73 inches. In Whakatane 8.63 inches were recorded for the month.

Noxious Weeds

The New Zealand Counties’ Association, at its annual conference, endorsed an opinion that variegated thistle should be added to the list of noxious weeds in the first schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act. It was explained to the conference that the thistle was included in the second schedule, and might be classified, by special order, as a noxious weed in any area, by the local authority controlling the area.

Varieties Of Deer The number of different varieties of deer that were to be found in New Zealand was not generally realised, said Mr Harold Thomas, past district governor, in an address to the Hamilton Rotary Club. Mr Thomas said he had shot at least five different types of deer in New Zealand and there were even more. Deer stalking in the Dominion was unsurpassed anywhere else in the world, added Mr Thomas. .

Wellington Shipping Shipping and cargo statistics for the Port of Wellington for the nine months ended June, compared with the same period of the previous year, show a decrease in shipping arrivals and an increase in cargo handled. The manifest tonnage of cargo was 1,491,803 tons, an increase of 22,737 tons. Imports of British and foreign cargo increased by; 21,661 tons; exports to those countries decreased by 31,149 tons.

“Get On With It”

Writing to friends in Wellington, a resident of England says that the only word to describe the recent Wanganella situation is “fantastic.” “There has been some pretty straight talking to the miners here recently and it is proposed to prosecute unofficial strikers . in future. The powers that be say, in ‘You have been agitating for nationalisation for years, we’ve given it to you. What profit is made out of the mines, if any, does not go now: to benefit some mine-owner. Very well, then, get on with it’,” the writer concludes.

Shacks at Ohope An application from a prospective ratepayer at Ohope Beach for the right'to transfer a 13’ x 10’ bach to Ohope from Edgecumbe, was discussed by the County Council on Tuesday. The engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner, said that he . frequently had applications of this nature and would welcome a ruling from the Council. The housing position was acute but it was also a question of just how far permits could be allowed in order to avoid slum conditions. The matter was referred to the Clerk to investigate the conditions of granting a temporary permit where conditions warranted.

Flood Damage

With the exception of station Road Main Highway, little flood damage was done throughout the County during the recent heavy rain. Station Road was damaged to the extent of approximately £6OO but this will carry a subsidy of £3 to £l. Minor damage was done to Stanley, Herepuru, Te Teko-Gal-atea, Railway East, Grace’s, Paul’s Access Bridge (which had to be renewed) and Rotoma-Matata Main Highway, It has been reported that some damage had been done to the groyne on the river diversion at Waimana but the river had been too high to make a thorough inspection. (County Engineer’s report).