LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 17 July 1946, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Personal . • The friends of Mr. Jack Fieldnig will regret to learn that he is seriously ill at his home in Christchurch. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jepson left en route for Dunedin to-day to spend a fortnight's holiday with their daughter. Mrs. S. Bateun, wife of Wfm*an+ Offlcer N. R. Bateup, arrives at Wellington to-morrow by the Rangitiki. Mrs. Burns Smith, who has been visiting the Wairarapa and Wellington for the past six weeks, has returned to her home at Otaki. Fire Police It is seventeen years ago this month since the Otaki Fire Police corps was fonned in Otaki, and sixteen years since the All Blacks were in Otaki.

Otaki A.A. and C. Club It is now over fifteen vears since the Otaki Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club was formed. The convener was the late Mr. "Ted" Blake way. The opening road race was to Waikanae and back. Idle Excavator The reason why the Tower excavator installed ready for work on the Otaki River many months ago, has not so far been put into operation - has been given by the Minister of- Works (Hon. R. Semple ) . He has told the catchment board authorities that tne excavator — one of the two imported from the United States — was never intended to operate from power lines, but was to supply its own power from diesel engines. These did not arrive in New Zealand with the main plant, but sre now on their way here. Widespread public interest has been aroused in the continued inactivity of these giant exeavators, whose arrival in the country was announced with a grand flourish by Mr. Semple, together with dazzling pfophesies of their tremendous capabilities.