LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1946, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Small Boy Killed Peter John Hays, aged 6£ years, was struck by a car on the Blackball main highway at 1 o'clock yesterday and died a few moments later. The car was driven by Rev. Brettell, Presbyterian Minister. Bing! '■References have been made to the crooners," said Mr. T. P. Paikea (Northerh Maori) in the House of Representatives during consideration of.the Broadcasting Estimates. "I think I would sooner listen to some of the crooners than to some of the groaners we get here." (Loud laughtef ) . Maori Land Claims on Saturday announced the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon claims preferred by Maoris touching certain lands known as surplus lands of the Crown. The commissioners are Sir Michael Myers, Mr. Hanare T. Reedy, of Ruatoria, and Mr. A. M. Samuel, of Auckland. Penny Postage "Has the time not arrived when we can go back to penny postage?" asked Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) in the House of Representatives, when the Post and Telegraph Department's Estimates were under consideration. Mr. Murdoch pointed out that the Department made a handsome profit, and a reduction of a penny in the postage rates would be most acceptable. Fire at Ohingaiti The Royal Hotel at Ohingaiti, a two-storey wooden buildine-. was destroyed by fire on Friday, The flames spread rapidly through the building allowing little time for the removal of guests' personal effects and of furniture. The Hunterville Fire Brigade made an 11-mile dash to' the fire, but the building was practically destroyed when it arrived. There was no town water supply and onlookers were helpless. Shoe Leather Mr. W. J. Polson (Stratford) discussing in Parliament on Saturday the item embracing leather research, said there had been constant complaints about inferior sole leather which was used in boot and shoe repairs. Hon. D. G. Sullivan said the Leather Research Association had been operatirig in New Zealand for the last 12 years and its work was highly appreciated in the United Kingdom. There had been a tremendous demand for leather during the war with the result that tanning was not as good as it might be. . . - , . Cow Mothers 27 Calves Friday last was the 30th birthday of Barbara, a cow belonging to Mr. S. P. Miller, Hikimumu, Taranaki. Barbara has reached an age very rarely attained by her kind. most of whom die at about 18 oi 19 years, and though record claims are sometimes made by farmers. this is one of the few cases in which the date of birth definitely can be authenticated. Barbara has achieved something of a record in the 27 calves she has produced in hei lifetime. Extensive research by the stock inspector of the Department of Agriculture at Taumarunui, Mr. F. G. -Price, has failed to reveal a trace of any other cow that has produced more than 25 calves. Washed Up By Sea A possible clue to a missing R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft was recently discovered at Ohawe Beach near Hawera when Mr. F. J. Crossley found a complete aircraft tyre and tube. These had obviously been in the water for a lengthy period, possibly three or four years, the tube being slightly perished near the valve. The tyre is of the type used on Oxford aircraft, its condition indicating that it could be part of the wreckage of one or two aircraft missing since January, 1,942, when in a week two Oxfords went missing from Ohakea on training flights. The first aircraft contained L.A.C.'s Abrahams and Corin, of Auckland, the other containing . L.A.C.'s McKenzie, of Christchurch, and Villers, of Stratford. These aircraft were believed to be missing on the South Taranaki coast. The matter has been r.eferred to the Air Department and offlcial inquiries are being instituted. A meeting of the committee of the Levin Horticultural Society will be held in the bandroom tomofrow at 2 p.m. to make arrangements for the summer show on November 19, \ -