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Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 2

At the Acclimatisation Society’s meeting on Monday evening there was an interesting exchange of views on the subject of whitebait. Reports are general all over New Zealand where the little fish have had a habitat, that they are diminishing and tho Southland Society suggested that every other year should be a close season in order to prevent netting, and so assist the j fish to increase. Since it has been possible to preserve the fish and send them away to a market, the increase in netting has been very great, and naturally great inroads have been mado on tho stocks. The local opinion expressed seemed to point to the fact that the netting only was not the cause of the diminishing quantify. One gentleman related an experience with a shoal of liapuka, whereof several were caught, and all were found to be full of fresh whitebait. There is no doubt that the larger fish of both the ocean and the rivers prey upon the whitebait for feed. It seems certain also that the little fish are longer in the ocean than in the rivers, and that it is mainly at sea where the greatest loss of the young fish would result. It was pointed out, also, that though the last season was a very bare one, the previous year had been a record, and it was too soon to jump to hasty conclusions. The matter required looking into thoroughly. As some measure of safeguard th© view was put forward that it would l)C preferable to limit the season, rather than close it. To this end a suggestion was made that the open e atehing period should be for, say, six weeks, beginning about the Ist October in each year. The six weeks following would cover tho more prolific portion of the catching season, while a sanctuary period before and after would give tho fish the opportunity to increase. Some arrangement of this nature seems a fair proposition and could be given a trial. Total prohibition would lead to a lot of breaches of the law, and in any case, the run of fish vary from year to year, and a good season might be a close one, and a bad season an open one. That would destroy the trade which has been built up and would not be dtsirable. No doubt the Department will weigh its action carefully and attempt to do what is considered best in the matter.

New Zealand at considerable expense maintains tourist bureaux at Sydney and Melbourne. A recent visitor from Sydney informs us that before setting out for his trip to New Zealand, ho enquired at the bureau as to the cost of fares to Waiho Glacier. The officer in charge to the amazement to the visitor did not know the whereabouts of the Glacier! It seems incredible that tho position should be so, but tlie visitor a reputable resident of Sydney, vouches for the statement. There is something wrong surely when the officers sent abroad know so little of the geography of the country they represent. Another matter mentioned to us was the small number o New Zealand newspapers filed at the bureaux. Even all the cities were not represented by their newspapers and in this respect certain provincial visitors sought in vain for home news. These complaints suggest that the bureaux are not being run as satisfactorily as they might, and if callers cannot get the information they seek, the value of such expensively run offices is negligible.

Members of the Hibernian Lodge are reminded of their half yearly meeting to-morrow night. A full attendance is desired. It was stated at the meeting of the Westland Hospital Board on Monday evening that the amount expended on capital account during the present year amounted to over £2,300. A sitting of the Magistrate’s and Warden’s Courts takes place to-morrow morniyg. This includes a sitting of the Juvenile Court, at which, quite a large number of young people will appear on various charges. A very smart lot of Jersey jumpers, American crepe de chine jumpers, also pinafore blouses suitable for the holidays are creating a great demand at Schroder and Co’b; who also stock a fine range of ladies’ hose, and silk un-donvcnr^-Advb’.

The death occurred at Spreydon last Watch the A. and A. Stores add in week of Mr Benjamin Rhodes a well- Thursday, Friday and Saturday. An known resident of the West Coast, who important announcement will then be _ resided' for many years at Blackwafer made in reference to sugar supplies.. ; and then at Reefton. | a euchre tournament and dance will The monthly meeting of the Westland \ held in the Woodstock Sohoolroom Progress League, convened for last this evening in aid of e es tUI ! evening, was adjourned for a week, and Memorial for Fallen Soldiers. Four , will meet next. Tuesday night at 7.30 ■ good prizes will be given. _ Admission to ( o’clock at the County Chambers. euchre Is, dance ls.-Advt,

The “ Lyttelton Times ” states: “ Dr Tcielielmnnn, of Hokitika, one of New Zealand’s leading Alpine authorities, will describe Westland’s scenic glories, at a lecture in the Chamber of Commerce Hall, on Wednesday evening, January 18th.”

The death took place at Auckland on Saturday of Mr David B. Young, aged 82 years. Deceased liad resided in Westport for 16 years and had been connected with mining interests 'in Reefton, where he resided for nearly 30 years.

We call the general public’s attention to an important announcement by the A. and A. Stores to be inserted

in our advertising columns to-morrow. All those people desirous of securing sugar for the jam season are advised to watch our columns during the next few days.

sugar for the jam season are advised to watch our columns during the next few days. A telegram lias been received stating the whole of the West Coast orders for sugar have been shipped from Auckland by the Waimea, which is due at Greymouth before the end of the month. The shipment is the largest shipped to the West Coast for the last twenty years and totals 150 tons. Notifications of infectious diseases received at the Health Office Christchurch for the week ending Monday at noon are:—lnangahua, scarlet fever one, diphtheria two. North Canterbury, scarlet fever one, diphtheria two, tuberculosis eight, pneumonia two, varicella, seven. Ashburton: scarlet fever one, : tuberculosis three. South Canterbury, varicella one. Other districts nil. | Total 28. ! rnf: ..4-,. fnnm osxii +Vi in/iillllf,

A dance and presentation will be held in the Foresters’ Hall, Kumara on Friday evening next tendered to the Misses Burger, who are shortly leaving Kumara to take up their iesidence in Christchurch.

The reports from south indicate that the volume of tourist traffic this year is much above the average. The same applies to the steady stream of visitors to Lake Kanieri this season. Slowly, but surely, the attractions of the district are becoming more widely known, and in a year’s time when there ' ih through railway communication the invasion of Westland will be by a very large army of tourists, sight seers and holiday makers.

Mr Vernon Southerly ,of Nelson, was married at St Patrick’s Church Greymouth yesterday morning to Miss Margaret Agnes O’Donnell, of Brunnertcin. The bridesmaid was Miss Mary O’Doiinel, sister ofl the bride. Mir J. C. Harrison acted #s best man. After tli© ceremony at which the Rev. Father Shore 'officiated, a wedding breakfast was held at Everybody’s tea. rooms, which were tastefully decorated for the occasion. Both bride and groom are members of the teaching profession. Three residents of the Dominion, two women and a boy, have won between them '£ll,ooo representing two first prjzes ctf £SOOO each- and one of £IOOO in an Australian sweep (states the Auckland Star. One of the larger prizes mentioned, less charges, etc., comes! to a lad! named Caddy who is employed in the telegraph engineer’s office at the Auckland G.P.O. Tho other goes to a female resident of Riverton, while the £IOOO “divvy” is the property of a Wellsford resident. PostOffice officials state that the sum of £2,000,000 leaves the Dominion annually for investment in foreign lotteries.

At the Police Court at Auckland, states a Press Association telegram, Harold King, who previously admitted vagrancy, pleaded guilty to having in his possession counterfeit coins with intention of uttering them. A detectivo stated that accused had also a doublelieaded and double-tailed coins, n kip and dice, of which some were not true. He was committed for sentence. A fine cf 20s on each of two charges of loitering in the street for the purpose ol betting was imposed on Thomas Hoik;, aged fifty.

Mr Seddon, M.P., telegraphs, from Wellington as follows:—“ Mr Markham, Assistant Secretary to the General Post Office, will visit Hokitika on Wednesday, 25tli inst. The public who desire to present postal or telegraph matters to Mr Markham should take advantage of the visit.” In connection with the foregoing, the Hon. Sec. of the Westland Chamber of Commerce will be glad to arrange for any interviews which settlers in the country, or residents of the town, desire to make. Any matters forwarded in writing to the Chamber will be represented to the official on behalf of residents in the country who may not be able to attend.

The Christchurch “ Press” states:— Rats—at least, sonic rats—have peculiar tastes. The assistants of the Public Library, who are in the habit of placing vases of flowers on tho tables, noticed recently that all the carnations placed in the vases, to the number of twenty or thirty, disappeared during the night. No flowers of any other variety were touched. The City Council’s rat campaign supplying the necessary stimulus, oiie of the staff suggested that a rat might be the cause of the disappearances, though no reasons for its partiality for carnations were advanced. A trap was set with a carnation as bait, and the brainy device met with welldeserved reward—the capture of a large black rat. The carnations may have been selected as being particularly suitable for nesting purposes, but that no other flowers at all should he touched is certainly peculiar.

One of the prettiest sights in a restrained way on Lake lanthe, South Westland, is supplied by the little white-eyes, states Mr James Drummond writing in the “ Lyttelton Times.’' W a person rows round the lake, be probably will come to a temporary stop in bull-rushes, which, in place, grow out of the water, several chains Irom the shore. A slight twittering chorus is heard in the air. A second later, a flock of white-eyes appear. They flv down towards the surface of the water, and become busy amongst the reeds, on which, apparently, they find some kind of insect food. They twist and turn on the bending stems, sometimes actually turning upside-down, like an acrobat. Their minds seem to work in harmony, as all of them, on a signal imperceptible to any onlooker, suddenly leave their business, twitter louder than before, and fly in a flock for the forests on tlie shore. Some of them seem to enjoy the gentle swaying motions of the reeds, set going by the force of their alighting. Several cling head downwards while the stems bend and dip to the water. The whiteeyes then go under for a few seconds, splattering with their wings, and seek other stems, on which they go through the same performance.

The question of the stringency of the Government finance caused a discussion at the County Council meeting yesterday. Mr Jeffries said it was no good not recognising the fact that the Government was bankrupt, and therefore what other reply, but a refusal did they expect from their repeated requests for grants. The Chairman in agreeing on the financial stringency, said it was their duty to continue their agitation for expenditure on very urgent works. He instanced that the bridging of the Waitangi was a very urgent matter in spite of the reply received that day from the Minister of Public Works to the contrary and instanced an experience he had in that stream. Mr Ritchie endorsed the necessity of the work and instanced several other South Westland works which had been held up for a long time past, till he had got weary of expecting these necessary works to be carried out. Mr Chinn made an emphatic protest against the misrepresentation of the Resident Engineer on the Waitangi river not being dangerous one. This river was a soft-bottomed river and with the slightest fresh the stream was unfordable and traffic across was being continually held up. Re spoke from a personal experience. It was the only river now that would hold up traffic between Ross and Waiho. The Minister bad undoubtedly been wrongly advised on the subject. The ,Council ultimately resolved to make further representation to the Minister pointing out that apparently some misconception had arisen over the river in question, which was continually holding up travellers, and the bridging of the stream was a most urgent work.

The old order changeth! Our oldstyle washing day is no more—“NO RUBBING” i» here ! There’s the reason; 1 packet, does 7 washings perfectly.—Advt.

Write to John Glasson and Co., Cashel Street, Christchurch and they will supply - you full particuars of your requirements. Every and any article stocked and customers get the full advantage of dealing direct with the manufacturers. A post card will bring a prompt reply by next mail.—Advt.

This Christmas we are again to the for© with best value in men’s and boys’ suits’ bats and ties, now at lower prices. Choice lot of carpet runners from 4s 6d upwards, carpet squares linoleums, hearth rugs and curtains can also be found at Schroders. Trimmed hats and ready to wears, the best selection at reduced prices. Inspection cordially invited. -Advt'.

Babies, growing children and invalids who suffer from stomach troubles will find relief in SHART.AND’S FLUID MAGNESIA. Larger bottle lower price A sure and pleasant specs ”c for removing Worms is WADE’S WORM FIGS. | Recommended bv the medical pro fusion -WOLFF’S SFFTVtPpS All the best cooks say SHARLAND’S is the best Baking Powder. It is cheapest, *OO. Ask your grocer.

We are making a special showing of bedroom suites of reliable quality at quite low prices. You will be wc.come to inspect them at any time without being bothered to buy, and \\e think their tasteful styles and good value will appeal to you. Our spare bedroom suite, comprising wardrobe with leadlight, duchess© chest with bevel mirror, bedroom pedestal and double size wooden bedstead is supplied, delivered at Hokitika for £l6 10s. All our furniture is made in our own factory and we guarantee our workmanship. Correspondence is invited and quotations given for any furniture and furnishings. Harley and Coy., Ltd., complete house furnishers, Greymouth. —Advt.