Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1932, Page 4

Of tbe many war memorials in New Zealand, one of the most useful and striking in the utility clas-s, is Flock House in the North Island. Flock House was established some eight or nine years, ago by contributions from wool growers who had been able during the war peiiod to get their commodity to market. At the . outset Flock House was established for the benefit of the sons of British sailors who were selected at Home, and brought out in batches for experience and training as farmers. Probably some five hundred or so young lads passed through Flock House which sits in an area of nearly nine thousand acres. All kinds of farming, together with the handling of stock, crops, etc., are taught the students by capable instructors. The farm has been

run on exemplary lines and the achievement has been very gratifying. The supply of young trainees from Home is now exhausted, and it has been decided to extend the scope of Eiitek House. To that end, a conference of patriotic organisations was held recently tit Palmerston North, and it was resolved now to admit eligible lads of New Zealand sons of ex-soldiers, The local branch of the Returned (Soldiers’ Association was represented at the conference referred to, and it has been decided to endeavour to send at least one trainee from this district. The cost of the Branch will be in the region of £SO, covering a full course of instruction at fann operations. Provision is made for about 70 trainees to be in occupation at onc-e, and excellent discipline is maintained. The lads are taken from between 14J to 16? years, and should have passed the fifth or sixth standard. The farm is under expert management and has a well equipped staff, including a capable nurse in case of sickness, while medical attention is also given if necessary. All trainees must pass a medical test before entry, and must conform to the rules of tbe institution. Quite a satisfactory system has been, established for the control of the lads who have plenty of opportunity for recreation. After training, posts will be open on farms for the lads to continue their experience. The course appears to supply an excellent training ground for promising lads who are given a good start at farming possibilities. The lad or lads chosen from •here will be indeed fo tunate to have such a. good opening for a practical start in life.

For the week ended Saturday, March 5, the freight railed through the Otira Tunnel amounted to 9,482 tons, compared with 9,299 in the corresponding week of 1931, and 14,345 tons in 1930.

A quinnat salmon about- five inches long was caught in the Wanganui River near Taumaranui by Mr A. Saddler, a local fisherman. The first was forwarded to the Marine Department, which certified that it was a two-year-old quinnat. This is the first time that a quinnet has been caught in the Wanganui River.

The latest schoolboy “howler” comes from a primary school in the Auckland suburbs. In answer to the question as to why Captain Cook went to the island of Tahiti, a boy said that; the famous explorer wanted to find ; the goddess Venus. Had he said that Cook visited the island to observe the transit of the planet Venue he would have been awarded full marks, j •

The Lake Kanieri Boat Club held a three race regatta on the lake during the week-end. The weather was perfect. Five boats competed, and the close finishes reflected credit on the

work of the handicapper, Mr Turner. Points were awarded in each race,

the boat having the highest aggregate winning. Mr F. Andrews with his boat Doubtful Moments secured first aicu ms son Jack was second with Happy Moments.

In connection' with the presentation to be made'to Mr J. J, Breeze on the 16th of this month in recognition of; his fifty years’ service to tlie town, those persons desirous of subscribing to tlie fund are requested to hand in same as early as possible to those appointed to act as receivers in the several districts, or to the Chairman of the movement Mr IV. Jeffries, or Secretary, Mr T. W.Bruce.

A large crowd witnessed Pilot Officer J. S'. Fraser’s exhibition parachute jumps .at the Wigram Aerodrome on Sunday afternoon. Pilot Officer Fraser jumped twice from about 1500 feet, on the .second occasion falling for quite a distance before opening the parachute. Each jump was successful, and he landed near the aerodrome both times to ’the great delight of the crowd. The proceeds of a collection are to go towards a stone for the grave, of Lieutenant Qviller, who wa s killed when his parachute failed to open at Oamaru last year.

On Saturday night members of the Wqitaki County Council returned to Oamaru after a tour of the Upper Waitaki lakes districts. They covered a distance of over 500 miles in four days, gaining first-hand information as to the needs of back-country settlors. They adjusted, through meeting in conference the Mackenzie Ctmiitry Couiicillers, the question of contribution to the upkeep of roads. The trip ended-with a stay at the Hermitage, where the councillors were the guests of Mr R. L. Wigley.

Mr J. E. Strachan, leader of the ilefegiation from the New Zealand branch to fthe recent conference in Shanghai of the Institute of Pacific Relations, stated on Saturday evening at a meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association 'that the delegates nf Australia and other countries -to the conference had been also representatives or trade eommiss'oners with official status. Shanghai was a city of three million inhabitants, trading’ with an 'area of 180 million population, yet Ne« r Zealand had missed the opportunity, which other Pacific countries had been quick to seize, of combining business with international relations.

A suggestion that matriculation papers should lie returned to the candidates after marking was made to the meeting of the Napier Secondary Education Board by Air T. McCarthy, who stated that parents had to £2 for their children to enter the exam ination, ana lie considered that they were entitled to see the result of their children’s efforts. The chairman expressed the opinion that the average parent would not know whether the paper was well done or not unless he had something with vlnch to compare jt. Tt 1 was one of the rules that no paper would be returned, and the board, if it suggested it, would be up against a big proposition.

Among recent visitors to the Southern glaciers were Sir IV illiam Ellis, a prominent English business man, and Lady Ellis, who are spending some little time in the Dominion. They passed through Hokitika last Thursday eu route for toe 1' ranz Jo s ef and Eox Glaciers, returning from Wailio on Monday, and continuing their journey yesterday bv the Coast road to Westport, Nelson and Pictou, and thence to Wellington. They wore favoured with ideal weather for their sojourn in South Westland, and Sir William, who is an experienced mountaineer, being a prominent member of the English Alpine Club, was charmed with the wealth and beauty of the scenery, .particularly the attractiveness of the country to be observed along the route. Faded, lack-lustre hair, restored to gleaming beauty by using Rachel Hair Tonic. Re-vitnlises roots. IV. E. Williams, Chemist.—Adrt. Clean your teeth with T-o-dent, which leaves a sp-rkling. refreshing aitei’--tieite. Id 6d. W. E. Williams, Chemist.—Advt. Patrons are nr.i died that cream mnv now be purchased as usual in any quantity a* the Westland Dairy Factory.—Advt-

An increase of three cases of infectious and other notifiable diseases was rev.oiueu m tne Canterbury and West - Coast health districts during the week ended noon on Monday, as compared with the previous week, 'l .ie total was 21, as follows: —Canterbury: Scarlet fever, 8; diphtheria, 1; enteric fever, l; tuberculosis, 2; infantile paralysis, 4 ; pneumonic .influenza, 1 ; food poisoning, 1. West Coast: Food poisoning, 1. Deaths were: One from pneumonic influenza in the Canterbury district, and one from food poisoning in the West Coast district. The fortnighlty stock sale was held at the Grey mo uth Abattoir yarns yesterday, when the yarding of 45 fat cattle and runners, 250 fat sheep and \ lambs were submitted. There was the usual attendance of butchers and farmers and practically tne whole of the yarding was disposed of at satisfactory prices. Beef realised from 20s to 23s per. hundred according to quality. The extra prime consignment of runners was entered on account of Mr John McGregor, Waitaha. The following is a list of the principal sales: —Vealers from £1 9s to £2 I4s, runners £3 3s to £4 2s 6d, iat heifers £5 15s to £6 15s, fat bullocks £5 10s to £8 10s, according to weight and quality. Fat ewes 12s to 14s, f;.t wethers 12s to 14s 6d, 2,4, 6, and 8tooth breeding ewes 12s to 12s 6d. Fat lambs 11s 6d to 12s 6d per head. _

Reporting to the Grey Harbor Board) Board, for the month of February the Harbour Master, Captain F. W. Cox stated: During the month the bar has maintained a very good average depth and the .weather has been favourable for shipping movements. The depth? of the bar for February were: Springs, February 7th 28ft 3in, river 22ft 3in; 4 ebruaiy 23id, bar 28ft 6in, river 23ft Gin; neaps, February Ist, bar 24ft 3in, river 21ft 3in; February 15th, bar 26ft iin, river 20ft 1 in. Month’s mean average. —Bar 23ft Gin, river 21ft 9in. The rainfall for February.was 6.il inches, which fell on twelve days. The shipping returns for the month were: Inward 22 steamers 14,197 tons, outward 22 steamers, 13,484 tons. The tides have not been favourable for placing the dredge on the “hard” so her survey has not bean completed. The dredge night-watchman resumed duty on January 18th, after his holidays and I also took up my duties yesterday. The ordinary routine duties have been regularly attended to and satisfactorily carried out. The report was, read and adopted. ■

At the address below, skilled and fashionable hairdressing is a speciality. The most up-to-date equipment for hair waving, shampooing, and other treatments has been installed, and your most exacting requirements have been catered for. Miss' Ziila Stephens, Revel! Street.— Advt.