Local.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 13 November 1914, Page 2

Local.

Mr Pepene Eketone, it is stated on good authority, will oppose the Hon. Dr. Pomare at the forthcoming general election. Shags are reported to be very numerous, and unless a vigorous crusade against them is organised, they will account for large numbers of trout. The drought is having a disastrous effect on crops and herbage. Everything in the way .of feed is becoming brown and parched looking. On the other hand, the weather is excellent for sheepshearing, and the clips are being sent off to market without delay so that the advancing prices may be obtained. The followng is the result of the election of members of the Waikato County Council : Whangamarino Riding,A.A. Ross, 121 votes ;J. G. Brown, 78. The following were returned unopposed : - Huntly Riding. J. P. Bailey ; Kirikiriroa, R. F. Bollard, Thomas Paterson, and Jas. Primrose; Tamahere Riding: Thomas Clarkin ; Cambridge Riding, Win. Newell. The fishing season, which opened most auspiciously,has been more successful than that of previous. In every part of the river fish appear to be numerous, and at Mercer and further north their presence, as seen by the residents, show that they aremore numerous than they have been since the big flood. In the Huntly District Mr A. Crowder has topped the list .with seventeen trout. Messrs Hincho and Starr being close up to that number. Feed appears to be less plentiful than in previous years, and the “speckled beauties” lake tho lure more readily. Some of the fish taken are of the ‘slab’ order, are weak and in very poor condition. All who have been fishing in this district have satisfactory results to report, Between 3 and 4 o’clock on Monday morning the resid3nts of Huntly were awakened by the sound of what appeared to be big guns being tire I towards the north-west of the town. la regular succession s >ine 36 shots were heard, and it was conjectured that the German fleet had paid a stealthy visit to the Dominion and were shelling the coast. A few residents, roused from their slumbers, endeavoured to discover the source of the shots, but not until later in the day was it discovered that the natives were exploding charges of dynamite and other explosives in honour of the second anniversary of “ King ” Te Rata’s accession to the throne and the demise of the late Mahuta. In these times when all thought is concentrated on the war, it was naturally conjectured that the enemy was in the neighbourhood, and the relief experienced when it was found that a “royal” salute was the occasion of the consternation may be betteer imagined that described. At the same time, it would be better if the natives would give notice of their intention to fire these royal ’ salutes, and in that way allow p.’ pio to keep to their beds instead of causing them to wander round in the endeavour to discover the reason for such unwonted sounds.