LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4585, 11 July 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On our first page to-day the Farmers’ Union Trading Co., Ltd., announces its great mid-winter sale, which is now on. This sale is to continue for two weeks, and those in search of some real bargains should not fail to give the store a visit* The secretary reported to the Otago Education Board that during the year ended February 28 last the school committees in Otago raised locally £4383 2s 9d (states the “Otago Daily Times”). Of that, sum £2479 19s 9d was expended on prizes and picnics (objects tor which the board’s grants may not be used), leaving £1603 2s 9d tvailable for expenditure on ordinary school purposes. The chairman : “Who says school committees are of no use ?” (Hear, hear.) It was decided to send a copy of the return to the Education Department. Tor Children’s Hacking Cough, Wopds’ Great Peppermint Cure.

New Zealand’s population’on March 31 .‘last was 1,325,301 (including Maoris). Of the whites there were 648,545 males and 623,196 females.

The dairy cows in New Zealand number 1,238,891, cattle 3»475,449; horses 331,922, sheep 22/928,864, and pigs 396,648. All the figures show an increase over last year’s, sheep increasing by over 700,0'00.

In replying to an inquiry by Mr H. Poland, M.P., as to the probable dale of opening lands in the vicinity of Kerepeehi (the Minister of Lands states that there is an area of 2200 acres, comprising 44 sections, of rich alluvial land which is in course pf preparation. Protection works and the metalling of the roads are under construction. He adds that, it is deemed inadvisable to open this land for selection until twelve months time, j..s ifhe reduction of flood level of the river has to be carried out, and works in this connection are being pushed ahead. These new sections should considerably enhance the importance of Kerepeehi township.

Councillor C. W. Harris, representing the Hauraki Plains County Council, and with Messrs J. F. Mayn and T. McLoughlin, of Patetonga, will leave Thames on Monday for Wellington. where they will confer with the Minister of Lands in regard to drainage matters concerning parts pf the Plains. They will urge the early completion of the Maukoro canal, which,, at the present, rate of progress, will take forty years to complete. In the meantime areas around Patetonga are being constantly flooded, settlers are being driven off their sections, farm lands are deteriorating, the opening up of big areas of land is be-, ing delayed, and county, roads are suffering. Cr. Harris will also deal with several other matters affecting the county.'

“I’d sooner do three weeks on the hill,” said a gentleman who was recently proposed as chairman of the West End (New Plymouth) Bowling Club. Four gentlemen weie nominated for the position, but all declined,, and a deadlock seemed likely. At last (relates the “Taranaki Daily News”) a compromise was reached by placing all four names in a hat and drawing for a president. By a strange trick of fate i;he name of the gentleman who had declared his preference for durance vile was drawn and he was duly declared elected, amidst congratulations.

A New Zealand restaurant at the New Zealand Court in the Empire Exhibition was the topic of discussion at the last meeting pf the Wairarapa executive of the Farmers’ Union (states the Wairarapa Daily News). Mr W. A. lorns stated that, the proposal was to establish a restaurant, the menu to comprise m.-thing but New Zealand food. Afternoon tea, bread baked with New Zealand flouix and cheese and butter would, be served. A member : “Grilled chops, too.” Continuing, Mr lorns said all the branches were being asked to support the proposal and to meet the expense it was proposed to strike a levy of 2s per ton on butter and Is per ton op. cheese. Mr W. B. Matheson advocated New Zealand goods being introduced into the general restaurants and being labelled as such. Mr lorns said it was the duty of the High Commissioner to see to that part of the scheme. They could not force it ? but he would like to see Mr Massey get the High Commissioner to push for New Zealand food where possible. The proposal was unanimously adopted.