THE Hauraki Plain Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1924. LOCAL OD GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4659, 8 February 1924, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plain Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1924. LOCAL OD GENERAL.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinemnttri County Council, on the motion of Cr. Johnstone, seconded by Cr. Morgan, it was resolved to take a poll of all ratepayers as to, the advisability of adopting the system of rating on the unimproved value instead of on the capital value, as at present.

Misses C. Hamilton and L. M. Byrne have been appointed pupil teachers at the Paeroa District High School.

An advei’tisement in this issue notifies tliat the Waikato Central A. and P. Association is holding a monster Birthday Show.at Cambridge. Entries close cn February 13.*

At yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinernuri County Council it was stated that daring the year ending December 1923, 517 cases of explosives were received at the Paeroa magazine, and 470 cases were issued. The fees collected totalled £29 13s sd. Covering the same period, there were 698 cows, 344 steers and heifers, 1719 sheep, 282 lambs, 21 calves, and 122 pigs slaughtered at the local abattoirs. The revenue received amounted to £653 Ils 9d. including sustenance fees of £62 2s 6d.

The Auckland Annivcrsay Regatta on the Waitemata is depicted in a series of delightful views in this week’s issue of the N.Z. Sporting and Dramatic Review, showing competitors moving up into position and indicating the number of yachts and launches in operation in Auckland. Another interesting aquatic event dealt with is the Sanders Memorial Cup Race op Wellington Harbour. In another section the sculling race on the Auckland harbour for the Australasian sculling championship is illustrated, and speical attention is given the swimming carnival recently held in Wanganui. Racing is well represnted by scenes at the Takapuna Jockey Club’s meeting and the Well? ington Racing Club’s summer carnival.

During the month of January &8 cows, 26 steers and heifers, 134 sheep, 28 lambs, 2 calves, and 5 pigs were slaughtered at the local abattoirs, the fees collected totalling £5l 13s 3d.

Some little time ago the Thames Valley Power Board obtained a piece of pole from the Waitoa area that was insect infected, and lorwarued it to tiic Government laboratory for a bacteriological examination and report as to the cause of decay, with a view to taking -steps to pi event the pest from spreading. At yesterday’s meeting of the board intimation was received tiial the sample of timber had not been received at the laboratory. Apparently the timber had gone astray in transit, and the matter is to be taken up with the Railway Department.

The remaining witnesses, including Constable H. J. Olsen, of Waihi, leave to-morrow to give evidence at the Auckland Supreme Court in connection with the charge against John Christopher Higgins of having murdered two schoolboys at Waikino -on Friday. October 19. The hearing of the case will commence on Monday next, and it will De contended by counsel for the defence (Mr Sullivan) that accused was insane at the time the shooting took place. It is stated that somewhat sensational evidence is likely to be given by Mrs Higgins relating to certain conditions, obtaining in her home at Waitawheta for some considerable time prior to the tragedy.

The churchmen of St. Paul’s Churc i he’d a social evening in the Parish Hall last night, cards and othergames being played . After supper an interesting hour was spent discussing ways and means, and the form a war memorial tp the men of the parish should take. After much discussion it was decided, that the vestry should be recommended to consider the advisability of raising funds for the purpose of building a chancel an J sanctuary on to the existing nave of the church, the chancel and sanctuary to be built of permanent materials, and in such a manner as permit of a new nave being added at some future date. The vestry have undertaken to go into the matter and collect data and plans for the suggested additions and submit them to a general meeting of parishioners to be held later in the month.