HIKUTAIA NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4664, 20 February 1924, Page 3

HIKUTAIA NEWS.

MINING. Obing io the scarcity of water it seemed likely that the Maratoto mines would close down. Fortunately, the copious rains of Friday and Sunday rendered this drastic step unnecessary. CHEESE FACTORY. The supply of milk to the cheese fae ory at Hikutaia has decreased considerably, about half the amount tha. was delivered during the flush of the season being dealt with now. ’ It is expected that the late rains, will retard for a time a much further decrease. CROQUET. Several Thames ladies joined with the local croquet players and indulged in several games which all appeared to enjoy greatly. The friendly game did much to give the tyros an insight into the finer points of Hie game. THE CREEK WATER. Hitherto the water of the Hikutaia creek has been accounted quite pure, so that the statement that it was the opposite came as a shock and a suiprise. '• he impurity is said to be caused by Natives, who make it a sewer and a garbage disposer. A sample has been taken by a chemist, who, on account of complaints made by certain residents, intends to subject the water to a chemical analysis. The local acclimatisation society, no doubt, will take the matter up and see to it that further wilful contamination is stopped. As this water is used at the cheese factory and for domestic purposes a pure supply is important, and the evil of contamination obvious. THE WEATHER. Very welcome rain fell on Friday and again on Sunday night, the rainfall being heavy and of some hours’ duration. For the two days the total amounted to 3.1 inches. It was badly needed, as the tanks were becoming dry and the country parched. The greener tinge now apparent testifies to the useful nature of the fall. The weather is still humid, with every appearance of further rain. SOCIAL. A committee of tennis players is unking arrangements for a social to be held in the hall on Saturday night. The music will be supplied by a firstclass orchestra from Hamilton, while no effort will be spared to make the function a huge success. TELEPHONE SERVICE. The work of erecting the poles and fixing the wires for the proposed telephone service is proceeding apace, so that the service will be ready in a fe.w weeks, PERSONAL. Mr E. J. Walters returned from a brief trip on Saturday morning. Miss Mountain joined the staff of the local school oti Tuesday as relief for Miss Frost, who has now left the hospital and is convalescing. Mr and Mrs W. H. Alley returned to Hikutaia on Friday night after an enjoyable trip to Nelson, Christchurch, and Napier. Everywhere Mr Alley went in the South Island farmeis w.-re nadly in need of rain, the pastures, especially those about Nelson, being brown and arid-looking. On one bowling green visited the balls were rolled along on Mother Earth, not a blade of grass being visible. Hikutait was verdant compared with many places x SCHOOL. Mr McCaskill, agircultural instructo’-. visited the school on Friday last. The schools fire inspector had a look mind the school and the teacher’s residence last Friday. This official visits all the schools in the Dominion, his duty being to report on any defective firing and lighting arrangements he may come across. . CHURCH. The Rev. A. Jefferson, of (he Paeroa Methodist Church, ly?ld service in St. Mary's (Anglican) Church on Sunday, a fair congregation attending.