THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1924. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4707, 4 June 1924, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1924. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Whitebait in winter is an unusual event, yet these delectable little fish have been caught within the last few days in the creeks branching off the Wanganui River (states an exchange). Their extraordinary appearance is regarded by some natives as an indication of an early spring. Should a motorist dim his headlights in a fog? That question was debated at the Supreme Court at Uh’’istc)iurch in a motor accident case (reports the “rPess”). A professional motor-cyclist gave it as his opinion that the full power of the headlight should be kept on if a rider wished to see as much as possible. “Do you know that there are experts who consider it is safer to drive without any lights at all in a fog?” asked Mr C. S. Thomas. Opposing counsel, Mr M. J. Greeson, answered the query. "1 should not like to appear for them on a manslaughter charge,” he declared. Apropos the racing carnival at Auckland this week, it is interesting to note that punters, in their efforts to pick winners, sometimes adopt some fantastic systems, but it is doubtful if anyone ever employed so ludicrous a method as was outlined in the Brisbane summons court a few weeks ago (states an exchange). Giving evidence in support of a claim against hei husband for maintenance, a woman said her .husband used to catch the ducks, tic numbers to their necks, ami cnasc them up the yard. He would then back at the races the horse,s with the number corresponding with that on the duck that reached the fence first. This method was not successful. The apparent richness in minerals of the mountain ranges adjacent to New Plymouth has often been written and spoken of, but nothing effective lias been done to turn to man’s use any wealth that may lie there (says the Taranaki Herald). It is interesting to note at the present time, however, that a private company is testing the commercial possibilities of deposits of what is known as sienna, which lie at the eastward foot of the Kaitake ranges. Hopes are entertained that, the usefulness of the sienna ais a pigment for use in paints and the extent of the deposits will before long be definitely proved to be satisfactory. In the meantime the company Is not making a fus,s about its operations. For Influenza, take Woods' gregt Eepperjnint cure.

The following referees were appointed at the weekly meeting of the Hauraki Plains Referees’ Association for the senior and junior matches on Saturday next: Turua v. Waitakaruru. at Turua, Mr J. N. Anderson and Mr J. Banks ; Ngatea v. Plains West, at Patetonga, Mr M. Leonard and Mr C Bertelsen; Kerepeehi v. United Coast, at Kopuarahi. Mr F. Stretto'.i and Mr T. Davidson. The Farmers’ Auctioneering Company's Ngatea sale on Monday last wa- apparently considerably affected by the weather, as there v-as only a small yarding and very little demand. Fat .steeis brought from £6 2s 6d to £7 13s, good cow beef £5 to £5 10s, lighter £4 16s; store cows 17s to 27s’, fresh-conditioned cows 36s jo £2 5s , maiden heifers £2 2s to £3 10s. Light bacon pigs made to £2 15s, slips 14s to 21s. Ideal weather prevailed for the hol'day yesterday, and a number of local people availed themselves of the opportunity to'journey to Hamilton and visit the Waikato Winter Show. wh'Je others, again, left on Monday night for Auckland. Followers of golf made the most of a fine day and spent the lime on the local links, while football enthusiasts found plenty to interest them in the thirdgrade match in the Domain yesterday afternoon. A local resident had an unenviable experience recently (says the Wanganui “Herald”). He was sitting reading under a light, when a small moth flew into his car. Unsuccessful attempts were made to probe the intruder out of the ear, but it burned its way further in. Acting promptly, the gentleman had- some oil poured into the ear, and the dying kicks of the drowning moth were soon felt. Had this not been done, the moth would have broken the ear-drum, which is thinner than a cigarette paper. The first of a scries of dances, and euchre tournaments organised by the members of the Paeroa Druids’ Lodge was held in the Druids’ Hall last evening, and proved an T-qualified success. Some thirty couples took the floor to the strains of dance music supplied by Mr F. Clarke. During the evening Mrs C. T. Mettam contributed songs, which were much appreciated and encored. A delicious supper was provided by the wives and friends of Druids. Judging by the enjoyment and satisfaction expressed by those who attended last evening, the success of future functions seems assured.

So serious has the position in regard to the Gisborne Harbour become, says the "Poverty Bay Herald,” that the possibility'of the Union Steamship Co. entirely eliminating the passenger service between Auckland, Gisborne, and Napier is being seriously talked about Incredible though this may appear, the fact remains that the continuation of the service with the harbour in its present condition will’ mean that every visit of the Arahura during the next week or two will mean a direct loss in time of some hours on each occasion.

Tthe trouble in this case was drink,” said counsel when pleading for a prisoner who came up for sentence before kfr Justice Reed at the Supreme Court at Invercargill (reports an exchange).- “It is a most ex - traordinary thing,” interjected His Honour. “Here I. am in a prohibition district, and- man after man who conies up to.be sentenced was drunk at the time of the offence.” Counsel (Mr G. Reed): “I cannot allow that remark to be unchallenged, Your Honour. This man came from Riverton.” His Honour: “Still, it is an extraordinary happening in a no-license area.”

Discussing the question whether or not totara is subject to attack by the borer, the “Wanganui Herald” says that interesting light is thrown on the .subject by Mr R. A. Montgomerie, of “Taukt.ro,” Parapara Road, who showed two pieces of totara, each comprising both heart and sap. One was taken from a tree cut in vinter, the other from one cut in summer. The winter-cut piece is as sound as a bell, while the summer-cut is riddled withborer. The pieces were taken from logs which had laid on the ground for soi >e years, and so were thoroughly seai. > t<l. It will perhaps he interesting to hear a few expert opinions as to the effect of the seasonal cutting cf timber upon its future soundness. So far as exotic' trees are concerned, there is, of course, no argument, but the question has rarely been debated in reference to our evergreen native timbers, though we understand that the general opinion of the trade is that winter cutting is, with them also, the correct course to pursue. At the same time, the correct course is very often not taken, say tnose who know.