LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4724, 14 July 1924, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest N.Z. Gazette contains a petition presented to the GovernorGeneral with respect to the proposed construction of the Horahia drainage district, in the County of Hauraki Plains. If sufficient funds can be raised the Ngatea branch of the Farmers’ Union proposes to send a delegate to Wellington with the members of the County Council deputation to wait upon the Minister of Lands in connection with the problem of the drainage of the Platas. On Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., taking his seat at the Magistrate’s Court, Geraldine, the other day, he warned-those present to be careful how they trod, as the floor appeared to be. supported by the linoleum (reports the Christchurch ‘‘Press’’), and they had better not. lean against the walls, whiife were riddled by the borer. The building was a blot on the town and a disgrace to the Government. At a meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce (reports the “Chronicle”) it was stated that it was not generally known that people jeopardised their insurances by not notifying insurance companies in regard to either electrical or wireless installations. It was necessary for policy-holders to take the policy to the office where they were insured for endorsement. The Richmond Downs Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., has decided to go into liquidation. The factory is situated about four miles from. Walton, and is a small one of two vats for the manufacture of cheese. It commenced operations about seven years ago, with eight suppliers. During 1921 thirteen farmers were supplying the factory, this being the greatest number of suppliers the company had, the number dropping to eleven during the past season, when 96% tons of cheese were manufactured.

A somewhat unusual, burrow for a rat was discovered recently when the driver of a motor-car standing outside the Napier railway station heard sundry, squeals issuing from his vehicle (relates the “Telegraph”). Thinking at first that the engine was complaining he overhauled the machinery, but the squeals continued and were at last detected as proceeding from inside the front seat pushton. This was removed and shaken, and a large rat dropped on to the road, to be instantly seized by a waiting terrier, who had evidently known ail along what was the trouble.

At a British town-planning conference recently Mr Howell, of Cardiff, said he would like to address a word to the representatives of local authorities who might be present. He believed that engineers and city architects were without exception in favour of town-planning, but there were a large number of members of public authorities who were not so keen. They attended one meeting and then went aw.ay. “They put me in mind,” said Mr Howell, “of a son of !a friend o£ mine—a farmer —who articled his lad to a lawyer. At the end of the first week he inquired how his son liked the business, and received the reply, ‘Well, dad, I’m sorry I learned it.’ ”

It seems incredible that a horseman could think of putting a nosebag on a horse without first removing the bit, but a cursory examination of several animals at dinner time in Auckland streets showed that the practice is not unkonwn (states the “Star_). Quite a number of carriers’ horses were found making the best of a bad job. A horse can eat with a bit in its mouth, but the act must be extremely uncomfortable. It is undoubtedly a cruel practice, and if not done deliberately must be the result thoughtlessness. While not a criminal offence, it is clearly cruelty, and should be discouraged by anyone having anything to do with horses.

Some months ago a discussion took place in the newspapers of New Zealand in regard to the meaning of the word "Oamaru” (states the “North Otago Times”). A well-known Maori scholar of Otorohanga (Mr William Baucke) gave the letter “O” as a word signifying sacred food, the vowel, “a” as “of,” and “maru” as an ancient sea or fishing god. The interpretation given by Mr Baucke is supported by the name given to a reef off the Kartigi lighthouse, at Moeraki. This is known as “Taki-Maru,” which the Maoris .state means “the cry of the fish-god.” The name was given on account of the noise exerted by the waves beating upon the reef. It would be interesting to know what relation there is between the Maori “Maru” and the Japanese “Maru.”

Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. For Children’s Hacking Cough,

Somewhere about £1,000,900 will be spent in the construction of the new Auckland railway station, the new railway yards, and the deviation via Hobson Bay to Westfield. A start has been made on this gigantic undertaking. It is estimated that the work, once it is begun in earnest, will take four years to complete, and when the task is finished Auckland will undoubtedly have the premier railway station of the Dominion.

Opposite the Feildtag saleyards the other day was a caravan from which sales of plants and shrubs were being made (reports the “Star"). The driver stated that the van had been right through the South Island, business being combined with pleasure. Two ladies were in the party. The van is fitted with two bunks on the drivers side running fore and aft, with plenty of room opposite for a table and chairs. The driver has his bunk in front, running across the car. Cooking was done in a tent. The party has had a most enjoyable tour.

Several Post and Telegraph Department officers stationed on the Plains have been notified of pending transfers. Miss O’Donnell, of the Ngatea telephone exchange, will probably leave in a few days for Paeroa, where she will replace Miss Grant, who will go to Auckland. Mr O’Oonnell’s place will probably be filled by a boy from Thames. Mr J. McCaldon has been notified of his transfer to Tauranga, and Mr A. E. Ludlow, of Auckland, will shortly replace Mr E. E. Weston, linesman, stationed at Ngatea, who has been instructed to hold himself in readiness for transfer.

The question pf whether it pays to instal tile drains in their paddocks is one exercising the minds of many Hauraki Plains farmers at present. While in some cases the use of this or similar forms of field drains has not yet justified the expenditure, several instances can be pointed out where unqualified success has been gained. From these it appears that little benefit is derived until after a hot summer, when the soil cracks to a sufficient depth. It is probably owing to the fact that the saturation of the ground prior to the installation if the drains had rendered it impervious to moisture that drains installed recently have not given the service expected. Opinion differ as to what class of field drains proves the most satisfactory. Tiled pipes work well, but the initial cost is heavy. Ti-tree drains are only effective for a comparatively short time, owing to the earth falling in and causing a stoppage. On the whole, batten drains seem the most satisfactory. These are made by digging a very narrow trench and pushing battens down lengthways until they become wedged against the sides at up to six inches from the bottom of the drain. As suitable benches require careful digging, some farmers dig a wider trench and then a norrow drain, and cover the latter with boards. The wide trench is then filled in. Drains constructed with a drain plough do not, on tSie whole, seem to work satisfactorily.