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

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4732, 1 August 1924, Page 2

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

"Do you know that whisky is sold at £1 a bottle in Ashburton asked counsel for the defence in a sly grog case at the Magistrate’s Court, "Yes,” replied the witness (a police constable). ‘‘and after .the police make a raid it goes up to 255.” A recent run on brown bread in Gisborne puzzled the bakers (states an exJiangc). The solution was supplied by school children, who had been asking at home for such bread, which had been recommended by the niedicul officer visiting the schools. A Birchfield family had a rather unenviable experience in the early morning recently (remarks the "West. port News”), when a heavy gale was blowing. The roof went off and then a side of the house was blown in, so they decided that it was time to leave for safer quarters. The following are the Paeroa rainfall figures for the month of July, as recorded by the local office of the Public Works Department, with figures for the corresponding month of last year in parenthesis : The total rainfall was 2.51 (7.15) inches. Rain fell on 13 (16) days, the heaviest fall being on Jay 16 (13), when .57in (3.16) was registered. The menace of wandering stock on the roads of the Hauraki Plains 's like the poor—always with us. Rangers make the excuse that the owners cannot be found, but this is poor compensation tor users of the road who have, perhaps, to kick cows off the highway or who, perhaps, have had a windscreen or lampglass broken by a stone thrown from a hoof. On the Kerepeehi -Wharepoa road five horses have been grazing for months.

The following vital statistics for Paeroa for the month bf July has been supplied by the local registrar (Mr J. G. McDougall), figures for July, 1923, being given in parenthesis: Births, 6 (8) ; deaths, 1 (6) ; marriages, 2 (1). Some few farmers on the Plains are now turning their attention to the eradication of the blackberries and other noxious weeds on their farms. There is no doubt that noxious weeds are getting hold of increasing areajs every year, and unless more energetic steps are-taken in the future the pest will gain the upper band in certain areas.

“I know of one man who has got this society set, because some years ago he was told lie had a good horse and was advised to enter him for the hack classes, at the show. He did so, and when judging was in prpgress the judge, after looking the horse over told the owner that he had a particulaily fine animal, but he was in his wrong class. He advised him to enter the animal in another class, and told him he was sure to get a prize. The advice was acted upon next year, but the judge that year (another person) told the owner that his horse was in the wrong clasts. Now the exhibitor has got a set on the society.”—A speaker at the meeting of the A. and P. executive at Wellington last week.

During the last few weeks furthei improvements have been effected at the local high school grounds. The old wooden building which stood on temporary blocks facing Wood Street has been moved to its permanent position in the Wood-Nahum streets corner of the ground, and the building has oeen renovated and painted throughout. The former isite occupied by this building has been levelled, and is nojv in the course of being sanded. When the work is completed an additional playing area will be available. The wooden building is being used at present by the 6th standard, hut as the roll number increases it is anticipated that an additional class-room will be added and the whole building occupied by the secondary department.

The question of the amalgamation of the Waihi hospital district with Thames was brought forward at the monthly meeting of the Waihi board by a paragraph in a letter from the Director-General of Health (Dr. Valintinc), who wrote ajs follows: "1 would again ask your board to consider the question of amalgamation with he Thames board. I can see no reason why the Thamse board should raise any serious objections to taking over the administration of hospital and cnaritable aid in your borough, provided that you become a contribU' tory local authority thereto.” There was no discussion by the Waihi board on the (subject owing to the fact that certain information asked for as to the effect of amalgamation had not been received from Dr. Valintine. This, however, has since come to hand, and the board in due course go further into the question.— “Waih Telegraph.”

Of strong pictorial Interest is this week’s issue of the “N.Z. Sporting and Dramatic Review,” nromine.nce being given to football, which has been the subject of lively interest in all circles the past few’ days owing to the arrival and departure of notable teams. Two full pages are devoted to the All Blacks v. Auckland Rugby match at Eden Park, and the final match in New Zealand at Palmerston North is also represented. Special interest will be taken in the English v. Auckland League match at Carlaw Park. Racing is covered in snapshots of the Gisborne Racing Club’s steeplechase meeting. The centre pages are of topical happenings and outdoor recreation in England and America, and the Great Rodeo and other pictures of Wembley are particularly attractive. Hockey is well represented, and there is a fine selection of miscellaneous \ lews as well as stage and motion picture sections. A youthful contributor to the “Wanganui Chronicle” states that he witnessed .an unusual sight near Aramoho—a duel hi the air between two seagulls and a hawk. "When I noticed the conflict,” he writes, “it had evidently been in progress for some time, for the hawk was almost exhausted, although his opponents were apparently quite fresh. The hawk’s defence lay entirely in hig adeptness in swerving, for as the seagulls kept constantly rising and then swooping on him, he Just as consistently swerved sufficiently to avoid the attacks. Presently the hawk dropped exhausted to the ground, where his foes still maintained the pecking and screeching until they suddenly roue and disappeared. The hawk remained on the ground, tired out. Soon the seagulls were seen returning with two more of their kind, and again they attacked their enemy. Although there were four gulls to one hawk, the solitary defender managed to ward off the swooping attacks for some time. Presently the gulls discontinued their fighting witli the hawk to fight with another seagull, which had just arrived. They soon flew away, screeching and fighting among themselves, and the listless hawk, after a reet, was able to make good his escape.”

Nicotine is very poisonous. Even in small quantities pure nicotine caujses vomit-ng, purging, and collapse, and when you consider that many imported tobaccos contain from 4 per cent to 5 per cent, of nicotine it shows how careful you must be in your choice. Smokers will be interested to learn that some of our New Zealand,grown types hardly contain as much as 2 per cent, of nicotine. Small wonder that tl.e local article Is so much milder and lass harmful, but besides, as a result of the toasting process " to which the tobacco is now subjected, the aroma has been greatly improved. The flavour is brought fully out, while, at the same time, any deleteriou: elements which may be contained in the leaf are destroyed. Smokers are unanimously in favour of th- new departure, and proclaim toasted tobacco superior to any other. Obtainable in three strengths. Riverhead Gold, very mild and aromatic; Toasted Navy Cut, medium , and Cut Plug No. 10. The Bullhead label is recommended to those who prefer a full body.*