RATEPAYERS' SMOKER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4743, 27 August 1924, Page 3

RATEPAYERS' SMOKER.

honouring councillors. AN EVENING AT NETHERTON. At the conclusion of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association meeting on Saturday evening a smoke concert was held to honour ’the County Councillors present and to bid farewell to Mr J. Higgins, the County Engineer. Cis- Mayn, McLoughl.in, and Hare, and Mr Higgins were present by invitation. The president of the association, Mr T. Vowles, presided. In proposing the toast of “The Local Body” Mr Considine said that it was gratifying to have such men as theii guest; on the County Coun.’il, and it promised well for the district that these councillors had been willing co come from the distant end of the county to a ratepayers’ association meeting. In responding Cr. McLoughlin said he wus always pleased to meet ratepayers from distant parts of the county. The knowledge he thus gained was invaluable. The Netherton Ratepayers’ Association had on many occasions criticised the action of. councillors and the council,.but he had always found that the criticism’ was just. Cr. Mayn also responded, and mentioned the good work done by the local representative, Cr. Hare, both in the council chamber and recently in Wellington. Cr. Hare also returned thanks. Mr J. A. Reid, proposed the toast of “The County Engineer, Mr J. Higgins,” and said that there could be no section of the county more sorry than Netherton that he was leaving. . Mr Higgins had certainly been criticised, but there was no doubt that if the full facts* had been- known the criticism would have been more just. He was quite sure that since Mr Higgins had been in the council’s employ the Nethert’on riding had received more than its share of work done. More would undoubtedly have been done had the money been available, and he would strenuously urge all settlers to support reading loans. Mr S. -J. Laughlin endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks; and especially commended Mr Higgins for having attended to the by-roads as well as the main roads.

- Mr Higgins on rising to reply was greeted with prolonged applause. He isaid he wished to thank the ratepayers of Netherton for the many kind things they had said about him. He had realised that Netherton was, as it were, the parent riding of the county, and the one with the oldest loans. When he commenced . duties there .were only four 'punts, so it could be realised what a difficult problem comfronted him. He had not given erton better treatment than it deserved. ? He was leaving' the council satisfied that he had the majority of the council and the majority of the ratepayers with him. He would-always .keep in mind the kindness of the people of Netherton. .In his successor, Mr Basham, the county was: getting a very good man, and he hoped that -Mr Basham wqtild be, given, as much support as had been accorded him. 8 The toast of “The Dairy Industry” -v, afe proposed by Mr H. Hare and responded to by Mr Maloney, local re-. 1 presentative of the Waikato Valley ’Dairy Company, Mr J. A. Reid, convener of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Company suppliers, and Mr S-- J. Laughlin.: - . .Air Considine proposed the toast of “The Ratepayers’ Association,” and this was responded to by the president, Mr T.'Vowles. The final toast was that of “The ' Press,” proposed by Mr A. J. Andrews and responded to-by the “Gazette” representative. During the evening songs were contributed by C. Linacre and recitation by Mr C. Potter, and numerous humorous yarns were told, the function being brought to a close at 1.30 a.m. A prophet, they say, has no honour in his own country, and it has been too much the policy of New Zealanders in the past to pass over the product of their country in favour of the imported goods, which in many cases are actually inferior Jo the New Zealand 'article. Take tobacco, for example. Most American tobaccos are objectionable on the score of excess * nicotine and defective combustibility, leading to the clogging of the pipe, with unpleasant and, indeed, Injurious consequences to the .smoker. Try Riverhead Gold, mild and aromatic; or’ Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog), of medium strength, and if you prefer a full body, try Cut Plug No. 10, the Bullhead label. Their purity, flavour, aroma, and all-round excellence will surprise you. , Unlike most brands from oversea, this particular type of tobacco does not foul the pipe, and leaves the mouth sweet and clean. Experts maintain-that of all varieties knowfi N.Z. leaf is the least injurious on account of its small percentage of nicotine, and that it may be smoked continuously without the slightest after-effects.*