THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4817, 2 March 1925, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1925. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The All Blacks are due to return from their record-breaking rugby tour of Great Britain, France, and Canada, on March 16. The team will arrive in Wellington, where a fitting welcome home will be accorded them.

The teaching staff of the Paeroa District High School assembled in their respective classrooms his morning for the purpose of preparing school rolls as far as possible and the dra wing up of syllabuses for the ensuing year. As the local high school is graded 5, it is possible that the staff will not bo required to put in full time at the school until it re-opens for the reception of pupils.

The following rainfall figures for Paeroa for February have been supplied by the local office of the Public Works Department: The total rainfall for the month was ,57in. Rain fell on three days during February, the heuvicist fall being on the 15th, when .44'in was registered. It is worthy of note that it is the driest February that has been recorded in Paeroa for many years. The total rainfall for the corresponding month last year was 2.76 in.

One far-reaching result of the present epidemic is a decided increase in business amongst, photographer* It seems strange,but it is nevertheless true that some parents, frightened that their children may be stricken with the dread paralysis, hasten to the photographers to have the little ones “taken” while in good health. A local photographer informed a “Southland Times” reporter that several mothen? had visited him with their children, and had given this as their reason for wanting a sitting.

The N.Z. Gazette dated February 19 contains the regulations relating to motor-drivers’, licenses under the Motor Vehicles Act; 1924.

The vital statistics for Paeroa for the month of February have been supplied by the registrar (Mr J. G. McDougall). Births, 5 ; deaths, 1; marriagejj, 2.

The indications are that football will commence early this season on the Hauraki Plains, One club has already advertised tbc date of its annual meeting.

The special race trains that passed through Paeroa for Te Arolia on Saturday and again this morning were liberally patronised, and the popularity of the Te Aroha fixture was clearly evidenced in the large, r.umber of people from this town and districr who made the trip by train or motor-

Mr. C. F. Mark, of totalisator fame, is one of those who very seldom gets his name spelled or pronounced correctly. Go to meetings of racing clubs even, and you will find that, without exception, Mr. Mark is alluded to as Mr. Marks. The gentleman referred to does not, it is said, appreciate the racial distinction implied in the incorrect usage.

The refresher course for teachers was concluded pn Friday afternoon. At the conclusion of the course at the local high school a resolution was passed to the effect that provided satisfactory arrangement!? could be made the Education Board be asked to in? stitute similar courses, for teachers prior to the commencement of each school year. It was generally agreed that much good would be the outcome of the recent conference of teacher?, and the opportunity for mutual instruction and exchange of ideas and teathing methods generally was much appreciated. ■

With the closing down of the gasworks in Paeroa the question of lighting for the post office and the railway stetio nhad to be considered. A wizard gas plant has been installed at the post office which is apparently giving satisfaction, while at the railway station the department has installed a number of kerosene lamp?. While the station clerks state that the kerosene lamps are infinitely preferable to the poor quality of lighting which was available from the gasworks, the Paeroa station at night is now poorly illuminated and is more reminiscent of some small way-side station down the King Country. Fortunately the arrangements for lighting at both' the post office and railway station are only temporary, as with the advent of the new buildings all the latest facilities are to be provided.

In a subheader which appeared in last Friday's issue of the N.Z. “Herald” under the heading of “Rates for Electricity” it was stated : “There are manifestly strong arguments against the >nse of taxation ; they were emphasised by the Herald when the legislation was introduced in 1923, and if the protests which are now being made had been uttered then, or even when the Thames Valley Board announced its decision last year, the present position might not have arisen.” It should be pointed out that from the commencement the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall), as well as the Paeroa Borough Council as a whole, has strenuously opposed the striking and collecting of the non-corasumers’ rate, and has pointed out repeatedly that the minimum charge of £1 per section was far too high. The Borough Council’s representative (Mr F. E. Flatt) o'i the Thames Valley Power Board has also consistently objected .to the levying of the rate in its present form within the borough.

Nicotine Is very poisonous. Even in. small quantities pure nicotine causes vomiting, 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 the local article is so much milder and less harmful, but besides, as a result of the toasting process to which the tobacco is "’now subjected, the aroma lias been greatly improved. The flavour is brought fully out, while at the same time any deleterious elements which are contained in the leaf are- destroyed. Smokers are unanimously in favour of the 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.*