LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5195, 26 October 1927, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

As the result of setting a “trap” for motorists on one of the main thoroughfares in the; borough, the Paeroa Borough Council’s inspector took the names, of a number of motordrivers who are alleged to have exceeded the speed limit on Monday last.

In the course of the annual Public Works Statement the Hon. K. S. Williams states :* ‘The country is at present suffering from a temporary depression, caused by a general decrease in the value of our primary produce. This state of affairs has occurred before, and. will occur again, in our his, tory, and it would be wise for us to bear in mind and prepare ourselves to meet such occasions.”

It is pleasing to record the success gained by two locally trained racehorsqs at, the Waikato Jockey Club s meeting at Te Rapa on Friday last. In the first division of the Trial Handicap the bay filly Missi Potoa, owned by Mr J. Barrett, Paeroa, gained first place. The winner of the second division also turned out to be a local horse in the bay Ally Auriculus, ridden by G. Spinks and owned by Mr JH. Walters, Hikutaia. Both mares are trained by Mr J. W. Cathro on the Paeroa course.

The main streets; of Paeroa bore a busy appearance on Saturday morning, and a large number of motor vehicles was in evidence. Probably owing to it being the first Saturday, following the issue of the butter-fat cheques, and also that Monday was a close holiday, accounted for the unusual number of shoppers abroad. The local retailers report a busy morning of trade.

The sum of £250 i,s the amount authorised by the Public Works Department* for the alterations to the old post office at Paeroa so as to make it suitable as a residence for an additional constable.

When the Summer Time Bill comes into force next month the Hauraki Plains Co-operative Dairy Company, Turua. will receive milk up to half-an-hour later than the present time limit. The convenors of the suppliers to the: N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Company’t’j Ngatea factory are discussing what action shall be taken at the- 1 Ngate.a factory.

The heavy rain of tihe last few days has been very welcome on the Hauraki Plains, where pastures had ceased to come away readily on account of the dryness and where domesitj.c supplies were running short. The cold winds were not welcome, as milk production and fruit trees suffered.

A laige number of motor-cars passed through Paeroa during last weekend. Many motorists from the lower Thames Valley and Hauraki Plains made the journey to the race meetings at, Te Rapa and Cambridge.

Dealing with river improvements and land-protection works in the annual statement presented by t,he Public Works Department, tihe following appears in connection with the Waihou and Ohinemuri rivers improvement scheme : “Substantial progress has been made towards the completion of this improvement, scheme. Work is now concentrated on the Lower Waihou . River. Three miles and a half of very heavy stop-banks have; been built with suction dredges. Much, work has been done enlarging tributary streams, and in clearing the beds and banks of the rivers of willows, snags, and other sunken timbers. The reconstruction of the Ohinemuri River bridge, Paeroa, is also in hand. I anticipate that in eighteen months this important work will be completed.

A fine compliment to the Turua Town Hall was paid by Mr Alan McElwain. of the Lyric Quartette, which gave a concert there las/t Saturday evening. When thanking the audiejnee. for the splendid reception accorded his party Mr McElwain said that he felt compelled to congratulate the district on its very fine hall. He had been all over New Zealand and had never seen anything like it (laughter)—“for the size, of the township,” he added.

The Commissioner of Taxes draws the attention of taxpayers to the notification appearing in to-day’s issue thdt the due date of payment of land tax for the current yejar is on Monday, November 7, and that the demands will be posted on or about October 31.

We have to acknowledge with thanks a copy of the Otago Witness Christmas Annual from t,he publishers at Dunedin, who are deserving of congratulation on the high standard and general excellence of their publication. The photographs, comprising views of the principal Southern lakes, including Lake Manapouri, Hawea, Wakatipu, Te Anau, and Milford Sound, are very clear, and reveal a wealth of beauty and detail. A series of interesting bird studies in the sub-Antarctic islands, views of the main streets and buildings of Dunedin,, and fascinating child and beach studies are> some of the pictures. ot interest and merit.

After being badly cracked for over two years, the large plate-glass window in the tobacconist’s shop leased by Mr 11. E. Raffill, in Belmont Road, Paeroa, fell out on to the pavement with a resounding crash just after mid-day yesterday. Fortunately no one was hurt, although a pedestrian had parsed close by the window scarcely a second before. A stilt southerly wind was blowing at? the time, and the door of the shop was closed. It is thought that in opening tlie door suddenly the force? of the wind caused tlie glass to bulge, and, being damaged, to fall. It may be remembered that on three occasions within ten months this window was broken. A mystery surrounded the occurrences at, the time, and a solution was never arrived at definitely. On the last occasion t,he owner was unable to effect a plate-glass insurance policy, and that wias the main reason why the damaged pane; was patched up after the third break.