THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5246, 2 March 1928, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The number of unemployed upon the Labour Department’s books at Thames is, now 61, as compared with 12 at the commencement of February.

A well-known Paeroa figure, Mr M. Quane, had a narrow escape from serious injury on Wednesday night, shortly after 7 o’clock. It appears the Mr Quane was riding his bicycle along Belmont. Road on his correct side of the road when a car driven by the Bishop of Waikato came from the direction of the Bank of New Zealand, slightly on his. wrong side, his intention being to turn into Arney StreetBefore the cyclist could get clear the motor-car struck him a glancing blow, which precipitated him on to the. roadway, his bicycle falling clear. His Lordship, who was travelling slowly at the time, promptly stopped and assisted Mr Quane, who was fortunately uninjured, to rise to his feet.

In recording the success of Ohinemuri, which ran second, in the Wairaikau Hack Handicap, it was erroneously stated that the mare was trained by J. W. Cathro, whereas she is owned and trained by Mr H..L Spinks, Paeroa.

The chairman (Or. H. M. Corbett) stated at yesterday’s, meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council that the balance-sheet for the year ended March 31, 1927, had been returned by the Audit Department, and it was without a tag. A resolution was incvrd congratulating the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans) and authorising the balance-shedt to be printed.

Particularly high tides were experienced in the Waihou and Piako rivers on Monday and Tuesday last. The spring tide was Saturday, but Monday’s tide was considerably higher, possibly on account of the northerly breeze which prevailed during the day, though on Tuesday there was a strong southerly wind and an abnormally high tide..

A. further sum of 10s ihas been received, from “Well.wisher,” in connection with the subscription list opened by the town clerk for the reduction ol the amount of unauthhorised expenditure by the Borough Council. The subscriptions so far total. £3 14 s 6d.

From half-past seven onwards for about an hour this morning the town was enveloped in one of the heaviest fogs yet experienced in Paeroa- With tile fog tlie smoke from the bush and peat fires was unable to rise and the atmosphere was made unpleasant. All traffic in the streets was compelled to proceed with the utmost caution, as vision was obscured farther than a foot ahead. Some motor drivers took tlie added precaution of running’their engines on second gear until the atmosphere cleared sufficiently.

During a discussion on metal supplies, at the Ohinemuri County Council meeting yesterday, on the recommendation of Cr. W. F. Johnstone, the engineer was authorised to investigate the prospect of securing metal from a small quarry on Thames Road opposite Mr G. H. Vo'wles’ property.

At the Ohinemuri County Council meeting yesterday Cr. W. F. Johnl-

stone drew attention to' "a"very important occurrence” that would take place next Sunday morning. The councillors looked surprised, and were relieved when the speaker referred to the fact that the summer-time saving scheme was about to bo brought to an end. Continuing, Cr. Johnstone said that he thought the council might very well give'an expression of opinion. “Sidey’s time” had been tried out, and he was quite satisfied that it was no good, and was certainly not in tlie best interests of the farming community. He moved that the Prime Minister be advised of the council’s disapproval of the measure and hoped that it would be erased from the Statute Book. The resolution was instantly sec°nded in several places and was carried unanimously. The chairman entirely agreed with the resolution, and said that he had frequently expressed his opinion that the Daylight Saving Act was a farce, to say the least of it. He hoped the country had seen the last, of ot.

During the height of the fog this morning a collision occurred between a milk-float owned and driven by Mr W. Hall, Mill Road, Paeroa, and a heavily-laden motor lorry owned by Messrs Brenan and Co., Ld., and driven by Mr J. Dent. The impact took place opposite Dr. Little’s residence, Te Arolia, Road, Paeroa. The milk-float, being the lighter vehicle, was seriously damaged, but the lorry was, not affected and was able to proceed on its journey under its own power. Neither driver was injured.

The local registrar (.Mr A. Pellow) advises, that the following are the vital statistics for the month of February for Paeroa, with figures for the corresponding month last year in parentheses : Births, 9 (8) ; deaths, 2 (0) ; marriages, 2 (2).

On Wednesday a start was made with metalling the approach to the new Hauraki bridge on the Orongo side. Metal is carted by motor lorry from tlie Matatoki quarry to the Kopu end of the bridge, where it is tipped over the side into a. punt. This punt is then taken across the river and unloaded into a .motor loi-ry by means of tubs and a steam winch. The moving span of the bridge is not yet completed. The fender piles are being driven.