THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public. Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5367, 21 December 1928, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public. Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1928. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first load of material in connection with the erection of the local Public Hospital was laid on the ground on Wednesday. The contractor and his men are busy on the site laying out the work. The erection of the building, is to proceed in spite of the objections raised by our Thames “friends.”

An. inquest touching; the death of Lieut.-Colonel C. E. Andrews, whic.h took place at his home in Auckland) on November 25, was held! in Auckland yesterday. The coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, that death was due to heart failure, following upon chronic nephritis.

A northerly gale raged on the Hauraki Plains throughout Wednesday, night, but comparatively little damage was done, though fruit trees in exposed positions suffered severelyLimbs .were blown off many trees. Rain fell in the early hours of Thurs-; day morning, causing a postponement of hay-making operations for the day.

The Ngatea butter factory com-, menced churning butter, in daylight bn Wednesday after a few weeks of night work, which was necessary on account of the shortage of electric power due to the lowness of the Waikato River.

Particulars of .train arrangements in connection with the; Christmas and New Year holidays are advertised in thi s /issue.

The cricket matches on the Hauraki Plains ,to-morrow haVe not yet been fixed, but a meeting of the association will be held this evening to decide whether the postponed OrongoWaitakaruru and Kopuarahi-Pipiroa matches will interfere with the draw for the season’s programme.

The permanent road on the Waihou River, stop-bank near, the Nethertoh ferry is being metalled, and the section from the end of Pe,kapeka Road should be available now.

Why do petrol lorries have chains dangling fr.om the back of them ? This is a question that many of our readers have no doubt askejd themselves. and others. It was asked at the monthly meeting the, Matamata County Council, and it was explained that it had something to do with the protection against lightning. Cr. Judd Said he could not see; that the chains .were of any great value, and he had' noticed some lorries; with exceptionally heavy chains that lYfite no good for the road surfacejs. It was res.olved that the clerk write, ascertaining what value the chains are to the petrol lorries.

The Kaihere' school held its annual picnic on Tuesday last in Mr Reiddy’s paddock, and over. £2O in cash was spent on prizes for. athletic events. The annual picnic dance was held on Wednesday evening, there being a large attendance. During the evening Mr L. R. Mclndoe, chairman of the School Committee, presented the medals donated annually for. the champion athletes, of the school. This year they were Won by Miss Colleen Bird and Master James Foote.

Tennis c.lubs on .the Hauraki Plains will have an opportunity of arranging private matches, hs, all inter-club competitions have been put off until January 19, in accordance with the custom of stopping for the holidays and race days.