LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 June 1913, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Government has proclaimed Arbor Day, July 16th, a public holiday. The Helensville A. and P Association invite applications for the position of secretary. A poll of ratepayers has carried a proposal by nearly three to one, to raise £8000 for sewerage works in Tauranga. "With the streets improvements and electric lighting schemes this makes £30,000 sanctioned by tho ratepayers for borough impropements. At last meeting of Kaipara Chamber of Commerce the matter of Mount Rex wharf as a terminus for passengers and mails was discussed, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with the Minister of [Railways, and point the urgency of the proposal. The question of the cargo service between Northern Wairoa and Helensville was fully considered, and it was decided to lay the complaints before the Kaipara Steamship Company. More than one hundred persons have starved to death in the last twelve months in England and Wales, according 10 a White Paper issued by the local Government Board. Fourtyfour of the victims lived in London and 08 in the provinces. Eleven were in receipt of old age pensions at the time uf death, and four of these had been on charity pay-rolls before their transference to the Government's old f.ge pension lists. Eighty-two died without letting th'-ir hunger and destitute be known to anyone.

A fine sample of an apple named tho "Lagoon" was brought to Helens villo tho other day by Mr J. B. Hudson (Iloteo), who is a grower of this variety, which was started from a seedling in the Kaipara Flats district about 2.5 years ago. The tree grows like a Reinetto Dv Canada, bears like an American Golden Russett, and eats like a Ribstono Pippin. The fruit is of beautiful colour, good si/.e and has an agreeable flavour.

The-ladies of St. Matthew's Toadies Guild held v very pleasant Progressive Euchre evening last Friday. It was a matter for regret that such a small number availed themselves of the [opportunity, butthos^ -who did -were well rewarded. The Lady's Prize (presented by Mrs Merton) was won by Miss M. Cullens, and the gents by Mr Harvey. The Consolation prizes (presented by Mrs Walters) were won by Miss Turner aud Mr Masters respectively. An enjoyable dance followed. Miss Rimmer and Mr Carter kindly supplying the music, extras being played by Misses McLeod and Cullen. While replying to a deputation at Auckland, the Prime Minister stated tliat instructions had been given to the Lands Department that in cases where blocks of lurid were being cut up, opportunity should be affor.led to workers and small settlers of acquiring such small holdings of live, tan, tifteen, and twenty aces. In the event of tin se small sections not being taken up, it would be an easy matter to ran them together later on, but the Government were determined to give the opportunity to workers and others acquiring such small holdings if they wished to do so. The Cromwell Argus.states thai a striking illustration of the cx fent to which the pastoral country has been deuuded through the rabbit pest and overstocking is to be found on the Dunstan range a short distance from Cromwell. In a certain gully is to be seen a huge mas? of rock, which at some time has slipped away from a bluff higher up. On top ot this is a deposit of something- like a. foot of soil but the sides of the rock being so steep and smooth on all sidas, the top is isolated from stock or rabbits. The result is that on the summit there is an abundant growth of native tussock, a veritable oasis in the desert, for the country all round carries little or no vegetation in comparison therewith.