FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 February 1916, Page 2

FLASHES

Found a key; probably P.O. Box.

Golf Club meeting, Monday, March 6

The Auckland Farmers' Union contemplate erecting saleyards at Kaipara Flats.

The Parakai post office is now located at Screaton's new store, and' is much appreciated.

A further number of country newspapers are reducing their size owing to scarcity of the necessary article. The ECHO still survives.

Motor cars are still increasing in Helensville and district, while there is quite a procession of cars outside the breakdown hospital awaiting their turn.

Prize moneys in connection with the recent Helensville A. and P. Association Show may be obtained from the Secretary at his office, on Monday next, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The ex-German Consul in Auckland, Mr Carl Seegner, and his former secretary, Mr Lothar Eilander, have been arrested and interned at the North Head forts as prisoners of war.

The new Motor Company in connection with the Hot Springs service, has just acquired a handsome Buick motor 'bus of 30 h.p. She made the run from Auckland on Sunday in 2hrs. 40mins.

Defaulting Helensville Town Board ratepayers have of late been wisely coming to the front, and so saving the statutory penalty of having to pay 10 per cent on the amount claimed.

The American Secretary of State haß sent an unofficial warning to Turkey, protesting against the Armenian atrocities, and threatening drastic action. What a time to make a move, just as Russia has got hold of Armenia.

Some County Council rate defaulters have been replying to the latest demand note by sending in the bare amount claimed for rates, ignoring entirely the 10 per cent fine. But such a settlement has in all cases been-refused. Quite right, too.

Easter falls unusually late this year, Easter Sunday coming on April 22nd. Easter Day is always the first Sunday after the full moon which happens on or after March 21st. It happens this year that there will-be a . full moon on March 20th.

Of late the Editor has been receiving a deal of correspondence for publication „■ in connection, with the " Red Triangle'" of the Wellington 7.M.C.A., but as we have no space to spare, and the object is of little interest to this district (a Club for entertainicg wounded soldiers at a price), we must decline.

" Woman against Woman," a fine melodrama, has been secured by the management of the Star Theatre for to-morrow (Friday) night. This splendid picture play was shown here some months ago, and those fortunate enough to see it speak in glowing terms of the production, which holds the interest of the audience throughout, is admirably acted, replete with touching scenes, and ends most happily. The supporting programme is also of high merit.

Mr A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata, accompanied by Messrs A. M. Laing (Chairman of the Waitemata County Council), and G. A. Jackson (County Engineer) have been on a visit to Whangaparoa, Silverdale, Wainui, and Kaukapakapa. Looking for limestone for the farmer, eh ? Certainly not road metal.

It was finally decided at a special meeting of the WaitemataCouuty Council to purchase the Waitakere quarry site, but if in the future it. was desired to develop the quarry, the authority for expenditure up to £10,000 would be authorised. A tunnel three-quarters of a mile long will be required to develop the quarry. •

Some time ago a tourist motor party successfully used whisky when the benzine ran out, but in another case beer was found to be a good substitute for water for generating acetylene gas— at least, that is reported to be the experience of a party who were travelling per motor in the dark when their light failed and there was no water in the vicinity, The beer made a most brilliant light. •

It is reported that the scow Seagull will remain in Kaipara waters, and become a unit of the Kaipara Steamship Company's fleet. She is to be utilised in the cargo service between Dargaville and Helensville. She will load 50,000 feet of sawn timber at the RailwayWharf for Helensville. — Dargaville •' Times."

"*""' Aucklanders are always taunting Christohurch with being a place where quacks, etc., flourish. Well, we don't appear to be quite such an unco quid place as Auckland after all. They hail people before the Beak up there for " lounging" on the beach in bathing attire. They should see New Brighton beach on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, alive with bathers in costume sunning themselves after a dip in the briny and getting ready for another one. The prudes aren't in it then —The Christchurch Spectator.

A Masterton man who recently purchased a fruit farm is uot quite He states that he has come to the conclusion that fruit is intended for small birds, and not for human consumption, iilarly in the season the whole qf his qherries were taken. Then his red qurrants .disappeared. Afterwards the strawberries and raspberries went, and now his plums and apples are being destroyed in a wholesale manner. " The birds are worse than rabbits," he says, " I expect them soon to make an attack upon my potatoes. Unless something is done to destroy the sra all birds, I am satisfied that the fruit industry in New Zealand can never be a success,"