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Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 76, 6 May 1902, Page 5

There are boys in Riwaka of constructive ability, who may eventually blossom into County Engineers, M.I.C.E’s, or associates of kindred professions, willing arid able to offer suggestions as to the cutting of the Nelson Boulder Bank and the improvement of the channel leading to the Motueka Wharf. In order to secure a good bathing place in Sydney Creek at the south of the Riwaka school, Mr Bate informed the members of the Board • last Friday evening that the scholars had built a substantial dam ac oss the creek thus providing a excellent piece of water for swimming exercises, but which seriously checked the flow of the water. Mr Bate set to and removed half of the dam with the result that the water was lowered at least; nine inches. Constable Fitzsrmons, of Nelson . aril rived in Motueka last week to take charge, temporarily of the district. Constable Boyes’ notice of retirement having expired on Wednesday last. It is not yet known who will be permanently appointed to the position. Hokitika dairymen have risen the price of milk to 5d per quart. Reefton bakers have increased the price of the 41b loaf to 9d in town and lOd at mines. The election of three members for the Riwaka Road Board, was held on Friday' last in the public Library at Riwaka, and resulted in the return of Messrs W. Pattie (69), J. Cook (66), and C. Fry (51) ; the other candidates being W. Rowling (35), W. Whiteliorn (24) and J. Duncan (5) Mr G. H. Budden acted as returning officer. A great deal of interest was taken in the election. Entries for the sports, to be held at Riwaka oh the 24th of May, must be sent in to the Honorary Secretary, at Byrne’s Hotel, by Saturday next. The 1 un.icaps will appear in the Motueka V tar on the 13th instant. From what w. 3 can learn the entries will be numeri us, and with good handicapping the i üblie may - expect to see some capital ; port; the more so, as a great deal of interest is being taken in the proposed

spor ts, not only in Riwaka, but als > in Motueka and neighboring districts. Mr J. S. Wratt r the Mayor-elect, has received a number of telegrams from Nelson and elsewhere congratulating him upon his election to the position of Chief Magistrate of Motueka. At the next meeting of the _ Riwaka Road Board, to be held on the 6th June, the newly elected members will take their seats, and the first business will be the election of a chairman for the ensuing year. At tbe last meeting of the Riwaka Road Board Mr Thomas Cook handed in a statement of the moneys paid by him for the purchase of small birds’ eggs during the past season. It showed that Mr Cook had expended, on behalf of the Board, the sum of £6 17s, representing 822 dozen eggs at twopence a dozen. The list showed that there were thirty eight collectors, mostly girls, the highest tally being that of Master T. Gooda.ll who collected eighty dozen, and the lowest was two dozen. In connection with the purchase of eggs, the chairman, Mr Bate, stated that on one occasion a boy brought in a considerable number to sell, which he acknowledged were collected on the Motueka side of the river. Upon being told that they could not be bought with Riwaka money, he departed, but that youth was not to be done out of the cost of the eggs, for he “swapped” with the local boys, for . tops and marbles, and hoops and other juvenile assets, and returned to his home, satisfied with his day’s woik. While the Tyser steamer Indralema was on her way from London to Fremantle, and shortly after she had left Teneriffe, an exceptionally heavy storm was run into, and the mainmast was broken in two pieces by a lightning stroke. In another gale during the passage a sea swept the steamer and smashed the deck fittings, carried away the boats and meat houses, and burst in the cabin doors. The following method of determining the age of eggs is said to ba practised in the market of Pai : s. About 6oz of common cooking salt is put into a large glass, which is then filled with water, when the salt is in solution an egg is dropped into the glass. If the egg is only one day old it immediately sinks to the bottom ;if any older it does not reach the bottom of the glass. If three days old it sinks only just below the surface ; from five days upwards it floats ; the older it is the more it protrudes out of the water.