In and About Napier and Hastings

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 2

In and About Napier and Hastings

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS. “It would not surprise mo to learn that the number of subscribers to the municipal library, in proportion to the population of the town is a record lor the Dominion," said the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council on Thursday night. Mr T. Falconer, chairman of the library committee, reported that during the past year the number of subscribers had increased by over 50 per cent. A lead of 28 points has h* e u gained by the Havelock North representatives in the Rainbow Shield and Baird Pennants inter-swimming competition. The second series was held by the Mahora Club on Thursday night, and again the majority of the honours went to the Villagers, their lead for the night alone being 20. points. The points gained by the three clubs concerned in the competition are now as follow: First Second

Gratitude has been expressed to the Hawke's Bay Education Board by the New Zealand Bible-in-Schools- League for tho extended facilities granted for religious observances in schools. On behalf of the league, the Rev. £. O. Blamires wrote te the board to the effect that it was the desire of tho league to render all assistance possible to teachers who were willing to introduce the opening exercises, and to school committees of like mind. The league, intended shortly to circularise school committees and head and sole teachers regarding the encouraging experience of teachers in Otago who initiated the observances last year. The Hawke’s Bay Education Board is to supply the league with the list of schools in the board's area. So far this year 300 applicants for drivers' licences in Hastings have been tested by the borough traffic officers. Last month 39 were tested and eight failed. In December there were 61 testa, five failing. To date 3234 drivers' licences have been issued, the fees aggregating £BOB 10s. The present state of local fruit market shows the havoc wrought by frosts, floods and Wind. Usually at*bis time of the year an abundance of £ruit comes in and prices very often arOFlow for many lines. This, however, isjnot the case at present. It happens sometimes that there are more buyers at a fruit sale than cases of fruit to be sold, a position vastly diffeffrent from this time last year, when the dealers took their pick of the first-class lines at their own price and left the remainder for the general public. Now the dealers are in keen competition with each and it is somewhat amusing to.fratchtfj the various signs given to the auctioneer in lieu of bids, each buyer trying to get in first unknown to his neighbour. tjThe growers who have fruit to sell are f getting the benefit of better prices, but the fruit shortage must have made a big difference to auctioneers as well as to growers whose fruit crop has been destroyed. There remain only 45 of the temporary building permits issued after the earthquakes of 1931 in Hastings. Commenting on the fact at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council on Thursday evening, the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, said that it was particularly gratifying to note that there were just this few left of the 300 or more temporary permits that were issued. The council considered the remaining temporary permits in committee last evening, a detailed report of the circumstances concerning each individual case being placed before the meeting. The efforts of tho Hastings Chamber of Commerce to have the Hastings-Rost Office constituted a chief post office were mentioned at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council on Thursday Evening when the Chamber advised that it had written to Mr E. L. Cullen, with reference to the possibility of regrading in this direction and he had replied stating that he would be pleased to do what he could in the matter. The Chamber asked that the council, if it was in favour of the proposal, slfould support the representations being made. The full support of the council is to bo given the representations.

Carnival Carnival Tl. Havelock North .. .. 42 47 89 Hbretaunga .. 27 61 Mahora . 22 44