The Opotiki News Monday, October 9, 1939, LOCAL AND GENERAL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 244, 9 October 1939, Page 2

The Opotiki News Monday, October 9, 1939, LOCAL AND GENERAL

County Rat® Collection, The 5 per cent, rebate offered by t-lie Opotiki County Council for prompt payment of rates had the effect of t>rodueing approximately £*o()00 wliicli can be regarded as very satisfactory. End of Session. Advice has been received from Mr. A, G. Hultqiiist. M.P., that as t'he 'session is now concluded lie will lie returning: to his home at Whakatane to-morrow and will be there for some time. Yacht Capsize. While M'r. Peter Warren was sailing nis 14t't. yacht near the Opotiki bar during the week-end, the boat was struck by a heavy squall and capsized. Mr. McGregor, who was in the vicinity with his boat, picked up Mr. Wajrren, who was none the worse for his early-seasou dip. Opossum Trapping. Opossum trapping on the slopes of Alt. Egmont. this season has been phenomenally successful and returns by trappers show a total 0 f over 3000 skins for the six weeks’ operations. The bags have been varied by the catching, in addition, of three kiwis, many goats, a dog. 429 rats, several cats. 37 weasels, a rabbit, wekas and —a crayfish. This last catch was the captive of an opossum taken, and was of the fresh water variety.

Suspension of Air Service. -As from tliis week, the airways Jink between Gisborne and Auckland, via Opotiki and Tauranga, will l»e suspended indefinitely owing to the Government proposal to take over aircraft from Union Airways, Limited, tor training purposes in connection with the Dominion’s war effort. The last- flight- from Opotiki will take place oji Saturday, when the plane will leave Opotiki for Auckland at 8.20 a.in. Schoolboy Arilst. Ivan Juriss, aged 14. a son of- Air. and -Airs. .VI. Juriss. Wallace Street, Wellington, has received advice that a water-colour painting representing “Speed” gained second place in a werld competition organised by the makers of Meccano. is a pupil at the Wellington Technical College. The painting contained 1 representations of an aeroplane, a railway engine, a motor car. a motor cycle, and a motor boat-. Church Attendances. “The attendances last- year declined nearly 2800, and under those circumstances you can well imagine it becomes a matter of some moment and serious consideration for the hoard of .managers and finance committee,” said Mr. R. Fleming at the annual meeting of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Wellington. Mr. Fleming said that the financial success of a church depended upon the attendances of its congregation. The Red Cross. First aid and homo nursing classes arc now in lull swing. They are extremely well attended and the students are very enthusiastic. -Miss Hubbard lectures on home nursing at the Mission Hall at 7.15 p.jn. on Wednesday evenings and Dr Mail takes the first aid class in the Parish Hall at 7.15 p.m on Mondays. Airs. Martin (president),- is supported l by an able committee comprising Airs. Hampton. Airs. Steele. Aliss Alorgau, Aliss K. Alulhern. Aliss C. Armstrong, Aliss K. Connor and Airs. Mail (secretary). The Rat Trick. An Opotiki resilient had a rather amusing experience the other day when he endeavoured to slay a rat which ran across his garden into a shed. Calling to his wife to keep guard atthe hole at the rear of the shed, armed with a spade, the householder invaded the shedi wielding a stout stick. Tin* lady then struck the boards on the back of the shed to frighten the "rat- from its hiding place. The blow had the desired effect, .and out ran the rat. right at the man’s feet and before- lie had time to strike it, the rat ran up the inside of his trouser leg. The amazed rat hunter was taken completely by surprise but managed to get a firm grip of the rat with both hands and succeeded in suffocating the rat before releasing it.