The Opotiki News Friday, October 31, 1917. LOCAL & GENERAL

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1042, 31 October 1947, Page 2

The Opotiki News Friday, October 31, 1917. LOCAL & GENERAL

Earthquake. \v Au earthquake shock- was felt at Opotiki at midday tt»-day. This is the second shock to be felt in the last few. days. Frosts. Three slight frosts have been experienced this week but no damage has been reported, although in same parts the ground was quite white. Kissing the Babies. * With so many aspirants for local body honours next month the babies of the district will receive due patronage. A few of the old members of the Hospital Board arc tumbling over themselves at present. Trout Fishing. \ The trout fishing season opens, to-morrow. Quite a few local pisca-' torial enthusiasts left to-day for the Lakes. The secretary of the local Rod and Gnu Club has a notification in to-day’s issue of a new amendment to the regulations.

Shipping. The Motu arrived in port at 6.20 last evening and is expected td leave for Auckland at 8 a.m. tomorrow. She carried superphosphate and general cargo and will leave with a cargo of wool and butter. Big Freight Increase. Owing to the withdrawal of the Government subsidy the Stabilisation Council has authorised an increase 'in sea freights as from tomorrow. Gross amended schedules will be 'available later. It is understood',that the increases will approximate 45 per cent. Social Security Charge. In this issue appears an iutima 1 tion from ' the Commissioner of Taxes that ■ an instalment of the Social Security charge on income other than salary or wages derived during the year ended 31st. March, 1947, falls dub on Ist. November and that a 10, per cent, penalty will be incurred on amounts not paid within one- month of the due date. Whakatane H.S. Uniform. Feeling that during the summer months the boys should have a uniform that was cool and serviceable, the Whakatane Parent-Teacher Association on Monday resolved that the summer uniform for High School boys be shorts and shirts, with sandals blit no socks. Because of the poor quality of socks available for girls, and from the standpoint -of health, it was further resolved that it be permissible for High School girls to wear sandals instead of sandshoes and socks.

Scenic Route in Good Order, The surface of the Gisborne-Opo-tiki scenic highway, via thp East Cape, is in good order, apart from a few corrugations on sections of the route between Gisborne and Tokomaru Bay, according to a report from the resident A.A. patrol, Mr. C. Prentice, who returned the other day to Gisborne from, a round trip to Opotiki and back through the Waioeka Valley. Mechanical equipment is at work on the Opotiki end of the Waioeka Gorge cutting back many of the bends in' the highway. Good progress has been made recently with the reconstruction work on Trafford’s Hill near Matawai.

Orthopaedic Specialist. Following upon the indication received from Dr. Walter S. Robertson that he wished to relinquish t the appointment of visiting orthopaedics pccialist to the Cook Hospital, the board recently took steps to provide a replacement. At this week's meeting it was decided that the medical superintendent, Dr. R. J. B. Hall, contact the Wairoa, Opotiki and Waiapu hospital boards with a view to securing their participation in an appointment. "Beer by the Pound” North Island visitors to a conference at Hanmer Springs were curious, though incredulous, when on their return journey they were told by the bus driver they were about to pass the only hotel in New Zealand which “sold beer by the pound.” Their curiosity was satisfied a 3 they passed the Woodend Hotel. “There’s the pub,” said the driver, and, pointing to the other side of the road,'lie added: “There’s the pound.” The visitors admitted that the laugh -vas “on them” when they saw the local impounding pen for stock. Dog. Leather is Good. Because of an increasing shortage of suitable skins overseas, many American and European manufacturers have turned to dog skins, for processing into leather. One or two New Zealand manufacturers have also utilised the skins of hapless canines, and, according to their testimony, dogs make good leather. Pelts from all sizes, fox tprriers to sheep dogs, have arrived from overseas. Purses, wallets, and lining for watch traps are among the more successful articles made from the leather.