LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 349, 31 July 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. J. D. C. Davis, stationmaster at Putaruru, is indisposed. Mr. Smith, of the Auckland relieving staff, is filling the vacancy.

The contract for additions and alterations to the Putaruru District High School building has been secured by an Auckland firm, and it is expected that a start will be made with the work this week.

Mr. T. F. Snell, J.P., has received notification of his permanent appointment as coroner for Putaruru and district. Mr. Snell has been acting coroner since the resignation of the previous coroner.

The senior boys of the Putaruru District High School gathered in force on the Putaruru railway station on Thursday morning to see the British footballers; who were passing through on their 1 way to Auckland.

Despite the exodus that took place to Auckland during the week-end there was a large gathering assembled in front of Mr. C. C. Neal’s shop to listen to the broadcast description of the third test match. The reception was perfect. The announcer was in good form, though it was easy to conceive him to be an ardent New Zealand supporter, as his frequent use of “Hard luck” when a promising New Zealand movement broke down made it apparent.

“ I can’t for the life of me see how they expect to break in unimproved land at the present cost of things,” said a Kiwitahi farmer, when discussing land settlement recently. He mentioned that in 1913 he bought fencing posts for £3 18s and £4 7s a hundred, while recently he paid £l2 10s a hundred. Fencing wire, which was then £ll a ton, now costs £2O, and battens were three times the pre-war price. On top of this prices for wool last season were just half those of the previous season. Under these circumstances the breaking in of unimproved country was a rich man’s job.—Morrinsville Star.

“We shall certainly get better roads,” said Captain F. Colbeck, of the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union, when asked to comment on the increase in the petrol tax. He was glad to note that the increased revenue was to go to the Highways Board, and not into the Consolidated Fund, as many people had feared. He did not think rates on farm land would be reduced, so farmers would get no relief. The farmers would not be affected by the increased petrol tax so much as by the increase in the duties on many other commodities included in the Government’s announcement. It was probable that the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union would call a special meeting shortly to discuss the effect of the Government’s tariff proposals.—Morrinsville Star.

The Matamata Musical Society will stage a play, “ The Gipsy Rover,” on August 5 in the Putaruru Town Hall. Proceeds are to go to the Putaruru Brass Band.*