LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 22, 18 September 1931, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Preparing Playing Areas The t'ennis, bowling and croquet lawns in the Government Grounds are at present being put in readiness for the coming summer season. 'The grass after the early spring top-dress-ing, is coming away well, and with the recent rolling and cutting is looking in exceljent condition. The tennis courts in front of the main* bathhouse, were re-levelled last autumn and appear to be in niuch better condition than they have been for the past few years. Native Shrubs in Gardens Ihe area of untidy ti-tree and serub which formerly greatly detracted from the trim appearance of the Government Gardens to the right of the main bath-house, has now been eleared, and a number of men are employed, under" the guidance of the head gardener, Mr. Hesketh, in laying out a plot of ornamental native shrubs. Work on Blue Baths Work is continuing steadily on the new Blue Baths and the j uvenile pool is now almost completed as far as the concreting work is coneerned. According to the Public Works foreman, Mr. F. Barnicoat, the work will be sufiiciently far advanced for tiling by the end of next month. The walls of the lefthand row of dressing cubicals are aheady completed and give some impression of what the completed plan will be like. Yesterday, the overhead gear, which was used during concreting work, was being clismantled. Corrosive Action of Mineral Waters The Public Works officials in charge of the work on the new baths at present being built in Rotorua, have had great difficulty in finding suitable materials capable of withstanding the corrosive effect of the minerals and acids in the bath-waters. A well-known artificial stone recently tried in one of the mineral waters crumbled within three days. It was intended to use this material for the edges of the steps leading- into the bath, and something more durable will have to be found. Fire Brigade Wins Snooker Match The Rotorua Fire Brigade again proved victorious in a snooker match played on Wednesday evening- in Mr. S. Hogg's room in Arawa Street, when they defeated a team from the Druids' Lodge by a margin of 54 points. Following are the scores, the brigade members being mentioned first: — F. H. Briggs 52, defeated J. A. Brown 46; H. Balsden 33, lost to S. Hogg 57; R. Tuclcer 26, lost to J. R. Greenlane! 45; P. Munro 55, defeated C. Clark 17; T. Middleton 44, (Jefeated T. Oneroa 34; J. B. Shiels 65, defeated G. P. A. Sloane 22. Fire brigade 275, defeated Druids, 221. W.E.A. Play Reading Members of the Rotorua W.E.A. will read Edward Thompson's play, "Atonement" at their meeting in the Citizens' Club to-night. "Atonement" deals with the problems of modern India and should therefore be of particular interest at present. The reading- will commence at 7.30 p.m. Bath Re-construction The'drain bath at Ohinemutu native village is at present being reconstructed along improved lines. The work is being carried out by relief j labour and materials are being supplied from Carnival funds. Not the Tree's Fault. At the *meeting of the Beautifying Society Executive the other night a member was discussing with Mr. *F. Tschopp, the landscape architect, the suitability of certain varieties of native trees recommended by him for planting in the streets. The Koromiko had been mentioned and was objected to as unsuitable for use in a certain street which is a stock route "because the first cow that comes along will eat it." "That's the fault of the cow, not of the tree," Mr Tschopp replied. Orphans' Club. At the meeting of the Rotorua Orphans' Club last night vice-president Bro. W. N. Evans presided. His references to the English poets were much appreciated and the opinion was expressed that Bro. Evans had given future chairmen a sound lead in the direction of cultivating the literary side of the aims of Orphandom. An excellent programme was presented despite the fact that there was some difficulty as a result of unavoidable absences. The items, which were. warmly applauded, were: Orcnestra, overture, "Little Red Cap." chorus, Bro. Harris; Bro. J. G. Norman (Hamilton) "The Whirlwind King." violin duet, Eros G. Nelson and Ellis; recitation, Bro. F. Newmarch; orchestra, Hobomoko, Indian dance; sketch, Mr. Wood; zylophone solo, Mr D. McLennan; recitation, Mr J. Shields; song, Mr F. Jones; song, Mr J. Thomas. No "Bonedust." A Maori wandered into a Te Awamutu store the other day full of apo-log-ies that he could not fulfil his promises to pay certain moneys that were owing. "But not my fault," he added. "Py gorry, te hoss he been waiting for te big bonedust from dairy company," and he went on to explain when the "bonedust" came along money would be more plentiful.