LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 199, 15 April 1932, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chestnuts in Season Considerable interest is at present being taken by the small boys in Rotorua in the ripe chestnuts which are plentiful on many of the trees growing at the roadside in various parts of the town, Practieally every afternoop youpgsters can he seen climbiug the chestnut trees or throwing sti^cs and stones to hring down these prickly delicacies. Mpthers' Leagup Meeting The Rotorua Mothers' League will meet in the Methodist schoolroom at 2.45 this afternoon. Parachute Descents. Rotorua' is promised something nrw in aerial thrills on Sunday, April 24, I when the well known New Zealand ! parachutist, Mr. Scotty Fraser, will Imake two parachute descents from a ; plane piloted by Squadron-Leader Mc1 Gregor, D.F.C. Mr. Fraser will make two descents, one at 2 p.m. and another at 5 p.m. The plane will take off from the Rotorua aerodrome and will carry passengers during the af- [ ternoon

Arts and Crafts Schoal. The new Maori Arts and Crafts huilding at Ohinemutu is practieally completed, but plans for the final opening of the building are being held over pending a final decision regarding its internal ornamentation. It was at first intended that the building should be a straight-out workshop, but a suggestion has now been made that the interior should be appropriately decorated with Maori earvings. The matter is being considered hy the Minister for Native Affairs (Hon. A. T. Ngata), who will probably visit Rptorua at an early date, and until his decision is known the final transf er to the new quarters will .probably not be carried out. A further suggestion has also been made that a Maori museum should be established at the school, and this is also being considered.

Ancient Maori Scoops What was possibly a most interesting discovery of ancient Maori utensils was lost through the unfortunate accident which befel Messrs. P. and T. Taiapa when their boat capsized on Lake Rotorua on Wednesday evening. Messrs. Taiapa, who were returning to Ohinemutu from Mokoia at the time their boat was upset by a squall, had discovered some excellent specimens of ancient Maori stone scoops in a cave on the island, and were bringing them back to the pa. The scoops were made of a peculiar blaclc stone not found in the Rotorua district, \nd were undoubtedly of considerable interest. Unfortunately, however, they accompanied the cargo of potatoes which the boat was carrying, to the bottom of the lake. Ovel-loading Not Permitted. The traffic in spector, Mr. D. M. Ford, reported to the Rotorua County Council at its meeting on Wednesday that the Waiariki Maori Land Board had asked for permission to exceed the beavy traffic classification on certain roads, as they wished to rush a large number of posts to the various land settlements from the Waikare bush. The Board was prepared to put two men on the roads concerned should damage he done by the trucks. The Council decided that as portion of the route came under the Main Highways Board, permission could not be given and suggested that the Land Board nse an additional truck instead. County Council Joins A.A.A. As considerable advantages were offered in the matter of insurances and legal advice concerning accidents was offered for a very reasonahle outlay, the Rotorua County Council, at its meeting on Wednesday decided to become a member of the Auckland Automobile Associat'on. This action was taken as a result of a report received from the county engineer, Mr. T. S. Robertson, concerning the advantages of belonging to' this association, of which he himself was a member.

Visit Postponed Owing to unforseen circumstances it has been found necessary to postpone the intended visit of Mr. F. Langstone. Labour 'M.R, for Waimarino, who was to have addressed a public meeting in Rotorua on Sunday and outlined the Labour policy. A telegram to this effect was received yesterday hy? the executive of the Rotorua branch of the Labour Party. Mr Langstone, or some other member of the Parliamentary Labour Party, will probably visit Rotorua at a later date. Large Bullock Claimed to be one of the largest bullocks in New Zealand, Goliah, a Canterhury-bred beast is to be taken to the United States of Ameriea next month to compete at shows there against cattle from all parts of the world. The animal is 19 hands high, weig'hs 3,7001b. at his best, is 13 feet around the barrel, and is 12 feet from head to tail. Ari Optimist Without questioning the dire need of the majority of the men who are travelling in search of work, it is startling to he told that the Stratford Hospital Board was approached the other day for the price of a meal by a man travelling in his own car. To spend his last shilling in benzine may have been justifiable, but it is queer policy on the face of it.