LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 401, 9 December 1932, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Potato Crops Damaged ' An unseasonable frost on Wednesday night h'as caused some daniage to Rotorua potato crops. In jnany eases the haulms are considerably affected and it will probably result in lessened returns to potato growers. Caretaker's Position Filled The Board of Governors of the Rotorua High School has appointed Mr. Charles H. Jones to the position of caretalcer to the Rotorua High School. Heavy Traffic Licenses The quarterly instalments of heavy traffic license fees are due again and according to local body officials are coming in somewhat slowly. Heavy Holiday Booking One private hotel proprietor reports that his holiday hookings are lieavier and for longer periods this soason than for the past five years, an augury of a good holiday season for the district. Holiday Picture Progrlaxnmes. The manager of the Majestic is opening his holiday programmes on Saturday night with a special double feature. programme. It is often difficul't for patrons to judge from the titles whether pictures Iare worth seeing. Reports from several sources go to show that the entertainment to he provided on Saturday will he of a high standard. Girl Orators On Monday next, at the Rotary Club luncheon the final of the Gardner medal competition for girls will be decided. Mr. R. A. Gardner has presented a prize for the best girl speaker from the Rotorua High School The Headmaster has selected three speakers for th'e finals. These three speakers jare: Miss Betty Urquhart, whose subject is "Elizabeth Fry" (prison refcfrm 1820-40, England); Miss Betty Keane "Florence Nightingale"; Miss Margaret Budd "Mary Slessor" (followed on Livingstone's work in the interior of Africa). Rev. Archdeacon Chatterton, and Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., have kindly consented to act as judges. Rotorua Aerodrome There is urgent need for finishing the aerodrome ready for the holidays. Visiting planes may he expected, and unless immediate attention is given, it will not he s:afc for them to tise it. Considerable filling has been done on the main run-ways, which require rolling, and the grass cutter is needed on the aerodrome for at least two days. It is to be hop-ed that the borough council will g'ive immediate iattention to this requirement. Any plane landing in the present loose filling is liable to stand on end, and'. it would he an extremely had advertisement for Rotorua for sueh an accident to h-appen which could be preventedi hy immediate attention. Picture Entertainment The Rotorua Rotary Club is endeavouring to organise the raising of a fund to provide Christmas cheer for as many of the families in Rotorua who are in needy eircumstanees as possihle. Arrangements are in train for the screening of a Sunday night talking picture entertainment on December 18, when it is hoped that an exceptionally fine programme will he made available, through the eooperation of the manager of the Majestic theatre. A movement of this sort should have the whole-hearted support of the puhlic. Early Morning Catch The Hon. 0. F. Nelson and party had a profitable early morning fishing trip on the lake yesterday. Starting from Lake House at six o'cloclc they were hack for hreakfast with ia nice liaul caught by trolling. The average weight was from three to four pounds. Mr. Nelson intends to return to spend the Christmas holidays in Rotoru'a. Maori Sympathy It will be recalled that some weeks ago two natives, David and Joseph Bristow, employed upon the Horohoro development area, suffered injuries through their tent eatching fire. Both were removed to the King George V. Hospital, where David Bristow still rcmains an inmate. The Maoris with their usual kindly sympathy for those in distress, decided to give the sufferers some praetical help, and express their regret at the trouble which had overtaken them. At the request of Chief Mita Taupopoki, Mr. L. J. Bayfeild, district manager of the Tourist Department, accompanied him to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon and presented David Bristow with a gift of £10 and expressed hope for his speedy recovery, adding the wish that "Dame Fortune's present frown would turn to a smile in the near futnre." Mr. R. I. Dansey lacted as interpreter.