LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 464, 23 February 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ngongotaha W.D.F.U. The Ngongotaha branch of the W.D.F.U. held its monthly meeting in the Ngongotaha Hall on February 17. Mrs. V. C. Florey, the president, presided, there heing thirty-three niembers present. The meeting held at Tirau to form the new East Waikato Provincial Council was diseussed. At their request it was al'so decided to assist the local Boys Seouts with their soeial to be held on 3iarch 3. Mr. Christie, the agent for a sewing machine company gave a demonstration on how to use the various attachments for the n^achine, which proved hoth intereisting and instructive. A dainty afternoon tea was served, the hostesses for the day being 3Iesdames Moule, Stembridge, Beaumont, Turton and Martin. A Regiilar Visitor. Conducting a party of eleven on a tour of the Dominion, a regular visitor to Rotorua, Mr. E. Gray, E.R.G.S., F.R.C.I., F.A.G.S., of the Edward Gray World Tours, London arrived here yesterday afternoon. The only man who organises a per-sonally-conducted tour to these parts of the world, Mr. Gray first visited the Dominion 20 years ago, the present tour being his 12th to New Zealand. On the completion of his fourteenth world tour in 1930 Mr. Gray published a discriptive. booklet in which the attractions of the Dominion, and Rotorua in particular, are well featured. His present party will probably spend two weelcs in Rotorua. Press Delegates Impressed. . Considerable surprise at the progress made in the development of pumice lands was expressed yesterday by the only two members of the Press Conference delegates to undertalce the tour of the Ngakuru and Horo Hora settlements. The two delegates, Mr. C. S. Rush (North Auckland Times) and Mr. R. Muir (Poverty Bay Herald) were conducted over the settlement by 3Ir. C. S. Dalgleish, Fields Inspector, Department of Agriculture and Mr. Scott, Overseer, Native Lands Department. Mr. Rush told a "Post" representative that what impressed him most was the results obtained from the Government Experimental Farm and the remarkahle growth of the second crop of . pasture. He considers the results justify the money spent by the Government on the devolopment of the area, which should prove of great benefit to the whole district. Municipal Conference Seafcs The Rotorua Borough Council last evening decided to support a remit to the Municipal Conference to the effect that the constitution be amended to make provision for a definite number of seats on the exeeutive committee for representatives of boroughs of a population of 6000. The 3Iayor mentioned that this would be advisable since he understood that there was a move to centralise all future conferences alternatively at AVellington and Christchurch. Amalgamation of Boroughs Last evening the Rotorua Borough Council expressed its disapproval of -the views of the Newmarket Borough Council with regard to the amalgamation of local bodies considering that it was necessary to legislate for the greatest good of the greatest number. House Warming to Band It was suggested at the meeting of the Rotorua Borough Council on Wednesday that the council should tender a house warming to the band on its taking possession of its newly extended bandroom, the matter being left to the Publicity and Amusement Committee. Skilful Landing Skilful handling of his' aeroplane by 3Ir. S. J. Blackmore, of Hamilton, averted what might have been a serious mishap early yesterday 3Ir. Blackmore, who was aceompanied hy "Scotty" Fraser, th'e wellknown parachutist, and another passenger, was en route to Whakatane in the Desoutter monop'lane "Aoarangi," when at 7.3 a.m. the engine stalled owing to a hlockage in the henzine feed pipe, and the pilot had to make a forced landing at Whitehall, about eight miles from Cambridge. The plane was iskilfully landed in a small paddock, without damage, and after repairs had been effected, Mr. Blackmore, cleverly took off again. Harvest Thanksgiving at St. Lulce's Next Sunday the annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services will be held at St. LukeU Church. Parishioners are asked if they will kindly send their contributions of fruit, vegetables or flowers to the church on Saturday moTning. Will anyone who cannot send them ring up the Vicarage and arranigements will he made to send for them,*