Local & General

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5283, 20 December 1946, Page 4

Local & General

To-Day's \Yeather Forecast The Government Meteorolo'gist has issued the following weather report and forecast: — Situation: Pressure is still low, ibut is rising as a cold front mbves over the .South Island.' Forecast for the Rotorua district promises moderate westerly and south- westerly winds; weather fair to firie and ir.ild, The maximum temperature in -the town area yesterday was 74.-1 degrees, compared with 73.4 degrees on Wednesday. For the 24-hour period ended at 3.30 p.m.; the rainfall was .1 inch. Palmerston North Births e As far as is ascertainable, hirths figures at Palmerston North this year have set a record. At Deeember 16, 1143 hirths had heen notified. Hawke Cup Cricket The Waikato Cricket Association has accepted January 2, 3, and 4 as the date for its challenge match for the Hawke Cup at Palmerston North, -provided Manawatu retains the cup against Wanganui at Christmas. Grants for PoisoningUnexpended halanees of Government grants hel-d h'y the Pongakawa Rabbit Rabbit Board on Deeember 11 were as follow: Fumigation grant, £362/ native lands £128; Crown lands £120; State Forest £99; total £709. Swimming Carnival The first swimming carnival of the season. will be staged to-morrow by the Ohinemutu Amateur Swimming Cluh at the Blue Baths, the opening event being at 2 p.m. A number of relay races will form part of the programme and good competition in all races should be assured. Harbour Board's Loss The Wellington Harbour Board's loss on working for the year, after allowing for the usual appropriations to insurance funds, amouhted -■ to £25,493. The S'O per cent.. surcharge authorised by the Price Tribunal operated for the nine months from January -1, 1946, said Mr. 'Price, 'but had this surcharge not heen imposed there would have been a loss of approximately £137,000. In the meantime, it was considered advisable to hold over an application to the Price Tribunal for a further increase. Former M.P.'s New Position The man who might have been Minister of Agriculture, had he been reelected to Parliament, Mr. C. Morgan Williams, of Kaiapoi, is working in the local freezing works, aecording to letters received by his friends in Wellington. A farmer, Mr. Williams, recently sold his farm to his son. Believing that everyone should v/ork, he has, accordingly, taken a job, though he is old enough for the age benefit. Mr. Williams, after -being M.P. for Kaiapoi for 11 years, was defeated for the St. Alhans ^seat at the recent General Eleetions. Thermal Reticulation Although only 'four days have .passed since the hot mineral bore at the back of the Rotorua Transit Camp was completed, the ablution block has now been eonnected -up, and residents of the camp are assured of a constant supply of hot water for showers and washing. In order to p'revent the bore pipe becoming encrusted with silica, the bore will not be turned off, and a deep pit is being dug down to approximately lake level to drain away the overflow. This has almost been completed, but in the meantime the overflow is being drained into the empty section adjoining the camp. C3 Pongakawa Rabbit Board Poisoning over 11,850 acres and fumigation of 14,170 acres for the last four-weekly period was reported on by the inspector to the Pongakawa Rabbit Board, Mr. C. H. Davis, at its monthly meeting on Decembe;- 11. Results had been good, stated Mr. Davis, and the old area was in the best condition it had yet been in. There were still many young rabbits in the Manawahe district, but the team was more than holding its own with the season's increases and on many places there were few rabbits to be found. The Te Teko and Murupara areas were also fairly clear. The staff had worked exceptionally well. Parade of Decorated Vehicles In anticipation of the street parade of decorated floats to be held in the tov/n on New Year's.Day, carpentry and joinery firms are at present turnin-g out many varied and attractive woodlen stru-dfeures which "will take their place on trucks in the px-oees-sion. Some of the designs are of a novel charaeter, and if the weather is fine, residents should^ witness a colourful and picturesque scene. The organisers of the parade are still in need of competent licensed drivers and any persons willing to act in this capacity are requested to get?in touch with the secretary of the 30,000 Cluh, Mr. H. A. Spurdle, immediately.