Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 237, 27 December 1927, Page 9

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

THEFT OF FLOUR CARRIER FINED A Morrlnsville carrier. William j Smith, pleaded guilty before Justices to stealing one sack of flour. In view ; of the increase in petty thieving the j court inflicted a fine of £lO, in de- I fault two months’ imprisonment. j KIDNAPPED PATIENT FOUND AT JUDEA The authorities have located the 1 Maori child kidnapped from Tauranga Hospital on Monday. The child, which had been in contact with a fatal typ- . hoid case, and was suspected of suJTering from the same disease, was found at Judea settlement. It has been isolated with its parents. CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC MOTORISTS AT TE KUITI Heavy rain interfered considerably with the Christmas Eve shopping in Te Kuiti, and the local hotels were taxed to their utmost capacity on account of the large number of motorists who elected to spend the night in the town instead of continuing their journey Christmas Day broke fine and clear, and the main road from Te Kuiti to New Plymouth presented an animated appearance owing to the heavy motor traffic. j WATER FOR SCHOOL WANT OR WASTE? The Ohinemuri County Council had before it at a special meeting a letter from the Waikino School Committee, complaining of the shortage of water at the school and threatening to call a public meeting if improvements were not made. It was stated that when the engineer visited the school he found the water pressure good and that every tap outside the building, and tWo inside, were j leaking. The view expressed by two members of the council, Messrs. Corbett and Robinson, was that a letter of thanks for a free water service instead of an allegation of improper administration would have more properly met the situation. TE KUITI DRUIDS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE The Imperial Hall, Te Kuiti, was the scene of much jubilation and pleasurable excitement on Christmas Eve, the occasion being the annual Christmas tree provided by the Pride of Te Kuiti Lodge, Ancient Order of Druids. Unfortunately heavy rain of almost tropical intensity prevented many from attending, but as it was practically 200 children and parents were present. The hall presented a gay appearance, coloured streamers extending the whole length of the building and looped at intervals, proving very effective. Before the distribution of the numerous gifts, Mr. J. C. Rolleston, M.P., addressed the gathering and thanked Mr. Schumacher and his energetic committee for providing such a splendid Christmas treat for the children. INQUIRIES FOR LAND KING COUNTRY ACTIVITY As an indication of the increased interest in farming as a profitable occupation, it is learned from a reliable source that there are now very few of the so-called “abandoned" farms vacant in the King Country, practically all the smaller holdings having been taken up again. One of these, of approximately acres, was taken over by a settler two months ago, after being unoccupied for two years. Since then he has received five inquiries as to whether he wished to sell, one man I offering £IOO on his bargain, lut he refused to make a deal, i Another property, after *being unj occupied for three years and over- ) grown with fern, was taken up two years ago and is now carrying 500 sheep and 100 head of cattle, the presI ent owner shearing nine bales of wool and obtaining 350 lambs this season. In addition, 38 milking cows are now i pasturing on 40 acres which, when taken over, were the worst pari of the property. Situated within 10 miles of Te Kuiti, a property, reoccupied six months ago, is now carrying 200 sheep and 40 head of cattle. Another indication of revived inter- ; est in farming is that five inquiries isui Suijnp pa.YidDaj ojoal apisjno uiojj week by a Te Kuiti land agent, and if this optimism continues the King Country should go ahead rapidly, as the opportunities are there for men who are ajraid of work*

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AVONDALE SERVICES Old Christmas hymns, sung by rhe congregation of the Avondale Presbyterian Church, led by the New Lynn Glee Club, were featurs of a specia’ Christmas service in the Avondab Town Hall. Popular carols, an anthem. Jatkson’s “Te Deum," a solo by Mr. A. J. Morrish, and a Quartet by Mrs Graves, Mrs. Simpson. Mr. I. hughe?, and Mr. E. Edney also lent a Christmas air to the service. WAIKATO RIVER FALLS THREE FEET A fall of nearly three feet has been recorded in the Waikato River level at. Hamilton following the filling of the Arapuni dam. The first noticeable, decrease in the level was nine hour*; after the sluice gates were closed and swimmers were just able to walk down midstream between the two bridge* mt Hamilton, where the water 2s commonly supposed to be deep, but is now only five or six feet in parts. FIRES IN HAMILTON BUNGALOW DESTROYED HAMILTON, To-day. A fine occurred at 2 a.m. to-day in * live-roomed bungalow in Tawa Street, owned by Mr. J. Thorburn, of Claudelands. and occupied by E. O'Kane. The house and furniture were completely destroyed. The occupant recently moved into the house and was awaken?d by the fire brigade. The brigade also received a call to Colombo Street, Frankton, on Christmas Day. but only the flooring of a two-roomed cottage was damaged FIRE AT WAIHI COTTAGE GUTTED A four-roomed house in Kensington Road. Waihi, was completely gutted by fire about 3 o’clock on Saturday morning. The house, which was owned by Mr. L. N. Smith, had onlv been vacated on Thursday, Mr. Smith having on that day moved his furniture to Te Puke, where he is working at the Muir’s Reefs mine. So far the origin of the' fire is unknown. The building was insured in the State Fire Office for £l3O. NGAROMA REPORT

NOT YET ACTED UPON The committee of representatives of tilt: Public Works, La%ds and Survey, State Advances and Valuation Departments, which inspected the Xga - roina Settlement, presented its report mere than six months ago, but so far no action has been taken. The committee Visited 42 holdings and held discussions with the settlers. The report has not been published. Although it is known that it contained an interesting r.urvey of the conditions obtaining at Ngaroma, as seen by experts, which would have done much to allay anxiety and give the public a true statement of the position at a time when they were influenced by . many exaggerated and unreliable aci counts of what the settlers were enj countering. The report also dealt with each settler’s position, and recommendations were made in each case. There were originally 44 settlers on the block of 22,700 acres at Ngaroma, and they held areas ranging from 220 acres to 94 acres. Of these 18 have abandoned their sections, most of them recently, and of the remainder 11 are looking for other places. Special manuring and treatment of the land has produced a magnificent growth of grass, but the “sickness" remains. Two settlers, who are regarded as responsible men. stated that the position at Ngaroma to-day was as hopeless as it could possibly be. They expressed deep disappointment with the inactivity of the Government.