LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 23 February 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An inspection of the premises provid-* ing food for public consumption is at present being carried out by the local sanitary authorities.

The following stock was slaughtered at the Masterton abattoirs during January: 50 bullocks, 33 heifers, 115 cows, 28 calves, 490 wethers, 231 ewes, 216 lambs, 143 pigs.

Three cases of infection disease were reported in the Masterton Borough during January—a case of erysipelas in Cole Street and two cases of tuberculosis in Albert Street. ,

During January 13 building permits were issued in Masterton having an estimated value of £64044., For the corresponding period last year 11 permits were issued, having an estimated value of £11,672.

The following events will be decided at the Masterton Amateur Athletic Club’s evening meeting at the Park Oval this evening: 100 yards, threequarters of a mile, two-mile cycle race, and long jump. The Borough Council decided last evening to invite the business people of Masterton to close their premises at 11.45 a.m., on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Masterton on March 5.

The Masterton Public librarian issued 5810 books during January of which 5771 were fiction. Ten new books were purchased. The total number of subscribers at the end of the month was 683, 36 having cancelled their subscription during the month. The borough sexton reported to the council last night that bathers in the lake had removed from the cemetery planks which are used on the occasion of burials, and eventually he had to drag them out of the lake. The fence dividing the cemetery from the river bed had also been broken down by picnic parties. It was decided to take action against offenders. Mr. H. L. Hendry, the Australian and Victorian cricketer, arrived in Auckland yesterday to join the Melbourn Club team now touring New Zealand. Mr. Hendry could not come to the Dominion earlier, as his services were required by Victoria in the Sheffield Shield games. He will join the Melbourne team at Wellington.—(P.A.). As the result of a deputation representing various local sports bodies waiting on the Borough Council regarding a permanent scheme of lighting the Park Oval, it has been agreed that the applicants shall light the oval on the occasion of the Fire Brigade and Band gala, on the lines suggested by them for a permanent scheme, and the members of the council will inspect the lighting and meet the deputation later to discuss the proposal further. The dispute with the crew of the Union Steamship Company’s steamer Kaituna has been settled, and the vessel sailed from Auckland for Westport yesterday afternoon after being delayed m the southern port for eight days. The men had refused to go to sea in the vessel as they alleged that she was not seaworthy. Twenty men were charged in Court with disobeying the Master’s orders, but eventually the charges were withdrawn and the men agreed to rejoin the ship.—(P.A.).

A tragic affair occurred at the Gisborne High School yesterday. Isaac Arthur Winter, aged seventy, who had been caretaker at the school for fourteen years, retired last week owing to failing health, and the scholars assembled this afternoon to make him a presentation. After the ceremony, Winter went outside and sat on the school steps. A few minutes later he was found dead. He had been treated for heart trouble, and it is considered that the excitement of the day contributed to his death--(P.A.).

At a conference of representatives of local bodies held in Christchurch yesteiday to consider the unemployment problem, a resolution was adopted approving of a scheme for paving the main highways between the Ashley and Selwyn Rivers and approaching the Main Highways Board for an increase in the board’s contribution up to £3 for £l. It was stated that the scheme, provided work for 200 men for two years. Representatives of local bodies were invited to attend a conference on March 2 to -consider the proposals.— (P.A.).

It is announced, a Christchurch Press Association message states, that Albert H. Baile, conductor of the Australian Commonwealth Band, has issued a writ against the “Lyttelton Times” Company as publishers of the “Star,” claiming £2OOO for alleged libel. The matter in respect of which the damages are claimed was published on the poster or contents bill of the “Star” newspaper. Baile was sued in Court by an ex-advance agent of the band, who obtained judgment. A line appeared in the contents bill relating to this case. Another line also appeared relating, it is alleged, to another case, and the juxtaposition of the two lines is said to be the basis of Baile’s claim.

A party of New South Walds bowlers will arrive at Auckland next week to begin a tour of the North Island which w r ill extend over almost four weeks. The visitors comprise sixteen bowlers, five of whom are accompanied by their wives. The bowlers will be in Auckland on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week, after which their itinerary is: March 4, leave for New Plymouth via Te Kuiti; March 7, leave New Plymouth for Wanganui; March 8, leave Wanganui for Palmerston North; March 9, leave Palmerston North for Masterton; March 10, leave Masterton for Wellington; March 14, leave Wellington for Napier; March 16, leave Napier for Gisborne; March 18, leave Gisborne for Opotiki; March 19, leave Opotiki for Rotorua; March 23, leave Rotorua for Hamilton; March 24, day trip to Waitomo Caves; March 25, leave Francton Junction for Auckland. —(P.A.).