LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 25 February 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A fire was discovered soon after 6.30 p.m. yesterday in the millinery establishment conducted by Madame Carle and situated in the Central Garage block of buildings. Fortunately the flames had macle no progress when the brigade were summoned, and the fire was extinguished with very small loss. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.

Vigorous action in the direction of opposing the passage of the Daylight Saving Bill when if comes before Parliament next session was decided upon by the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at its meeting yesterday. Members agreed in declaring that the operation, of the Bill would be detrimental to farmers and farm workers, and also to children who had to get up early in the morning to ride miles to school. One member observed that there was nothing to prevent town workers having the hour at which they commenced work adjusted to suit themselves. A resolution was passed objecting strongly to the passage of the Bill and directing that letters of protest should be sent to district members of Parliament.

Three more earthquakes -were felt in Morrinsville early yesterday morning, but they were not severe and no damage was done.—(P.A.). In the Opotiki Police Court yes.ter(day morning before Justices, Detective McLeod, for the Police Depairtment, charged two local youths, Joseph Collins and Stanley Matchitt, with breaking and entering the premises of Shalfoon Brothers, general merchants, and stealing goods and monies totalling £3B. Both accused pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court at Gisborne for sentence.—(P.A.). People who see a procession of decorated motor cars proceeding down Queen Street this morning need not assume that the Royal visitors have arrived ahead of their time. The car will contain pupils of the Lansdowne School* with their parents and friends, en route to the Solway grounds for their annual picnic. A good sports programme and a liberal prize-list have been provided and a pleasant and highly successful day is anticipated.

The Masterton West School is to hold a swimming carnival to-morrow at its own baths. The public and particularly ex-pupils old and young are invited to attend and it is hoped that they will muster in large numbers. AH arrangements are well in hand and an excellent programme has been drawn up. There are some very promising young swimmers at the West School and interesting contests should be witnessed.

The Scouts and Cubs of St. Matthew’s are to hold high, revel to-mor-row evening. There is to be an initiation ceremony for new Cubs and a presentation of two cups to Scouts and as many to Cubs. In addition, there is to be a. “going-up” ceremony for Cubs who are being promoted to Scouts. It is hoped that parents and friends will attend in large numbers and a very pleasant and interesting evening is anticipated. At its meeting yesterday, the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was adviled by the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation that a conference with the Shearers’ Union in regard to the union’s application for a crutching award had proved abortive, and that the application would bejieard by the Arbitration Court on March 24. On the motion of Mr. L. T. Daniell, the matter of representation at the hearing was left in the hands of the president (Mt. C. C. Jackson) and Mr. H. Morrison

Mr B. Sutherland, of Wellington, was to have waited upon the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday to make representations regarding the Proprietary Articles Trade Association. It was explained at the meeting that Mr. Sutherland had been unable to come to Masterton yesterday, and it was agreed that he should be invited to attend the next meeting. One member asked how farmers could do anything in this matter in view of what they were themselves doing to fix or control prices. Other members contended, however, that there was a great difference between export control and the fixation of prices. Two well-dressed men, William Grady, alias Whitehall (37), and James 'O’Neill, alias Syd Morgan (46),pleaded guilty in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court yesterday to being idle and disorderly, with insufficient means of support. The police evidence was. to the effect that they were international criminals, one from England and the other from Canada. Both were professional pickpockets, who had been in the Dominion only three weeks. Yesterday they were found picking pockets in the crowded Domain. Ono had £6O and the other £25 when they were arrested. They were remanded until tomorrow.—(P.A.).

Finality has not yet been reached by the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union in the matter of allocating the Sutton Cup. At its meeting yesterday, the executive had before it a resolution, moved by Mr. H. Daysh in the absence of Mr. W. B. Martin, proposing to rescind the resolution of September 15 awarding the cup to Mr. W. J. Tripe,and also a letter from Mr. Tripe stating that he was not prepared to jSress his claim and preferred to leave the matter in the hands of the executive. In addition, Mr. O. Nation attended as the representative of Dr. Prendergast Knight to claim the cup should be awarded to Dr. Knight ’s estate. After lengthy discussion, the resolution of September 15 was rescinded and further consideration of the matter was deferred. The interested parties are to be invited to attend the next meeting of the executive.

Much interest wos taken by members of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers* Union yesterday in the conipetion of fleeces which were displayed in their meeting room. The secretary (Mr. Watson) reported that donations in hand would more than cover the sum given in prizes, apart from the amount obtained by the sale of the wool. Entries were only one-third as numerous as they were last year (on account of the freezing works dispute interfering with the organisation of the competition) hut the quality of the wool was much better. The amateur judging competition had been highly interesting and instructive. Several members commended the secretary for the work he had done in organising the competition and making it a success. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to Mr. C. Bannister, who classed the wool, and to Messrs V. Perry and R. Gillon who acted as judges.

An unreserved sale by public auction of special interest to garage proprietors and electricians will be held at the Masterton Engineering and Machinery Co., Ltd., commencing at 10 a.m. today. This is the balance of the stock-in-trade which must be cleared regardless of cost.

Mr. C. S. Ball, tailor, elsewhere announces that he has just landed a very nice selection of the very latest in English Worsteds. The range of suitings is a very wide one, and those contemplating placing an order for their autumn suit me invited to call and make an early choice.