LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Providing for Sport. ■’This council does not spend nearly as much in providing sporting facs ilities as is done in other places,” remarked Councillor W. M. Sorenson at ■' last night's meeting of the Carterton " Borough Council. "We have always been very backward,” he added, “in 1 making provision for the fostering of sports.” Unconventional. y Many racing followers at Avondale g on Saturday were caught in the heavy ■> rain without overcoats or umbrellas. There was insufficient shelter’ for everyone in the large crowd, and cons sequently a large number soon became drenched. One man caused - much amusement during the height of a downpour by removing his shoes and stockings and walking around the t _ lawns barefooted. i- Gamblers Fined. „ Fourteen men appeared before Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in the Magis;e irate's Court, Wellington, yesterday, charged with playing a game of 5 chance, crown and anchor, on Queen's Wharf Eight of the men pleaded guil- .- ty. Mr R. Hardie Boys appeared for Y Frank Price, seaman, and Alwyn McSwcency. seaman, both of whom pleade ed not guilty, and the police prosecun tions were conducted by Detective-Ser-n geanl P. Doyle. Twelve of the men. „ including four who pleaded not guilty. k were convicted and fined £3 and costs, 1 ' and the charges against Price and Mce Sweeney were dismissed. "In fixing the penalty,” said the magistrate, “I . have had regard for the view that this “ is to be a way of restraining you from playing the well-known game of crown is and anchor. The penalty is not a heavy one. as this is a first offence. but next time it will be such that, financially at any rate, it will make you sit up and take notice.”

Amateur Theatrical Society. The initial practice held last evening by the Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society augurs well for the 1938 season. Several new members were enrolled and much enthusiasm was displayed in the forthcoming season, when "The Cingalee” will be produced. As soon as’the vocal scores are to hand, practices will be held twice weekly. It is hoped to produce the play in August. Far East Relief. A further sum of £2OOO for the relief of distress in China is to be remitted by the Far East Relief Fund Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society. This decision was reached at a meeting of the committee in Wellington yesterday, when the future of the fund was discussed. The chairman, Sir James Elliott, presided. The policy of the committee, said Sir James, had been to get Drs Grey and Tremewan to China and await their reports. These showed that they had met great difficulties and that their work had required energy and persistence. The state of the interior of China had made it difficult to get drugs and dressings inland; one of the two doctors had emptied his suitcase of clothes in order to fill it with supplies. Both doctors had reached the province of Honan. Dr Grey being at Loyang and Dr Tremewan at Chengchow, and they were thus in a very good tactical position for medical help.

Tours by Farmers. Arrangements have been made by the Railways Department for inspectional tours of the Dominion by New Zealand farmers, so that they may obtain first-hand information of the methods employed by fellow farmers and also inspect a number of secondary industrial works. "I am sure that New Zealand industry will benefit from educational tours of this kind.” the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan. said yesterday. “It is very pleasing to be able to announce that arrangements are now under way for two further rail tours of farmers’ parties. The first one will consist of approximately 100 farmers, and the second party will total 150. both tours being of a comprehnsive nature.”