LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Price of Gold. The price of gold in London yester day was £6 19s 6d. an ounce.

Donation to Hospital. An anonymous donation of £195 19s 8d has been received by the Wellington Hospital Board through a firm of solicitors. Hospital Levies. Local body levies totalling £112,193 15s Id, an increase of 8.8 per cent on the previous year, were struck by the Wellington Hospital Board last night to meet its estimated expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1939. The contribution of Wellington city is increased by £7750. King's Birthday. Contrary to popular belief in many quarters, the King’s Birthday this year does not fall on June 3 or June 9. Recent legislation passed by the Government provides that the King’s Birthday shall be observed on the first Monday in June, which this year will be June 6.

Shooting Season. Both ducks and swans are reported to be numerous this season and the prospects for the shooting season, which opens on Monday, are considered good. In some districts pheasants and quail are also said to be plentiful. A short open season has been declared for the pukeko, which is fairly numerous in swampy localities. Services Appreciated. At the annual meeting of the Tinui branch of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, tribute was paid to the good work accomplished by Messrs W. G. Groves and S. Schofield, as members, for many years, of the Castlepoint County Council. Appreciation was expressed at their willingness to offer themselves for re-election to the council.

Man’s Hand Blown Off. An accident occurred at Manuka Creek, in the Lawrence district (Otago) on Sunday, when Stanley Boatwood, aged 35, employed on public works in the gorge, had his right hand blown off by an explosion of gelignite. Mr Boatwood was engaged in blowing out stumps when the explosion occurred. He was removed to the Milton Hospital in a Critical condition.

Graduation Ceremony. The University of New Zealand advised the council of Victoria University College, Wellington, last night that the Chancellor, Hon J. A. Hanan, M.L.C., would not be able to confer the degrees at the college’s annual graduation ceremony next month as he would be making a visit to Australia, and reported that Mr Hanan had appointed the Vice-Chancellor, Professor T. A. Hunter, who is also principal of Victoria College, to confer the degrees on his behalf. Radio Ball.

Although the unfavourable weather affected the attendance the Radio Ball, held last night in the Municipal Hall, was most enjoyable. Several wellknown radio personalities were present, while first-class music was provided by Udy’s Dance Band. The supper arrangements were on an elaborate scale.

Quieter Milk Carts. “I have received a letter asking when there will be less noise with the milk carts,” said Mr L. S. W. McKenzie, chairman of the Wellington City Council Milk Committee, speaking at a meeting of electors at the Thorndon Methodist Hall last night. “I should like everyone to know that a number of vans have been ordered, to run on. rubber-tyred wheels, and these will be noiseless as far as possible. This expenditure is to come out of the sinking and renewal fund,” Easter Gifts.

Is Easter beginning to rival Christmas as the time for pleasant exchanges of gifts? This development was noticeable in connection with Post Office business during Easter, when the constantly improving mail totals showed an abnormal spurt. The reason was sought in the four chief centres, because the Post Office closely watches variations in its business with the object of keeping facilities well in line with the demand. It was discovered that the numbers of. small packets posted during the few days prior to Easter holidays went up in volume so substantially that many more “overflow” bags had to be used by the postmen on their rounds in the four chief centres. School at Hospital.

“This is quite incomprehensible to me,” said the chairman, Mr W. V. Dyer, at yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board, when advice was received from the Education Department that the question of additional accommodation at the hospital school, Newtown, had been carefully considered in consultation with the Health Department, and the Education Department was of opinion that the responsibility for the provision of the additional accommodation must rest with the hospital board. The department regretted, therefore, that it was unable to provide a grant to meet the cost. Mr Dyer said he could not understand the Education Department's attitude. Just because children happened to be sick in hospital, he failed to see why they should not receive education.