LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost !n Masterton. A frost of 7.8 degrees was registered in Masterton this morning. Diphtheria Cases. Two cases of diphtheria —a boy and a girl from one Masterton family—were reported to the Health Officer at Masterton during the week-end. The patients are in isolation at the Masterton Hospital. Charges of Drunkenness. John Gordon Scoullar was convicted and discharged when he appeared before Mr A. D. Low, J.P., in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court this morning on a charge of having been found drunk in a public place. On a similar charge a first offender was convicted and fined 10s.

Religious Instruction. The Labour Government's proposal to abolish the Nelson system of giving religious instruction in schools was deprecated by Mr W. P. Endean, M.P., speaking at the opening of the Remuera school jubilee on Thursday night. He quoted the example of Russia to show what happened to a Godless nation, and said New Zealand did not want to follow it. Religious instruction, he said, was a vital factor in the building of national character. Cat Kills Weasel.

The unusual sight of a cat stalking a weasel was seen recently by a resident of a Christchurch suburb. She heard the cry of a bird, and, on looking out of the window, saw the weasel with a bird in its mouth, and the cat following. The cat sprang, fixing its teeth in the weasel’s throat. The weasel tried to turn its head, but it had been taken at a disadvantage, and the cat held fast until it had killed its prey. It then returned proudly to its mistress.

A Football Incident. An unusual incident occurred at a senior football match, Springburn versus Methven, at Springburn on Saturday, a Christchurch Press Association message reports. Seven minutes after the second spell started, the referee cautioned a player, whereupon a spectator on the line passed a remark to the referee. The latter ordered the spectator to leave the grounds, and, meeting a refusal, blew his whistle, declaring the match off. Springburn then had a score of 8 points to 3. Rare Winged Visitors. Rarest of winged visitors to the North Island, two white herons have taken up their residence on a river mud flat at Tangimoana, about 30 miles from Palmerston North, and have been there for the past three weeks. They have aroused a good deal of interest, and the birds are said to be fine specimens. Several years ago the Manawatu district was favoured with a similar visit, and those two birds stayed at the Awapuni Lagoon for some time. On another occasion a white heron made a brief stay near the present site of the Whirokino bridge, south of Foxton.

A Fast Journey. A fast journey to England is being undertaken by two well-known Wellington business men, Messrs F. V. Lysons and W. Higgins, who are anxious to reach London as soon as possible. Travelling by the Tasman express steamer Awatea from Auckland to Sydney, and by Qantas and Imperial Airways from Australia to England, they expect to be in London on the afternoon of May 22, just on 13 days after leaving Auckland. Provided schedules are maintained, this homeward journey will be among the fastest trips made by New Zealanders availing themselves of commercial air services between Australia and England.