LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 May 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“Wipe Your Boots.” For some time a noitce, “Wipe Your Boots,” appeared on the front door of the Greytown Council Chambers. At the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening exception was taken to the tone of the notice by councillors, and the clerk stated that it would be taken down first thing in the morning.

Laundry Workers’ Dispute. With the exception of one or two minor clauses, no agreement was reached in conciliation council yesterday when the Wellington district laundry workers’ dispute was heard before the conciliation commissioner, Mr M. J. Reardon. Little progress was made in the discussions on the clauses governing wages, hours and holidays, and the dispute will be referred to the Court of Arbitration. Masterton Amateurs.

Members of the Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society are reported to be making splendid early progress in their preparations for the forthcoming production of “Cingalee.” A company of some seventy strong has been assembled, including a number of most promising aspirants for the principal parts and a first-class chorus. So well are both chorus and soloists acquitting themselves that good judges confidently predict a popular triumph for the Amateurs in their season at the Opera House. Apart from its musical quality, “Cingalee” makes considerable demands on acting skill and dramatic power, and here again it is anticipated that high standards will be set in the impending production.

Dental Clinic Appeal. Further contributions are coming to hand in response to the recent appeal by the Masterton Dental Clinic for the payment of arrears and current dues. So far about £2O has been received out of a sum of £3OO outstanding. Clearance of River. The Ashburton County Council has accepted a Government plan to spend £24,500 on the condition that the county provides another £5500 of the cost on the clearance of the willows and other obstructions in the Ashburton river, and the erection of stopbanks. Industrial Magistrates. A statement that he was considering seriously recommending the Government to appoint industrial magistrates to relieve the Arbitration Court of some of its minor responsibilities was made yesterday by the Minister of Labour, Hon H. T. Armstrong. Power to appoint one or more industrial magistrates was contained in legislation passed last session. “I am thinking seriously of suggesting to the Government that at least one should be appointed,” said the Minister. “He will be needed in Auckland more than anywhere else, but there is no reason why his activities should be confined to any one centre. There is a multiplicity of matters of minor importance with which it is quite unnecessary to occupy the time of the courts,and if one or two industrial magistrates were appointed—men of special qualifications to deal with industrial matters—it would expedite things and would save a lot of trouble that is cropping up from time to time. People, for instance, could get their interpretations earlier,"