LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Donation Acknowledged. The Wairarapa Health Camp Committee acknowledges with thanks a donation of £2 2s from the Masterton Savage Club. Shortage of Vegetables. White butterflies, diamond-back moths and floods are blamed for the considerably increased vegetable accounts being faced by Hastings housewives this winter. All green vegetables are in exceptionally short supply, and root crops have also suffered. Conviction for Drunkenness. A first offender for drunkenness, who appeared before Mr H. E. Pither, J.P., in the Masterton Magistrate's Court this morning, was convicted and discharged. Indoor Basketball. The following is the draw for the games to be played in the inter-house indoor basketball competition on Thursday night:—B p.m., Diehards (P. ‘Hamill and Co.) v. Daniell’s; 8.30 p.m., Premiers (C. Smith, Ltd.) v. Faulknor’s; 9.0 p.m., Vikings (Y.M.C.A.) v. Kiatere Harriers. Basketball Match. In a basketball match played yesterday at St Matthew’s College grounds, the Old Girls of the College defeated the present pupils by 23 to 6. The teams were as follow: —Old Girls: B. Payton, N. Payton, P. Reid, J. Betts, N. Beetham, A. Beetham, L. Hosking, N. Rishworth, J. Pettitt (captain). Present Pupils: Y. Jones, R. Smith (captain), L. Smith, A. Peacock, B. Best, D. Best, J. Mulvaney, M. Beaven, B. Wells. Mystery Hike. A total of 1150 passengers, the biggest number ever to leave Christchurch on an excursion, travelled from Christchurch to Springfield on Sunday for the “mystery hike” arranged by the Railways Department. Two trains, one with 16 and the other with 13 carriages, were required to cope with the crowd of holiday-makers. Buchanan Home Concert. A concert party arranged by the St Vincent de Paul Society journeyed to Greytown last night and entertained the inmates of Buchanan Home. Mr H. Hall, Miss Hopkins, Mr W. McMichael, pupils of Miss M. Dickson, Miss N. Mulvey and Miss M. Diggins contributed items. The visitors were later entertained at supper by the Matron, who thanked the Society and performers for the excellent programme provided. Aviator’s Success.

Mr J. V. A. Reid, of Longbush, has been advised of his success in completing, at the Rongotai Aerodrome, Wellington, category tests for a pilot instructor’s licence. Mr Reid has been a prominent member of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club for about five years, and received his early training with the club. Recently he was appointed a pilot instructor to the Wairarapa Aero Club, and has now assumed control of the flying activities at the aerodrome. Four Shortest Days.

Any discussion on what date the shortest day falls this year should have been conducted on a very broad basis, for in Christchurch there is the choice of four days —June 19, 20, 21 and 22. On each day the sun will rise at 7.32 a.m. and will set at 4.29 p.m. A similar unusual state of affairs will prevail in Wellington (7.16 a.m. and 4.28 p.m.), and Dunedin (7.49 a.m. and 4.29 p.m.) Auckland, however, had only one shortest day, yesterday, when the sun rose at 7.3 p.m. and set at 4.41 p.m. “Borer” Damage to Bridge Pile. Something in the nature of a record for industrious toredo borers was referred to 'by t the engineer of the Whangarei County Council, Mr J. Norris, in his reports to the monthly meeting. The Matapouri Bridge had collapsed at the centre pier owing to the ravages of the toredo borer, which had, cut through at ground level, said Mr Norris. The bridge was erected only seven years ago, and the piles were of good, sound and substantial hardwood. Mr Norris considered the rapidity with which the borer had worked such devastation to be in the nature of a record. Kiwi Chick Dies. The kiwi chick which had found its way to the Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society's hatcheries at Greenmeadows some time ago has died. This statement was made at the last meeting of the society by the president, Mr H. M. Bishop, who said that when the chick was opened it had appeared to be full of water. The Department of Internal Affairs had suggested that if the skin was acceptable it should be handed to the Hawke's Bay Museum, an offer which Mr I. L. Prime, secretary, said that the museum was prepared to accept.

“The Cingalee.” The Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society is making excellent progress with the preparation of that charming opera, “The Cingalee.” ■ Principals, chorus and ballet are all now conversant with the work, and the whole company is being knitted up in very pleasing style. As the Society does not produce “The Cingalee” until August, the work should be well rehearsed and ready in ample time to ensure a most attractive performance. The ballet work promises to be exceptionally good. There are some eight different ballets, and the girls are doing splendid work under the;tuition of Miss Edwards, of the Wairarapa College.

Appeal to Mortgagees. An appeal for the co-operation of mortgagees in assisting farmers in need of financial and other help to rehabilitate their property as a result of the recent floods in Hawke's Bay was made by the Minister of Finance, the Hon W. Nash, in an interview in Wellington last evening. Mr Nash pointed out that the assistance given by the Government to these settlers would be of little benefit unless mortgagees were prepared to assure the farmers concerned that no action would be taken to dispossess them if revenue were insufficient in the meantime to enable interest to be paid in full.

“Dead” For Eighteen Months. The other day a man walked into the Napier Courthouse, where officers are engaged in checking the names and addresses of people on the Napier district electoral roll, not knowing that he had been dead for the past 18 months. Living with a relative of the same name he had not received a notification card regarding the roll at the time the second person had, and he had decided to investigate. It was then discovered that his father, who had died 18 months ago, had been left on the roll and the son had been struck off. Both bore similar Christian names and followed the same occupations.