LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1938, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Railway Yard Crane. The crane at the Masterton Railway Station yard, following on its recent overhaul, was reassembled yesterday afternoon, and is once more in working order. So far it has not been tested to ascertain if its lifting ability has been improved, but it is now possible for one man to handle it, whereas previously it required the efforts of two or three. Optimist Club. The weekly meeting of the Masterton Y.M.C.A. Optimist Club was held last night, the Chief Smiler, Optimist F. Gillions, presiding over a good attendance of members. Following tea and a sing-song, Mr R. Hatch gave an interesting talk on life at the Christchurch Training College. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Hatch for his address.

Trucking Yards. The promised visit of the Railways Chief Engineer to inspect the trucking yards at the Masterton Railway Station has not yet been made. A few loads of shingle have! been spread m some of the pens, apparently as a temporary measure, but generally speaking the conditions of the yards remain unaltered. Cleaning operations, however, appear to be carried out more frequently now.

An Uneasy Rumour. Rumours that the Government contemplated an individual examination of all farmers’ accounts in the event of its return at the general election were mentioned by. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo), during the debate on the Imprest' Supply Bill in the House of Representatives. last night. “I have heard rumours,” said Mr Broadfoot, “that if the Government is re-elected it intends to let loose another army of inspectors among the farming community to see if they are not making bigger profits than they claim they are.” Rewarding Road Courtesy.

The opinion that drivers and riders responsible for some act of conspicuous courtesy should be rewarded by a letter from the Transport Department and later by some badge, emblem or insignia is expressed in the report of the New Zealand Auto-cycle Union. It is suggested that the motorcycle honorary patrols, a system of which is being gradually extended throughout the Dominion, should make reports and if the local road safety committee feels that the deed justified a letter or award the report will be forwarded to the department. Billiards and Snooker.

The Y.M.C.A. cup competition for billiards and snooker was continued last night, when the Y.M.C.A. A drew with Post Office, both teams winning 5 games. The details are as follow, Y.M.C.A.- players being mentioned first in each- instance:—A. McWhinnie lost to L. Astridge; G. Coleman beat J. Dunbar; W. Clarke lost to H. Worthington; T. Jaspers beat W. J. Miller; F. Bodie beat Thompson. Snooker: A. McWhinnie lost to L. Astridge, G. Coleman, lost to J. Dunbar; W. Clarke lost to H. Worthington; T. Jaspers beat W. J. Miller; F. Bodie beat Thompson.

Men Goaled for Theft. “Both accused have had chances be-; fore but did not take advantage of them,” said Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday when sentencing Keith Vivian Howard, musician and labourer, and John Rubeun Shepherd; labourer. Howard was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and Shepherd received a sentence of two months. They pleaded guilty to stealing £2 10s, the property of Hilda Holt, Wellington. Detective Sergeant P. Doyle told the court that both men had been in trouble previously and were out on licence. Shepherd refused a share of the money, and there was no doubt that Howard was the guiding spirit.

New Printing Office. Some details regarding lhe new Government Printing Office in Wellington were given by the Hon P. C. Webb yesterday. Stating that the building would be of seven storeys, the Minister added:—“lt will contain 260,162 square feet as compared with 100,217 square feet in the present building. The building will be a I monument to the city, and not one bit too big for the work that has to be done by the department. The estimated cost of the building is £580,000. The materials used will be steel and concrete, and when completed the building will be one of the most modern structures in New Zealand or Australia. Provisional plans have been completed, and working drawings are now in course of preparation.” Teacher’s Good Luck.

The highlight of a holiday spent in Auckland by Mr J. C. Moss was news that he had won first prize of £2OOO in the “My Opportunity” art union. A school teacher stationed at Mahoenui, 30 miles from Te Kuiti, Mr Moss is married with a family of three children. With his wife and children he had been spending a week’s holiday in Auckland, and is to return to his home today. The congratulations of an old pupil whom he was visiting yesterday morning brought to Mr Moss the first news of his good fortune. The winner said he could not believe his success until he brought a newspaper and verified it. Mr Moss has frequently bought art union tickets, but previously has had no success. He secured the winning ticket from New Plymouth. “The money will come in nicely as a backlog for the future,” said Mr Moss. “Naturally I am somewhat excited. It comes as a pleasant conclusion to a happy holiday.”

Homestead Damaged. Fire damaged an old landmark of Central Hawke’s Bay, the large homestead of the Ormond family at Wallingford, late on Saturday. One wing of the building was considerably damaged, but the outbreak was controlled in time to prevent complete destruction. The fire was discovered about 12.45 on Sunday morning. The sound of crackling awoke one of the staff, who thought the noise was caused by the hot-water system boiling over. She got out of bed to turn this off and immediately noticed small tongues of flames creeping through the roof. The alarm was given and all those on the station were quickly on the scene with a bucket brigade. A call was put through to the Waipukurau Fire Brigade, but it had no appliances to fight a fire of such magnitude without adequate water supply, so did not attend. The fire broke out in the staff sittingroom and spread to other rooms in the staff wing, but the damage was not extensive. Some furniture was lost, but this was covered by insurance. The staff did not retire for the night until 11.30 p.m., and there was then no sign of anything burning. The origin of the fire is not known.

Building Permits. Nine building permits to the value of £1449 5s were issued by the Masterton Borough Council this month. One new dwelling was included in that total. In August of last year, 18 permits wete issued to the value of £2376 ss.

St Patrick’s Hall Function. A very enjoyable time was spent at St Patrick’s Hall last night, when a very large attendance of players thoroughly enjoyed bridge and euchre and table tennis. The prize-winners were as follows: —Bridge: Ladies, Mrs Patterson; men, Mr Alf Hoar. Euchre: Ladies, Mrs Lewis; men, Mr Meikle. Table tennis: Mr Morris 1, Mr K. Beals 2. A dainty supper was greatly enjoyed. The function was one of the most successful yet held at St Patrick’s Flail.

A Rotarian’s Record. The weekly letter of the Wanganui Rotary Club mentions' that Rotarian John F. Parker, of the London Rotary Club, has not missed a meeting in the 27 years he has been a member of the club, and has played the National Anthem at 1361 consecutive club meetings. The retiring president for 1937-38 has presented to the club a painting of Rotarian Parker by Rotarian J. A. A. Berrie, --R.C.A. Rotarian Parker was a foundation member of the club in 1911, and was secretary from 1913 to 1922.

Works Tapering Off. As funds are absorbed and jobs finished, men employed by the Auckland City Council on non-permanent street improvement works under subsidy on loan moneys raised about three years ago are being put off. Most of the works in the Avondale district having been completed, 78 men were signed off last week, leaving about 600 still engaged, mainly in the Tamaki district. A few more men may have to be put off in about two months, and it is expected that the Tamaki works will be completed towards the end of the year. “There is nothing sinister in the men being put off,” said Mr J. A. Allum, chairman of the works committee last night. “They are not being put off as a result of any policy of the council, but only because there is no more work or money to employ them. The permanent staff is not affected, but only those men who have been working on loan and subsided works. There are still many jobs in hand, and I hope the work will last a long time.”

Manufacturers Victimised. Several Auckland manufacturers have reason to regret the calls made on them by a young man of engaging and modest manner who claimed to be the representative of a large provincial store. He gave some large orders, generally increasing his orders after he had been in treaty with thb particular firm for a day or so. He was hospitably entertained in instances and one firm, at least, gave him the use of a car for a day or so. With his sudden departure from the city the fact was disclosed that he had no authority to lodge orders from the business he claimed to represent. One firm upon which he imposed had started on the manufacture of over £lOO worth of articles of special sizes he had ordered before it discovered the deception.

Drilling for Oil.

The progress made with the erection of oil drilling plant on the East Coast was referred to by the Minister of Mines, the Hon P. C. Webb, during consideration of the vote of the Mines Department in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Webb said .that several of the world’s leading geologists were at present in New Zealand engaged in a geophysical survey for oil. A drilling plant was in course of construction just outside Gisborne. The derrick was now being erected, and he had been informed that drilling would probably begin within a month. It was estimated that £150,000 would be spent before drilling started. One of the most modern plants in the world was to be put into operation. The most comprehensive survey ever undertaken would shortly be made in the Taranaki district.

A Rugby “Stork Derby.” When the Australian Rugby team, the Waratahs, toured Great Britain in 1926-27, the team carried a toy koala bear as its mascot, Syd Malcolm, the “New Zealand Herald’s” Sydney Rugby correspondent. The manager, Mr Gordon Shaw, who also toured New Zealand in 1936, decided to hand over this cherished memento of the tour to the Waratah footballer who first became the proud father of a son. Five daughters were born in succession to various members of the. team, and then Mr Sid King, centre-threequarter, was presented with a boy, and the famous Waratah koala bear is now an ornament in his household. Mr Shaw has started another “stork derby” and this time the competitors will be the 1938 All Blacks. A replica of the Waratah mascot was presented by Mr Shaw to the All Blacks’ manager, Dr J. G. Adams, of Wanganui, and put in trust for presentation to the first member of the team who becomes the father of a son—no doubt a future All Black.