LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Serial Story. There commences in today's “TimesAge” a new serial story entitled "Two on the Road” by a well-known and popular author, Mr John MacLeod. No Fears About Result. “I am not greatly concerned,” remarked Mr J. H. Irving, when referring in the Opera House last night to the coming visit to Masterton of the Hons P. Fraser and D. G. Sullivan. "I have no fears regarding the fate of the Masterton seat,” he added, "and neither has the National Party.” (Applause). A “Desert Son” Coincidence.

Nine years ago, when the first Williamson company to play "The Desert Song”- was approaching the shores of New Zealand, the then general manager for J. C. Williamson, Ltd, in this country, Mr Bert Royle, died of pneumonia. On the occasion of the visit of the Royal Comic Opera Company a few days ago, also playing “The Desert Song,” the newly-appointed general manager for the J. C. Williamson Theatres, Ltd, developed pneumonia, and died on Saturday last.

“Semple’s Mistake.” The ramp over the level crossing at Opaki, constructed at a cost of £14,000 was described by Mr J. H. Irving in his address in the Opera House last night as “Semple’s mistake.” He said there was far more likelihood of an accident occurring at the crossing now than before the ramp was constructed. Mr H. F. Nicoll Injured.

Mr H. F. Nicoll, president of the New Zealand Trotting Association, received severe injuries when his car capsized on the main south road six miles north of Ashburton yesterday afternoon. The bursting of a tyre caused the car to turn completely over several times. Mr Nicoll was admitted to a private hospital with two broken ribs, a badly fractured thigh, injuries to the head and very severe shock. Mrs Nicoll, the other occupant of the car, escaped with a severe shaking. The car was badly damaged. Social Security Act.

Until the provisions of the Social Security Act become fully known, the decision of the Auckland Hospital Board to terminate agreements with friendly societies is to be held in suspense. This action was taken by the board last night on the recommendation of a special committee which investigated the earlier proposal to negotiate h new agreement with the societies. It was stated that almost all societies indicated that, in view of the changed conditions brought about by the social security legislation, the board should consider allowing the present agreement to remain in force until next March.

Never Happier. Taking exception, at his meeting in tne Opera House last night to a questioner who suggested that there had been “dirty work at the cross-roads” pver the selection of the National Party candidate for the Masterton seat, Mr J. H. Irving said: “There has never been a happier association between Mr Sykes and myself than since the selection was made. If this seat is to be won by the National Party, it will be because Mr Sykes and myself stand fcur z square together.” (Applause). ;

“Just One Bone.” When an American visitor to. the Wanganui Museum asked for "just one moa bone” from the large collection assembled there, he began what was to oecome a useful system of exchange between the Wanganui and American museums. On his return to the United States, the American presented the moa bone to die Harvard University Museum and in return the skeleton of a great auk was brought back by the American on his next visit. The Wanganui Museum next sent a box of assorted specimens to America and now it has received in exchange a box of natural history specimens from the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Massachusetts. Rockery Extension.

The proposal to extend the rockery at Arthur’s Pass was again raised at a meeting of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, and after some discussion it was decided to leave the matter over until the next meeting, so that the board would know how it stood financially. Reporting on the proposal Dr W. McKay said that the scheme was to extend the present rockery towards the railway station. It was estimated .by Mr M. J. Barnett, Superintendent of Parks and Reserves, that three good men could do the job in 10 weeks at a cost of £lB5. Dr McKay thought it might be possible to get a Government subsidy, but if they did they would have to take men given to them by the authorities, and they would prefer to have picked men. Mr Barnett had told him that he would like to do the work in the late summer after the New Year, which was the best time for rockery work.

Glaring Headlights. Gratification that the Transport Department appeared to be alive to the menace of glaring headlights on the roads was expressed at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union. It was suggested by Mr A. E. Ansell that “dipping” of lights should be made compulsory, and other delegates contended that on motor-cars not equipped with dipping devices the lights should be adjusted permanently to avoid dazzle. The lower speed dictated by the consequently reduced visibility would be little hardship to most of these old vehicles. Mr J. S. Hawkes said that the New Zealand Road Safety Council recommended that lights should be dipped for oncoming motor-cars and motor-cycles, and Mr Ansell remarked that where possible this courtesy of the road should be extended to cyclists and pedestrians. Suaranteed Prices.

Touching on the guaranteed price in his address at the Opera House last evening, Mr J. H. Irving, National Party candidate for Masterton, said: “I believe that 95 per cent of the dairj farmers of this district are behind the National Party for that reason alone." (Applause.) The National Party stood for the payment of the highest salaries and wages that the industry could afford to pay and not more, which was the position today. After stating that Labour had promised to give the farmers. a standard of living comparable with that enjoyed by workers in other industries, Mr Irving went on to compare the wages received by freezing works employees and wharf labourers with the revenue of an average farmer. The farmer had not been given what the Labour Government had promised him and for that reason 95 per cent would vote against the Government. By its Internal Marketing scheme, the Government was in direct competition with private enterprise.