LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Earthquake Causes Alarm. A sharp shock of earthquake at 9.30 o'clock last night interrupted Mr A. E. Jull’s political address in the Municipal Theatre at Waipukurau, and caused some alarm. The shock, which was preceded by a rumbling noise, took the form of a sharp jolt of several seconds’ duration. No damage is reported. Motor Cycle Club Picnic. The Masterton Motor Cycle Sports Club held a picnic at Ruakokopatuna on Sunday last, and paid a visit to the glow-worm caves there. A good attendance of members and others spent a most enjoyable day. In view Of the success of the first function of the season, the outlook for the club is very satisfactory.

Bouquet and Buttonholes. Mrs J. Robertson, wife of the Labour candidate for the Masterton seat, was presented with a bouquet at the Hon D. G. Sullivan’s meeting in the Opera House last night. Mr Sullivan and Mr Robertson also received buttonholes. Referring to his, the Minister said: “It may not be the white flower of a blameless life, but it is pretty close to it.” Twenty-Three Times Champion. The many distinctions won on the golf links of the Horowhenua district by W. G. Clark, Levin, were added to last week-end when he won the 'final of the Levin club’s men’s senior golf championship aftei' an interesting game with H. Bull, another player of standing. Clark has now played in the championship on twenty-five occasions, winning it on no fewer than twenty-three. “Before Semple.”

I “This film was taken in the year One 8.5.,” said the commentator when a film’ showing men at work on the Kingston-Queenstown road was being screened by the Tourist Department at Christchurch. The movements of the workmen—as shown by the camera—were very lethargic. The commentator, after allowing time for . the audience to be mystified, explained that “8.5.” meant “Before Semple.”

Procession in Sydney. Labour’s six-hour day procession in Sydney yesterday was acclaimed the biggest for many years, a cablegram reports. Thirty thousand unionists with banners took part, and 55 unions were represented. The crowd saw many excellent floats, symbolising industries, and some diverting tableaux, one of which, prepared by coal miners, emphasised the dangers of their occupation.

“A Very Fine Town.” “You have a very fine town,” said the Hon D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, who was in Masterton this morning, “and I venture the opinion that with the growth which must inevitably follow the provision of better transport facilities through the construction of the Rimutaka tunnel, it will not be many years before Masterton has the population qualification of a city.” “Old Moore’s” Prediction.

“A most dangerous, ominous position, clearly threatening war on an international crisis of the first magnitude arising with almost incredible and volcanic suddenness,” was predicted for September in Old Moore’s Almanack, 1938. War, in Central Europe, it was stated, would only be averted with the greatest difficulty. The United States Government would engage in European political affairs, and more peaceful conditions might be the outcome of its overtures.

Crippled Children Society. Vocational training for crippled children is an important phase in the work of the Crippled Children Society, and every endeavour is made to help by education and training so that physical handicaps may be overcome and the way opened up for the adoption of suitable vocations. The Wairarapa branch of the N.Z. Crippled Children’s Society has already assisted a number of cases. Further consideration is being given to the provision of a course in fashion drawing for a crippled girl who shows considerable promise in sketching. It was resolved at yesterday’s meeting of the executive _to make arrangements for a year’s tuition in a specialised course. Saved from War. Reference to the recent European crisis was made by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, when introducing the Hon D. G. Sullivan in the Opera House last night. Everyone, he said, would feel the deepest sense of relief that the world had been spared at the eleventh hour from the unspeakable horrors of another war. Heartfelt appreciation and admiration, it would also be felt, was due to a British Prime Minister, and the mercy of the high heavens, that they had experienced such a narrow escape. He trusted that out of the stress and strain and danger would come a much greater sense of security than they had for many years past. Measles Epidemic. The measles epidemic in Wellington was declining, but not so rapidly as had been hoped, stated Dr F. S. Maclean, Medical Officer of Health, Wellington, yesterday. Some schools reported a fair number of children still absent, and the amount of German measles among the adult population was considerable, he said. One hundred fresh cases of measles had been reported from Wairarapa, but that was fewer than the previous week. The epidemic appeared to be increasing in Marlborough, and in Nelson was easing off in the town, but increasing in the country areas. Education Board Offices. The Wellington Education Board has received advice from the Education Department that Cabinet has approved of a grant for the erection of the board’s new offices in Abel Smith Street, Wellington. The board originally intended to build on the site of the old Te Aro School, now occupied by the new dental clinic, but some time ago agreed to accept a site in Abel Smith Street in exchange. During the depression the Abel Smith Street site was used as a garden allotment for the unemployed. It has now been excavated to approximately street level and is ready for immediate building operations. Plans for the new building provide for an earthquake-resistant building of three floors, in reinforced concrete. Special attention has been paid to lighting and heating. When authority has been obtained from the department, tenders will be called.