LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1938, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

First Offender.

A first offender for drunkenness, who appeared in the Masterton Police CouiMi this morning, was convicted and discharged. Mr L. J. Taylor, J.P., presided. Trafalgar Day.

Today. Trafalgar Day. is the 133rd anniversary of Nelson's defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleets off Cadiz on October 21, 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, in the most famous sea-fight in the annals of Great Britain. Garden Competitions.

The closing of entries for the garden competitions being promoted by the Masterton Horticultural Society has been extended until Thursday next, October 27. Full information is obtainable from the secretary, Mr E, K. Eastwood, 5 Perry Street. Castlepoint County.

The Public Works Department advised the Wairarapa Electric Power Board, at its meeting yesterday that it expected to have published in the ’’Gazette” at a very early date the proclamation declaring the Castlepoint County to be part of the outer area of the board’s district. No Concession to Y.M.C.A.

At its meeting yesterday the Wairarapa Electric Power Board decided to advise the Masterton Y.M.C.A. that it regretted that it could not make any reduction in the power charges to the Association, that a reduction had been made last June, and that it was not the practice of the board to make donations. Golf Champions.

Before the presentation of the William Henry Memorial Cup for life saving at Wairarapa College yesterday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presented trophies to the winners of the golf championship at the school. They were as follow:—Senior championship, K. W. McFarlane; runner-up R. Towns. Junior championship, Garvie; runnerup, P. Evans; consolation handicap, Shearer. Decrease in Production.

The New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation and the New Zealand Farmers’ Union are shortly to have a conference with the Government, when matters affecting the decrease of production in both primary and secondary industries will be discussed, said the Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, Mr W. W. Mulholland, in a statement yesterday. Mr Mulholland said that the serious position of the farmer on second and third-class country was a matter which the Farmers’ Union would certainly bring to the notice of the Government at this conference. New Air Force Stations.

The importance of an adequate Air Force as part of the Dominion’s defence system is evidenced by the notice published by the Air Department in this issue, announcing the decision of the Government to enlist approximately 200 further young men into the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The erection of new Air Force stations at Ohakca and Whenuapai, along with the acquisition of further modern aircraft,' are other portents of the considerable part which .the Government attributes in these days to the Air Arm of the defence organisation. The National Finances.

Details of the national accounts for the six months of the current financial year ended Septeinber 30 were announced yesterday by the Minister of Finance, the Hon W. Nash. Revenue for the half-year amounted to £13,400,000 as compared with £13,564,000 for the corresponding period of last year, and expenditure to £15,902,000 as against £15,009,000 last year. Revenue, therefore, shows a decrease of £164,000 and expenditure an increase of £894,000. The Minister, who considered the results very satisfactory, said that detailed accounts would, as usual, be published in the “Gazette” immediately after audit examination. Motorist Found Not Guilty.

A jury in the Supreme Court, Palmerston North, yesterday, found Tom Sydney Roy Taylor, company manager, aged 49 years, Palmerston North, not guilty of negligently driving a car on June 8 last, causing the deaths of Mrs Ada Curnow and Miss Emily Hyde. The prisoner was discharged by Mr Justice Reed, who presided. The case arose from a collision between a car accused was driving and the engine of a train at the Princess Street level crossing. When his Honour was summing up the case he emphasised that a high standard of care was required in a city like Palmerston North, which had numerous level crossings over the railway line running through the middle of the city.

Two Accused for Trial. A crowbar, a screwdriver, an electric torch, and two pairs of gloves were among the exhibits produced in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, when Ernest Clarence Williams, labourer, aged 24, and Ronald Thomas Henderson, labourer, aged 29. were charged with attempting to break and enter the office of Tolley and Spence, Willis Street, with intent to commit a crime. Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., was on the bench. Henderson and Williams were also jointly charged with breaking and entering the counting house of L. G. Christie, Kent Terrace, and stealing 8s 2d in money and a cheque form, of a total value of 8s 4d. Williams was further charged with forging a cheque for £ll 3s 2d, and Henderson with causing J. E. vValsh to act on the cheque as if it were genuine. Accused were committed for trial.

Presbyterian Centenary. According to the plan for the £300,000 centenary thanksgiving fund, which was launched by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New' Zealand at a meeting in Auckland last November, first progress reports were to be made this month to the central committee in Auckland. Reports have now been received from anproximately 140 ol the 350 sanctioned charges and home mission ’stations in the Church throughout the Dominion, and the total of the amounts reported is just over £llB,OOO. It is to be understood that these figures are merely a progress record, and in many cases they are far from complete. The aim of the scheme is to complete the contributions by the end of October, 1940, of the 22 Presbyteries in the Dominion. Reports have now been received from 19, Wairarapa subscriptions totalling £5OO.