LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Drunkenness Charge. At the Masterton S.M. Court this morning a first offender on a charge of drunkenness was convicted and discharged by Mr R. Krahagen, J.P. Fire Brigades’ Demonstration. Mr H. E. Braggins, member of the local Fire Brigade, received word he has been appointed controller and referee of the demonstrations to be held at Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt, Saturday, November 26, by the United Hutt Valley Fire Brigades.

Headlights on Old Cars. The view that old model cars, the headlights of which were not fitted with a dipping or approved dimming device, should have their headlights permanently deflected downwards was expressed, after a keen debate, by a meeting of the committee of the South Island Motor’ Union. It was stated that even with the deflection proposed, the headlights would show a beam 100 feet ahead.

Timber Company’s Profits. The profit of the Leyland O’Brien Timber Company, Ltd., for the year ended September 30 was £8295, compared with a net result of £9352 in 1937. With £8,897 brought in, there is £31,192 available. Out of this the directors propose to pay the usual dividend of Is a share, equal to 5 percent, the directors’ honoraria, totalling £475, and the land and income tax. They will carry the balance forward. The gross profit for the year was £31,536, against £35,852 for a year ago.

Effect of Racing on Library. Business at the Canterbury Public Library is, as might be expected, not very brisk during the annual Carnival week. The effect of the races is that there is a fairly active period exchanging books for the library staff in the morrtings before the races or trots begin, but the rest of the day is quiet, according to the librarian, Mr E. J. Bell. Oddly enough, the Riccarton meetings mean quieter days for the library than the Addington meetings, an indication that the reading public is’ more devoted to galloping than trotting.

Eurasian Immigrants. In view of the rather serious shortage of young men for farms, particular interest centres round the arrival at Wellington on Tuesday next of a party of Eurasian youths from the Straits Settlements. The Masterton Placement officer states that these young fellows, whose ages range from 17 to 21 years, are from the best homes in the Kalumpang district, and are very well educated, most of them having matriculated. Opportunities in their own country are few, and they are coming to New Zealand with a view to taking up farming work.

Telephone Facilities. A typographical error in our report of remarks by Mr H. H. Daniell, at a meeting of the Mastertori Trust Lands Trust on Thursday night reversed the meaning Mr Daniell intended to convey. Mr Daniell stated that if the new type of telephone was to be installed in a private residence ihe Post Office only charged a small lee for changing the instruments but if a business man l wanted tone of these phones .the Post Office charged a higher rental for this type of phone, which did not apply to a private residence.

Nearly Half a Million. Sales of Health Stamps for the upkeep of Children’s Health Camps approached the half million mark as the result of four weeks’ campaigning to October 31, the actual number of stamps sold being 445,550. This enables £1,856 to be allocated for the benefit of children who are being selected, mainly by school medical officers, because they will benefit from the restful and happy few weeks to be shortly spent in the camps. Donations have also been received to the extent of £428 3s 9d, which brings the total of four weeks’ philanthropic effort up to £2,284 12s lid.

A Heavy Fine. A fine of £125 was imposed on Alexander McKay, a greaser, aged 44, when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday on a charge of importing into New Zealand on November 11 prepared opium. Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., was on the bench. Charles Galley, a Customs officer stationed in Wellington, said that about 7.15 a.m. yesterday, while on duty on the Taranaki Street Wharf, he noticed accused coming down the gangway of the Maunganui carrying a coat, which had something in a pocket. He took McKay into the Customs shed and asked if there was opium in the pocket. McKay said yes. He said he had two more tins on board. There were found to be eight tins of opium on board the ship, in addition to the four found in the coat.

A Varied Cast.

New Zealand’s four main cities all have a' representative in the cast of “Lovers' Leap,” which is being presented at the Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday next by the Little Theatre Society. The role of the demure Cedric Norreys is to be played by Frederic McCallum, a native of the Queen City, and producer for over four years to the Auckland Little Theatre Society. In the part of Roger Storer, the “wife-bitten” Egyptologist, will be seen John Harcourt, who was regarded in Wellington as an amateur actor of distinct promise, while his wife, the temperamental Helen, is portrayed by Peggy Mirams, who, prior to her recent arrival in Masterton, was a member of the Christchurch Repertory Society. Finally. Dunedin has its representative in Poynter, the butler, played by John Kemnitz, formerly a member of the Otago University Dramatic Society and the Dunedin Repertory Society.

Carpenters Leave Job. Six carpenters walked off the ordnance depot construction job at Trentham camp on Thursday. The contractor stated last night that the men received above award wages, including payment for an hour’s travelling time a day, a ten-minute, morning smoko with tea provided, and transport to the job. Work on the depot, the main section of which would be 300 feet long by 100 feet wide extending with other additions to 600 feet, had been held up at various stages because of labour trouble. It was a case of the law of supply and demand, and with a shortage of carpenters some men were endeavouring to pit one builder against another. If one conceded to unreasonable demands it made it more difficult for other builders. Three of the men had not secured the work they had anticipated and offered to return yesterday morning but he would not have back any of those who walked out on him.