LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1938, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Accident Victim Dies. One of the victims of a motor car accident at Waihi on Saturday night, William Hughes, aged eight, son of Mr D. J. Hughes, of Te Arolia, succumbed to his injuries in the Waihi Hospital this morning. Record Business Turnovers. A tremendous rush of business was experienced by almost all retailers in Wellington during the final week before Christmas. Indications are that when the final figures are available, a large number of firms will be able to show record turnovers. Gold Prospector Missing.

A party left Puysegur Point lighthouse today to search for Mr John Hudson, gold prospector, who has been missing for 22 days. Mr Hudson, who has spent three years near Preservation Inlet without coming out from the back country, is a single man. aged 63.

New Tennis Champions. The Wellington Lawn Tennis Association’s championships and handicaps tournament was concluded yesterday on the association courts at Miramar for all but the men’s doubles final. New champions have arisen in all the main championship events which were decided: N. V. Edwards, men’s singles; Miss M. Hardcastle, women’s singles; Misses M. Hardcastle and T. Rice, women’s doubles; and R. V. Robb and Miss J. Douthett, mixed doubles.

Railway Traffic. Not so many passengers appeared to be travelling on the Wairarapa line this year, stated the Stationmaster, Mr A. Latimer, this morning. Possibly, he said, the wet weather affected the position to some extent, while the fact that the Wairarapa Trotting Club’s meeting at Clareville had been abandoned had also resulted in a fallingoff in the number of passengers carried. No actual figures bearing on the position had been compiled so far.

Quorum Difficulty Solved. An unusual way of solving the quorum difficulty was adopted at a meeting of the North Otago Tree Planting Association at Oamaru. One short of a quorum, the meeting was in difficulties and was anxious to make a start with the business. A suggestion was made that a reporter attending the meeting should be “roped in” as a member. It cost the reporter 2s 6d as his first and perhaps last subscription; but the meeting was able to proceed. 1

Health Camp. The 170 King Country children who are the guests of the Waikato Children’s Camp League at Port Waikato are thoroughly enjoying the holiday. Wet weather restricted the programme to some extent, but between the showers organised games were played. With an improvement in the weather bathing and other outdoor pastimes were indulged in. No. mishaps have marred the holiday, and the children are in excellent health. On the return of the present inmates on January 4 a contingent from Hamilton will go into camp. Motor Cyclist Dies of Injuries.

The death occurred in the Waikato Hospital last night of Mr Henry Albert Williams, aged 35, an employee of the Matamata County Council, who received a fractured skull when, following the bursting of a tyre, his motor-cycle careered over a bank at Tirau on Saturday night. Mr Williams was a single man. His mother lives in Hamilton. A Maori who was a pillion rider on the machine at the time of the accident escaped injury, but Mr Williams was admitted to hospital in a'critical condition.

Regulation of Imports. At the annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Woollen Mills and Hosiery Factories Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers yesterday, the following resolution was unanimously approved:—‘‘That this conference, comprising delegates of all woollen mills employees’ unions in New Zealand, congratulates the Government in taking steps to ensure that goods that can economically be manufactured in New Zealand be made here, and that' the regulation of imports to that effect has our approval, and that we are willing to co-operate to our fullest extent for the furtherance of local industry.”

Diphtheria Cases. As a precaution against the spread of diphtheria two wards of the New Plymouth Hospital have been quarantined against visitors, and only urgent cases for treatment are being admitted. The wards affected are the men’s surgical and the children’s surgical wards. The men’s medical ward was closed for a similar reason about a month ago, but another definite case was found two weeks ago. Swabbing showed several patients and nurses to be “carriers.” Three patients in the, men’s surgical ward and three in the children’s surgical ward are under observation. Four nurses have been ordered to bed. Tons of Tomatoes. In the next two or three months some 2000 tons of tomatoes will be sent from the Avondale district into the markets and factories of Auckland. Just now there is a lull between the two seasons. The tomatoes grown under glass have practically finished, while those grown in the open air have not yet come to maturity. The latter variety, however, is just beginning to ripen, and in the next week or so will make its appearance on the markets. Thereafter supply will be equal to all demands. Indications are for a good crop. There has been enough rain to make the fruit swell, i and to ensure vigorous growth. Tlie season in Avondale is not early, and was a little later than usual this year, because of the unusual amount of rain. Kumera Collection.

The most varied collection of kumeras ever grown in New Zealand has been planted in recent weeks at the Government’s plant research station at Mount Albert. Between 30 and 40 different kinds of kumeras. many of which have been imported from America and tlie Pacific Islands, together with the well-known local varieties, are being raised on an area of half an acre, where their cropping qualities will be carefully compared. Started from a few kumeras, there are some thousands of plants, which are approaching the stage when runners will be formed. Already differences in appearance are to be noted, and it will be an interesting study to watch the peculiarities of the less common varieties as the growing season advances. Tlie aim is to ascertain the most suitable types for the Auckland district.