LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

First Solo Flight. Mr H. George, of Alfredton, made his first solo flight at the Hood aerodrome a few days ago.

No Bankruptcies in January. No bankruptcies were registered in Wairarapa last month as compared with three in January, 1938.

“Snow White” Painting Competition. The closing date for entries in the “Times-Age” “Snow White” painting competition has been extended until Saturday, February 4, at 12 noon. Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for Masterton for January are as follow, the figures for the corresponding month last year being in parentheses:—Births, 14 (28); marriages, 11 (8); deaths, 12 (15).

Destruction by Birds. Considerable destruction has been caused this season in Masterton orchards and gardens by birds. Not only have fruit trees been raided, but fullygrown pods of peas are pecked open and their contents devoured.

Heavy Rain at Dargaville. The rainfall in Dargaville for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. on Monday was 4.53 inches and for the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, 5.14 inches, a total of 9.67 inches for the 48 hours. The fall was the greatest for a 48-hour period for the past 18 years.

Wairarapa College. The Wairarapa College will reopen after the term holidays on Tuesday morning next. Boarders will assemble on Monday afternoon. The Principal (Mr G ,G. Hancox) will be in attendance at the College to enrol pupils tomorrow and Friday from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m., and from 2 p.m. till 3.30 p.m.

First Ascent of Egmont. This year will mark the centenary of the first ascent of Mount Egmont by a European. Dr Ernest Diffenbach reached the summit of the mountain on December 23, 1839. Although the celebration of the event in a fitting manner has been discussed privately by alpine club enthusiasts and others, no active steps have yet been taken to organise a suitable commemoration.

Large Kingfish Caught. The largest kingfish caught in the Auckland Harbour for a considerable time was taken by Mr T. Fletcher, aged 75, when fishing from Prince’s Wharf. The fish, which was in good condition, weighed 401 b. Large numbers of kingfish have been seen recently in the vicinity of the wharves, but they have generally proved to be too wily to be readily taken.

Damage to Fruit Crops. The damage done to Central Otago orchards by the recent gale does not appear to be as extensive as was at first surmised. Around the Roxburgh district an officer of the Department of Agriculture, who inspected orchards the other day, considers that the loss to the individual grower should not exceed 4 per cent. Reports from surveys made in other districts have not been received, but it is not thought that they could have fared any worse than Roxburgh.

Centennial Park Proposal. The decision to publish an illustrated booklet was made at a meeting of the Waitakere National Centennial Park Association. The booklet will set out the proposal for the park and will give a short history of the Waitakere Ranges. A meeting of the general committee is to be held shortly to take steps to enlarge the activities of the association. Several subscriptions have been received, indicating a widening of the interest of the'public in the proposal for the centennial park.

Engine’s Whistle Jams. Considerable disturbance was caused by a prolonged blowing of the whistle on lhe north-bound express train as it approached Temuka at 2.15 p.m. the other day. It is usual for the train to whistle as it crosses the Temuka River and near the High Street level crossing, but on this occasion the whistle jammed, arousing Temuka resident's, many of whom gathered in High Street to watch the train go through. The noise was finally stopped by the fireman, who climbed out on to the body of the engine and adjusted the jammed rod as the train roared over the crossing. Safety of Bluff Harbour.

“The gale established the stability and safety of the Bluff wharves,” said the chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board (Mr W. A. Ott) at a meeting of the board. “Not a rope nor a bollard nor a pile was broken,” he said. A report was received from the acting-harbour-mastei' (Captain F. J. Callan) that the recent gale had reached a force of 80 miles an hour with gusts of even greater velocity. All the vessels had been made as safe as possible and steam had been kept up on the vessels and on the board’s tug. The whole staff had stood by in case of emergency, but no damage had occurred.

Carterton Swimming Baths.

When the question of shortage of water was under discussion at last night’s meeting of the Carterton Borough Council, a councillor said he thought too much of the borough service was being used at the swimming baths. He was assured water was not being wasted at the baths, and that street supervision was being exercised. It was suggested by another councillor that the baths were not watertight and that this led to wastage. A councillor: “We are asked to erect a centennial monument. Why not tackle this job (the baths) for that purpose? Why not make them watertight?” The Mayor: “What will it cost? We had better go for the watersupply; then we shall have enough for all purposes.”

Health Stamps.

Health stamps, which provide the bulk of the finance for children’s health camps, are to be withdrawn from sale on Wednesday, February-15. This will be the final opportunity of purchasing the attractive study of children at play reproduced on a stamp having a postal value of one penny with an extra penny for the health camps. This season’s campaign commenced on October 1, and during the first 13 weeks of the stamp sales, nearly 11,I 1 , millions were disposed of, producing over £5,000 for the health camps, while donations approached £l.OOO. It is anticipated that the final weeks of the appeal for the children will enable the fund to reach its objective and thus relieve the voluntary workers of the health camps of any financial concern regarding their good work.