LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Postmen’s Deliveiies. On People's Day of the Maslerton A. and P. Association’s annual show on Wednesday next, there will be only one complete delivery (in the morning) by Masterton postmen. Gifts Acknowledged.

The Kuripuni Youth Council desires to thank Messrs Woolworths Ltd., Macduffs Ltd. and Champion Bakeries (per Mr Campbell) for gifts for the children's picnic. Pioneer Settler’s Bequests.

A bequest of £lOOO to the Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and several substantial gifts to organisations in Matamata are made under the will of the late Edward Bowler, a pioneer setler in the Te Aroha and Matamata districts, who died in Te Aroha on December 18. Motorist Fined £2O.

Having obtained a specialist’s report since accused was found guilty of negligently driving a car, causing death, the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the Dunedin Supreme Court yesterday fined Alexander John Black £2O, with costs £4O, and suspended his licence for three years. His Honour took into consideration the fact that Black had defective eyesight and the jury’s recommendation to mercy. Difficulties Overcome.

The difficulties arising from the Government’s intention to erect the new Social Security building close to the road frontage in Aotea Quay, Wellington, have been resolved as a result of discussions between the mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, and city council officers and the Government. The arrangements provide for a roadway along the rear of the building and for parking space alongside it but off the roadway. Provision is made for the future freedom of thcmain road from obstruction.

Stratheden on Cruise. The new P. and O. liner Stratheden, the seventh cruise ship to visit New Zealand from Australia this season, will arrive at Auckland from Brisbane on Friday afternoon. The liner, which is making her first call to the Dominion, has a large passenger list comprising 973 travellers. Of these, 843 are tourists from Australia, the remainder being passengers landing in New Zealand or making the round voyage with the ship. The Stratheden will leave Auckland for Wellington and Sydney at 11 p.m. on Saturday. Taxi-drivers’ Dispute.

At the conclusion of yesterday’s sitting the conciliation council consider--ing the Domiriion taxi-drivers’ dispute decided to send a deputation to the Minister of Transport, the Hon R. Semple, to ask him to have the whole industry brought under uniform con trol as soon as possible. The council spent the whole day discussing the claims and counter-claims, but reached finality on only a few minor clauses, the remainder being held over for further discussion at the sittings which are to be held today and tomorrow.

Night in the Open. After spending a night in the open, Charles Robertson, a child aged seven years, who was reported to be missing on Tuesday, returned to his home at 12 Hinau Street, Hataitai, yesterday morning. His parents last saw him at about 1 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, when he was on his way to school. After school he went to a friend’s home, where he played till fairly late. Becoming tired on his way home he lay down under a tree and fell asleep. Mr and Mrs Robertson notified the police of their son’s disappearance on Tuesday evening and an unsuccessful search was made. Yesterday morning, however, a neighbour discovered the boy sleeping near to his home. The neighbour took the boy to his parents none the worse for his experience.

Hutt Road Widening. The widening and general rehabilitation of the Hutt Road between Ngahauranga and Petone is a work that the Wellington City and Suburban Highways Board proposed to undertake this year. At yesterday’s meeting of the board, presided over by the mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, the Main Highways Board intimated that it expected to be given legislative authority to take over the Hutt Road early in the approaching session and so it would perhaps be advisable for it to take over the whole of the proposed reconstruction work. This consists of widening the bitumen track by 16 feet on the eastern side of the road, and super-elevating the road on six curves. The work is only the first section in the reconstruction of the whole of the Hutt Road.

New Footwear Factory. The leadership of Christchurch as the foremost footwear manufacturing centre in New Zealand has been further consolidated by the decision of a leading firm of rubber goods manufacturers to open a plant in Woolston. Land has already been secured, and the plans have been drawn for the erection of an up-to-date factory for the production of tennis shoes by the Latex Rubber Company, Ltd. It is expected that the works will be in full production by about July 10. The factory, which is being modelled largely on the lines of the Bata factories in Zlin, Czechoslovakia, will have an annual production of 750,000 pairs of sandshoes. Between 80 and 100 persons will be on the pay-roll, and the total sum expended on weekly wages will be in excess of £6OO when the plant is in full production.

Motor-Lifeboat for Hauraki Gulf. Plans for the construction of a motor-lifeboat to be used in cases of emergency in the Hauraki Gulf have been drawn by the Auckland division of New Zealand Coastguard. The coastguard is under the command of Captain J. P. Eastmure, who announced that a campaign would be started to raise the money for a launch, which is expected to be more than £l5OO. The New Zealand Coastguard is a voluntary organisation, which has been in operation in Auckland since last August. At present there are about 30 members, who are receiving a thorough training on naval lines to assist at any time of need. The design of the lifeboat, which will be powered by a Diesel engine, is sturdy, with ample accommodation. It will be 40ft in length, and will have a designed speed of 17 knots. On top ol a high wheelhouse a searchlight will be carried, and the construction of the boat will make it adaptable for minesweeping or any other work required by the Admiralty in time of war. Hopes are held by Captain Eastmure that the launch will be in service by next summer.