LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Unexpected Thrill. The packed house at the Debutantes’ Revue last night had an unexpected thrill when Mr S. Tatton, the accomplished trapeze artist, lost his grip on the ropes while performing difficult feats and fell to the stage. Fortunately he escaped with a shaking and bruises and the show proceeded immediately. Nearly an Accident.

There was a somewhat 'sensational incident during the final of the girl’s bicycle race at the Park Oval last night, A W.F.C.A. rider narrowly escaping serious injury. Just after the race started and speed was being developed, the frame of her cycle smashed hurling her to the ground and effectively putting her out of the race. Fortunately the girl was not injured but she had a lucky escape. Control of White Butterfly.

Though the weather recently has been favourable to their propagation, white butterflies do not appeal' to be particularly numerous this year in Hawke’s Bay. Empty pupae everywhere show that the caterpillars have matured only to receive attention from the controlling parasite introduced some years ago. The parasites themselves abound in large numbers this year and it seems that a considerable measure of effective control of the pest has now been established.

Y.M.C.A. Gym. Classes. A record number of applications have been received by the Y.M.C.A. for ladies’ basketball teams this season. So many have made application that, because of the limited facilities available, a number have been declined temporarily but even the waiting list is still growing. Enrolments are now being taken for men’s basketball teams, only eight of which will be allowed. Should insufficient men’s teams be formed then more ladies’ teams will be accepted. Enrolments are also being received for a Business Girls’ “Keep Fit” Class which will commence training on Apf’il 3.

Hospital Board Appointment. The appointment of Cr W. J. Gaudin to fill the vacancy on the Hospital Board caused by the death of Mrs S. E. O. Snow, was made by the Wellington City Council last night. Mrs R. M. Collins, who is not a member of the council, but who was a Labour candidate for the board at the election in May, was also nominated. Supporting the nomination of Mrs Collins, Labour councillors urged that she be given preference over Cr Gaudin, who had not been a candidate. Cr Gaudin was elected by nine votes to four. The board now consists of 10 Citizen and eight Labour members. Before Mrs Snow’s death each party had equal representation, the chairman’s casting vote giving a Labour majority.

Stowaways Convicted.

Two young men who were alleged to have stowed away on the Port Line steamer Port Caroline when it left Liverpool on January 31 for New Zealand were charged in the Auckland Magistrates’ Court. They were Thomas Henry McNamara, aged 18, and James Ward, aged 19. Both pleaded guilty. A representative of the shipping company said the two youths had proved willing workers on the voyage and there were still places for them in the ship. The only question was what should be done with them while the ship was on the New Zealand coast for the next month. The magistrate convicted accused and ordered them to come up for sentence if called upon within three months. They were also ordered to leave New Zealand when the ship left Wellington in April and to report to the probation officer as he ordered. A Bombshell. ■“This is in some ways a bombshell,” said ’the chairman, Dr G. F.- V- Anson, at last night’s council meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. He referred to. a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs drawing attention to the new game regulations. The letter pointed out that as far as North Island acclimatisation societies were concerned, provision had been made for a 30s fee for licences to take or kill imported and native game. From this fee. 5s was to be paid to the Council of North Island Acclimatisation Societies to be devoted to payment of bonuses to persons in the North Island, other than officers and paid rangers of registered acclimatisation societies, for destruction of hawks, stoats, ferrets, polecats and weasels "The majority of feeling on the North Island Council, and it is a big majority, as I am in a position to know, is against any such pool,” said the chairman. “At present the best thing to do is to receive the letter, and allow the game committee and the executive to go into the regulations carefully, and bring down a report to the next meeting.” Second Band Contest.

For the second time within a few weeks Christchurch entertained bandsmen attending a Dominion contest. With members of 13 pipe bands from all parts of New Zealand in me city during the week-end, the sound of the pipes was frequently heard both on Saturday and on Sunday, and residents became accustomed to the sight of the traditional Highland uniform about the streets. Supporters favoured tartan ties and tartan emblems, and altogether there was a Scottish, atmosphere about the city. An indication of the public patronage given to the contest is the fact that net gate takings at the Addington show grounds on Saturday amounted to £4OO, and on Sunday to about £760. The Manawatu Scottish Society’s Pips Band from Palmerston North laid a wreath on the Bridge of Remembrance on Saturday.

Darkness Brings Accidents.

Transport Department accident reports indicate that with decreasing hours of daylight, pedestrian and cycle casualties will show a steady rise during March and April. Included in additional road safety publicity material received by the Southland County Council from the Commissioner, of Transport (Mr G. L. Laurenson) are leaflets referring to pedestrians, and the Commissioner suggested in a circular letter to the Council that these should be handed to foot-traffic offenders during the next few weeks. In sending the publicity material, Mr Laurenson anticipated the further assistance of local bodies and expressed the appreciation of the Minister of Transport for past co-operation which had resulted in a distinct improvement in traffic behaviour and a substantial saving to the community in accident loss, despite a considerable increase in the volume of traffic.