LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 March 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mawley Park. During February 53 motorists availed themselves of the facilities at Mawley Park motor camp. The fees collected amounted to £4 6s.

Opposition to State Lotteries. Opposition to the current proposal for a State lottery is expressed in a memorandum which has been drawn up by representatives of Auckland churches. Reorganisation of Staff.

Councillor H. E. Gardner stated at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council that he intended to introduce, at a special meeting of the council next month, the question of the reorganisation of the borough staff in light of the Social Security proposals.

Hoardings in Borough. Councillor G. W. Morice gave notice at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council that he would move at the next meeting of the council that the present by-law be rescinded, and that a new by-law be framed prohibiting the erection of hoardings in the borough. Civilian Respirators.

A letter was received at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council regarding the supply of civilian respirators. On the motion of the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, it was decided to advise the firm concerned, that if the council’ saw any need for the respirators it would consult it. Abattoir Killings. The following stock were slaughtereded at the Masterton Municipal Abattoir during February: cattle 423; calves, 155; sheep, 1612; lambs, 433; pigs, 263. Killing’fees were £6O 9s Id in excess of those for February of last year, and to date are £129 higher than those for the corresponding period of last year.

Tepid Swimming Baths. On the suggestion of the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, it was decided at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council to hold a special meeting on April 27 to discuss the report of the engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, on the proposed erection of tepid swimming baths in Masterton. Municipal Band.

The Masterton -Municipal Band held eight practices during February. A programme was rendered at the Masterton Show on the afternoon of February 15. The band assisted in the Keep Fit procession on the afternoon of February 18, and at the open air dance on the evening of February 25. A programme was rendered at the St Matthew’s Church Garden Party on the afternoon of February 25. Increased Subscribers.

The. following are the figures for the Municipal Library for , the month of February. Books issued: Fiction, 3506; travel, etc., 401. Books added: Fiction, 30; travel, etc., 21. Subscribers at end of January, 427; new subscribers, 16; subscribers left during February, 4; total subscribers at end of February, 439. The amount spent in books from April 1, 1938 to January, 1939, was: committee, £67 5s lOd; Librarian, £238 17s 7d. The amount spent in books for the month of February was, Library, £8 3s.

Offer Appreciated. The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, forwarded the following telegram to the president of the Wairarapa provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in reply to the executive’s offer of co-opera-tion with the Government in connection with the Wellington waterside dispute:—“l thank you for your telegram and very much appreciate the offer of service conveyed on behalf of the Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in restoring full overseas loading operations. Negotiations are at present proceeding between Government and interests concerned, and it is hoped that a satisfactory settlement of the difficulty will result.” Fewer Road Fatalities.

Fatal road accidents in New Zealand fell to a total of 11 in January last, this drop from 19 in the previous month being attributed to the influence of Road Safety Week observed throughout New Zealand during December. Figures released yesterday by the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, show that for the period August, 1938, to February, 1939, the monthly totals of fatal accidents are, with the sole exception of February, lower than those of the earlier months of the statistical year. The December-Jan-uary fatality figure in fact was. the lowest recorded since such statistics have been compiled. A reduction of more than 200 cases of injury was noted in the 10 weeks following Road Safety Week. Mr Semple announced that the cost of Road Safety Week was less than £2OOO.

Social Security and Lodges.

A decision to ask the Government to refund to lodge members the social security levy of is in the £1 between April 1 and the date upon which the medical and hospital provisions of the Act become operative was reached ai the biennial conference of the Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows, in Auckland yesterday. Mr A G. Shrimpton, grand secretary, stated that members paid £2 8s a year to their lodges for medical and related benefits. The question of whether they should pay the full is m the £1 immediately the Act came into operation was one which had still to be settled with the Minister, Mi Nash The conference authorised the preparation of legislation to deal with problems arising out of the social security scheme and decided to call a special meeting to consider such legislation.

Gifts Brought by Visitors. Bona fide gifts brought by overseas visitors or by persons returning to New Zealand are not being sub]e s* e< to the import restrictions by the Cus !oms Department. It is often usual for persons returning from abroad to bring with them articles of furniture or other effects for use in their homes. Inquiry shows that where the goods form part of the passenger’s ordinary bagage no demur to their importation Seen raised so nenartment. Where their bulk pie Ss inclusion in the baggage permitted passengers on a vessel, stated that the position might arise where the Customs Department would require an a PP lic * ll ° n that that a licence would be refused.