LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Building Permits. Six building permits, including one for a dwelling, were issued by the Masterton Borough Council last month, the total value being £1305 15s. The figures for March. 1938, were: 6 permits, value £3343. Drivers’ Licences.

Twenty-five drivers licences were issued by the Masterton Borough Council during March, bringing the total to date to 2329. For the corresponding period last year 2227 licences were issued. The Masterton County Council issued .20 licences during March bringing the total to date to 1325.

Earthquake Shock. A short, sharp earthquake was felt in Wellington at G. 28 o’clock last night. In some of the taller buildings the sway was noticeable, but not alarming. No damage was done. Many people walking about the streets did not notice the tremor. An official of the Post and Telegraph Department said that apparently the earthquake had not been serious in any part of Nev/ Zealand, as no official reports had been sent out. Rubbish Fire.

A fire among some rubbish which had spread to a wooden fence was responsible for the Masterton Fire Brigade being called out late on Saturday evening to the property of Mrs C. M. Wright, 40 Church Street. The fire was quickly extinguished, very little damage being done. It appears that rubbish had been burnt in the garden earlier in the day, and that subsequently a spark had been blown into some other debris, which ignited and the flames spread to the fence.

Forestry Development. Forestry developments in the United States of America and in Canada are to be investigated by the Commissioner of State Forests, Mr Langstone, who will visit these countries before proceeding to Europe to represent the Government at the International Labour Conference to be held in Geneva in June. Mr Langstone and Mrs Langstone left Wellington for Auckland by the Limited express last night. They will sail by the Mariposa for San Francisco today.

Adult Education. “Adult education is a necessity in these days and it cannot be done without the compulsion and discipline of school life,” said the Rev A. H. Acheson in an article in “St Augustine’s Gazette,” Waimate, welcoming the appointment to the district of a tutor under the Association for Country Education. “The church was the pioneer of education,” the article stated. “Even though she has now educated the State to be responsible for the educational system she must still encourage and give what assistance she can.” Women’s Institutes and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union were doing a great work in adult education, but more was wanted, especially for girls and boys who had just left school.

Opening a Swimming Bath. / Commenting that there was no book to guide him in the correct procedure for opening a swimming bath, the Governor-General ('Lord Galway) said at the opening of the new bath at St Margaret’s College (Christchurch) that he was in difficulties. He did not intend to jump into the bath himself, and he was afraid to push his aide-de-camp into the water, he said, because of what the latter might do to him afterwards. He had thought of suggesting that the headmistress or a member of the staff might “open” the bath in the way usually expected;' but he had decided that the best thing he could do would be to declare the bath open without further ceremony. This was greeted with applause, which was renewed when a very young pupil dived into the water from the springboard.

Sir Apirana Ngata. A hint that he might retire from politics shortly was given by Sir Apirana Ngata, Opposition member of Parliament for the Eastern Maori electorate, when speaking at a gathering at Cape Runaway. Expressing the wish that, if he did not contest the next election, his successor should be selected by the Maori people, Sir Apirana said he was getting on in years-and a younger man should be chosen to carry on his work. Sir Apirana h'as represented the Eastern Maori electorate for 34 years, and on several occasions has held Cabinet office. The first occasion was from 1909 to 1912, when he was Minister without portfolio in the Ward Administration . He held the post of Minister of Native Affairs from 1928 to 1934, and he was knighted in 1927. Sir Apirana is 65 years of age.

Maternity Benefits. Maternity benefits are receiving priority over the other three main benefits under part. HI of the Social Security Act, 1938, recording to a circular letter sent to all medical practitioners by the Minister of Health, Mr Fraser. “With regard to maternity benefits in particulai, it is intended shortly to place before you the terms and conditions on which the relative medical services are to be provided,” the Minister says, “these terms and conditions to operate as a formal offer to enter into such a contract." General arrangements for maternity benefits are set out in the statement accompanying the Minister’s letter. The general form of the benefits comprises payments from the fund to hospitals, maternity nurses and doctors affording care in maternity.