LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Heavy Frost in Masterton. A frost of 10.2 degrees was registered in Masterton yesterday morning. Egg Production. The usual decline in egg production about Easter has so far failed to eventuate in Hawke’s Bay this year, the falling off of supplies to date being negligible. Egg vendors in Hastings an Napier have been receiving a large percentage of pullet eggs, indicating that pullets have been laying very well. State Lottery Favoured. The council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association had decided to ask the Government to sanction the institution in New Zealand of a State lottery, the proceeds to be used to encourage physical welfare and recreation. Other organisations controlling sport in New Zealand are to be asked to advise the Government if they support the council’s proposals. Bitten By Trout. An unusual fishing incident is related by two Rotorua anglers who were fishing in Lake Rotorua. They were flyfishing, and thus wore rubber waders. While in the water, each had a piece bitten out of his waders below the water-level by brown trout, and got wet feet. One said that this was the second occasion on which he had had this experience. Health Stamp Campaign." The results of the 1938-39 health stamp campaign conducted by the Post Office are announced by the Postmas-ter-General, Mr Jones. He said that by this means the very satisfactory sum of £7026 7s 2d had been raised from a generous public toward the maintenance of the children’s health camps, which were doing such valuable work throughout the Dominion. University Swimming Sports. Masterton residents will be interested this evening in the University swimming sports, which are being held in Dunedin, as two ex-championship title-holders at the Wairarapa High School will be competing, Miss Nancy Spiers, who will be representing Victoria College and Miss Jean Morice, representing Otago University. As the events are to be broadcast, local residents will be able to follow the racing. Service of Witness. There was a large attendance at the United Service of Witness held last night in the Opera House. The Rev. D. McNeur, president of the Ministers’ Association, presided and the speakers were the Revs. J. Davie and F. J. Parker, who both delivered inspiring addresses. Prayers were offered by,the Rev. J. Pearson and Major Erickson gave a scripture reading. Mr C. W. Kerry presided at the piano and a solo was rendered by Mr G. Masters. Teachers Volunteer. Nearly 100 Southland primary school teachers volunteered in a body ‘on Thursday for service in the New Zealand defence forces. These teachers, men and women, attended the annual meeting of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute and, after hearing an address by the new president, Mr A. P. McDonald, Pukerau, passed the following motion: — “That this meeting of Southland primary school teachers of the New Zealand Educational Institute pledges itself to support to the utmost all means undertaken for the defence of New Zealand.”

Oysters Packed in Mud. Recently Stewart Island oysters have been transported by air from Invercargill to Auckland, arriving in almost perfect condition. This achievement fades into insignificance, however, beside that of an enterprising Australian firm, which sent oysters by air from Sydney to Singapore, a distance of more than 4700 miles. Despite the steamy atmosphere that was probably encountered en route, the shellfish were fresh, sweet and juicy on arrival at Singapore. The secret of this success lies in the method of packing. The oysters were left in their shells, and packed around with wet sea mud, which was found more satisfactory than sea water for keeping them fresh. French Share in Centennial.

The- French Government will probably be asked by the New Zealand Government to assist materially in the National Centennial celebrations at Akaroa next year. When the general secretary of the National Centennial Council (Mr A. W. Mulligan) visited Akaroa he said that the issue of invitations to foreign countries was under consideration by the Government at present, but none had yet been issued. A French representative would certainly be present in New Zealand. Mr W. E. M. Jacobson suggested that the French part in Akaroa’s celebrations should be discussed by the National Historical Council with the French Consul-General, asking him how his Government would be prepared to cooperate.- Mr Mulligan undertook to. place this before the Government. Exchange Rate Rumours.

Rumours of an increase in the rate of exchange were prevalent in Auckland before the closing of financial houses and the Stock Exchage for the Easter vacation on Thursday. The rumour emanated in Christchurch, but brokers and business men in Auckland agreed that they had heard suggestions of an increase in the rate of from 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Opinion in financial circles were guarded. Though it was admitted that some alteration was not outside the bounds of possibility, the view generally expressed was that this course should have been adopted in the first place to correct the import position, instead of applying drastic restrictions. Similar rumours have been heard frequently before and it was regarded as only natural that they should be revived at a time when the annual Easter conference of the Labour Party was being held. Dominion Place Names. The inhabitants are often strangely sensitive about the names of the places where they dwell. The world at large would not think differently about Wanganui if it were called Petre. Wanganui did. In the same way the name Mellemskov did not appeal to the inhabitants of Eketahuna. Petre was named after Lord Petre, a director of the New Zealand Company, some of whose relatives remain in New Zealand to this day. Mellemskov was a Scandinavian settlement, like Dannevirke, Norsewood and Mauriceville. Palmerston North, however, has not been changed to Manawatu in spite of an agitation in favour of the Maori name some years ago. Patea began as Carlisle, Waitara as Raleigh. If names can alter human nature, we may expect great things from the fortunate inhabitants of Jerusalem, Pleasant Point and Paradise.