LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Art Union Drawing. The drawing of “Grand Sports” art union is to take place in Wellington this evening, commencing at. 5 o’clock. Daphne in Flower. Daphne already in flower in sheltered spots on- the hill area in Napier is evidence of very unusual seasonal conditions. Lemon trees are again blossoming in some localities, and tulips are showing signs of new growth.

Influenza Rampant in England. A particularly unpleasant form of influenza was rampant in England when the last mail left. It is said to be very infectious. One woman in London was advised by her doctor to refrain from writing to her friends in New Zealand lest the infection should be carried on the writing paper. The Tomato Season.

If good weather continues it is possible that the tomato season in Taita will last till June. The season has been known to last as long as that, and tomatoes have brought 23s a case, in contrast to the few pence they have brought in times of glut. A long season this year depends entirely on the weather; a heavy frost would terminate the season abruptly.

Land Board Vacancy. The seat on the Wellington Land Board held by Mr P. H. G. Bennett, an elective member, becomes vacant by effluxion of time on July 12 and nominations of candidates for the vacancy will be received by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, up to 4 p.m. on May 10. Nomination papers require to be signed by at least two electors. No member of the General Assembly or any land agent is eligible for election.

Clash of Show Dates. With a view to arriving at some solution of the difficulty regarding agricultural and pastoral show dates on the East Coast, a meeting of representatives of the societies concerned.will be held at an early date. The secretary 'of the Dannevirke A. and P. Association, Mr H. S. M. Quigley, in a letter to the secretary of the Pahiatua A. and P. Association, said he was very much concerned over the mix-up in show dates, and had interviewed the secretary of the Eastern District Council, with the result that he had been empowered to convene a meeting of representatives of the societies concerned.

Fire at Silverstream College. Three brigades fought a fire in St. Patrick’s, Silverstream, yesterday, which at one stage threatened to spread beyond the boxroom in which it started and endanger other parts of the college building. The boxroom is in a half-story or attic at the rear of the college. Fire damage was confined to the boxroom and the adjoining room, which is used as a rifle range. The rooms below —boys’ library, sportsroom, “tuck” shop, changing-room and bootroom— were affected when the burning ceiling of the boxroom fell in, and by water, but the damage was not great. The buildings and contents, including the personal effects of pupils, were covered by insurance. The Game Season.

“The commencement of this year’s game shooting season on Saturday, May 6, instead of on Monday, May 1, will enable all sportsmen to enjoy a weekend of sport with the dog and gun,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, in an interview yesterday. Reports were coming in from the Rotorua district, which was the acclimatisation area officially controlled, stating that arrangements were being completed for the season. “The liberations since last season of pheasants bred on the State farm in Rotorua,” Mr Parry said, “have added to the attractiveness of the sport in the district. In my inspections I have seen more birds along the roadsides and on the wing this year than in past years. I hope this means that shootists will have a successful season.” Dawn Parade on Anzac Day.

Notable among the ceremonies with which the sacrifices of the soldiers who fell in the Great War will be reverently remembered in Wellington on Anzac Day, April 25, will be a dawn parade of returned soldiers at the Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial, Lambton Quay. The parade has been arranged by the Australian Imperial Forces Association in conjunction with the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and will be commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel RB. Ashe, M.C., of the A.I.F. Association. The men will muster at 5 a.m. near the railway station, and will march in silence to the war memorial. There the ceremony will be, begun at 5.30 a.m. by the firing of a field gun placed in the grounds of Parliament Buildings. The report will be followed by a roll of drums, and the service will then start. Air Mission Report.

The report of the British Air Mission. which arrived in the Dominion on April 5 for discussions on air defence and the development of aviation generally, was formally presented to the Government yesterday. Members of the mission were received by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, and with him were the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan. After the report was handed over a brief discussion took place. Mr Savage subsequently said that the report was very full, very plain, and very progressive. “The contents of the report will be referred to Cabinet in due course,” he said. “When Cabinet has discussed it we will then get in touch with the British Government regarding the recommendations that have been made.” Labour and State Lotteries. The annual conference of the Now Zealand Labour Party last night decided unanimously against the conducting of State lotteries. A remit came before the conference suggesting that the Government be asked to give serious consideration to the institution of a State lottery, or, failing this, that a plebiscite of the people should be taken. The profits of the lottery, it was suggested, should be devoted to hospitals, charities, social security, the physical fitness campaign, or the defence of New Zealand. It stood in the name of 49 unions and branches. Reference to the remit was made in the report submitted by the finance, policy and administration committee, which recommended that no action should be taken. After discussion the committee’s recommendation was carried unanimously and it was also decided that this recommendation should be conveyed to the Government.

The official opening of the Bideford Gulf Club"will take place on April 30.