LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Withdrawal from Drama League. At a meeting of the Southern Hawke's Bay area of the British Drama League, on Monday night, it was unanimously decided to withdraw from the League and in future to function as an autonomous organisation.

Australian Cricket Team. “I was informed that Don Bradman would almost certainly be a member of the Australian cricket team to tour New Zealand next February, and that the team will be strong and representative,” said Mr W. R. Fee, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, yesterday.

Clerk Congratulated. "I think we are to be congratulated on having a Clerk (Mr J. C. D. Mackley) who gets the balance sheet out so expeditiously,” observed the chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, at yesterday’s meeting of the Masterton County Council. The balance sheet, he added, had been returned by the Audit Office certified as correct by April 18.

Pension Payments. Pensioners and others are reminded that all pension and benefit payments will be made as usual at the Masterton Post Office on April 23. It is understood that from May 1 this task will be taken over by the Social Security Office but in the meantime the Post Office is making the payments as has been customary in the past. . '

Longest Dry Spell. During the last 36 years, it is of interest to note, according to the records of Mr H. M. Boddington, the longest period experienced in Masterton without any rain being recorded was one of 27 days in 1926. On that occasion rain was recorded on March 27 and no more fell until April 24, when 39 points were registered. The total rainfall for April that year was 50 points, recorded on three days, April 24, 29 and 30. Easter Next Year.

Having enjoyed ideal weather this Easter, holiday makers are looking forward optimistically to Easter next year. The holiday in 1940 will be early. Easter Day falls on March 24,' which is almost as early as it can be. The movable feast is dependent on the paschal full moon, and, without going into the elaborate calculations necessary to fix the date in any given year, it must come within the period March 22 and April 25. Apples for Export.

About 20,000 cases of apples have been received for export from North Canterbury this season. Mr R. G. I. Hamilton, orchard instructor of the Department of Agriculture, said that the fruit was in splendid condition, having benefited from the long dry spell and the absence of high winds. The picking of Sturmers, which provide the bulk of the export, would begin next week.

Napier’s Telephone Service. The new automatic telephone service in Napier will probably be opened before the end of this year. The new building for the long-promised automatic exchange has been ready for nearly 12 months, but the installation of the equipment has been delayed up till now, owing partly to the death of one of- the experts in charge of the work. The staff of the existing manual exchange, which has been in use since the earthquake in 1931, at present occupies a small tin shed.

New Zealand Rugby Team. A difference of opinion appears to exist among unions as to when the New Zealand Rugby team which is to tour South Africa next season should be chosen. In reply to a communication from the New Zealand Rugby Union on the matter, the Wellington Rugby Union decided last night that the question be left to be decided by the delegates at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. It was decided by the Wellington Union to nominate Mr E. McKenzie (Wairarapa) as North Island selector and sole selector for New Zealand teams.

Difficulty in Raising Money. The city council’s difficulty in raising money at the Government s prescribed rate was emphasised at a meeting of the Dunedin City Council by Councillor Tavener, who Said that ratepayers had sanctioned loans but till the Government either sanctioned higher interest or made money directly available it was not possible to proceed with proposed works. “In Dunedin,” he added, "there are some fairly large aggregations of capital not fully employed, specially in the hands of trustees and societies which would come our way if. the rate of interest was only a little higher.” Licence Refused.

An application for a licence to erect a gin-distilling plant in New Zealand has been rejected, according to advice received by Mr H. Grinstead, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, from the Minister for Finance, the Hon W. Nash. Mr Grinstead, who is at present in Wanganui, stated in an interview that the Minister had given no indication of the Government’s policy regarding the importation of distilled liquors generally. Mr Grinstead said he had not been advised of the attitude of the Government to the establishment of distilling businesses in New Zealand. The only information he had concerned the refusal of permission for the establishment of a gindistilling business. Female Labo.ur Scarce. So acute has the scarcity of female labour become in Auckland that several boot factories have imported machinists from Australia and others are making inquiries for girls in that country. In the clothing industry at least one factory is considering the possibilities of employing youths at sewing machines and has collected information from the United States on the subject showing that a male operator is capable of a much higher output than a woman machinist. It is estimated that in various branches of the footwear and clothing industries alone, at least 500 girls could readily be absorbed in Auckland if they were available. The demand for female labour is by no means confined to the two industries mentioned. Many types of industries require large numbers of girls. Inquiry by industry generally is almost as keen for boys and youths, for which the labour market is described as practically bare.

The longest road in the world is in America. Its starting point is in New York, at the angle of 42nd Street and sth Avenue. At this point there is a sign which reads: Lincoln Road San Francisco, 3385 miles. This road passes through 12 States.