LOCAL & GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1939, Page 6

LOCAL & GENERAL

Flags at Half Mast. Flags are flying at half mast today on the Masterton Post Office and other public buildings out of respect to the memory of the late Mr E. J. Howaid. M.P. Work Resumed. Normal activities were resumed yesterday at Borthwick’s freezing works, Belfast. The men ceased work on Monday morning because of the prevalence of influenza, which had reduced the staff by 18 workers. Compulsory Unionism.

The opinion that compulsory unionism for all farm workers was inevitable, was expressed by the chairman, Mr J. M. James, at yesterday’s meeting of the Masterton branch of the Farmers’ Union. “The writing,” he added, “is already on the wall.” New Suspension Bridge.

The work in connection with the erection of the new suspension oridge over the Waipoua River deviation is proceeding at a satisfactory rate. The decking has been almost completed, and the bridge should soon be ready for use. Social Security Registrations.

The Post Office advises that the hours to be observed at the Masterton Post Office for social security registrations today and tomorrow are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Closing of Bowling Club Season. The Masterton Bowling Club will bring a very successful season to a close on Saturday when a teams match, over 60 years of age versus under 60 years, will be played. The committee hopes to see a large attendance of members in order to fittingly close the season. Golfers Fail to Appear.

Advertised to appear at Timaru yesterday afternoon, the visiting Australian golfers, N. Von Nida and E. Cremin, failed to put in an appearance. There was only a small crowd waiting so not many were disappointed. The Timaru Golf Club received no communication explaining the non-ap-pearance of the visitors. Crossing Smash.

Two occupants of a small car had a remarkable escape when their vehicle collided with a train at Paulsen’s Crossing, near Takapau, yesterday. The car was carried for about 30 yards and wrecked, but the occupants, Miss V. Frederickson, Takapau, and Miss Mollison, Sydney, received only minor injuries. They were taken to the Waipukurau Hospital, where their condition is reported to be satisfactory. Man Found Dead.

The body of a young man, Henry Pullar Ford, aged 23, was found lying in a whare at Rotorua yesterday with a pea-rifle lying across his legs. The discovery was made by his brother, Mr G. A.- Ford, a farmer, old Tapuo Road. Rotorua. The parents were both absent, and when the young man’s brother found no one at the homestead he went to a nearby whare to look for him. A note left by the young man was taken possession of by the police.

Alleged Poisoning of Sheep. Further expert evidence on the possibility of sheep being poisoned by the constituents of a dip absorbed through the skin was read when the hearing of the damages suit brought by Alan Grant, stock-breeder, Waimate, against Cooper, MacDougall and Robertson Ltd, Manchester, manufacturers of sheep dip, was resumed in the Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday. This concluded plaintiff’s case, and Mr A. T. Donnelly then opened for the defence. The case, which is now in its second week and the hearing of which may occupy two more weeks, is being heard by Mr Justice Northcroft and a special jury.

Church of Christ Services. Church of Christ worship services were recently commenced in Masterton. Amongst those who attended the inaugural meeting were Messrs W. J. Mason (Wellington) and F. W. Pullyn (Palmerston North), representing the Dominion Home Mission Committee, and Mr W. J. Lowe representing the Wellington District Conference Committee. The address was delivered by Mr P. Bolton, of Nelson, Dominion Secretary of the foreign Mission Committee. Visitors were present from the Wellington and Palmerston North churches, as well as members of the local congregation. Invitation to Hockey Team.

An Australian women’s hockey team is to be invited to visit New Zealand for a tournament next May, according to a decision of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Association last night. The secretary, Miss I. M. Pearce, suggested that the date of the annual tournament be put forward next year to enable it to be held in conjunction with the centennial celebations. It was decided to postpone any decision as to where the tournament sould be held till after applications had been received from affiliated associations. Miss Pearce also said that an invitation to an Australian team was overdue, and that the centennial would be a good opportunity to extend such an invitation. Air Force Aerodromes. “We arc spending nearly £1,000,000 on each of the aerodromes for the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Ohakea and Whenuapai, and that’s the answer to those people who say the Government is doing nothing for lhe defence of New Zealand," said the Minister of Public Works, Mr Semple, who last evening inspected the progress of the work in Ohakea. The Ohakea aerodrome would be one of the best, if not the very best, aerodromes in Australia or New Zealand, and the equipment would be up-to-date in every way, said the Minister. It would compare with anything else in the world. There were no hangars of similar design in Australia. AH thathad been done in the past three or four years. The hangars had been completed, and the only big job remaining was the topdressing and sowing in grass of the flying field. Accommodation for two squadrons, involving a personnel of between 500 and GOO people, was to be provided at Ohakea.

The Wairarapa College Parents' Association will hold a bridge party in the Assembly Hall at the Wairarapa College on Wednesday, May 3, commencing at 7.45 p.m. The price of admission is 1/6. and there will be good prizes to compete for. The supper arrangements will be under the control of a capable ladies’ committee.