LOCAL & GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1939, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for Masterton for April are as follow, the figures for April. 1938. being given in parentheses: Marriages 6 (18); births 24 (18); deaths 9 (4). A Clean Bankruptcy Sheet. Another clean sheet was recorded in April as far as bankruptcies in Wairarapa were concerned, making the fourth month in succession that such a satisfactory state of affairs has existed. Drivers’ Licences. During April the Masterton , Borough Council issued 15 drivers’ licences. bringing the total issued to date for the current licensing year to 2343. The Masterton County Council issued 5 licences, making 1330 licences issued for the year. Building Permits. Building permits issued during April by the Masterion Borough Council totalled four for £4461 (including one new dwelling), as against 10 permits issued for a value of £1737 5s for the same period last year. Two permits were issued last month by the Masterton County Council for a total value of £2700. Motor Cars Everywhere. Complaints are sometimes made that bicycles are ridden in places where they are forbidden, but it appears that nowadays motor cars are transgressing the laws. Some time ago, for instance, a delivery van was seen negotiating the Essex-Cole Street crossing, while on a recent Sunday a motor car emerged from the Central Arcade over the footpath into Queen Street. £5 for a Poppy. Christchurch' is not the only place where £5 is paid for a poppy, said Mr A. E. Prentice, secretary of the Wairarapa R.S.A., this morning. Mr Prentice stated'that for two years a Masterton resident had forwarded £5 and had received in return a single poppy while his wife had each year paid £1 for a poppy. Another lady had paid £1 for several years. Mouse in Radio Set.

When a radio set suddenly gave trouble a Dunedin resident was recently in a quandary, for, despite various adjustments which he made, the apparatus would- still not work. In the end it was sent to a radio dealer, who, too, at first could discover nothing wrong. When the set was dismantled, however, the discovery was made that a small mouse had found Ms way in among the wires and had become electrocuted underneath the set. When screws were withdrawn aijd the inside of the machine lifted out the body of the tiny animal was found jammed in a corner.

Highway Markings. White lines in the centre of roads were being abandoned in favour of white borders by highway authorities in New South Wales, stated Mr R. P. Worley, civil engineer, of Auckland, who returned from Sydney. Mr Worley said that in the authorities’ view the lines were an actual danger in that they encouraged drivers to hug the centre of the road instead of keeping as far as practicable to the lefthand side. One result, it was contended, was that many drivers were inclined to straddle the line at bends. The white borders were equally good guides at. night. On some roads they were provided by concrete shoulders, which thus served a double purpose. A Perambulator Left Behind.

An unattended perambulator standing forlornly in the middle of Cathedral Square, Christchurch, attracted attention out of all proportion to its size and significance. When a No 16 tram left the Square the perambulator, folded ready for transport, remained, behind,. standing bolt upright on its wheels. At least half a dozen persons of the considerable crowd on the safety zone, no doubt scenting a minor domestic crisis, made half-involuntary movements towards the perambulator —and then apparently realised the futility of it, as the tram was well on its' way. Two tramwaymen nearby stood gazing at the derelict for a few moments, till their problem was solved by the arrival of a tram bound for the same destination. Returned Soldiers' Reunion.

Approximately 300 members, including many from Auckland and the South Island, attended the annual reunion of the Wellington Regiment and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Palmerston North during the weekend. Representation from Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and other East Coast centres was exceptionally good. Following the annual meeting of the association a smoke concert was held in the Manawatu A. and P. Association’s hall at the snowgrounds on Saturday night. The following committee was elected: Colonel W. H. Cunningham. Colonel C. Weston and Mr C. Broad, Wellington; Mr A. T. White, Paraparaumu; Coloned F. K. Turnbull. Wanganui. Mr P. Bennett, Te Horo, was reelected secretary.

Enjoyable Dance. The Municipal Hall was crowded with dancers on Saturday night when the Memorial Park Lighting Committee held a very successful dance. Much interest centred on the drawing of an. art union conducted by the committee, which resulted in a win for Mr H. Ellison, Matafilwi, who held the lucky ticket numbered 2748. Enjoyable music was supplied by Udy's Orchestra and a dainty supper was served. The prizewinners in the competition conducted by the Carnival Committee are as follows: Doll—Ticket No 806 H, “Amy,” Masterton. Baby's layette—Ticket No 72G. C. Wilson, Wrigley Street. Both prizes can be collected at the office of H. M. Morton, Queen Street. Overseas Travellers. All residents leaving New Zealand either permanently or temporarily for places overseas (including Australia and Fiji) are required to obtain from the Commissioner of Taxes, certificates for production to shipping companies and the companies cannot issue passage tickets without production of these certificates. Application forms are obtainable from the shipping companies and these forms should be completed and forwarded to the office of the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington, not earlier than 30 days and if possible not later than 15 days before .date of sailing. Special arrangements apply to visitors to New Zealand but those who have been in the Dominion for more than twelve months are required to obtain certificates. Visitors should, in ample time prior'to departure, inquire from the shipping company as to their obligations.