LOCAL & GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

Delegates Entertained. Delegates to the Inter-Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union, which is being held in Masterton, were entertained last night at a smoke concert. An excellent programme of items was rendered by the Masterton Savage Club, and all present spent a most enjoyable evening. Working as a Team.

Speaking at yesterday’s Inter-Pro-vincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union, Mr A. McDonald, President of the Sheepowners’ Federation, said he hoped'that before long the Union and the Federation would be amalgamated. It was essential that the farmers should work as a team. Divided they would not get anywhere.

Burglary at Post Office. For the second time this week thieves entered the Whatawhata Post Office on Wednesday night, succeeding in blowing the safe and securing a small sum of money. The office, which is a small wooden building in an isolated position, has been the scene of several burglaries in recent years. On the last visit of the thieves a fuse failed to ignite the explosive and the attempt was abortive.

The Women’s Division. Members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union yesterday entertained delegates to the Inter-Pro-vincial Conference of the Union at afternoon tea. Warm appreciation was expressed of the kind hospitality extended by the ladies and of the excellent fare they provided. A spontaneous collection was taken up and the sum of £5 18s 6d was contributed to the funds of the Women’s Division.

Charge of Drunkenness. Charged with being found drunk in Queen Street, Masterton at 2.30 a.m. this morning, Charles Birt later appeared in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court before Mr W. G. Lamb, J.P. On the application of Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett, Birt was remanded for seven days to undergo medical treatment in Wellington. He will appear in the Wellington Police Court on June 2. Motor Relicencing. Nearly a thousand motor vehicle plates have still to be issued by the Masterton Post Office before the end of this month and the longer motorists delay their applications the greater is the prospect of applicants having to wait their turn. Up to last night, 1557 motor vehicles had been relicensed in Masterton, as compared with 1435 on the corresponding date last year. Colour Bar Against Maoris.

Though some Maoris were inclined to exaggerate the presence of the colour bar toward their race, there was no doubt that a bar existed, said Mr James Rukutai, a well-known Maori interpreter, Auckland, when speaking to the conference of Young Maori Leaders. “I myself have been turned away from hotels, and I can tell you an incident of a man of very 'high standing who only recently was turned away from three or four hotels in Wellington,” he said.

New Entrance to College. With only a few hours warning, the Public Works Department men were stopped on May 5 before the Cornwall street entrance road was finished, reported Mr G. G. Hancox, principal of Wairarapa College, at last night’s meeting of the board; The work was now being carried on by the groundsmen and his staff. The board it was stated, was indebted to the Public Works Department engineers and staff for the great improvement to the college grounds, the benefit of which should be felt this year.

Tobacco Restrictions. Smokers of American cigarettes and cigars and South African tobacco will be faced with the necessity of changing their brands within the next six months. He had enough stock on hand to last about six months, a Masterton tobacconist informed a “TimesA’ge” reporter today. When his present stock was exhausted, however, he would be unable to obtain further supplies. Another tobacconist stated he was not very much concerned about the restrictions as British and Australian ■ goods were obtainable, combined with the fact that two cigarette factories would soon be operating in the Dominion. Masterton Band Concert. The Masterton Municipal Band will give a concert in the Masterton Park on Sunday, commencing at 2.30 p.m., weather permitting. The programme is as follows:—“God Defend New Zealand,’’ John W. Woods; “Punchinello” (march), W. Rimmer; “Fireside Fancies” (fantasia), W. . Rimmer; “Pax Dei” (hymn), J. B. Dykes; “Wandering the King’s Highway” (song march), L. Coward; “The Great Little Army” (march), K. J. Alford; “Oh, Maritana” (duet, euphonium and cornet), Wallace; “Knight Errant” (fantasia), C. Trussell; “Two Comrades” (duet, two cornets), W. Rimmer; “The Challenge” (march), W. Calvert; “God Save the King.”

Superannuation for Firemen. The need lor a compulsory system of superannuation for fire brigadesmen was stressed by Mr J. C. Creeke, deputy-superintendent of the Wellington Fire Brigade, who is retiring, at a farewell social at the Wellington fire station last night. Mr Creeke said that, a high standard of physical fitness was essential for those who were fighting fires, and after the age of 50 or 55 the strength of a man began to fail. He might look well, but his internal organs were ‘not at their best. To maintain a high standard of physical fitness it was essential that fire brigadesmen should retire at 55, and that should be made compulsory. Plight of the Maori. Stating that it would not be long before there were between 3000 and 4000 Maoris living in Auckland, Mr James Rukutai (Auckland) stressed to delegates at the Young Maori Leaders’ conference at Auckland the evils resulting from the drift of Maoris to the towns. Conditions in Auckland were, he said, in many cases appalling. There were exceptions, but the more unfortunate Maoris were suffering. “Our young men and women are migrating’to the cities,” he continued, “and in what sort of jobs do we find them? Some are in cafes or inferior hashhouses, others in Chinese gardens. Our women have nothing to look forward to but Chinese gardens. This is also the case of young boys who should be at the schools.” The only remedy, he said, was repatriation.