LOCAL & GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1939, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

New Serial Story. A new serial story, “Christabel .by that noted writer, Miss Pearl Bellairs, commences in the “Wairarapa TimesAge" today. The author of "Velvet and Steel,” and "The Prisoner’s Sister” has wrought again a fine human document, a story irresistible in its appeal, and fascinating in the manner of telling. Family Benefits.

Family benefits will be payable this month by the Social Security Department, Masterton, on Friday, June 23. The earlier payment date is necessitated by the usual day of paying-out falling on Sunday, June 25. Jumble Sale.

Attention is drawn to the Jumble Sale to take place next Friday, June 23, at the Occidental Auction Mart, undei the auspices of the Masterton branch o the League of Nations Union. Amongst its other activities this branch is contributing to the support of the refugee children, five of whom are Chinese. Public support is solicited for so worthy a cause. Masterton Band.

The Masterton Municipal Band will present a concert in Featherston on July 2, assisted by a number of vocal and other artists. The proceeds will be devoted to the new uniform fund. As the band has played at Anzac Day services in Featherston ever since 1918 it has a close association with this town. Price of Milk.

A Masterton resident who spent a few days in Hastings last week states that the price of fresh milk there is 4d per quart at any dairy, while cream is Is 4d a pint, as compared with 7d per quart and 2s per pint respectively in Masterton. “lhe Masterton prices must be very hard on the working people of this town,” he states, “especially those with a young growing family. How do you account for it?” he asks. “The cows are just the same in Masterton and the land is just as good and no dearer than in Hawke’s Bay and yet the people here take it lying down.”

Military Ball.

Always considered as an outstanding social event the Military Ball tomorrow night promises to eclipse previous efforts. The decorations will be on an elaborate scale and the committee has decided to throw the hall open tomorrow afternoon to the public who are invited to inspect the colour scheme in daylight. Around the walls are hung banners with the badges of the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles, Hawke’s Bay Regiment and R.S.A. pained on them. In the centre of the ceiling the decorations take the form ;of a Union Jack. Air Force Training. The first of its kind in New Zealand, a three months’ training course for members of the Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch (Territorial) Squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is at present being carried out in Hobsonville, Rongotai, and Wigram. Employers responded extremely well to requests for time off to attend the course, and approximately 25 per cent of the officers and airmen attached to the squadrons have been able to attend. The attendance from the Wellington Squadron represents 33 1-3 per cent of the strength of the unit. The course began on May 1, and will finish at the end of next month. Mo Katoa Scouts. At a meeting of the Mo Katoa Scout Committee, held last night, it was decided to remind honorary members that as funds were required to assist the troop to carry on its work, subscriptions were now due and could be payable either to the honorary secretary, Mr P. Doyle, or to the chairman, Mr W. L. Butler. The troop was reported to be making good progress and funds were being raised to meet the expenses of sending a party to the forthcoming jamboree. A public appeal for this purpose would be made after the Diggers’ Market has been held. Strange Footprints. Footprints of an unknown animal were discovered recently in the snow on the lower slopes of the Ruahine Ranges by a party of hunters. The footprints are puzzling experienced hunters, who have been familiar with wil'd life in the area for many years, and last weekend a party was organised for a hunt over a wide area in order to discover the animal. A Hamilton resident who has just returned from Taihape, which is about 20 miles from where the footprints were found, commented on the interest which has been created by the footprints. The marks were described to him as being about a foot long, with a toe about four inches long projecting from one side, and another six inches long on the other side. Centennial Band Contest. Members of the management committee of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association met in Wellington and made further arrangements for the New Zealand band contest, which is to be held in Wellington from February 18 to 25, 1940. The syllabus will provide for A, B and C grade championships. The music for the A and B grade bands will be selected tests, and the C grade will be judged on “own choice” selections. All solo music will be “own choice,” restricted to time, with the exception of the B flat cornet championship solo, which will be a selected tost. The trios and quartets will also play selected tests. It is expected that the centennial contest will be the largest band event which has ever taken place in the Dominion. Track For Trampers. A start has been made to give effect to a Government scheme, recently announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Parry, for the improvement of the track for trampers in the Tararua ranges. It is hoped that by next summer that the track will be completed and full advantage will be taken of it by parties wishing to enjoy a back-country tramp and the beauties of mountain range scenery. Huts of the latest economical design are to be provided for the comfort of parties of up to 30 people. The huts will be placed at suitable points every seven to 10 miles along the track, th‘e actual distance varying according to the type of country traversed, so that even the more mature members of parties will have no difficulty in walking from one hut to another in an easy day. The Tararua track enters at Smith Creek, near Kaitoke, and skirts Totara Creek to the Holdsworth Road.