LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Motor-Cycle Sports.

A large attendance of enthusiasts is expected to be present at To Whiti on Sunday next when the Masterton Motor Cycle Club will hold its annual T.T. Meeting. Assault Charge.

Pleading not guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting a female, Charles James Devine, single, aged 35, was committed to the Supreme Court in Palmerston North for trial, states a Press Association telegram from Levin. Bail was allowed in £lOO, with a surety of £lOO.

“The Shepherd’s Warning.” Between 8 and 8.30 o clock this morning Masterton observers were treated to the display of a wonderfully perfect and beautiful rainbow. It is to be hoped that this phenomenon will negative the old saying of: ‘‘A rainbow in the morning is the shepherd’s warning.” Foxton Harbour.

After lengthy consideration in committee of the prospects of securing continuous shipping, the Foxton Harbour Board yesterday unanimously carried a motion that the port remain open, and appointed Messrs M. E. Perreau and H. Osborne to carry out negotiations with certain shipping interests with a view of securing a continuous service to the port.

Napier-Taupo Road. Though chains will still be necessary for a few days because the surface of the road has been considerably affected by the efforts of heavy vehicles to plough through the snow, which is still thick in many places, the Napier-Taupo Road is now passable for experienced drivers, according to a report received from the Automobile Association yesterday. Damages Awarded.

Injuries received by Miss Enid Hay, who was struck by a bullet when standing by a shooting gallery at the New Plymouth Winter Show in June, .1937, were compensated for yesterday, when Mr Justice Reed approved a compromise settlement in her favour against the Taranaki Agricultural Society. Payments provided for by the judgment amount to £561. Damages agreed upon are £3OO, and, in addition, the society accepts responsibility for hospital and medical fees, loss of salary while Miss Hay was incapacitated, and legal costs Fire in Pahiatua.

Fanned by a strong westerly wind, the rear part of the Rutland Hotel. Pahiatua, was extensively damaged by fire on Monday morning. The fire, which apparently broke out in the porter’s room in the rear left wing of the building, had already gained a good hold and was spreading rapidly by the time the brigade arrived. It was some time before the brigade could get near the scat of the outbreak on account of the intense heat and smoke. The hotel is owned by Mr W. McKellar, of Masterton. The licensee is Mr J. de P. Manson. Hold Up At Whenuapai. A short-lived stoppage of work occurred among men employed on the construction of the airmen’s barracks at Whenuapai Aerodrome. It is stated that the dispute was in the nature of a quarrel between carpenters and steelworkers, after objection by a carpenter to the play of a steelworker during a lunch-hour card game earlier in the week. The two disputants were supported by their workmates, and in the end the carpenters requested the dismissal of the steelworker, work being held up by resulting representations to the contracting firm. However, the matter was settled early in the afternoon after a visit by the organiser of the Carpenters’ and Joiners Union. The steelworker concerned was not dismissed. Safety Glass. The recently gazetted amendment No. 1 to the traffic regulations, 1936, provides for the fitting of safety glass in motor vehicle windscreens which might be replaced after September 1 next. When the matter was discussed with the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, yesterday it was learned that only those types of safety glass approved by the Minister and subsequently gazetted would satisfy the legal requirements. It was pointed out that it would be of advantage to all the firms holding stocks of safety glass to forward samples of this material to the Commissioner of Transport for testing purposes. In order to avoid any misunderstanding it was stated at the interview that the fitting of safety glass in the windscreens of mtoor vehicles would only be required when a replacement was necessary and actually effected. Transport Economies. Tn several areas, as a result ol' the operation by the Department of the road passenger services, it has been possible to reduce the train mileage and effect economies in railway operation. In other cases the road timetables have been altered to provide services when Irani services are not. available, thus providing improved travelling facilities for the public,” stales the Railways Statement, which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. "At the present time the equivalent of 10.000 tons of goods per annum previously conveyed over the roads is being diverted to the rail, thus reducing road mileage and costs. The rate schedules of the private operators built up under the competitive conditions which existed are still being adhered to by the Department (subject to 10 per cent increase from December 11, 1938).” Proceeds of Art Unions. Results of the nine £5OOO alluvial gold art unions during the year ended March 31 last are given in the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs which was presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. The net profit amounted to £65.216 13s. and of this sum £45,000 was distirbuted to the various mayoral or other recognised central funds established for the relief of distress, making ja total of £325,000 available for this purpose in recent years. The balance was allocated to charitable and philanthropic organisations, including childiren's homes and orphanages. Details of the aggregate proceeds of the nine art unions are as follow: —Gross sales. £182.109 ss; commission on sales. £27.316 7s lid: expenses £26.365 5s 7d: prizes. £45,000: net proceeds. £83.427 Is 6d; lottery duty. £18.210 18s (id: net profit. £65.216 13s. In addition to the £5OOO alluvial gold art unions, licences were issued during the year for rallies and art unions for 381 works of art and for 296 other lotteries for small amounts of alluvial