LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost and Rain. In Masterton this morning a frost of 9.1 degrees was registered, while 10 points of rain fell during, the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock this morning. Spring Gardening. In Mas.terton the spring gardening conditions have not been favourable for those who plant early. The ground has been in a heavy state owing to the rain, preventing the sowing of.seeds on the one hand, and on the other causing the rotting of much of that already planted. College Bus. Following on somewhat protracted negotiations a motor-bus has been obtained for the use of Wairarapa College in the conveyance of scholars to and from the Penrose Training Farm. Arrangements for the purchase of the bus were completed with the Railways Department by Mr J. Robertson, M.P. The bus, it is understood, is to be renovated. Taste of “Hokonui.” “For my information would you tell me what ‘Hokonui’ is?” asked Mi Justice Smith when evidence was beinggiven in the Supreme Court at Invercargill by Detective J. Hill in a case brought under the Distillation . Act. “ -Hokonui’ is the name given to illicit whisky distilled in this district,” explained Detective Hill. ‘’lt has a special taste of its own and once tasted can never be mistaken again. Wellington Plunged in Darkness. Thunderstorms yesterday afternoon and evening resulted in two electric light and power failures in Wellington, with stoppages of services and machinery dependent upon this source of power. The second plunged the city in darkness, brought tramway traffic to a standstill, just at the busy period when business people were going home from work. The faults were believed t(> have been caused by lightning striking,the main power lines. Gift of Coin Collection. Mention was made by the Chancellor of the University of Otago (Mr W. J. Morrell) at a meeting of the University Council, to the generous gift of Mr Willi Fels to the museum. The gift consisted of Mr Fels’s coin collection. There are 5400 coins in the collection, including more than 1000 classical coins. Mr Morrell said that it was a really munificent gift, and on his motion it was decided to express the gratitude of the council to Mr Fels for his further generosity to 'the museum. Visit of Pipe Band. Advice was received in Masterton yesterday that the Manawatu Pipe Band would be attending tonight’s St. Andrew Society gathering in the Municipal Hall in full force. At its special request the Wairarapa College Pipe Band will be associated with the Manawatu Band both in a street parade prior to the gathering and at the hall. It is very pleasing to see an A grade band such as the Manawatu giving such ready co-operation to a kindred organisation. On arrival in Masterton the Manawatu Band will be entertained at tea in the Social Hall by the St. Andrew Society. Work on Maori Pa. The best preserved and most noted Maori pa in North Auckland, the Ruapekapeka pa, .nine miles from Kawakawa, is being cleared of the fern and scrub that have covered the earthworks. It is hoped to reconstruct a section of the pa during the ’next few months, so that visitors to the north during the centennial will be able to see-how an old Maori pa actually appeared. The earthworks at Ruapekapeka are all remarkable well defined and are little altered from the time when the pa was the last stronghold of the warring Maori in North Auckland. Historic Legal Records. Moved no doubt by the rapidlyawakening interest in 1 local history, the Auckland District Law Society is appealing to practitioners to search for and preserve old volumes or records which may have definite legal or historical interest. It is known that in the. past valuable records were destroyed by firms simply to secure much-needed space. The society offers to house and care for any such material in the space which it has available in its library. It is particularly anxious to secure early official publications with a view to completing sets in the library and asks for early Provincial Council and Government publications, general works on New Zealand and old photographs. Mechanical Office Boy. A novel machine which, faster than the most skilful message boy or packer, ties a neat brown paper parcel, cutting the string and delivering the . finished article with a flourish, so to speak, is a mechanical parcel tier, which is attracting much attention at the Winter Show in Christchurch. It is certainly new to Christchurch people, and crowds watched the machine-—about the height of a man’s waist, and hot very complicated in appearance—neatly wrap string about parcels of many shapes and sizes, tie a tradesmanlike knot that would stand much wear and tear, cut the string and deliver the parcel complete for'labelling and posting. The machine is part of an exhibit by a city paper bag manufacturing firm. Symbolic Mural. Perhaps the greatest undertaking in the sculpture at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition is the central panel across the Tower Block building. it measures 100 feet by 8 feet, and is the largest work of its kind in the Dominion. The theme is that of the Centennial. In the centre is a group of figures symbolic of achievement, prosperity and national life. From the right aiid the left, processions of figures representing industrial development, transport, defence, the arts and learning, and historical figures march toI wards the central goal. This fine allegorical design represents the complete development of New Zealand and the progress of her people during the course of a century.