LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Totangi Oil Bore. The New Zealand Petroleum Company, Ltd., reports that the Totangi bore number one has reached a depth of 4940 feet, the formation being unchanged. Payment of P,ates. Masterton borough ratepayers are reminded that tomorrow is the last day on which the 5 per cent discount will be allowed on the current year’s rates. National Military Reserve. The fact that Britain is now engaged in hostilities has given an impetus to enrolments in the National Military Reserve. At the Masterton Post Office on Monday twelve enrolments were recorded and yesterday there were nineteen, while a considerable number of inquiries have been made at. the Masterton Defence Office. Water-Lily Ponds. The construction of the water-lily ponds in the Masterton Park in the area around the fountain has been completed. The rockeries surrounding the pools make a picturesque setting and when the liles are established the ponds should prove a most attractive feature of the Park. It is expected that the lilies will come to hand in a few days. Registration of Aliens. The Commissioner of Police advises by advertisement in this issue that under Regulation 3 of the Alien Control Emergency Regulations made on September 4, 1939 ( every alien in New Zealand on that date is required to make application for registration under the Regulations not later than September 18. Applications should be made personally to the nearest police station. Post Office Staff Busy. The Masterton Post Office staff is very much aware that a war is on, judging by the number of applicants waiting yesterday and on the previous day for permits to purchase petrol. So great has been the demand that supplies of application forms became exhausted, but it is hoped to secure more forms today. On account of the pressure of business, the P. and T. social evening which had been set down for last night was cancelled. Narrow Escape from Electrocution. During a severe thunderstorm in Sanson on Monday evening, an employee of the Manawatu-Oroua Electric Power Board, Mr. Leslie Hancox, had a narrow escape from electrocution. While repairing a transformer which had been “blown” by a flash of lightning, Mr Hancox’s hat, which was wet, came in contact with an 11,000volt line, and he was thrown from the ladder to the ground, a distance of 20 feet. He received first-aid from residents till the arrival of a doctor from Bulls, and was later taken to hospital. His condition is reported to be improving. Trans-Tasman Airmail Service.

It is still hoped to have the transTasman airmail service in operation by the beginning of November, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Postmaster-General, Mr. Jones, during discussion on the Post Office estimates. The Minister said that the regular airmail from England to Australia would probably be scrapped, but that some service would be maintained, probably irregularly. The all-up system of postages had been abandoned, and the cost would fevert to the old rate of 1/6 a half-ounce for mails to England from New Zealand.

Impressment of Motor Vehicles. The Motor Vehicles Impressment Emergency Regulations, 1939, authorise the Chief Impressment Officer, who is the Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department, to impress motor vehicles that are required by the armed services or for any national emergency requirements. It is not anticipated that it will be necessary to impress many motor vehicles. Owners of vehicles which will be taken over will be served with warrants of impressment and they will be required to deliver impressed vehicles at specified centres on the dates set out in the warrants. The regulations prescribe that vehicles may be either taken over on behalf of the Crown or that they may be taken over on a hiring basis. Rotarians and the War. “So far as the Rotarian’s duty, to the State is concerned, there is no question of his responsibility,” said the president of the Napier Rotary Club, Mr. F. W. Browne, at the weekly meeting of the club, referring to the decision of Britain to engage in war against Germany. The position of a Rotarian locally was the same as at the outbreak of the war 25 years ago—he would continue in his business activities in the normal way, so as to interfere as little as possible with the economic structure. His duty to his employees was to maintain them in full employment and to set his house in order so that when the call came it would be possible to give the maximum assistance to the Empire. Services Appreciated. “The postmaster and the staff of the Masterton Post Office deserve the highest possible praise for the manner in which they have handled the public in connection with the applications for benzine licences,” stated a well-known Masterton citizen to a “Times-Age” representative today. “Their patience, courtesy and obliging manner is something which is appreciated in these anxious days. Mr. Simpson is a second Mr. McGregor, and everybody knows (he latter’s ability and courtesy in dealing with the public. I should also like to draw attention to the work of the Mayor (Mr. T. Jordan) who is always willing to give advice and information to those approaching him in regard to the benzine regulations and in other directions.” Grocers as Rationers. Because of suspected scarcities of various classes of groceries, over-pur-chasing and hoarding of supplies by (he public has developed, in Auckland. lln pointing out that hoarding is unjustified and if persisted in is likely to cause scarcities, grocers complain that they are expected by the Government to carry out an unofficial rationing policy by limiting sales to what they consider to be essential quantities. They consider that they are thereby placed in an unfair position with customers who often resent their attitude. ■‘When we refuse a customer we often lose his business,” said one grocer. '‘lf there is any necessity to ration stocks it is only fair to us that the Government should first ascertain the actual need and then limit the quantities that may be sold.”