LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Serial Story. The commences in today's ‘'TimesAge" a new serial story by that well known author Arthur Hardy, and entitled “Welcome The Traveller.” It is a romantic story of an old-world hostelry, and is developed along unusually original and delightful lines. Frost in Masterton.

Following a frost of 11.6 degrees this morning Masterton experienced a perfect spring day.

Community Sing and Concert. A final reminder is given of the community sing and concert to be held in the Municipal Hall, Masterton, tonight, in aid of the funds of the St John Ambulance, Nursing Division Cadets. Centennial Exhibition.

Now within eight weeks of opening, the Centerfhial Exhibition at Rongotai is a scene of brisk activity. All courts are far advanced. The work of tidying up the grounds is being hurried on. The Playland buildings are nearing completion. From now on the main task will be the actual installation and preparation of exhibits. An Amazing Spectacle.

The gannet sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers is at present the scene of intense activity, the main body of birds having returned from their winter migration. Both the main rookery and the growing colony which a number of birds established at Black Reef, a mile further along the coast two seasons ago, present an amazing spectacle, as thousands of gannets set about their seasonal nesting and mating operations. Space everywhere is at a premium.

Donation for Red Cross Work. Mrs T. H. Lowry, Dominion vicepresident of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, at a social gathering of the Dannevirke branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, announced that she had wired the Governor-Gen-eral, patron of the Red Cross Society, her decision to make a donation of £5OO to the joint council of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society. This was a direct result of the appeal of the Duke of Gloucester.

Economy Advised. The necessity for strict economy in the use of materials of every kind has been impressed upon membeys of the staff of a large Auckland firm. The staff has been advised that the importation of supplies has been drastically curtailed and stocks must be carefully conserved. It is probable that similar instructions will be issued by other firms to assist in the general economy which will be necessitated by the war. Masterton Municipal Band.

The following items will be played by the Masterton Municipal 13and in the Masterton Park tomorrow afternoon commencing at 2.30 o’clock, weather permitting: “God Defend New Zealand” (John W. 'Woods); “Abide With' Me” Hymn (arranged by Scotney); “Trefynon,” March, (Latent); “Boadicea,” March (Ord Hume); “Steadfast and True,” March (Feike); “Victoria,” Selection (Ord Hume); “Nautical Moments,” Fantasia (Shipley Douglas); “Love’s Request,” Waltz (Raynor); “Somerville,” Fantasia. (Fraser).

Silver Cress for Boy Scout. The Silver Cross of the Boy Scouts’ Association has been awarded to Scout Alan Lawson, Auckland, for bravery and presence iof mind in saving his brother’s life. The Dominion Headquarters of the Association, Wellington, announces that the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Galway, as Dominion Chief Scout, has approved this award. Scout Lawson is stated to have displayed commendable courage and presence of mind in extinguishing ■ his brother’s burning clothing at considerable risk to himself. He is a member of the Wesley Boy Scout Troop, Kingsland, Auckland. His younger brother was playing near a grass fire on a railway embankment when his clothes caught fire. He became enveloped in flames.

Developments in Potato Culture. An interesting example of the impact of science upon civilisation from the biological side was mentioned by Dr H. G. Denham, Professor of Chemistry at Canterbury University College, in an address to the Geographical Association of Canterbury. Dr Denham said that the introduction of the potato to Europe was the result of the action of a seafarer—not a botanist—and was of an entirely random nature. From this limited material all the present-day varieties had sprung. A few years ago. a group of Soviet scientists visited Central America in the hope of finding new varieties of 'potato, which might be useful for plant breeding. In all, they found 15 new cultivated species and 30 new wild species. These new species opene'd up new avenues of development in potato culture.

Painters and Decorators Award. Proposals fox - a new award were, discussed in conciliation council in Wellington, between representatives of the New Zealand .Federated Painters and Decorators’ Industrial Association of Workers, applicants, and the New Zealand Federated Master Painters, Decorators and Signwriters’ Industrial Association of Employers. The workers asked for 3s an hour instead of 2s 9d, statutory holidays to be paid for, and an annual holiday of one day for every 20 days worked. The employers counter-claimed for the present award terms, but asked for a 44-hour week instead of a 40-hour week. The hearing was concluded yesterday, when the clauses referring to hours, wages, holidays, and suburban work were referred to the Court of Arbitration. An Appeal Court Incident. A barrister wearing the King’s uniform appeared before the judges in the Court of Appeal in Wellington yesterday to plead the cause of his client. He-.was Mr F. C. Jordan, Auckland. Though many young men who were in camp during the Great War appeared in Court in uniform to be admitted as barristers, it is unique in legal history for a barrister to appear in uniform for the purpose of pleading a case. The position was that Mr Jordan’s client was a party to litigation in the Supreme Court in Auckland. This case was taken to the Court of Appeal. In between the sittings of the two Courts war was declared, and Mr Jordan was called up for service on coastal defence in the Auckland district. It was the wish of his client that Mr Jordan go to Wellington for the appeal proceedings and. with the consent of his commanding officer, he did so. By regulation he had to continue wearing his uniform. Tn Court he could not don his wig and gown, as nothing can be worn over the King’s uniform.