LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Serial Story. A new serial story entitled “Crash’ by that noted author, Arthur Applin. commences in. today's “Wairarapa Times-Age.” It is a bright story all the way and definitely “out of the rut.” It is considered to be Arthur Applin’s best work to date, surpassing even “Storm Driven,” “Cold Cream,” or “Winning Through.” Eclipse of the Sun. The partial eclipse of the sun this morning • was spoilt in Masterton by clouds. Only a very small portion of the sun was obscured by the moon. Street Repairs. The Masterton Borough Council staff is at present engaged in repairing the foot paths in Chapel Street. A “cold mix” preparation is being applied, the treatment being similar to that used in the re-sealing of Queen Street. . Masterton Dairy Co. At the last meeting of directors of the Masterton Dairy Co, it was decided to make a payout of Is 2d per lb butterfat for September supplies. The factory was reported to be in splendid working order and local sales were very good. ' Production was not at present up to normal' on account of weather conditions last autumn. Chaplains for Service. The fact that 20 members of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand had offered to serve anywhere as chaplains with the forces has been disclosed to the Auckland Presbytery by the Rev J. W. McKenzie. He added that eight or 10 others were making inquiries. Two Presbyterian chaplains had already been appointed, and it would be three months before another two would be needed.

Degree Examinations. About 180 exempted students of Victoria University College are at present sitting their terms examinations, which began on Monday and will conclude tomorrow. Most internal students of the college are not required to sit this examination, but they are now hard at work making their Anal preparations for the degree and diploma examinations, which are only a few weeks ahead. Results of the terms examinations should be known about October 19. Troops Board Moving Train. A special troop trajn moved off from Feilding before the men from that town were in their carriages. The train arrived late at Feilding and was soon moving off again. The situation was not a happy one for the actingstationmaster, who tried to stop the train as the Feilding recruits with their baggage were endeavouring to struggle on to the already crowded carriage platforms. A band played and the crowd cheered as willing hands helped to assist the men aboard. Fortunately there was no mishap.

Timaru Fitness Record. What is believed to be a record for physical fitness has been established as a result of the medical examination of special force recruits in Timaru. Of 317 officers and men examined, only three have been classed as permanently unfit and not suited for any form of service. When the number examined stood at 300 only two men had been placed in the lowest grade. This is approximately 1 per cent, compared with more than 4 per cent in Christchurch and even higher proportions in other parts of New Zealand. National Anthem at School.

“There was one twelve-year-old girl at the school who did not know what the National Anthem was, and she was not from the backblocks,” said Mr W. I. Bowyer at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board, when a recommendation from the Otorohanga School Committee, that the anthem should be sung in the school at least one morning a week, was being discussed. It was a fine gesture while the war lasted, Mr Bowyer said, and there were many worse things done in school than the singing of the National Anthem. The board approved of the recommendation. Search for Oil. An official statement issued by Northern Oilfields, Ltd., yesterday, states that steady progress is being made with the bore which is being put down on Finlayson Brothers’ property at Ruawai. Considerable and increasing quantities of inflammable gas, with a strong smell of petrol, are issuing from the bore, which last evening had reached a depth of 1000 ft. Drilling is proceeding 24 hours a day and at the rate of about 20 feet a day through an excellent cap rock. The company’s geologist expresses himself entirely satisfied with the results to date. Local Body Debt. A steady decline in the local body debt of the Dominion is recorded in the annual report of the Local Government Loans Board for the year ended March 31. 1939. The report states that the gross debt of local authorities reached its peak in 1931, when it stood at £72,686.036, whereas seven years later it had dropped to £68,061,551. Before 1927, the year the Loans Board was established. local authorities were borrowing approximately £5,000,000 a year, and in a large number of cases inadequate provision was made for the liquidation of the debt incurred. It is stated in the report that indiscriminate borrowing has now been effectively checked, and that local bodies are compelled to provide for repayment of loans within the effective life of the respective assets created.

Merger Proposed. As a result of a discussion at a meeting of the Hastings branch of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon, a recommendation is to be sent to the Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of the union to call a meeting with the Sheepowners’ Federation to formulate a plan for the amalgamation of the two organisations. It was felt by members that, as the objects of both were identical, the interests of farming communities would be better served if unnecessary duplication at present existing were obviated. Attempts in this direction have been made in the past without success. Recently the Hastings branches of both organisations have more than once co-operated to their mutual advantage, and speakers at yesterday’s meeting were of the opinion that the Sheepowners’ Federation would now be more amenable to a suggestion of amalgamation than ever before.

Client: “To be frank, you are too young to conduct my case. Young Lawyer: “But. sir, there is no knowing how long it will drag on.”