LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gasometer Repairs. After a period of service extending over the past thirty years the Masterton Borough Council’s gasometer in Bannister Street is undergoing repairs. The outer lift of the holder is being resheeted. A Correction. A correspondent writes: May I correct your report of the pigeon races in Monday’s issue. The airline distance from Helensvillc to Masterton is 304 miles, not 104 miles. Racing pigeons taking 10 hours to fly 104 miles would very quickly finish up in the stewpot. Lost Children. Twice since the Exhibition at Wellington opened frantic parents have scoured the grounds for little lost children, whom they have finally found in safe keeping at the Red Cross creche. The creche is regarded as the official repository for unclaimed children at the Exhibition, and parents who have mislaid theirs are advised to seek them there. Organic Church Union. I A letter was received by the General Assembly at Christchurch from the Convener of the Public Questions Committee of the Methodist Church of New Zealand inviting the Presbyterian Church to consider and explore the possibilities of organic church union. To indicate the widespread sympathy and interest of assembly, a committee was set up to deal with the issues raised by the Methodist Church. Hospital Costs. The incoming executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand was asked by the annual conference yesterday to give consideration to the question whether, in view of the changed conditions since hospital administration was first made a charge upon rates, the opinion should be expressed that the time had arrived when the whole cost of hospital administration should be borne by the State and made a charge on the Social Security Fund. Labour Party Dance. The final of a successful series of dances conducted during the past season by the social committee of the Masterton Labour Party was held in the Y.M.C.A. last night. Mr Pat Ward acted as M.C., and on behalf of the committee thanked patrons for their support during the season. The winners of the statue waltz and Monte Carlo were Miss Butler and Mr Reynolds and Miss O’Neill and Mr Finlayson, respectively. Music was supplied by Messrs Barnes and Longworth. Supper was served by members of the ladies’ committee. White Butterfly in Hawke’s Bay. The improved condition, by comparison with last year, of green vegetables now on the market in Napier and Hastings is convincing evidence of the efficacy of the parasite released by the Government to destroy the white butterfly pest. Gardeners state that last year it was apparent that the pest was practically under control, and damage done to early cabbages, cauliflowers and lettuces this year is negligible, only the very outside leaves showing any trace of the ravages of the grub which was once probably the gardener's greatest enemy. Theft of Ring. A young woman appeared in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with the theft of a gold, opal and diamond ring valued at £2O. Accused pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt witli summarily. Her counsel (Mr C. C. Marsack) described his client’s act as one of stupidity and said there was no criminal intent. The Magistrate (Mr H. P. Lawry) said the value of the ring made it impossible to regard the case as trivial, but under the circumstances he would discharge accused under Section 18 of the Offenders Probation Act. He ordered publication of her name to be suppressed.

Butter and Cheese Prices. A hint that the prices to be paid by the British Government for New Zealand butter and cheese would be equal in the main to the amount of the guaranteed prices already fixed for this season’s dairy produce was given by the Minister of Marketing, Mr Nash, in a broadcast address from his office in Parliament Buildings last night. He said that the negotiations were now complete with the exception of one or two very minor points. Mr Nash said that he would endeavour in a broadcast address tonight to give the details of the agreement reached with the United Kingdom, the prices to be paid in sterling by the United Kingdom Government and the equivalent prices in New Zealand currency. “I hope to be able to say that the prices are up to those we are paying to the farmers now,” said Mr Nash. Export of New Zealand Sheep. The examination of sheep for quality before export to any other part of the British Empire or America is required by an Order-in-Council gazetted yesterday. It is to come into force on Monday. November 27. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin, said last evening that for some time the export of inferior grade sheep had been a matter of concern, not only to the Government, but also to the sheepbreeding societies, since it was a reflection on the quality of the sheep bred in the Dominion "During my visit to Australia, representations were made to me by members of the Australian Agricultural Council supported by the Commonwealth Government. I promised on behalf of the New Zealand Government the fullest co-opera-tion to ensure that only good quality sheep true to type were exported overseas,” said the Minister. Ample Supplies of Tea. "There are ample supplies of tea for immediate needs in New Zealand.” said the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan. in a statement, last evening. He added that the shortage experienced by retailers had not been caused by ■any holding up of sterling supplies for the importation of tea. The Government had at all times made provision for the release of sterling for the purchase of tea, but it had no control over the markets of Ceylon, 80 per cent of ils output having been commandeered by the British Government. "An artificially stimulated demand—in plain language a panic demand for the purposes of hoarding—arose when hostilities broke out.” said the Minister. "Due Io this demand stocks of tea were admittedly depleted at a much quicker rate than was normally the case. This doubtless contributed to the shortage of supplies released for retail sale"