LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Centennial Exhibition. Yesterday’s attendance at the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington was 6851, just double that of the day before. The total attendance since the exhibition opened has reached 431,032, the daily average being 14,368. Drunken Motorist Fined. Hedley Frederick Kellond, aged 30, tractor-driver, Ashburton Forks, was fined £l5 at the Ashburton S.M. Court yesterday, and lost his licence for six months on a charge of having been drunk while in charge of a motor car. Challenge Cup Presented. The firm of Wool worths Ltd has donated a challenge cup for the best lady jumper at the Masterton A. and P. Association's Show to be held early next year.

A Doctor’s Writing. 1 “Is this the certificate of a registered medical practitioner?” the counsel asked a defendant in a maintenance case in the Napier Magistrate’s Court on Monday. When assured that such was the case, the solicitor explained that the writing was so good that he doubted if it could be that of a doctor.

Gift of Books to Camp. The Camp Commandant at Trentham, Major Barry, in a communicacation to the Town Clerk, Mr G. T. O'Hara Smith, said he wishes to express the thanks of all ranks for the gift from the citizens of Masterton of books and magazines sent to the camp. Injured As Result of Fall. Mr C. H. Spiers, of Masterton had the misfortune to slip and fall while engaged on a painting job at Alfredton a few days ago. Mr Spiers was removed to the Masterton Hospital, where it was found necessary to operate on one of his legs. His condition was reported to be more satisfactory this morning. Sudden Death at Station. An elderly man, believed to be Mr Francis J. Mangan, a resident, of Auckland, died suddenly at the Wellington railway station yesterday afternoon. He entered the public waiting-room early in the afternoon, apparently with the intention of resting. For some time he gave the impression that he was asleep, but at. 5.30 p.m. he was found to be dead. Though his identity was not definitely established last night, papers found in his possession led the police to believe that the dead man was Mr Mangan. He is thought to have been on his way back to Auckland after a visit to the South Island.

Knitting Wool Shortage. Difficulty of securing sufficient supplies of knitting wool is likely to interfere with the making of socks for members of the New Zealand armed forces, an Auckland Press Association message states. It was originally intended that wool should be purchased in bulk and distributed to various committees, but it is now announced that because of the shortage of supplies it has been found impossible to purchase wool on a bulk basis, and various committees have been advised to obtain whatever supplies may be available locally. Already £2OO has been spent in Auckland in buying knitting wool, and an endeavour is being made to obtain further supplies.

High Percentage of Fitness. Enlistments from No. 7 area of the Central Military Command (Hawke's Bay) for the Special Force now total 1596. and for the Maori Battalion 420. Nearly 500 men from the district went into camp with units of the first echelon and the majority of officers and N.C.O.’s for the second echelon and the Maori Battalion are already undergoing specialised training. The area quota of approximately 350 men for the second echelon is filling at. a satisfactory rate, more than 200 men having been passed as fit for active service. and it is not expected that any difficulty will be experienced in securing the required number. Of the men examined for the Maori Battalion about 100 have been passed as fit. which means that, in recent examination from 75 to 80 per cent of the men offering their services, both for the “battalion and the Special Force, have been of the required standard. Pahiatua’s Poor Response. 'I am absolutely disgusted with the people of Pahiatua and district," said the Mayor of Pahiatua (Mr S. K. Siddels). commenting on the recent Flag Day street collection at the conclusion of the Borough Council meeting on Monday night. ‘I called a meeting recently, though at short, notice.” Mr Siddels went on, “to get volunteers for collecting funds to 'provide Christmas cheer for the troops. Only Mrs Siddels and myself and the Town Clerk and his wife attended the meeting. 1 want to express my sincere thanks to Mr and Mrs Lovelock. Miss J Milne Allan and Miss Grace Bisset. for their help in collecting. "It is my duty as Mayor." continued Mr Siddels. "to be at the beck and call of every insituation that requires my services. When such a call comes as was made last Friday for street collectors, it is the least people can do to see that it answered. In this case there was not even one telephone response." Elsie (aged live': 1 do hope some Dutchman will marry me when I grow up! Aunt Mary: Why. dear? Elsie 1 ’Cause 1 want to be a duch-