LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Coloured Lights. The erection of the multi-coloured lights in Queen Street and adjoining streets is proceeding apace. The last streamers were erected this morning. Father Christmas Piped In. Father Christmas paid a visit to the gathering in Masterton last night of Wairarapa Lodge and distributed gifts to a number of those present. He was piped in by a .well-known piper from Martinborough. Air Services. For three weeks during the holiday period, from December 24 till January 17. Union Airways' trunk air services between Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, now being operated on a triweekly basis, will be maintained daily each way from .Mondays to Fridays. It was stated yesterday that this would be made possible by the release of two pilots who were serving with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Ambulance for Animals.

A special free ambulance service for injured animals has been established in Wellington. Those who find an animal in distress are requested to telephone 55-180. and a taxi equipped, with an ambulance box will be immediately available. The ambulance box hasbeen provided by the women’s auxiliary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is hoped to establish a clinic for medical and surgical aid to animals. Flour and Wheat Stocks.

A census of stocks of flour, wheat, and oats in the Dominion was taken as at November 30, 1939, when the following quantities were returned: Flour, 13.481 tons; wheat. 2,086,405 bushels (including 1.893,298 bushels of millingwheat); and oats in grain. 717,289 bushels. Returns were released covering all stocks owned or stored by millers, merchants, and farmers throughout the Dominion, with a few unimportant exceptions which would not appreciably affect the totals given. Dunedin Loan

The Dunedin City Council had intended to float a loan of approximately £120,000 in March of next year, the rate of interest being 4.| per cent, and it is interesting to record that the loan has already been fully subscribed Since June last, investors have been making inquiries about city loans, and have been pencilling in their requirements These inquiries continued steadily up to a few days ago, when thd amount required had been fully subscribed. Not Attending Races. In accordance with a wish expressed by the King that Governors-Gen-eral and Governors should not attend race meetings during the war period, Lord and Lady Galway will not be present at either of the meetings in Auckland this summer. Their Excellencies will be in residence at Government House, Auckland, for several weeks, but the Governor-General expects that during January he will be travelling frequently between Auckland and Wellington.

“A Very Fortunate Man.” John Donaldson, a labourer who was drunk on Aramoho railway station on Tuesday and who tried to board the New Plymouth express, was told in the Magistrates’ Court, Wanganui, yesterday that he was a very fortunate man in that he escaped injury. He was fined £2, with costs 3s, for trying to board the train, and was convicted and discharged on a charge of drunkenness. Sergeant J. V. Cosgrave, who appeared for the police, said Donaldson attempted to board the train when it hud moved half its length along the platform, and fell, but fortunately did not roll under the wheels. Whisky and Gin Prices. The price of case whisky and gin has been increased by 6d and 3d a bottle respectively, because of the increased gost of freights and insurances brought about by war risks. It is pointed out that the increases have been passed on by the merchants to the hotelkeepers, who, in turn, are passing them on to the public. The increases have been authorised by the Price Investigation Tribunal, and the new prices will be charged as from today. It is expected that further increases will take place soon. The Price Tribunal actually authorised an increase of 7d a bottle for whisky and 4d for gin, it was stated. Communists Condemned. Speaking on the problems of the Government regarding the import control regulations and the conservation of sterling funds, the Minister of Lands, Mr Langstone, addressed a gathering of 1750 employees at the Otahuhu railway workshops this week. The following motion was passed:— "That this mass meeting of railway workers gives its firm support to France in her action in exterminating the Communist Party, also to the decree banning circulation ot Communistic literature and cartoons and forbidding relations with the Third Internationale. and prays that our worthy Prime Minister and his colleagues will do likewise.” £lOO for Bird-Protection. ' A very good Christmas gift has come to the Forest and Bird Protection Society. Long ago a body known as "New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society” was formed. It worked well for a while, but its active life ended about twenty years ago. At that stage it had some funds, which remained in trust. A former member of the executive (who is now a member of the Forest and Bird Protection Society's executive) put the proper machinery in motion tor a transfer of the remaining money, about £lOO. to the present society. "We should like some more Christmas boxes like that," says the president. Captain Sanderson. “The Society can make very good use of the money on behalf of the people of New Zealand. A Question of Law. The question whether a man found in the driver's seat of a motor-lorry 'in an intoxicated condition was in i charge of the vehicle arose in the Magistrates' Court. Hamilton. , when a Maori labourer. Joseph Maihi, aged 33 (Mr W. J. King), was charged before Mr Paterson, S.M., will) being intoxicated while in charge of the lorry. Senior-Sergeant G. 11. Lambert said that defendant was found in the I vehicle at Frankton on Saturday afI ternoon. He was intoxicated, but tiad I not been in the lorry before, and had I no means of starting the engine, the l owner, for whom lie was awaiting, having the ignition key. The information was withdrawn. Defendant was ' convicted of drunkenness, and was