LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Serial Story. There commences today in the “Wairarapa Times-Age” a thrilling story by that famous radio dramatist, Mr Vai Gielgud, entitled “Africa Flight." Written on romantic lines it is a story which will immediately appeal to readers. Medical Board Sitting. The local, examining medical board sat in Masterton last night when fortylive men were put through. The medical standard was again very high. Fine Tobacco Crop. A. fine crop of tobacco is growing in the garden of a resident in Dixon Street, beside a row of tomatoes, 'rhe locality appears to be particularly suitable for growing these plants, which are of good size and uniformity. It is understood that quite a number ol local residents grow their own tobacco. Pastor’s Death. The death occurred in Wanganui hospital last night of the Rev. Charles Albert Papp, aged 66. Mr Papp received severe injuries in a motor accident on the Parapara Road late the previous night, and was taken to Wanganui Hospital in a serious condition. Mr Papp was a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, and was a resident of Bulls. Minor Grass Fire. The Masterton Fire Brigade received a call at 7.34 o’clock last night, to Chapel Street, where a small area of grass on the roadside was ablaze. The outbreak, which was a minor one was speedily checked. The Superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade, Mr T. B. Clark, stated this morning that he wished to draw the attention of property owners to the fire risk of long, dry, standing grass on empty sections. A by-law provided for the prosecution of persons not. keeping the grass cut on their sections.

Speaker's Cycle Tour. Following his practice for many years, the M.P. for Napier. Mr Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives. has embarked on an extensive cycle tour for his annual holiday. Accompanied by Mr Bennett, Palmerston North, he left on Tuesday on the first stage of a three weeks' journey over the North Auckland district. He hopes to visit Whangarei, Russell, Bay of Islands. and many small towns before his return to his parents’ home in Auckland. Mr Barnard attributes much of his physical fitness to the beneficial effect of cycling.

Australian Cyclists. The three Australian cyclists who are touring New Zealand appeared in Wanganui at an. athletic meeting last night, and competed against Wellington and Wanganui cyclists. Results: —Mile Handicap.—L. Hayward (Bulls), 1: J. Walsh (Australia), 2: K. Stewart (Australia). 3. Time, 2.5 4-5. Mile Scratch Race.—Walsh (Australia). 1; Stewart (Australia), 2; H. Clayton (Australia), 3.. Time, 2.5. 500 Metres Match'Race. — Stewart (Australia), 1; Clayton (Australia), 2; G. Pennington (Wellington), 3.

States Houses Damaged. Wanton damage, believed to have been caused by youths and boys in the neighbourhood, has been done to a number of State houses being constructed on Wesley Estate in Mount Albert Road, Auckland. About 150 windows in seven buildings were smashed in one night recently, the cost of repairing the damage being approximately £6O. The vandals responsible were not content to use merely stones, but hurled large rocks and in one or two cases these crashed through the wallboards. Metal ventilators in the walls below the level of the floor were also broken.

Transport Dispute. The outcome of a dispute between the transport authorities and eight holders of carrying licenses operating in the Wairoa district, will be of interest lo operators elsewhere in the Dominion. Since the opening of the first section of the East Coast railway, firms conducting riansport services between Napier and Wairoa have continued to operate in defiance of the regulations, and it is understood that seven of the operators have received offence notices, and are now threatened with prosecution. In each instance the breach named in the notice was the operating of a nonauthorised goods service between Wairoa and Hastings.

Ryegrass Infection. Reports which are now coming to hand indicate that the final germination of ryegrass seed in the Wairarapa is likely to be seriously affected as the result of the widespread nature of pullularia infection. With the earlier appearance of the parasite it was hoped that with the aid of a dry season the infection could be localised and the damage minimised. However, heavy rains have fallen at times which have aided in the spread of the disease, and an analysis of seed received shows the final germination figures to be affected by up to 50 per cent of crops in certain areas. Reports from outside districts indicate that the trouble is fairly widespread.

Alleged Assault and Robbery. When Fong Koo Ying, aged 52. Chinese market gardener, left his house at Panmure on Tuesday night to bring in his horses he was allegedly assaulted by two men, one throwing a sack over his head and the other striking him on the head with a stone. His injuries, though painful, are not serious. Ying subsequently informed the police that he had been robbed of £195 10s. Shortly after midnight the police arrested two young Maoris at a market garden. All the missing money is said to have been recovered. Yesterday the two Maoris. Charles Harris, aged Hl. and Kero Thompson, aged 18. both gardeners. were charged with robbing Ying and using personal violence. They were remanded till January 18.

Coastal Defence Duties. Five youths going to coastal defence left Dargaville yesterday morning. They were farcwelled. by friends and relatives, and the Mayor. Mr Raymond Gibson. A member of the Post Office staff. David Baillie Campbell, was the recipient of a money belt and cash donation from his fellow employees. The department having ruled that it will not release employees under age who join up for (he purpose of going into home defence. Campbell, who was four years with the department, handed in his resignation this morning, thereby forfeiting his chance of a job when lie returns from serving his country. The question was referred lo the head office of the department, and it was only the previous evening that Campbell learned that permission to join the forces was refused