LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Snow on Tararua Ranges. A coating of snow was observable this morning on the Tararua ranges. Frost in Masterton. A frost of just over one degree was registered in Masterton this morning. Centennial Exhibition. At the centennial exhibition at Wellington yesterday the attendance was 10.187, bringing the total up to 1,459,295. and the daily to 16.968. Drilling for Oil. The New Zealand Petroleum Co reports that drilling of’the Morere No 1 well began on February 12. The present depth is 110 feet in hard sandstone formation. It is expected that the surface casing will be set later in the week. High Standard of Fitness. ’ The local examining medical board sat at the Masterton Drill Hall last night and examined 36 recruits. Of these 33 were passed as fit, while three were deferred for re-examination. The percentage of fit men was particularly high. Army Trucks in Collision. Five heavy Army trucks travelling south along the Hutt Road at 6.30 o’clock last evening were involved in a mix-up which resulted in two of them being extensively damaged and two being slightly damaged. The driver of one, H. J. Lomax, received head injuries and abrasions to his right leg, and was taken to hospital. Clothes of Missing Woman Found. A coat found on the beach at Princess Bay, near Houghton Bay, Wellington, has been identified as belonging to Miss Sidney Susettc Allen, aged 23, who has been missing from her home in Hawker Street, since Sunday afternoon. Underclothing which also belonged to Miss Allen was found in the pockets of the coat. Oyster Derby. Today th efamous annual “Oyster Derby” will take place at Bluff, when the fishing ’ fleet competes to bring home the first cargo of new season’s molluscs from the bed of Foveaux Strait. Though oysters are not expected to be generally procurable in Wellington till next Tuesday, a favoured few will sample some of the first sackful landed at Bluff at the Exhibition on Saturday morning. Tram Track Explojions. It is believed that a further attempt to place an explosive on Wellington tramlines was made yesterday morning, but that it was frustrated. At 6 a.m. a pedestrian in Pirie Street saw two men apparently placing something on the track. He approached, whereupon the two men made off. The witness of the incident was able to give a good description of the two men to the police, who are investigating. Books and Chattels Demanded. A case of some interest commenced in the Christchurch Magistrates’ Court yesterday when the Canterbury Builders and General Labourers’ Union and F. Pope and J. Fogarty, trustees of the union, -proceeded against J. A. Mackay, demanding possession of chattels and books belonging to the union, valued at £l5, and general damages of £5. Plaintiffs’ case was not concluded when the hearing was adjourned till February 27. Defence Motor Boat.

Harbour trials were made in Auckland yesterday ol' the new 64ft Englishbuilt motor-boat recently imported for use by the three defence services. It is probably the fastest craft of its size in New Zealand. Designed by Mr Hubert Scott-Paine, one of Britain’s leading marine architects, who is noted for his success with fast small craft, the boat will be used for towing targets for the navy and air force in coastal defence exercises and for rescue work in the event of aircraft being forced down at sea. She is a good sea boat bith a big cruising range, and is most completely equipped. Built by the British Power Boat Company, Hythe, the boat is extremely fast and yesterday had no difficulty in leaving behind one of the Tasman Empire Airways speedy launches. Three Napier Lion engines, famous for their association with speed records in the air and on the land, power the boat, which has the fine lines typical 'of Mr ScottPaine’s designs. An Inhuman Practice.

Several cases have been reported recently of small children having been shut up in locked motor-cars while their parents or guardians are attending race meetings. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, who has jurisdiction over racecourses and thenregulations, said yesterday that he intended to obtain a report with a view to adopting measures that would prevent a practice which he described as "inhumane and dangerous.” On one country course it was found necessary to break the window of a car in order to give ventilation to the child imprisoned inside, and a similar incident is said to have occurred at the Rotorua races a few days ago. “I was amazed to hear of people going away and leaving children shut up in such a manner." said Mr Parry. "I cannot say. offhand, whether there is power under the Police Offences Act to deal with such cases, but I shall certainly investigate. I shall sec what, can be done to check what is undoubtedly a highly dangerous and most inhumane practice.” Larnach Castle Sold. Auctioneering history was made in Dunedin yesterday when Larnach Castle. the historic landmark on the peninsula and a show place for thousands of visitors from all parts of the world, was sold by public auction, together with its 35 acres of land, for £1250. No one was more surprised than the purchaser himself. Mr A. F. Armstrong, Dunedin, a retired caterer. Like many others. Mr Armstrong went out to the castle today to see what ho could pick up during the auctioning of the antiques, and never for a moment contemplating the purchase of the estate and the building itself. At first no bids were forthcoming, and then someone suggested, more in fun than in earnest, £lOOO. Turning to Mr Jackson Purdie. owner of the castle, the auctioneer asked: "What about it. Mr Purdie'.’" The owner replied that the castle had to go. Built at a cost of something like £lOO.OOO. and thoroughly modernised by Mr and Mrs Purdie. the castle was erected in 1871. It is as solid today as when the foundation stone was laid and infinitely more attractive.