LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Swimming Sports Postponed. Owing to the wet weather yesterday, the Wairarapa College boys' swimming sports were postponed till 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon.

New Biological Block. The value of biology in all phases of life was stressed by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, when opening the new biological block and administration, block at Victoria University College yesterday afternoon. In New Zealand a knowledge of biology was so essential, he said, that he hoped the teaching of the subject would be extended. Meat Board’s Powers. An extension of the powers of the Meat Board enabling it to handle all meat for export from farm to final disposal in London, and to handle all byproducts, is favoured by the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The executive also favours direct union* representation on the Meat Board, and the removal of freight anomalies said to exist in certain districts. Children’s Givings. Toward the end of each year the children of Presbyterian Sunday schools throughout the Dominion are asked to contribute to some special missionary object as a Christmas gift. This year their offerings have amounted to over £484, which is by far the largest amount ever raised in this fund. The gift this year is to be devoted to the building of a Maori church at Waikaremoana. Magpies Defended. Whether magpies should be protected was discussed by members of the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday, when a letter from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society asked for their opinions on removing the protection, and on the alleged predatory habits of magpies on game and small birds. The executive decided, after mixed opinions had been expressed, that the magpies were useful and should be protected. Freedom for Footballers. The council of the New Zealand Rugby League has decided that register ed Rugby League players who join up with his Majesty’s Forces are free to participate in football matches played under any code during their period of active service without prejudice to their status as Rugby League players. The council also decided that the time and conditions at present were inopportune to accept the Australian invitation for a New Zealand team to tour there, this decision being in accordance with the original stipulation on the proposal. Cadet Division Dance.

The dance in the Y.M.C.A. Hall tonight which is being held by the Cadet Division, St. John _Ambulance Brigade, should prove a big attraction to the dancing public of Masterton. Dances controlled by the social committee of this division last year proved an unqualified success and patrons can be assured of again thoroughly enjoying a dance by attending this function. The music is being supplied by Jack Barnes’s Rhythm Boys and Mr Pat Ward will be M.C., while the supper arrangements are in the hands of a capable ladies’ committee. Older Men First. Speaking on recruiting at a civic reception to Hamilton sailors of H.M.S. Achilles, the Right Rev. C. A. Cherrington, Bishop of Waikato, commented: “I can understand the Government being wary about conscription. If 1 were dictator of New Zealand, and 1 think I would make a good one. I would see to it that everyone of 45 years and upward had to join up. We cider ones could put our shoulders back and drill, and though drilling might not make us up to the young fellows, we would be nearly as good. We have had a good time in life and we ought to go first.’’ Men of the Achilles.

Some observations on the River Plate battle, in which the New Zealand ensign was hoisted for the first time in a naval action, were made to a “TimesAge” reporter by Signalman A. Jolly of Masterton, and Seaman M. H. Ramsay, of Eketahuna, members of the crew of H.M.S. Achilles, who are now on home leave. Signalman Jolly is departing tomorrow for Christchurch, where he will meet his brother, a member of the Air Force. The two Achilles men, who considered their part in the battle a very modest one, described how the ship went into action, the subsequent battle and the loss of life incurred. From their positions in the Achilles they were able to see the whole of the action. “We have been away for six months at sea, with ten days in port, but have been treated well. It is a great life,” one of the seamen observed.. Both paid tribute to the captain and other officers of the cruiser. “It was only our ordinary duty, but people seem to think we did something wonderful,” the seamen said, in expressing their opinions on the reception they had been accorded. £5 Notes Blown About. The sight of £5 notes fluttering about in the wind caused amazement among those who happened to be standing on the edge of the footpath in front of a shop at the corner of Dee and Esk Streets. Invercargill, on a recent afternoon. There was a brief scramble; a moment later a woman stood wondering on the edge of the pavement with a £5 note in her hand. A few yards away a man held another. Two other persons had a luckier dip, and picked up £l7 between them. But where had the money come from? Then on the edge of the pavement was discovered a man who was just beginning to realise that the notes must be his. He had a few minutes previously drawn £33 from the Post Office Savings Bank, and had been given six £5 notes and three £1 notes. With the intention of paying the money over to a solicitor he was about to step from the pavement when .he suddenly became aware of a eommotion about him, and saw several persons attempting to grab what seemed to be pieces of paper. It was not until all the money had been gathered in that he seemed ot realise that it was his. The waistcoat pocket into which it had been placed was empty. The notes retrieved by the onlookers were handed over, but on counting up the owner found that he was £5 short. Enquiries were made by a constable, but they failed to reveal the missing £5 note. The Railways Department announcement. giving particulars of special train arrangements for the forthcoming race meetings at Clareville will be found in the advertisement columns of this issue.