LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Flower Show Successes. At the recent Martinborough Flower Show, Mr C. E. Gibbs, of Masterton. won 9 firsts and 8 second prizes and 1 special out of 18 entries in asters.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services. The Rev. John Davie will conduct services at Te Whiti and Te Wharau on Sunday next. Harvest Thanksgiving services will be held at Knox. The church will be open tomorrow morning to receive gifts. Lemon Prices. The prices to be paid by the Marketing Department for lemons of fancy grade and commercial grade delivered to the department during the period from March 16 to March 31, both days inclusive, are announced in last night's Gazette. They are as follows: Fresh lemons, fancy grade, 5s lOd a bushel; fresh lemons, commercial grade, 4s lOd; cured lemons, either grade, Bs.

German Arrested. An alien who was in business in Christchurch was taken into custody yesterday by the police and handed over to the military authorities. The detained man was taken to Wellington last evening. While several people were interned in Auckland soon after the outbreak of the war this is believed to be the first case in the South Island. The man is of German birth and came to New Zealand about six years ago after having spent a considerable time in England.

Good to be Civilised. Speaking at the Centennial celebration at Solway yesterday, Mr P. 11. Paku referred to a statement made by someone that it would have been better for the Maori race to remain in a savage state. Mr Paku confessed himself unable to see any sense in that statement. "I think I would sooner be civilised than be a savage,” he said, “and certainly I would eboner be civilised than be chased by another savage.” (Laughter and applause).

Milk For Schools. “The distribution of free milk in schools has been a success,” stated the Deputy-Prime Minister,- Mr P. Fraser, during a visit to Wanganui. “There is no intention on the part of the •Government of replacing it with supplies of fruit.” Mr Fraser said that the* Government was doing all it could to extend the distribution of powdered malt milk to schools in the backblocks, particularly to Native schools, and it had every reason to be satisfied with the results in those schools where this class of milk was being provided and where it was impossible to arrange for a daily supply of fresh milk. Inter-House Teams Praised.

A special word of congratulation was offered .by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) to the girls of the interhouse teams who gave a fine display of drill and marching at the Centennial celebration at the Solway Showgrounds yesterday. In the course of his speech, the Minister said he was very much interested in the physical fitness of the community and was doing a good deal in one way and another to encourage every kind of activity that made for better health and fitness. He was delighted with the display given that afternoon by the girls, He congratulated the girls on their fitness and said that their dress, also, was very fine indeed. Since first seeing the Masterton girls in a display like 'hat given that afternoon he had spoken everywhere of these girls af being the most neatly dressed that he had seen in any part of the country. 1

Congratulations Astray. Mentioning the stirring naval feat of strategy and seamanship of the officers and men of H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles in the Graf Spee engagement, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry, said in Masterton yesterday that it had been flattering yet an embarrassment to receive a letter from Australia congratulating him on the part he had played in the engagement. The correspondent, he said, was to be excused for the error he had made because the name of the gallant commander of the Achilles was W. E. Parry, the initials and surname being the same as his (Mr Parry’s). “The Minister of Defence, the Hon F. Jones, “added Mr Parry, “brought Captain W. E. Parry to my rooms in Parliament House the other day. We had a joyful meeting and a great laugh over our identical initials and surname.”

A Pioneer Family. At the Centennial luncheon yesterday, the Mayor (Mr T. Jordan) said he had received a remarkable apology for absence from Mr D. H. S. Riddiforcl. The apology read: “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep,” Mr Jordan said he happened to know that Mr Riddiford was busy drafting sheep. He knew also that Mr Riddiford’s three sons had either enlisted or were going into camp and that his only son-in-law was already serving as were the two sons-in-law of his brother. Four nephews of Mr Riddiford were also serving in the forces and Mr Riddiford himself had served in the last war. It was apparent in these facts, said Mr Jordan, that there was no decline in the spirit of a pioneer family whose name had been a household word in this province for over a hundred years. Mrs Riddiford was present at the luncheon.

Joyous Celebration. “A sparkling and joyous turn has been given to local Centennial celebrations everywhere in New Zealand in these past several weeks." stated the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry, in Masterton yesterday. Apart, from the enthusiasm shown by civic authorities and lhe I people in the various forms the celebrations had taken, there was, he said, a fine appreciation displayed of this great year in the history of the Dominion. A librarian had told him that since the celebrations commenced there had been a great, demand for books on New Zealand which showed the desire of the people to acquire a greater knowledge than they possessed of their country, its affairs, and beginnings. "Interest for the young people." Mr Parry added, "centres in the Exhibition al Wellington. It is a remarkable field for learning and the masters of colleges and schools, and local bodies are doing a fine service for the wider education of the children by arranging for them to visit the Exhibition."

Swimming. Masterton Swimming Club members and friends are reminded that a bus will leave the Post Office at 1.15 p.m. tomorrow for the Carterton Club's Carnival.