Frost in Masterton.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1940, Page 4

Frost in Masterton.

A frost of 3.8 degrees was registered in Masterton this morning. Pensioner Killed. Knocked down by a motor car, Mr. Thomas Daley, pensioner, was killed at Upper Hutt about 8 o’clock last night. Bridge Repairs. The Borough staff have made good progress in connection with the repairs that are being carried out at the Cole Steet bridge. It is anticipated that a start will' soon be made on the second section of the bridge, which is to be given a concrete decking. St Andrew Society. The speaker at the first monthly gathering of the Saint Andrew Society on Saturday evening will be Mr Hugh Morrison, J.P, the society’s patron. MrMorrison's talks are always full of racy anecdotes and interesting reminiscences, and members await his appearance with interest and pleasure. St Andrew Pipe Band. The newly-formed pipe band of the Saint Andrew Society will make its first public appearance at the Society s gathering on Saturday evening. The band has been handicapped by lack ol drums, but that difficulty has now been overcome. It is expected that about adozen pipers will parade, besides a proper complement of drummers. Pipe-Major John Mackenzie has happily now sufficiently recovered from his recent serious accident to be able to give the band the benefit of his leadership. The band will probably perform a street march before the gathering, besides rendering items during the programme.

Damage by Canadian Geese? Alleged damage to property by Canadian geese is being investigated by a ranger of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, and a report wi..l be made later by the rangers committee. At the meeting of the society s council, the secretary (Mr G. L. Pom-fret-Dodd) said that an application had been made by certain landowners who alleged destructiveness on the part of the birds for a permit to destroy them. The Department of Internal Affairs to which the application was made referred the question to the society and an investigation was now being made.

“Promotion of Parentage’’ Society. Suggesting the formation in New Zealand of a society to investigate every phase of the population problem,'Mr A. P. McDonald, the retiring president of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. at the annual meeting in Invercargill said that in 1880 the birthrate a thousand of population in New Zealand was 40.8. In 1938 it was 17.9, a decrease of 56 per cent. The birthrate decline in New Zealand was a world record, the next largest decrease being 55.5 in England and Wales. “What I propose," he continued, "is that a royal society should be established in this country—call it a society for the Promotion of Parentage or what you will —charged with the duty of investigating every phase of the problem—selfishness, economics, or whatever they may be," said Mr McDonald. "I make this appeal to every intelligent man and woman to rise to the occasion. A leader is needed for this work and to take a part in such a task would be a work of unsurpassed patriotism.” The Railway Department announces the issue of specially reduced fares and special train arrangements for the race meeting at Awapuni on April 4 and 6. The annual meeting of the Masterton 'Harrier Club is to be held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms at 7.30 o’clock tomorrow night. Members and intending members are requested to be present.