LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

| Found Hanging. A returned soldier names TTavern John Jones of Jellicoe Street. Wanganui East, was found hanging at his home on Saturday night. Centennial Exhibition. Willi 23.940 visitors, the Centennial Exhibition enjoyed a lively Saturday. Occasional rain showers did not in the least discourage visitors. The grand total is now 2,219,41 G, and the daily average 16,319. Stay-In Strike Settled. The stay-in strike at the Longburn Freezing Works was settled on Saturday afternoon as the result of the deliberations of a disputes committee. Work will be resumed on Monday morning. Military Enlistments. The following is the latest list of recruits who have volunteered at the Masterton Defence Office for serviceoverseas: Messrs M. Fraser. A. C. Gunther, E. Hansen, J. E. Morton (Masterton); S, Whitehill, T. H. M. McDonald (Martinborough), I. A. Falconer (Greytown), and W. P. Charteris (Featherston). The total district enlistments io date are now 6G3. An Interesting Fact. At an address given in the local Salvation Army Hall on Saturday by Dr. Bramwell Cook, medical officer in charge of Emery Hospital. Anand, India, Major Mahaffie. officer in charge of the local Salvation Army Corps, stated that it was interesting to note that Mr F. Rutter had moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Cook, as Mr Rutter’s son was engaged in the missionary field at tlie Solomon Islands. Overseas Telegrams. The Post Office advises that with reference to the additional codes permitted in overseas telegrams, advice has now been received that for the present they are not permitted in telegrams to Australia, Canada, South Africa and India. Acme Commodity and Pharse code are however permitted in messages to Canada as from Saturday, April 13. Telegrams for Denmark are accepted for transmission at the sender’s risk. Card Evening at Y.M.C.A.

On Thursday next, April 18, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. will hold the first of a series of bridge and five hundred evenings on similar lines io those that proved very popular towards the close of last season. Every effort is being made to ensure the success of the function. The hall will be comfortably heated, suitable prizes awarded and a good supper served at no extra charge. The proceeds, from the admission fee of one shilling per player, will be in aid of the Y.M.C.A. funds. A good attendance is anticipated. School P>ecord Broken.

Among some good performances at the Auckland secondary schools athletic sports on Saturday was a record high jump by R. E. Moore, the King's College champion. Moore cleared sft 9in, exactly his own height, and thereby beat the record of sft. 7in. established in 1934 by R. B. Cruickshank (Auckland Grammar School). Moore's figures will be applied for as a New Zealand record for youths under 19. A second record was created in the intermediate half-mile event, in which K. W. Greville (Auckland Grammar School) covered the distance in 2.9 3-5. Tlie previous best time was 2.10 1-5. St John-Ambulance Dance.

Another very successful dance was held by the St John Ambulance Cadet Division in the Masonic Hall last Saturday night. The hall was filled arid lie music supplied by Jack Barnes and his Rhythm Boys was much appreciated. Mr P. Ward made an excellent M.C. Supper was served by the Ladies Committee. The Lucky Spot Fox Trot was won by Miss Pauline Dixon and Mr Noel Churchouse. and the Monte Carlo Waltz by Miss J. Lee and Mr Butler. Extras were played by Mr Te Huki and Mr Te Tan. Another of these popular dances will be held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday, May 11.

Wanganui Council Election. Polling on Saturday to fill the vacancies on the Wanganui City Council caused by the death of Cr H. Lawrence and the enlistment for active service of Cr C. N. Armstrong, tlie electors gave a decision in favour of W. Searle (Labour) and A. Bullock (Independent). Six candidates contested the two scats, and details of the voting on the first count are:—W. Searle (Labour). 2673; A. Bullock (Independent). 1521; A. E. Halligan (Civic League), 1513: A. C. Hatrick (Independent), 960; H. H. West (Independent), 948; R. J. Jackson (Independent), 361. With but eight votes between Mr Bullock and Mr Halligan, the official recount which will probably start on Tuesday, may affect the final result in regard to the second seat. Population of New Zealand.

How the population of New Zealand is expanding is shown in the annual report compiled by the Census and Statistics Department for the year ended March 31, 1939, the latest report available for the year under review the population of New Zealand proper increased by 20.235 —a figure equal to 1.26 per cent of the population at the beginning of that year. The increase is the highest since 1930-31. The total population at the end of March. 1939, whs 1,624.714, of which 825.063 were males and 799.651 were females. When returns for dependencies and mandated territories adjacent to New Zealand are included, the Dominion's total population at the end of March, 1939. was 1.701,566. of which 864.416 were males. . River Erosion Bill. Reference to tlie River Erosion Bill which he hopes to introduce in the House of Representatives was made at Invercargill on Saturday by the Minister of Public Works. Mr Semple, lie said he had Cabinet's approval for the preparation of the Bill, and he hoped to be able ot submit it to county councils before the session began. Tlie scheme would involve an extension ol river board areas so that the burden would not fall on a small seclion oi the community, lie said. When tlie Bill became law he proposed to set up a special erosion branch of the engineering .‘ luff of the Public Works Department. This branch would be given the task of preparing plans for tlie < liuiination of erosion, and Parliament would have to vote a definite sum each year for tlie work. At least .12500.000 a year would be required. When the job was done someone would be given a definite responsibility for maintenance,