LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Orange Shortage Ended. Probably the largest shipment of oranges ever brought to Auckland from the Cook Islands arrived yesterday to end the shortage which was rapidly becoming extensive throughout the 'Dominion. The consignment, totalling 29,000 cases, is the first of the new season's crop from the group, and was landed in good condition.

Erection of Electric Lamp Factory. To meet the demand for electric lamps in New Zealand and overcome the shortage caused by the import restrictions, a modern factory, to be equipped with the latest fully automatic machines for the production of seven standard brands of lamps in use, is now being erected at Miramar, Wellington. It is expected that production will commence before the end of this year.

Special Constable for Waiheke._ A special constable, Mr. A. T. MacBeth, foreman of the Ostend Road Board, has been sworn in to undertake duties on Waiheke Island. This is the first appointment to be made on the island. Section 69 of the Municipal Corporations Act provides that special constables shall exercise and enjoy the same powers and immunities as constables.

Wild Boar Bagged. An “old man” wild boar which had been eluding hunters in the Upper Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, for some years met his fate when rounded up by a two-man party and their dogs. The two men found it was all they could do to move the carcase. The boar was not taken without a great tussle, during which one of the dogs was killed and two others wounded. Labour Democratic Party.

A public meeting’ of more than 500' people which crowded the concert chamber of the Wellington Town Hall last evening and listened to addresses by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Barnard, and the member for Grey Lynn, Mr Lee, resolved practically unanimously to endorse the aims and objects of the speakers, formed itself into lhe Wellington branch of the Democratic Labour Party, and sent fraternal greetings to the Grey Lynn and Napier branches of Hie party. About six hands were raised against the motion.

Military Enlistments. Enlistments throughout the .Dominion last week for the Expeditionary Force totalled 727, compared with 726 for the previous week. The total number of enlistments in the Dominion since recruiting began up to Saturday last was 34,900. There was at that date a balance of 6720 fit men available for posting to camp. Recruits so far medically examined have been classified and dealt with as follows, the corresponding figures at April 20 being shown in parentheses: —Fit, 24.958 (24,528); temporarily unfit, 2653 (2518); permanently unfit, 4679 (.4432); reserved occupations, 1800 (1879); sent to camp. 15,636 (15,586); balance (fit-men) available .for service, 6720 (.6319). Exhibition Attendances. Yesterday, three days b.efore the Exhibition ends, the iwo-and-a-hall millionth visitor entered the gates. An attendance of 22,627 carried the total of attendances up to 2,507,244. The daily average is 16,604. The day was remarkable for the large number of country people and schools' parties. So far this week, large daytime attendances have been recorded, and a tremendously large proportion has been made up of visitors from outside Wellington. A party of 303 Southland farmers and their wives, the biggest party of the kind to have visited the Exhibition. arrived at Wellington yesterday morning, and is staying at the Exhibition Hotel. New Zealand's National Song.

The purchase by the Government ol the copyright and performing, reproduction, and similar rights of the words and music of Thomas Bracken's song, "God Defend New Zealand." was announced yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Parry. The copyright was held by Charles Begg and Co., Ltd.. Durfedin. Mr Parry said that a decision had been made to purchase the existing rights of "God Defend New Zealand,” which had come to be regarded as the national song of the people of the Dominion, in order to remove any restrictions which might be imposed on its use by the copyright and performing rights being in private cwnership. It was the wish of the Government that every effort be made during centennial year, and in the future, to make the song which had become popular, heard at centennial functions, in the schools, and at concerts and similar gatherings, with the aim of giving it general recognition as the national song of the Dominion.

All members and intending members are invited to attend the first of a series of lectures on "The War in Europe." by Mr A. S. Holy, tutor-organiser of the Victoria University College district of the W.E.A., to be held tonight, at 8 o'clock, in the Municipal Buildings. The lecturer will also answer questions.