LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost in Masterton. One degree of frost was registered in Masterton this morning.

Man-Power Committee.

The area to be covered by the local Man-Power District Advisory Committee embraces the following local authority districts: —Pahiatua, Akitio, Eketahuna, Mauriceville, Masterton, Castlepoint, Wairarapa South, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Martinborough and Pirinoa. Mr J. G. Hanaghan has been appointed local secretary, and all communications regarding committee matters should be addressed to him care of the Social Security Department, Masterton. ■lnfectious Diseases.

Twelve cases of infectious disease and one death from diphtheria were reported to the Wellington Office of the Health Department from the central Wellington district for the week ended yesterday. The cases were: — Diphtheria (7), pulmonary tuberculosis (3), scarlet fever (1), and erysipelas (1). Commenting on the number of diphtheria cases, Dr F. S. Maclean, Medical Officer of Health, Wellington, said that the total was larger than usual because four in one family had become infected.

Petrol Coupons. Gold-coloured petrol coupons have now ceased to be valid and are being replaced by special licences, the Controller of Oil-fuel, Mi - G. L. Laurenson, announced last night. “These coupons were issued for the convenience of commercial users who travelled continuously,” said the controller. “Unfortunately, it appears that they have obtained a currency beyond what was originally intended, and it has accordingly been necessary to revert to the former system of special licences. Coupons obtained under monthly licences issued during March, April and May have ceased to be valid. Special licences are being issued instead of gold coupons for June and subsequent months.

Homes For British Orphans.

A number of people in this district have already declared themselves ready to offer homes to British orphans who may be brought out in accordance with the proposals on which an interim committee is at present working in Masterton. The committee, which consists of Mesdames R. Page (chairman and convenor), T. R. Barrel-, G. G. Tolhurst, Miss Diggins, Mr E. G. Coddington and "Miss B. Francis (secretary) is promoting investigations and inquiries throughout the district and the response thus far is encouraging. People who are prepared to consider the adoption of a British orphan or orphans should note that copies of a questionnaire on which individual preferences may be stated are to be obtained at Page’s, in Queen Street, Masterton.

Allegations of Communism.

The principal of Victoria University College, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, Sir Thomas Hunter, made the following statement yesterday commenting on the allegations by the Rev Dr J. Gibson Inkster that half the students of Victoria College were tinged with Communism:—“All that it is necessary to say is that Dr Inkster had no opportunity of knowing the mind of the students of this college. He did not publicly express his fears while he was here, nor did he convey them to the college authorities.” Sir Thomas Hunter condemned as cowardly the way in which the charges had been made after Dr Inkster had left New Zealand, and “the disregard for truth revealed in making them without prior inquiry or public expression. “Dr Inkster's reliability can be gauged by the fact that he thinks his country is full of Communists, and yet Communist candidates at elections have not yet been able to obtain sufficient support to save their deposits,” Sir Thomas concluded.

Mother (to small son who has returned home with an old bucket full of coal): “I hope you didn’t steal that coal?” “Oh, no, I just sat on the railway bank and made faces at the engine drivers ”