LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Potatoes and Peas. New potatoes and fresh green peas were on -sale in retail shops in Wellington yesterday. War Expenses Fund. Interest-free loans and donations for war purposes acknowledged yesterday by the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, bring the total received to dale to £2,387,267. Change in Weather. Masterton experienced a change in weather today, bright sunshine giving place to occasional light showers of rain. Frosts continue to be experienced, one of 6.6 degrees being registered this morning. Goif Club’s Record.

Although the war has not been in progress a year, the Mahunga Golf Club has a good record of service among its members. Twenty-seven members of the club have either proceeded overseas with the New Zealand forces or are receiving training in New Zealand.

Bird as “Watch Dog.” A notice on the gate of a Masterton property reads “Beware of the Magpie.” The. magpie in question is an efficient “watch dog” and shows fight to any intruder who ventures on the property. It has been known to give a vicious peck to more than one person. To those with whom it is acquainted, however, it is almost as gentle as a dove. The appearance of a bush hawk some time ago, however, struck terror into its heart. When it sighted the hawk, the magpie fell on to its back, with its feet in the air, until it recovered from its terror and sought shelter beneath a tree. Referees on Strike.

Arising out of a decision by the management committee of the Manawatu Rugby Union to take no action in the case of a player reported by a referee for using bad language in a dressing shed, and the further decision of the committee not to reopen the case, the representative of the referees’ association told the committee that the members of the association had decided to go into recess, and would not operate in the future. After a long discussion the referees’ association was asked to place its views in writing before next week’s general meeting of club delegates.

State Housing Scheme. The construction of 3395 houses for the year, bringing the total in the State Housing scheme to 6459, is recorded infthe annual report on State housing which was presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. The report, which covers the year ended March 31 last, states that the total net expenditure on the scheme up to that date was £10,647,201. Liabilities and commitments at that date amounted to £3,200,565, while the net expenditure for the year was £5,136,699. Land for housing purposes has now been purchased in 127 towns, and altogether about 18,000 building sites have been bought,” the report adds.

Maoris and the War. “Recruiting figures among the Maoris have been excellent and there should be no digiculty in keeping the battalion going with reinforcements from volunteers till well into next year,” said Sir Apirana Ngata, when interviewed at Auckland yesterday. Sir Apirana added' that the Maoris were unitedly assisting the war and patriotic funds, and were increasing production. It was estimated that about 4000 additional acres of maize would be planted as foodstuffs for pig raising in the Bay of Plenty and East Coast districts. The Maoris were assured of a fixed minimum price, but would welcome an announcement that there would be a guaranteed market for all they produce.

Mutual Ignorance. The need for Australians and New Zealanders to start understanding each other more fully was mentioned by Mr C. G. Flood, of the Church of Christ, in speaking to the Christchurch Business Men’s Club. There was a good amount of mutual ignorance of the respective people's ways, Mr Flood said. Some New Zealanders thought a snake's fangs were its forked tongue, for instance. “When I came to New Zealand first I had no idea what a kiwiwas,’ ’he added. “I thought it was something they made boot polish out of. So there is obviously a necessity for mutual understanding. To me it seems that the most important thing is for you to start understanding us.” Electric Locomotives.

During the past few weeks the number of steam trains between Wellington and Paekakariki has gradually diminished, and yesterday no fewer than 29 outward and inward services, including the Limited express for Auckland, were hauled by the new "Ed” class electric locomotives. The first express to be operated under the new system was the Napier mail, leaving Wellington at 9.40 a.m. daily. Last Friday night an electric engine was coupled on to the Limited, Auckland bound, for the first time, and on Tuesday of this week electric traction was extended to the Limited permanently. As yet. the southbound Limited is still being hauled from Paekakariki to Wellington by steam, but the complete change-over will be affected within the next few days. Patriotic Funds.

Some confusion appeared to exist in the public mind between the National Patriotic Fund and the National Provincial Patriotic Council, which administered the fund locally, it was stated at yesterday’s meeting of the provincial council at Wellington. It was reported that a number of local social and sports organisations had made contributions to the National Patriotic Fund of moneys they apparently desired to be applied to local patriotic purposes. Only 20 per cent of their contribution would be administered by the Wellington Patriotic Council, as moneys given to the central fund were used all over New Zealand. Publicity should be given to the position, said the chairman, Mr Hislop, mayor of Wellington, so that contributions for local purposes would be made directly to the council.