LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Another Severe Frost. Masterton experienced another severe frost this morning when 14.6 degrees were registered. Citizens’ Prayer Meeting. The citizens’ prayer meeting will take place as usual in the Opera House tomorrow, commencing at 12.30 p.m. and continuing till 1.30 p.m. War Expenses Loan. The Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, announced yesterday that free-of-in-terest loans and donations for war purposes now amount to £2,442,225. Charity Ball. The annual Wairarapa Charity Ball will be held in the Municipal Hall, Masterton, on Wednesday, September 4. The proceeds will be devoted to the relief of distress in the district and the Provincial Patriotic Fund. Beauties of Tararuas. During the last two days the Tararua range has presented a glorious sight as the sun scintillates on the snow-capped peaks against a clear blue sky. In the moonlight last night the peaks provided an impressive spectacle. Few North Island towns have such a beautiful setting as that given by the Tararua ranges to Masterton. St John Ambulance Dance. There will be another popular dance held by the Cadet Division of the St John Ambulance in the Masonic Hall on Saturday night. August 3. in aid of the uniform fund. The usual reasonable charges are being made and Mr C. S. McQuade, who is well known to dance patrons as an excellent M.C., will again carry out these duties. Infectious Diseases. For the week ended yesterday 14 cases of infectious disease and two deaths —from pulmonary tuberculosis — were reported to the Wellington office of the Health Department from the central Wellington area. The cases were as follows: —Diphtheria (4), pulmonary tuberculosis (4), erysipelas (3), scarlet fever (2), and hydatids (1). Increasing Production. Evidence of the campaign to increase production in the Wairarapa is to be seen around Masterton. Many paddocks which have been in pasture for years have been ploughed up in preparation for cropping. Some of these areas are on the outskirts of the town and although only small in extent, will add their quota to the district’s total production. Sunday School Concert. Parents and friends of the pupils of St. Matthew’s Sunday School are urged not to miss the great concert which is being staged in the Parish Hall tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. The concert which is held annually by the Sunday School will commence at 7.45 o’clock. A most enjoyable programme has been arranged and the players have been rehearsing assiduously for this great event. The price of admission is Is for adults and 6d for children. Labour Available for Farms. “There is still a large number of experienced farm workers awaiting engagement,’ said the Minister of Labpur, Mr Webb, in an interview last evening. Fie said that apart from nearly 1500 experienced men enrolled with the State Placement Service, there were nearly 1750 experienced workers at present employed on various State works who were ready to transfer to farm jobs as soon as required. Over 1600 inexperienced State employees were also available if wanted. Wool Suspense Account. Hawke’s Bay woolg'rowers will benefit by approximately £llO,OOO from -the Dominion total of £766,440 representing the 5 per cent retained as a suspense account under the wool commandeer, together with 1.36 per cent, the amount of the difference between the average appraised values and the final overall realisation. This distribution will be made next Monday. The brokers are now engaged in apportioning the lump sum which has been paid to them by the Marketing Division for distribution to their clients. During the past season, out of the New Zealand total of 720,891 bales appraised throughout the Dominion, Hawke’s Bay’s share was 99,892 bales. With the latest distribution, £12,633,390 will have been paid to woolgrowers throughout the Dominion, of which amount approximately £1,800,000 is allotted to Hawke’s Bay.

Soldiers and Security Tax. Whether or not members of the New Zealand forces serving abroad are liable for the national security tax of Is in the pound in respect of a proportion of income other than salary or wages received last year, on which social security charge has already been paid, it is considered unlikely that demands for the tax will be sent to them. No official statement was made in reply to inquiries yesterday, but the view was expressed that the Taxation Department would scarcely “chase men serving abroad” tor a tax imposed since their departure. Liability for the national security tax was stated to be on exactly the same basis as liability for social security charge, but official sources were unwilling to answer a direct question as to whether or not men serving abroad would bo expected to pay. It was suggested that the question was receiving consideration.

Illegal Sale of Liquor. “Instances have been brought to my notice of the sale of alcoholic liquor by Dutch auction, in mystery parcels, by raffles and by other means lat public and private functions arrranged for the purpose of raising funds for patriotic and other purposes,” said the Commissioner of Police, Mr D. J. I Cummings, in a statement issued last night. "The sale of liquor by these means is a breach of the licensing laws and renders the seller and the responsible officials liable to heavy penalties,” Mr Cummings said. "No doubt persons who may have disposed of liquor in this way have done so in good faith, were unaware they were breaking the law and were actuated by zeal for the success of the endeavour made to assist some worthy object. but however worthy the object it must be understood that the furtherance of its cause by the employment of illegal methods cannot be sanctioned.”