LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Another Heavy Frost. Masterton has experienced a succession of heavy frosts this week, 12.8 degrees being registered this morning. War Expenditure. “It is not proposed to discuss the items of war expenditure in the ordinary course of discussion in the House, but whatever information can be provided for members will be given during the next secret session,” the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, stated in the House of Representatives yesterday. Drunken Motorist Sent to Goal.. The Magistrate, Mr Morling, at the Auckland S.M. Court yesterday sentenced Bertram Augustus Hugh Buscomb, aged 55, gardener, and Hedwin Arthur William Swenson, aged 46, farmer, to seven days’ imprisonment, for being in a state of intoxication while in charge of motor vehicles. The driving licences of both men were cancelled for a year. Petrol Rations for August. No alteration in petrol rations for private cars will be made for August, the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, announced last evening. The Minister said in an interview that coupons Nos. 6 and 7 would be accepted by resellers for the ration for private cars for August. The petrol ration for August would, therefore, be the same as for July. Insurance Control. Authority for the compulsory wind-ing-up of insurance companies of doubtful solvency is provided in the Insurance Companies Bill, which was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives last night. The Bill also stipulates that substantial deposits must be made by insurance companies operating in New Zealand as security against liabilities. The Third Echelon. It is understood that men who have enlisted in the third echelon for overseas service in the Expeditionary Force, and are now in camp at Trentham, Papakura, Hopuhopu and Burnham, are likely to go on leave some time this week. The period of leave is expected to be similar to that enjoyed by members of the first and second echelons of the force, who were granted a fortnight. Public Debt of New Zealand. The total amount of the public debt outstanding on March 31 last was £249,344,651, states the annual report of the Public Debt Commission presented to the House of Representatives yesterday. The commission reports that the amount of the public debt repaid or redeemed within the last financial year was £1,878,217, the aggregate amount repaid or redeemed since the beginning of the Act in 1925 being £20,312,083. influenza at Military Camp. Between 90 and 100 military patients, principally from the Territorial camp at Addington, have been sent to hospital at Burwcjbd with mild influenza. Sir Hugh Acland, AssistantDirector of Medical Services, said that the number from Addington was about 15 per cent of the total in camp, but a fair amount of influenza was natural at this time of the year, and the outbreak was causing him no anxiety. There was no hospital at Addington, and consequently every man off sick from the camp there had to be sent to Christchurch or to Burwood.

Cooper’s Barn Dance. The fortnightly dances at Cooper’s Barn, Opaki, have been resumed and last night's gathering was an outstanding success. There was a large attendance and the duties of M.C. were capably carried out by Mr C. S. McQuade. The music was supplied by Jack Barnes’s Rhythm Boys. Supper was served by a capable band of helpers. Exllras were played by Mr E. Spackman and Mr McMullen, the latter giving a tap dance, and as an encore an Irish Jig. The Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Mrs R. Glen and Mr S. Evans, and a statue competition by ■Miss J. Kay and partner. The next r dance will be held on August 13. j Ploughing By Night. Ploughing at night has been undertaken by Mr R. L. Field, of Maroa. Greytown, as a contribution towards New Zealand's war effort, and the demand for increased production. Mr Field has a contract for ploughing 55 acres of land belonging to Mr R. Buick. Mr Bruce. In order to make night ploughing possible. Mr Field has had two headlights fitted to his tractor while another light shines backward to illuminate the three-furrow plough drawn by the tractor. The light provided is quite sufficient to enable ploughing to be carried out without difficulty.