LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 November 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sporting Activities Postponed Cricket, tennis and other outdoor sport in Wairarapa were postponed today owing to the wet weather. Grain and Produce Markets. The Canterbury grain and produce markets are s.till very quiet, with few alterations in prices. Onions continue to rise as stocks are depleted, the quotation to farmers now being £l6 on trucks, sacks extra. The potato market is virtually finished. Masterton Show. “There is a rumour being circulated that the Masterton A. and P. Show will 'not be held,” stated the secretary, Mr R. H. Williams, this morning. “That is not correct. The Show will be held as usual on February 18 and 19 and the various committees are at present revising the schedule.”

Leadership of National Party. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, announced last night that a caucus of Parliamentary members of the New Zealand National Party will be held in Wellington at approximately the same time as Parliament reassembles on Tuesday, November 26. The caucus will be held to discuss the question of leadership of the party.

Boring for Oil. The New Zealand Petroleum Company reports that the Morere oil bore has reached a depth of 5008 ft., with casing set at 5004 ft. The hole is now standing cemented. It is expected to resume drilling at the end of the week. The Midhurst well shows good progress. The present depth is 2919 ft., an advance of 530 ft. in a fortnight. The drill is in grey sand and sandy shale. Cups Donated.

Mr. H. P. Hugo, Masterton, has donated six miniature cups for the girls’ relay race, which is included on the programme for the Wairarapa Interhouse Association’s gale sports day to be held on the Masterton Park Oval on November 25. Messrs C. E. Daniell Ltd. have donated five miniature cups to be allocated by the Interhouse committee.

Milk Zoning Unpopular. The introduction of milk-zoning in Hastings is not likely to take place for some time to come, a meeting of Hastings vendors having decided to postpone the scheme in the meantime. It is understood that the reason for such a decision is that it is felt the scheme would not be popularly received in view of the reception which was accoi’ded it in other centres—notably Ashburton, where it proved unacceptable. Patriotic Effort.

At a meeting of the Wairarapa Horse Sports Federation held in Masterton yesterday a suggestion was received from the Masterton Racing Club that a Gymkana be held at the Opaki racecourse in aid of the patriotic funds. Full assistance to the proposal was offered and the matter -of. arranging a suitable date was deferred. It was decided to make a donation of £lO to the Patriotic Fund.

A Domestic Tangle. “Petitioner lives with respondent’s sister as man and wife and respondent lives with petitioner’s brother on the same understanding.” said counsel in the Napier Supreme Court yesterday during the hearing of a petition in divorce filed by Toko Pakai against his wife Polly Pakai. Answering a question of the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), petitioner said he had 18 children, and added that he was proud of them. “It seems to me that the only thing to do is to grant a decree nisi,” said his Honour.

Medical Benefits. “Something will happen in the very near future,” was the reply of the Minister of Health, Mr. Armstrong, today wnen asked what result had come from the offer made by the Government to the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association concerning the institution of medical benefits under the Social Security Act. He added that he .was not in a position co say what form the agreement between the Government and the medical profession would take. “The public will get the services, and that is what matters,” he said.

Expanded English. In an article on “English—All Dressed Up,’’ the organ of the headmasters of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has some examples of how to make a little English go a long way when done up in the best official manner: —“More precipitation, less acceleration" (“more haste, less speed"); “Proceed to the due performance of your prescribed task” (“go to it’’); “You are enjoined not to disseminate reports of indeterminate provenance which have insufficient basis of authenticity and which by repetition tend to acquire cumulative inexactitude” (“Don’t spread rumours”).

“Only the Germans.” The comparative unconcern with which people in rural England view the German air raids is illustrated in a letter to a Christchurch resident. “It is lovely weather and so peaceful and pleasant here,” writes the correspondent, “except for various dog-fights with Hun aeroplanes, which we see from time to time, and the buzzing of Hun aeroplanes overhead at night. It is quite extraordinary to be picking blackberries with half a dozen small children and suddenly hear the buzz of distant aeroplanes and the crackle of machine-guns. Sarah (a little girl) summed up the situation as follows: — Virginia: ‘Ooh. what's that noise?’ Sarah: ’Don’t be frightened. Ginia. it isn't thunder, it's only the Germans’ ”

Appeals Withdrawn. “I have given this matter consideration since lodging the appeal, and it seems to me that appeals arc being made in some cases where people could do a little extra work and let the men go; so I will withdraw the application." stated Mr. R. J. Phillips, farmer. Midhirst, before the Taranaki Manpower Committee at Stratford yesteday. "I don't want my son at home when others are with the colours,'' Mr. Phillips continued. “It will mean extra work, but I think I can manage all right." “It is refreshing to have someone come hero and say what you have said." remarked the chairman. Mr. L. D. Hickford. “In any case your son will not be required now to go into camp till January. 1 think your attitude is commendable, and it would be pleasant to see others follow the example.” Subsequently other applications were withdrawn, but the reason was not stated.