LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“Workers and the War.” “Workers and The War" will be the subject of an address to be given in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Wednesday by Mr. J. Robertson, M.P. Meeting House Dance. There was a good attendance at a I dance held in the Te Ore Ore meetinghouse on Saturday night. The music was supplied by Mrs. Te Tau’s Orchestra. Novelty dances were held and supper was served by a ladies’ committee. Y.M.C.A. Finances. According to a ‘statement, of receipts and payments for the year ended February 28, the Masterton Y.M.C.A. income exceeded the expenditure by £lO9 2s 3d. This resulted through several exceptional factors, a bequest of. £lOO from the estate of the late Mr. D. Guild, the sale of billiard tables to the Military Camp Recreation Committee, and the response to the special, appeal made last year for new members and donations. Reserve Bank Governorship.

The appointment of a governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in succession to Mr. Leslie Lel’eaux, who retired at the end of December, is not expected to be announced for some time yet The Government’s decision is being withheld, it is understood, till the term of appointment of the deputygovernor. Mr. W. F. L. Ward, expires at the end of April. There are suggestions that it is proposed to reduce considerably the salary of £5OOO per annum hitherto paid to the Governor of the bank. A Judge’s Complaint.

Describing himself as an "unpaid law clerk,” Mr Justice Blair complained in the Supreme Court, Auckland, last week, of the work he was called on to do in correcting faulty and careless legal papers submitted to him. “I am starting to make up a little bill of my expenses,” he added. Counsel appearing in the case said he hoped his Honour would understand that he did not draw the papers before his Honour and had had no opportunity of redrawing them. "That is always the position." said his Honour, “and the man to whom these things ought to be ?aid is not here. Counsel has always got an alibi."

Early Morning Motor Crash. While travelling to Auckland from Wellington, a small car driven by Aircraftman Alexander James Bentley, whose parents reside at Birkenhead, went over a bend at Okahukura, seven miles north of Taumarunui.at 2 o’clock on Saturday morning. Bentley and a passenger in the car, Aircraftman Egbert Ivan Danielson, whose parents reside in Wanganui, and whose wife is in Auckland, were admitted to hospital suffering from cuts on the head, bruises and abrasions. Their condition is not serious. The car was badly smashed. The injured men attracted the attention of passing motorists who brought them to Taumarunui.

No Census this Year. “No census will be taken this year,” said the Minister in Charge of the Census and Statistics Department, Mr. Nash, in reply to a question as to whether the Government had made a decision, following the authority given last year to postpone the quinquennial census which would have been held normally in 1941. A clause in the Finance Act. No. 1. 1940, gave power to hold the 1941 census between 1941 and 1945. the next census to be taken in 1946. The year of taking the census is to be appointed by proclamation by the Governor-General. The postponement of the census means tljat no report will be made by the Electoral Boundaries Commission.

’Varsity Athletics. Though the fields were small at the interfacility sports meeting of Victoria University College on Saturday afternoon. competition was keen. The weather was ideal, but the tracks were rather slow. The most notable performances occurred in the field events. Hastings won the long jump with a leap of 21ft. Gin., and Hocquard, who was second, jumped 21ft. sin. Both are juniors and their feats were better than the junior record, but the conditions under which the event was held prevent either performance being recognised as a record. They will make a special attempt to break the record at the sports meeting to be held in conjunction with the university tournament in Wellington at Easter. At the same meeting Hindle, who ran second in the 220 yards hurdles on Saturday, will attemptto break the New Zealand record for that event.

Woolpack Factory Output. The annual report of New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles, Ltd., gives the output for the past five years as follows: 1936, 245.866 packs of all sizes; 1937, 245,570: 1938. 292,931; 1939. 360,255; 1930 (42’s only). 387,320. The increase has been assisted by the adoption of the 42in. pack as the New Zealand standard size. The trading for the year has resulted in a profit which allowspayment of a dividend of 4 per cent. The Moutoa estate is expected to provide sufficient green leaf to maintain in full production the machinery now being installed, but when full production is reached it will be necessary to look elsewhere than to Moutoa for supplies. Investigation of flax areas on the West Coast of the South Island is in progress and may lead to the establishment by the company of stripping mills in those areas. Meantime, the output of the Wairarapa flaxmills is being purchased.

Electricity Supply. The unlikelihood of electricity being rationed during the coming winter was mentioned by the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Armstrong, during his visit to Napier when on his way to the Wairoa. Gisborne and Cambridge districts. He said the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, was of the opinion that all the coal necessary for industrial and domestic purposes could be produced in New Zealand. The rapid expansion of secondary industries had created a demand for electric power that had never been anticipated, said Mr. Armstrong. Only in years to come when complete electrification of industry was accomplished, would the wisdom of the Government’s decision to continue the Tuai scheme be appreciated. Discussing Public Works policy generally. Mr Armstrong said that only works of national importance would be continued during the war. Manpower was the chief factor to be considered.