LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

No Publication on Friday. The "Times-Age” will not be published on Good Friday, April 11. Snow on Tararuas.

For the first time this year, snow was to be seen on the Tararua Ranges this morning. Needless to say, the weather was exceptionally cold today, but there is some prospect of an improvement tomorrow.

Free Kindergarten Competitions. Further results of Free Kindergarten competitions are: —Brass firescreen,

lickct No. 627. Mrs McMaster. Wheelbarrow Derby (time, 2 min. 56 1-5 sec ’. "Valerie” and Master R. Thornley, 15 Miriam Street. Ist equal with 2 min. 57 sec. Horses Stampede.

Some excitement was caused in Chapel Street, Masterton, this morning, when several thoroughbred horses which had apparently broken away from a paddock, stampeded down the streets leading to the Waipoua River. Efforts are being made to locate the animals. Successful Half Year. The first six months of the existence of the local Women’s War Service Emergency Corps have been very successful ones, states the half-yearly report. In addition to others, the Committee thanks the following for assistance in many directions: —Mr E. R. Rogers, the Masterton Printing Company, the “Wairarapa Times-Age." the A.M.P. Society. Messrs Logan and Whiteman. Mr A. D. Low. the Mayor. Mr Jordan. Mrs H. Matthews, and the Masonic Lodge. United Service of Witness.

For many years past, an outstanding feature of the Masterton religious life has been the United Service of Witness arranged by the Ministers’ Association. This year the service will be held in the. Opera House on Good Friday evening at 8 o'clock. The soloist will be Miss D. Jamieson. The ministers of the various churches will take part in the service. It is felt that in this time of special need this provides a favourable opportunity for unity and fellowship.

Shortage of Bran and Pollard. The serious shortage of bran and pollard in New Zealand shows little sign of easing, Wellington merchants reported yesterday. The export of wheat offals from Australia is being handled under an export licence scheme, adjusted from month to month. The scheme began in February and some bran Avas allotted in that month and in March, but not enough to meet New Zealand orders. So far there has been no allotment for April and there appears little likelihood of one being made. No pollard has been exported from Australia under the scheme.

University Championships. The New Zealand University championships Avill be held in Wellington at Easter. Among the national champions competing will be J. Sutherland, Victoria (New Zealand 100 yards champion) ; J. Opie, Otago (New Zealand shot put and pole vault titles); M. White, Auckland (New Zealand hammer throw record holder); and J. R. Harris, Canterbury (New Zealand junior half-mile title and record). In boxing the contestants will include P. Rollinson, the Auckland provincial light-heavyweight champion in 1939 and 1940, and winner also last year of the heavy-weight title.

Sedgley Home. The matron of Sedgley Home gratefully acknowledges the following gifts: —Cocoa, Mi- and Mrs Norman Matthews, Featherston; fruit, Mesdames H. McKay. Hearn Smith, S. L. P. Free, A. C. Major, Mr W. Kemp, Miss Wallis, and the W.E.C.; cakes, Mesdames R’obieson, Rishworth, Harold Beetham, Edwards and Miss C. Gray; buns, Mrs Stvles: dripping, Mr Long; jam, Mrs H. G." Williams; rabbits, Mr H. M. Boddington; sandwiches, Manaia-Solway Women's Institute, Mesdames J. A. Betts, and Sydney Smith; scones, Mrs Bannister; silver beet, Mrs Bannister; flour, sugar, cheese, potatoes, etc.. No. 3 Troop 1.M.R.; two hockey sticks, Mrs J. Ray; harvest produce, Featherston, Western Lake. Kahutara, Martinborough, and Alfredton churches. Cleopatra’s Needle. Recent cable messages from London referred to damage done by bombs to Cleopatra’s Needle. This famous monument has an interesting history. More than 3400 years ago one of the Pharaohs of Egypt erected a red granite obelisk in the Temple of the Sun at Heliopolis. It was transferred to Alexandria in 12 8.C., where it remained for nearly 2000 years until presented to the British Government in 1819. Fiftyeight years later, at a cost of £10,000,. the Needle was taken to England. Before its erection, sealed cylinders, containing cigars, photographs, coinage, clothing and ilustrated papers of 1878 were buried underneath. This great obelisk, weighing 180 tons and 68£ feet high, stands on the Victoria Embankment by the Thames, flanked by two bronze sphinxes, and its ancient history is inscribed on the pedestal. . Old Coffee Pot. Among metal articles handed to the Akaroa County Council is an old coffee pot which from its appearance is more titan .100 years old. Il stands more than 12 inches high, is made of copper, and instead of lite usual.looped handle at (lie side has a wooden handle protruding straight out from Hie vessel, its ample dimensions indicate that it. was made for service when families were big. Its capacity is not far short ol' a gallon. It was handed in by Mr A. R. Haylock, a member of the County Council. Though he has no definite knowledge of its origin. Mr Haylock thinks that il was brought to New Zealand by his grandfather, Mr George Haylock, of Ashdon Hall Fann. Essex County. Mr Haylock came to Akaroa in Hie Monarch in April. 1850. and built a (lour milt in Grehan Valley, where it walked for many years. The council decided that Hie coffee pot was too important a relic to be melted down, uni Mr ('.lt. 'l’liaeker. of Okain's Bay. lias been given possession of it. The pot is very well preserved.