LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chief of General Staff. A statement that he did not wish to make any announcement at present was made by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, when asked in Auckland whether the Government had decided to extend the term of the Chief of General Staff, Major-General Sir John Duigan, or whether it was considering a fresh appointment. General Duigan has held the appointment since April, 1937, his term being extended in April of last year for a further 12 months after an extension had also been made in 1939. Flying Instructors’ School. The intention of the Government to construct a flying instructors’ school in Tauranga was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. He said that work was to proceed at once, and that when it was finished the instructional activities now going on .in Hobsonville, Auckland, would be transferred to Tauranga. There was an ’ excellent aerodrome in Tauranga, said Mr Jones, and much assistance was given by the Borough Council in its establishment. The constructional work was done by the Public Works Department. "The training of more flying instructors for the R.N.Z.A.F.,” added the Minister, “will enable more of the present instructors to be released for service overseas.” Home Guard Parade. Tomorrow “A” and “C" Companies of the Masterton Homo Guard Battalion are to engage in embussing and debussing practice, combined with an attack scheme to be carried out on the Defence rifle range at Te Ore Orc. The companies will parade at their respective halls at 8 a.m. and after instruction in embussing will proceed in 10 trucks to Te Ore Ore. The billy will be boiled and tea dispensed to the men after the exercise. Men arc reminded to bring cups. “B" (E.P.S.) Company will parade at the Municipal Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday next, not at the Mascot Rink, as previously announced. “B” Company N.C.O's. will attend a class at the Drill Hall at 71 pm on Tuesday next.

College Parents’ Association. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa College Parents’ Association will be held in the College library on Tuesday evening next. In the past parents ■ have not beein supporting the association as they should and it is to be I hoped that all who possibly can will turn up on Tuesday night when the election of officers will take place and the annual report and balance-sheet will be presented. Railway Returns. Railway returns for the financial year ended March 31 have broken some long-standing records. In a statement issued in Christchurch the Minister of Railways. Mr Semple, revealed that gross revenue had reached the £ll,000,000 mark for the first time in the history of the railways and that the net revenue stood at approximately £1,694,724, .more than £500,000 in excess of the preceding year’s balance and £61,000 more than the record net earnings, produced in 1926. Daylight Saving Continues. Summertime in New Zealand should ordinarily end tomorrow, requiring clocks on that day to be put back half an hour. The Ministtcr of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, has pointed out that because of the passing of the Daylight Saving Emergency Regulations the half-hour daylight saving would continue in operation till the last Sunday in April, 1942. Unless any further provision was made in the meantime there would be no necessity for any adjustment of clocks to be made till that date. Hadlow School Service. An intimate touch with Gallipoli was evident at the school Anzac Day service al Hadlow in the fact, that the Principal (Mr A. W. Don) took part tin the lighting, while no fewer than six boys are the sons of fathers who were in the Anzacs. The service formed pari of Matins. Hymns were sung for peace and for the men of the fighting forces. Some most interesting reminiscences were given by the principal. The boys were given the opportunity of inspecting a number of medals, souvenirs and a soldier’s diary. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the service