LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waitemata Seat. The question whether it will be possible to declare the Waitemata seat vacant purely on the advice from overseas that the member, Captain W. J. Lyon, has been killed in action, is being debated in political, circles in Auckland. Till this point has. been settled, the matter of a by-election cannot be taken beyond the stage of speculation. Notifiable Diseases. For the week ended yesterday, 14 cases of notifiable disease and three deaths, from pulmonary tuberculosis, were reported to the Wellington office of the Health Department from the central Wellington area. The cases were: —Diphtheria (5), erysipelas (3), pulmonary tuberculosis (3), scarlet fever (1), septic abortion (1), and food poisoning (1). Rates of Pay for Boners.

The Court of Arbitration has awarded new rates of pay for boners on piecework in freezing works, as a result of the introduction of new processes caused by war conditions. After hearing the evidence called by the parties the Court decided that the following rates shall apply so long as the current’ award is in operation and the present methods continue to be used: Boning prime ox beef for export per quarter, Is; boning prime cow beef for export per quarter, 10,jd. Both the rates are to be subject to the 5 per cent increase awarded under the Court's general order of August 9, 1940.

Bookmaker Fined £lOO. A fine of £lOO, with costs, was imposed in the Auckland Magistrates’ Court yesterday on Walter Preston, aged 56, carter, who pleaded guilty to bookmaking on Saturday. The police said that Preston had a list of convictions between 1907 and 1932. He was arrested on Saturday in Grand View Road, overlooking the livc-fur-long starting post at Ellerslie. Crowds, sometimes numbering 200, congregated at this point. A telescope was lilted up so that the totalisator result:; and jockeys' board could be scon. When arrested, Preston had papers which showed that he had taken a bet of £3O on one horse. On the previous Wednesday he had as many as 50 bets on one race. He had over £477 in his possession

Miners May Strike. Unless a difficulty about the employment of a medical officer can be overcome. miners of the Ngakawau-Stock-ton Medical Association may decide to down tools. Notice to Dr J. Simpson expires on June 17 and. as he is not prepared, in keeping with the attitude of tin? 8.M.A.. of which he is a member. to accept employment under the Social Security legislation, 500 miners may find themselves without a doctor. ■ In the meantime Dr Simpson has been asked to continue till the position can be reviewed. The Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, is due to arrive on Thursday to confer with the medical association and others concerned. Dance Practices. There appears to be every prospect of resumption of the St Andrew Society's dance practices. These have, this season, been in abeyance owing to the difficulty in obtaining the regular attendance of instructors. It was hoped that practices might be held by those who knew something of the various dances helping the beginners. However, it is probable that Mr Alex Ciuickshank will be able to give his services as instructor, in which case the practices will no doubt produce results as satisfactory as ever. It is hoped that members unproficient in the Scots dances will grasp the opportunity of learning, and that the proficient will also attend to assist Ml Cruickshank. Details of the practices will, bo advertised. Pacifist Sent to Gaol. Ronald Jaclc Scarlett, labourer, aged 30. was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by Mr Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, for obstructing a constable. Sub-Inspector L. R. Capp said that accused was attempling to conduct a public meeting at the Methodist Memorial. Manners Streel, last Friday night. When questioned by the police, he admitted he had no permit to speak on the street, and was asked to desist, lie l iiOr endeavoured lo carry on with his speech. Asked by the magistrate whether he had anything to say, ac(W'’|,(l | icplied: "I am a Christian Pacifist, and 1 believe it is sometimes necessary to break the law to uphold the principle of freedom of speech” Tlie magistrate: "If that is all you have io say. you will [ )e sentenced to H'.ree months' imprisonment." The N.Z. Founders Society will give : a party in the Y.M.C.A. tomorrow af- ' lernoon at 2.3(1 o'clock in the Y.M.C.A. 1 rooms for the old settlers of the dis- ' trict.