LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Early Lamb. What is claimed to be the first lamb of the season in the Wairarapa appeared on the property of Mr J. L. Heckler; of Ihuraua, on Monday. This is considered the earliest date lor a Jamb to be recorded in the district for some years. The lamb is a Southdown.

Romney Marsh Shields. At the annual meeting of the Now Zealand Romney Marsh Sheepbreeders’ Association at Wellington yesterday, championship shields were allocated as follows for the forthcoming show season:—North Island spring shields, Wairarapa and East Coast A. and P. Association; North Island autumn shields, Masterton A. and P. Association; South Island shields, Gore A. and P. Association; Wheeler Memorial Shield, Poverty Bay A. and P. Association.

Strike of Dairy Farmers. Dairy-farmers in South Otago are on strike as a result of a difference with the Price Tribunal. Farmers in the Stirling, Momona, Kaitangata and Paretai districts have refused to supply milk vendors in Balclutha and Dunedin from this morning, and, as a result, schools ’in Allanton, Gore, Lumsden, Roxburgh and Tahakopa, South Otago, and some in Dunedin have no milk. It is understood that the Government contractor for school supplies offered to increase the price this winter but the Price Tribunal refused to sanction this course. Inquiries in Dunedin reveal that some schools here will be affected, but the shortage will be confined to schools and other institutions will be served as usual. Farmers throughout the province generally have been dissatisfied with the price set by the tribunal of Is a gallon.

Sold in Error. The National Patriotic Fund Board has sent to the Middle East a large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco, some for free distribution and some for sale in the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo. It appears, however, that some of the cigarettes and tobacco in one shipment intended for free distribution were delivered to and sold in the club and in the Y.M.C.A. forward institutions. Mr G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, said yesterday afternoon that though it was most unfortunate that this mistake should have occurred, the balance had been restored to some extent by the fact that some of the tobacco and cigarettes intended for sale had been actual-

ly distributed free. Though some free (distribution cigarettes and tobacco had been sold in error, receipts from the sales remained in the patriotic fund, and would be used for the benefit of the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East.

Optimist Gathering. There was a fair attendance of members at the weekly meeting of the Masterton Optimist Club last night. The Chief Smiler, Mr R. Baikie, presided. The speaker for the gathering was Mr Avon C. Tatton, who gave a most interesting address on petroleum. Mr Tatton illustrated his talk and showed how the 400 by-products were obtained.

Quality of Romney Marsh Sheep. Mr E. R. Black, speaking at the annual meeting of the Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association at Wellington yesterday, said that in the past there had been complaints about the quality of some of the sheep exported from New Zealand, but the complaints referred to cases before control was in the hands of the association. However, the fact that some sheep had not been up to standard showed that a danger existed. The association should be on the alert to see that the standard of the Dominion’s sheep was maintained. “An Absolute Parasite.”

Though Joseph McCarthy, aged 48, of no fixed abode, has been in New Zealand only 50 months, he has spent 431 months of that time in gaol. This was stated in the Magistrate’s Court. Napier, yesterday, before Mr Miller, S.M., when McCarthy appeared on a charge of theft of £1 11s 6d from the jewellery firm of Styles and Styles. He was sentenced to three months’ hard labour, and to a similar term for being unlawfully in possession of explosives. Chief Detective H. Nuttall said accused was an “absolute parasite,” and was looked upon as a dangerous man. Accused’s record was quite sufficient to have him declared an habitual criminal, he added.

Wheat Stocks in New Zealand. Describing the wheat and flour position in the Dominion as sound, the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, said in an interview at Christchurch yesterday that flour mills had sufficient stocks to last them till April 28, 1942, without touching any of the new harvest, which will begin to come in next January. Prospects were that the 1942 harvest in New Zealand would be sufficient to carry the country on till the following year. While in Australia last year Mr Sullivan made arrangements for 27,000 tons of wheat to bo shipped to New Zealand and stored for emergency, “As a result we entered this crop year with a very large carry-over which will still be apparent in 1942, despite the heavy requirements of the army,” he said.

Nothing else as good is sold To dispel “a coming cold.” Nothing else now offered you Brings such soothing ease for ' flu.” Nothing else is needed now, All who use it that allow: Nothing else such comfort holds — Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure for colds. 47

Bridge Afternoon. The Park Croquet Club held a successful bridge afternoon in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms yesterday. The prizewinners were Mrs G. Williams, 1; Mrs Freeman, consolation. A bed cape was won by Mrs G. Daubney.

Footballers Suspended. Two senior players ordered off in the Athletic-Hutt football match at Athletic Park, Wellington, last Saturday for questioning the referee’s decision appeared before the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union last night. The hearing was taken in committee, and it was subsequently announced that each player had been suspended for one playing Saturday. Talk on Embroidery.

No doubt women members, active and honorary, will be interested in the talk which will be given at tomorrow night’s meeting of the Masterton Art Club. The subject is “Embroidery” and the speaker is a member of the club. Miss W. M. Davis, of Solway College, whose knowledge of the subject was gained largely in England. Miss Davis is a pleasant and interesting speaker and her talk about the centuries-old art of embroidery is assured of an attentive audience tomorrow night.

Railway Trucks. 1 Because of the war, no more railway trucks will be built in New Zealand, and those now on hand will have to last for the duration', stated the actingdistrict traffic manager, Mr R. Gallagher, speaking at a conference held at Christchurch yesterday to consider the demand on trucks for cartage of the grain harvest. "No more trucks will be built here,” Mr Gallagher said. •‘Work on them has been suspended, and there will be no additional trucks available till after the war. Material for them is not available, and workshops are engaged on other important tasks. It can be taken for granted that no more trucks will be available for some considerable time.” Cure for Vandalism. “If all the boys and girls of New Zealand were members of nature-study classes, there would be a quick and permanent cure for vandalism among young folk,” declared one of the members of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, who recently escorted a big party of school pupils through a native forest of Eastbourne. Wellington. "The young folk were keenly interested in chats about native trees. They asked plenty of questions about trees and birds. It was pleasantly evident that they were forming a good friendship with nature." Similar statements have been made by school teachers in country districts where the children have been encouraged to take a friendly interest in native plants and birds. In a I number of localities of the North and] South Islands the young folk are taking I great pride in the planting of native shrubs and trees in or near school grounds, and taking proper care of them.