LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Gorge Road Blocked. A large tree which fell across the road in the Manawatu Gorge yesterday necessitated the diversion of traffic over the Pahiatua Track until late last evening. The heavy rain which fell throughout yesterday apparently loosened the soil round the base of the tree, and it fell across the road.

Drunken Motorist Fined.

Herbert Robert Woodley, Lower Hutt, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court, Lower Hutt, on Saturday, to a charge of having been intoxicated while in charge of a motor car in High Street, Lower Hutt, on Friday night. Mr Goulding, S.M., imposed a fine of £25, and cancelled Woodley’s driving licence for 12 months.

Another Floating Mine Sighted. Advice that a floating mine had been sighted on Saturday about 300 yards south of the landing at Cuvier Lighthouse was received on Saturday afternoon by the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Auckland from the; lighthouse keeper. A warning was issued to shipmasters and the naval authorities made arrangements to destroy the mine.

Application for Hall. As a sequel to a deputation to the Auckland City Council on Thursday the Aid to Russia Committee has applied for the Auckland Town Hall on the night of Wednesday, August 13, to celebrate the signing of the AngloRussian Pact and to authorise a congratulatory message to the British and Soviet Governments. The Mayor, Mr Allum, stated that a special meeting of the council would be called to consider the application.. However, the Town Hall had been booked some time ago for the night of August 13 for the final effort in connection with the Fighting Forces Fund Appeal. Remuera Seat.

“It came as a bombshell to me. The first intimation I got of it was when I read it in the newspaper this morning,” said Mi’ T. Clifton Webb, chairman of the Remuera electorate committee of the National Party, on Saturday, referring to the announcement from Wellington by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, that the sitting member, Mr W. P. Endean, would receive his full support and that of the Parliamentary party, thus making him the official candidate for Remuera. Mr Webb said the electorate committee would not come to any hasty decision, and they were anxious to avoid a split if that were at all possible. At the same time, a very difficult position had been created, and there was a limit beyond which any self-respecting person could not go. Mr Webb said the position would be discussed at a meeting of his committee early this week.

Men Ordered Back to Work.

In connection with the dispute in Wellington regarding the refusal of waterfront workers to handle a cargo of guano, it is understood that they were ordered to go back to work, and that if they did not the penal provision of the Emergency Regulations would be applied to them. The award rate is being paid. Dairy Factory Workers’ Award. To take effect from today, the New Zealand dairy factories award has been issued by the Court of Arbitration. Hours vary from 38 to 52 a week, according to the nature of the factory, and wages range from £4 10s a week for general hands to £5 14s for first assistant in the larger factories. Plunket Medal. Taking Lenin for his subject, Mr L. Nathan won the thirty-fifth annual Plunket Medal contest conducted by the Victoria University College Debating Society at Wellington on Saturday night. Miss B. Hutchison, who spoke on Madame Curie, was placed second, and Miss P. Hildreth, who spoke on Hans Andersen, was placed third. The other five competitors and their subjects were: Mr N. Foley (T. E. Lawrence), Mr B. S. Devine (.John Ballance), Miss S. Sutch (Ernst Toller), Mr D. Hartley (Dick Sheppard), and Mr D. Castle (Stalin). U.A.O.D. Dance. A happy gathering of dancers filled the Orange Hall on Saturday evening for the overseas members’ benefit dance organised by the U.A.O.D. Splendid music was supplied by Messrs J. West and W. Ashworth. The Monte Carlo competition was won by Mr and Mrs Syd Smith, and extras were played by Mr H. Hood. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies’ committee. A splendid vocal item was contributed by Miss Cross. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem. Defence of New Zealand. The time to, prepare was not when the country was threatened, but now, while there was opportunity to plan, train and practice, said the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, in a statement on Saturday about his plans for the Home Guard, which has been transferred to his control. “In Britain the Home Guard has become an integral part of the defence system, and there is no reason why we in New Zealand should not place equal reliance on the New Zealand body in our home defence organisation. That at any rate is what I intend to do,” said Mr Jones. The Minister said that we could not in New Zealand afford to disrupt our-economic life by maintaining a large standing army, but wo could, if the citizens would continue to give their time, train a very fine body of men who would be available at a moment’s notice.