LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Levy Objected To. By 236 votes to 150 out of a total voting strength of about 450 members of the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries Union, it was decided by ballot not to support the Labour national campaign fund by way of levy. The matter was one about which a difference of opinion existed on a previous occasion when the levy was made. Strike Voted Against. A stoppage of work at the Westfield works of R. and W. Hellaby, Limited, occurred yesterday afternoon while employees held a meeting to discuss grievances concerning rates of payment for certain workers and the re- I cent dismissal of two union delegates in the firm’s employ. Work was resumed after a resolution to strike had been lost on a vote. It was stated last night that a settlement had been effected and that work would continue today as usual. Desertion Charge. A soldier not yet 20 who falsified his age by three years when he joined the Army some two years ago. was charged before a district court martial at Trentham yesterday with having deserted his Majesty’s service at Trentham on July 21 by absenting himself without leave till apprehended by the civil police the same day wearing civilian clothes. Accused was Private Ronald Bridge, N.Z. Temporary Staff, and attached to the camp staff company. He pleaded not guilty to desertion, but said he would admit being absent without leave. After having heard the evidence the judge-ad-vocate said that he considered the facts sufficient to establish the court finding that accused intended to desert and, if possible, join an overseas ship. A report of the proceedings will be forwarded to the officer convening the court martial, Brigadier N. W. McD. Weir, N.Z.S.C.

National Savings Records. Southland can claim several records in the national savings campaign. The district, which has its headquarters in Invercargill, is the only one in which are three towns each with 100 per cent of accounts to population. Riverton and Edendale 'have been in this category for some time, and yesterday Waikaka achieved a similar distinction. At Riverton, within 20 minutes of the birth of a baby there, her father had opened a national savings account for her. This child is claimed to be the youngest depositor in the campaign in the Dominion. Besides having the youngest depositor, Southland also has the eldest. Mr Thomas Barrett, Waikaka, aged 101, is a regular contributor. A fourth distinction claimed is that Southland has the largest family group of national savers in New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Robert Miller, Waikaka, and their 15 children, are all operating accounts, making 17 in one family. Previously a Waverley family I held this distinction with a total of 15 accounts.

Knitting Wool. Further supplies of knitting wool for patriotic purposes have been received in Masterton. Members of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee may obtain supplies on application to Mrs Nissen, of the Ladies’ Rest Room.

Farm Hand Injured. Mr Lewis McGregor, aged 33 years, has been admitted to the Masterton Hospital with injuries to one of his legs, received when the horse he was riding at “Brancepeth” station fell through a bridge and rolled on him. His condition is satisfactory.

Arbor Day Planting. Arbor Day was celebrated at the Lansdowne School yesterday afternoon, when several flowering apple trees donated by the Masterton Beautifying Society were planted by the children. Mr J. G. McFarlane, chairman of the School Committee and Mr E. W. Payton, representing the Beautifying Society, addressed the children on the significance of the day. Committed for Sentence.

John David White, labourer, aged 65 years, of Masterton, appeared on remand before a special sitting of the Masterton Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, on a charge of having committed an indecent assault on a male. Detective-Sergeant W. Kane prosecuted. An order was made by the presiding J’s.P., Messrs E. G. Eton and L. J. Taylor, suppressing the names of witnesses. The accused, who pleaded guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence. Memorial Pews. Two memorial pews are to be placed in St. Matthew’s Church, Masterton, by Mrs McWhinnie, in memory of her son Ivan, who was killed in action in Crete. The “Parish Magazine,” referring to the matter, states: —“Ivan was a keen senior Bible Class member, and a fine manly Christian. It is fitting that _ there should be this memorial, and it is particularly fitting that his memorial pews should stand next to those of his friend Ted Denbee. When the pews are ready, the Bishop has already promised that he will come and dedicate them. We do hope that soon supplies of oak will arrive so that the work may be put in hand.” Parcels for Soldiers.

The next shipment of unaddressed gift parcels to be sent by the National Patriotic Fund Board to members of the New Zealand Forces overseas would be the Christmas one, said a representative of the board yesterday. Forty-five thousand parcels were still required to make up the quota. ‘ Each of the 11 provincial patriotic councils is asked to fill a certain quota, and they will work through their respective zone committees, forwarding the parcels when they are cased, as in the past, to the National Patriotic Fund Board store in Wellington, he added. “These unaddressed parcels are sent quarterly by the board, and theie have already been four dispatches, totalling 135,000. The first shipment comprised 30,000, and the three subsequent shipments were of 35,000 each.”