LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Poisoned by Gas. Accidental gas poisoning was found to be the cause of the death of Margaret Agnes Brew, aged 70. upon whom the Wellington coroner, Mr W. G. L. Mellish, held an inquest yesterday. Evidence was given by Mrs Georgina Ellen Marshall, who lives in a ’ room in a house in Willis Street, that she went to a room Miss Brew occupied in the same building at 1.30 p.m. on Friday, and found her lying on the floor with the room full of gas. Trouble on Ship.

Eight men arrested in a Greek-owned ship of Panamanian registry appeared before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in Auckland yesterday, to answer charges of failing to obey lawful commands while in a safe harbour. Accused included two men who had not previously been charged, and six others who were convicted on Monday and ordered to come up for sentence were dealt with. The accused denied the offence. Sentence of one month’s imprisonment was imposed, and an order was made for the men to be deported in the first available ship.

Airmail Postage Rate. A reduction in the airmail rate on correspondence forwarded to Canada by the trans-Pacific and trans-United States -airmail services was announced yesterday by the Postmaster-General, Mr Webb. From September 11 the postage rate on this correspondence will be 4s a half-ounce. Previously correspondence which the senders desired to be sent by airmail all the way to Canada had to be paid at the rate of 5s a half-ounce, the 4s rate ensuring airmail conveyance only as far as the United States. Henceforth for all airmail for the United States and Canada forwarded from New Zealand by the trans-Pacific service- there will be one rate only of 4s a half-ounce. Riccarton Seat. The retirement of Mr T. H. Langford, Labour Party candidate, as a contestant for the Riccarton electorate, has been announced. Mr Langford has recently had a severe illness, and though he is now making good progress. he said yesterday that his doctors would not allow him to fight an election. The Riccarton Labour Representation Committee met on Monday evening to consider further nominations. No official announcement has yet been made but it is believed that only one name, that of Mr B. J. McKenna: was submitted. The secretary of the committee, Mi’ A. Biggs, said today that it would probably be a week before the new candidate could be announced.

Card Evening. The usual fortnightly 500 card party conducted by the Y.M.C.A. Ladies Auxiliary will be held this evening commencing at 7.45 o'clock in the association's lounge. An open invitation is extended to patrons and a happy evening is assured. Good prizes are offered and supper will be provided. Case of Meningitis. Meningitis, which does not appeal to have been of the Cerebro-Spinal type, caused the death of a patient in the Hawera Hospital on Tuesday. Pending confirmation of the diagnosis, members of deceased's family have been isolated. The Medical Officer m Health for Taranaki, said that death was only possibly caused by cerebrospinal meningitis and the only other case of meningitis reported in the whole of Taranaki, was a very mild one in New Plymouth Hospital. Enjoyable Gathering. There was a large attendance at the dance held by the staff of the Masterton branch of Woolworths (N.Z.) Ltd. in the Savage Club rooms. Masterton. last night. The function was admirably conducted and those present spent an enjoyable evening. The music was supplied by Mrs V. J. Ashton's, Orchestra and extras were played by Miss V. Irwin (Carterton). The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr B. McHattie. A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won bv Miss M. Bannister, partnered by Mr Bruce McGregor. A buffet supper was served.

Detention for Deserter. Sentence of 30 days’ detention imposed by court-martial on Private Harry Robert Bowman, a member of a Maori reinforcement, who pleaded guilty to a charge of desertion while on active service, was confirmed by Brigadier Bell and promulgated at the Papakura Camp. The charge was that Bowman deserted from a troopship in Wellington and remained absent till apprehended in Lambton Quay, Wellington, dressed in civilian clothes. In defence it was stated that Bowman left the troopship to visit his wife, who had suddenly been taken ill.

Seaman Sent to Gaol. A New Zealander, Patrick Jeremiah Galilvan, who took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, and who was a member of a ship which shot down a Nazi plane, was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment with hard labour in the Timaru Magistrates' Court, on a charge of absenting himself from his ship without leave. Accused, who is the only new Zealander in the crew of the ship, was granted leave on its arrival in the Dominion, but returned a day late. Later he took .another day off and this week took more leave, which resulted in the charge being preferred.