LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Appeal for Binoculars. Between 5000 and 6000 pairs of binoculars have been received at the Army ordnance depot, Trentham, in response to the national appeal launched on January 24.

National Savings. National savings flags flew in 137 towns last week as an indication that the citizens had done their full share in the war savings effort. In many other towns which did not quite reach their quotas, the “money-balls" rode high on the post office flag-poles, indicating that they had come very close to breaking out their flags. Towns which have now been successful at least once number 285.

Attempt to Burn Down Store. Newport’s Cash Store, Oriental Parade, Wellington, was broken into in the early hours of yesterday morning, the stock being ransacked and an attempt apparently also being made to set fire to the premises. The blaze was seen by a passer-by before it had-time to spread, and little damage was done. An investigation later revealed that apparently no stock was missing from the store. Most of the disarrangement of stores occurred among bottles of spirits, and one theory is that the intruder was more concerned with getting away with what petrol he could locate rather than goods. Wartime Beliefs. It was not a British habit to punish people who had queer opinions or even dangerous opinions, but rather to find them a place where they could go and talk as they liked, said Mr Justice Callan, in his charge to the grand jury at the opening of the criminal sessions of the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday. He was commenting on persons of the qect known as Christian Pacifists charged with holding prohibited meetings and being in possession of subversive matter. They were not criminals in the ordinary sense and appeared to believe sincerely that they were right and other people wrong, but we could not have such meetings in wartime, as they were apt to lead to turbulence, violence and a breach of the peace. There were millions of sincere Christians who were convinced it was good Christianity to resist unjust aggression. Allotment of Pay.

Troops now mobilised, for continuous service in New Zealand are being required to allot portion of their pay. This statement was made last evening by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. “During the periods of intensive Territorial training, which normally did not extend beyond three months, it was not deemed necessary to impose upon Territorials the obligation of allotting portion of their pay, and they were permitted to draw full pay each fortnight,” said Mr Jones. “Alternatively, a nominal amount could be drawn and any balance accumulated for payment at the termination of their camp service. With so many troops performing continuous service in New Zealand, the allotment provisions as applicable to members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. are being applied. The same scale as laid down for 2nd N.Z.E.F. personnel is in operation, married men allotting to dependants land unmarried men to P. 0.5.8. acI counts.”

Croquet Match. A croquet match played at the Masterton Park for the intermediate gold buttons, resulted in Mesdames Weller and Kingdon (Masterton) beating Mesdames Dickson and Hart (Eketahuna), 26—21.

Medical Board Sittings. Medical boards are being held in Masterton on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays every week this month and until March 3 to examine married men called up for Territorial service in the recent ballot. Patriotic Fund Appeal. The organisation of a drive in the Wairarapa to collect the district’s quota of £20,800 for the Patriotic Fund is to be discussed in Masterton on Monday, when a meeting of chairmen of patriotic committees is to be held. Women’s Division Shop Day. A shop day was held by the Masterton branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union in the Country Women’s Club rooms this morning. Good business resulted. Portion of the proceeds is to be used for patriotic purposes. Hastings Ram Fair Prices. At the Hastings ram fair last week Messrs A. P. Southey and Sons, of Masterton, secured the second highest price, 12Jgns., for a pen of six Romney Marsh flock rams, and obtained the highest average price at the sale. They also secured top price for stud Romney Marsh rams, 42gns. E.P.S. Enrolments. Enrolments in the E.P.S. of men between 18 and 66 is proceeding satisfactorily in Masterton. The Masterton Borough Office will be open again this evening between 6.30 and 7.30 o'clock to facilitate the enrolment of men not able to enrol during the day. Yesterday another 70 men at the Waingawa Freezing Works were enrolled. This followed on 77 who were enrolled the previous Friday. All enrolments should be made by tomorrow. Wellington Wool Appraisal. Gross proceeds for wool valued at the second Wellington appraisal, which commenced on January 9, totalled £649,236, making a total for the two appraisals of the 1941-42 season of £1,052.247. The average price a pound was 12.528 d„ compared with 12.703 d. at the first appraisal, and the average price per bale was over £l9. The February appraisal has been cancelled, and the next fixture is scheduled for March 4.

Army Motor Car Wrecked. As the result of a back wheel suddenly coming adrift, an Army car containing four men including three commissioned officers, was wrecked on the Hutt Road yesterday about a mile south of the Petone railway crossing. All the occupants were injured. They were: Captain G. H. Weir, extensive head injuries. Captain D. Eckhoff, head injuries, not considered serious. Lieutenant K. R. Reed, head injuries and fractured thigh. Staff-Sergeant N. Hogg, lacerated head injuries and injured ankle. It is stated that when the back wheel came adrift the car swerved violently, and despite the efforts of the driver to control it, struck a bank and subsequently a telegraph pole.