LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 March 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Women Court Clerks. Women have begun to appear in the Magistrates’ Court in Wellington as clerks of court conducting the proceedings. Probably women have never before done this kind of work in New Zealand, and a woman sitting below a magistrate, calling cases and administering oaths, is a sign of the extent to which the calls for Army service have depleted the number of men in civil occupations.

Anzac Day Observance. Anzac Day ceremonies will be curtailed in Wellington this year on the decision of the executive of the Wellington Returned Services Association, largely because many ex-servicemen are engaged in military duties. It is also considered unwise to encourage a large public gathering in present circumstances. The, ceremony will therefore be restricted to the laying of a wreath on the Cenotaph and the observance of two minutes’ silence.

Departure from Dominion. Mr K. Nakafuji, who was in charge of the Japanese consulate in New Zealand when Japan entered the' war early in December, is now in Sydney. This is in accordance with Mr Nakafuji’s own request, he having asked to be allowed to join his colleagues in Australia. The request was agreed to by the New Zealand Government in consultation with the Australian Government, and the necessary arrangements were made for his departure from New Zealand. Awards to New Zealand Airmen. Official advice has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington, that the following New Zealand air personnel serving overseas have received awards: Distinguished Flying Cross. —Flight Lieutenant Kenwyn Roland Sutton, R.A.F.; Acting Flight Lieutenant Alec Edward Berry, R.A.F. Distinguished Flying Medal. —Sergeant Bert Sam Wipiti, R.N.Z.A.F.; Pilot Officer (formerly Sergeant) Charles Benedict Wareham, R.N.Z.A.F. Medal of the British Empire (Military Division). — Sergeant James Irvine, R.N.Z.A.F. Patriotic Fund Efforts.

The Women’s Patriotic Committee yesterday had a very successful first day at the shelter by the Midland Hotel. The takings amounted to approximately £4B. Fowls, butter, eggs, cream and vegetables were brought and sold and the ladies’ committee felt that the effort had been well worth while. Today the shelter was in charge of the ladies of St. John’s Ambulance and tomorrow it will be in charge of the League of Mothers. The winning ticket for the dinner basket at the air raid shelter yesterday was No. 566. This was held by Miss Sutherland, c/o Gena Saloon, Queen Street.

M.L.C. Appeals for Son. The opinion that the appellant was not setting the right example by keeping his son back if he could arrange to release him for military duties was expressed by Mr A. Hayward, of the Hamilton Manpower Committee, when the Hon J. E. Duncan, M.L.C.. Wharepuhunga, appealed for exemption for his son. It was submitted on behalf of appellant that the son was managing a farm of 833 acres which carried 45 dairy cows, 60 run cattle, 950 sheep and 700 lambs. It was stated that a boy previously employed had left. Mr Hayward said he was not satisfied. With married men with families being called up he did not think adjournments of single men’s appeals should be granted. Appellant should make some arrangement to release his son. A temporary adjournment was made.