LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 March 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Level Crossing Accident. A woman passenger and a child were flung from a car on to the road when a trailer which the car was towing was struck by the New Plymouth-Welling-ton express at a level crossing near the Paremata railway station on Saturday afternoon. Neither of them was injured, but the driver of the car, Mr Barnao, and another child, suffered from shock. The car was not damaged. Girl Missing. Fears are entertained for the safety of a 16-year-old girl, Alice Garna James, who has been missing since she set out to cycle from her home in Taradale to Hastings, 10 miles distant, at 10 o’clock on Friday morning. Miss James, who intended shopping in Hastings, was not seen after she left her home in Harvey Road, Taradale. Police investigation during the weekend failed to locate her.

Hiding Behind Jobs. When a recommendation was received from the Hastings sub-union that all players refusing to wear the King’s uniform should be debarred from Rugby grounds for the duration of the war the president, Mr L. E. Harris, at the annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, expressed the opinion that there were any amount of people worse than conscientious objectors hiding behind their jobs as an excuse for not going into uniform. The recommendation was rejected.

Absenteeism in Industry, Referring to unreasonable absenteeism in industry, the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, said at Westport yesterday the Government would bring down legislation making this a serious offence. Offenders would probably be removed from industry and placed in the armed forces. Mr Webb also deplored the obstruction of production either by employers or workers, and said legislation was being considered to deal with such obstructionists. He concluded with an appeal to the people to get behind those on the industrial and fighting fronts. Coal Miners Wanted.

In an interview at Westport yesterday, the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, said that, though coal production this year was a record, the demand also was a record. Three hundred miners, truckers and shiftmen were required to fill vacancies and the question of taking miners back from the army was being considered. Failing sufficient miners being available in the armed forces, the-question of sending inexperienced men to the mines would be considered. Mr Webb appealed to all those desirous of helping to register for employment, mainly as truckers. Soldiers Entertained.

The weekly Sunday evening free tea to men of the services was conducted at the Y.M.C.A. rooms yesterday when ladies of Knox Women’s Social Guild provided a sumptuous repast which was enjoyed by a large number of men. Mr E. M. Hodder, president of the local Y.M.C.A.. welcomed the men on behalf of the association and referred to the presence of representations of the Ait Force and Flight Sergeant Avery and Cadet Ellis, recruiting officers for the Air Training Corps. In introducing the hostesses of the evening, he called upon Mrs G. W. Morice, their president, who briefly spoke of the pleasure' it gave them to be able to enter tain the men. After lea, the Misses McGovern (2) and Grant- favoured the company with a duet and recitation respectively. The accompaniments were played by Misses Grigg and McGovern, who also .assisted in a happy community sing. Sergeant Smith expressed thanks on behalf of the men to all who had contributed to the success of the function. This was amply emphasised with a hearty round of applause. A period of devotion was observed, followed by the Lord’s Prayer recited in unison.

Concert at Memorial Park. Another excellent entertainment was provided by Mrs E. J. Rich’s concert party at Memorial Park on Saturday night. The accompanistes were Mesdames Barnes and Dallas. The performers were entertained at a dance at the conclusion of the programme.

Longer Hours. “The outside gangs and the engineers of the Public Works Department are working a 54-hour week on the defence construction programme, and the office staff has to work longer to keep pace with them,” said the Public Service Commissioner, Mr J. H. Boyes, in reply to an inquiry last night concerning the extra hours to be worked by that department. As from today, the inside staff of the department is to observe a 48-hour week, instead of one of 40 hours as hitherto.

Body Found on Railway Line. The mutilated body of a woman was found beside the railway line at Tironui, near Papakura, at about 9.30 on Thursday morning by the driver of a north-bound train. She was Mrs Jessie Farrell, aged 32, who had been staying with friends at Tironui. About 150 yards north of the Tironui station the driver saw something lying near the line and pulled up to investigate. Mrs Farrell had apparently been struck by an earlier train. She is believed to have been a native of Queensland, Australia, having come to New Zealand two or three years ago. As far as is known she had no relatives in New Zealand. Returned From Overseas. A draft of 10 soldiers has returned to New Zealand from overseas service because of sickness, but none of the men are seriously ill. The draft, in charge of Captain J. M. J. Hartwell, Waitotara, comprised Temporary-Ser-geant R. E. Stanley, Petone; Tpr. J. L. Morrison, Dannevirke; Privates J. C. Bolger, Kaponga; A. T. Braid, Long Gully; L. M. Fisher, Opotiki; A. T. Hornell, Christchurch; E. Johnson, Hapuka, Southland; D. J. B. Knowles, Upper Aramoho; W. J. Shaw, Christchurch; and H. V. Wall, Kawakawa. Private J. D. Forrest, Ngaruawahia, who accompanied the draft, is on leave. Car Plunges Into Stream. Three men were injured when the motor-truck in which they were travelling left the roadway, crashed through the railings of a bridge approach and plunged nose-first into a stream 20ft. below on the Waimarama Road, six miles from Havelock North, at 10 o’clock on Saturday night. They were:—John Hart, aged 73, Waimarama, condition serious. Charles Hart, aged 31, Waimarama, a married son of Mr John Hart, condition not serious. Taki Winitana, aged 25, Waimarama, married, minor injuries. All three men were taken to the Memorial Hospital, and Winitana was discharged after treatment.

War Production Director. The appointment of Mr G. H. Jackson, general manager of the Ford Motor Co. of N.Z., Ltd., as Director of Production was announced last evening by the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr Sullivan. He said that the War Cabinet had approved of Mr. Jackson being appointed to this position, which was necessary for the effective co-ordination of the manufacture and supply of munitions. The War Supply Council, which had given much time and effort in its endeavours properly to organise the supply of munitions would continue to function, and to ensure the proper execution of its decisions. Mr Jackson would, in addition to his duties as a member of the council, act as its executive officer.

Wise in the ways of coughs and colds, Wise to each phase as each unfolds, Wise in resolve to risk no chance, Wise with provision in advance. Wise in the ways of croup and “flu,” Wise for others who trust to you, Wise with the best to ease assure—-"First-Aid Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure."