LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Adventurous Career. The production of Vincent Wallace’s opera, “Maritana,” by the Wellington Choral Union in the Town Hall on July 4 recalls the earliest days of Wellington where some of it was composed in Barrett’s Hotel over a century ago. The composer, who was born in Ireland, had an adventurous time in New Zealand at the time British sovereignty was established before spending some years in Tasmania, where ‘’Scenes That Are Brightest” was composed. Dua! Nationality. People in New Zealand who have “dual nationality” will not in future be able to renounce their British nationality by making in New Zealand a declaration of alienage, according to the Alienage, Emergency Regulations gazetted last night. For' instance, a person whose father may be a citizen of a foreign country but who was born in New Zealand would be unable to renounce British citizenship in favour of citizenship of the country of which his father is a native. Gift Parcels for Britain. “Gift parcels for civilians in the United Kingdom must not be sent too frequently, otherwise they will be comfiscated in Great Britain,” said the Postmaster-General, Mr Webb, yesterday. He explained that . apparently some senders in the Dominion were ignoring this advice, because the British Post Office had found it necessary to emphasise that gift parcels sent more than once a calendar month were liable to be seized. To avoid disappointment to the addressees as well as to themselves, persons in New Zealand posting such parcels are strongly advised to heed these instructions. Must be Stamped Out. “We mus: s-amp ou: this dreadful disease,” said the magistrate, Mr J. H. Luxford, during the hearing of a vagrancy charge brought in the Auckland S.M. Court yesterday against a woman, aged 34, who pleaded not guilty. Accused admitted two instances of associating with men, and said she was unaware that she was suffering from a certain disease, notwithstanding that the police had earlier produced a doctor’s certificate to that effect. The magistrate said thirteen similar charges had come before tfie Court recently. The ravages of this disease had so increased that extraordinary powers of examination should be given the police to help stamp it out. Accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

Woman Injured. As a result of slipping on frost-cov-ered bricks, Miss Hilda Short, of Kibblewhite Road, suffered injuries which necessitated, her removal to hospital. Her condition this morning was reported to be comfortable. Soldiers Injured, A collision between two army trucks on Thursday evening resulted in injuries to six Auckland territorials, who were taken to Whangarei Hospital. They were George Rodgers, aged 20; John Williamson, aged 20; Roy Lacassie, aged 20; Purdie Williamson, aged 28; Jack Simpson, aged 20; and John Tuki, aged 20. Their condition was reported to be satisfactory yesterday. Odd Fellows' Dance. The Masonic Hall was thronged with dancers last night, when a dance was held by the Masterton Odd Fellows’ Lodge. Bro. B. Seddon ably carried out his duties of M.C. and Barnes’s Orchestra played the dance music. .Extras were contributed by Miss Hopkins. The winners of the Monte Carlo waltz competition were Miss Davidson (Carterton) and Private O’Reilly. Sisters Brader, Rickard and Prout were responsiole for the supper arrangements. Concert Tour Cancelled. Because of unforeseen circumstances, Mr Peter Dawson, the Australian bass-baritone, will be unable to undertake the tour he announced of secondary towns of New Zealand, as planned by the National Patriotic Fund Board to raise patriotic funds. On Mr Dawson’s recent visit, arranged by the National Broadcasting Service, the patriotic funds benefited by approximately £2OOO from recitals in the four main centres.