LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 September 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Akatarawa Road Blocked. The Akatarawa Road is blocked about halfway in from the main road and will not be open for traffic until some time this week. Theft of Petrol. The petrol thief is again operating in Masterton, and two or three motor cars, the owners of which were attending the Wairarapa College dance on Saturday night, had the petrol syphoned from their tanks. Waste Paper Collection. As from Wednesday, the waste paper depot in Masterton will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. During these hours Mr B. Braggins will be in attendance to receive waste paper. Y.M.C.A. Dance. Songs were given by Misses M. Fulton and. Tauwhare at the Y.M.C.A. dance held in Masterton on Saturday night, the accompaniments being played by Miss M. Iveson. Mr E. J. Esler was M.C., and the music was supplied by Barnes’s Orchestra. The dance was largely attended. Soldiers Entertained. Thirty soldiers were entertained in homes yesterday by Masterton residents by arrangement with the local Y.M.C.A. The soldiers were appreciative of the citizens’ action. The hostess evenings, held in the Y.M.C.A. during the week, continue to be well patronised. Street Accident. A membei’ of the New Zealand Air Force named Bruce James Rowe, about 21 years of age, received injuries yesterday in a street accident, which necessitated his removal to . the Masterton Hospital for observation . A collision occurred at the Post Office corner at about 1 p.m. between a motorcycle he was riding and a car driven by Dr. J. Rich. His condition this morning was reported to be quite satisfactory. It is not. believed that his injuries are of a serious nature.

Smoking and Morale. One reason for the importance of maintaining the production of tobacco was that “in wartime, smoking . kept up the morale of the people,” said the managing-director of a tobacco company, who was appealed for in Christchurch on the ground of public interest. Since the Battle of Britain, he added, the sale of tobacco in England had increased considerably. Mr J. S. Barnett (chairman of the appeal board): “I would like a doctor’s ruling on that.” x

Home Guard Duties. After a conference with Brigadier Rowlings, Southern District Cqm•mandant, and other officers, regarding Home Guard conditions, the Ashburton County Council decided on Saturday to suggest to the Minister of Defence that members of the Home Guard of more than 50 years of age-should be relieved of weekly Guard duties, so that the time could be devoted to primary production. It was decided to emphasise that other workers were exempt from Home Guard duties, and the council felt that farm workers were entitled to at least equal consideration, as no man could be expected to last long on a seven-day week. Other industries, mostly on a 40-hour week, had a day of rest; the farm workers had none.