LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Record Weight Shark. A world’s record mako shark, weighing 1000 pounds, was landed at Mayor Island on Sunday by Leading Aircraftman D. Ross, Hamilton. A swordfish was being played at the time, and the mako charged and bit the tail off the fish. Another bait was immediately thrown over, and the mako took it. The shark was brought to Tauranga and weighed in the presence of officials of the Big Game Fishing Club and a large crowd. Apples Sixpence Per Case Cheaper. In accordance with official orders the price of all apples was lowered by 6d a case yesterday morning. Up to the end of last week the range of prices was from 6s 6d to 9s 6d, Cox’s Orange supplies are \just about finishing off, and Gravensteins are done. The apples now coming forward in quantity are Jonathans, Granny Smiths, Delicious, and they will be followed a little later by Stunners. Centennial Memorials. Two of the four centennial memorial meeting houses of the Arawas will be officially opened by the GovernorGeneral, Sir Cyril Newall, on March 24. Subsequent ceremonies will include the opening of the Maori training school at Ohinemutu, by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr R. Semple. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, will participate. The memorial meeting houses are at Ohinemutu and Te Awahou. Glass on Roadways. Local carriers report numerous cases of broken bottles and glass being left on the roadways in the district. They stress the point that cut tires mean a waste of valuable rubber. They point out also that it is an offence to leave broken glass on the road. As a case in point a local garage proprietor found it necessary to stop a youth in Bannister Street this morning, as he had dropped several bottles which had smashed on the road while he was cycling. The jagged pieces of glass which might have cut tires were removed from the road. To Avoid Panic. Action to safeguard New Zealand theatre-goers against the consequences of panic through fire or. earthquake was considered at a conference of interested parties called by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, yesterday. It was decided that immediate measures should be taken to train theatre staffs and to educate the public in the avoidance of panic. A regulation is to be drafted immediately and made applicable in cities and centres throughout the country. The Minister said that he was concerned with one viewpoint only—the safety of the public. Private Hotel to Close. The problem of accommodation for the travelling public in Wellington is becoming more acute daily. Following on the closing of several hotels and other places of accommodation comes the announcement that the Orient Private Hotel opposite the tramway terminus in Oriental Bay is about to close down. All the guests are leaving this week and it is intended to sell the furniture shortly. Mr McDonald, the lessee, stated that, with the present troubles in securing staff, he and his wife could no longer carry on on existing lines (meaning “meals in” for all guests).

Building Repairs. Repairs and renovations are to be carried out to the Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., building in Perry Street, Masterton. The work involves the removal of a parapet, buttressing of walls, and interior renovations. Shortage of Teaching Staff. “The staffing is considerably below the ideal, in fact so much so that I was in Wellington last week hoping to arrange for an increase —without success,” observed the acting-principal, Mr F. J. Gair, at last night’s meeting of the Wairarapa College Board of Governors. New Coal Field. Preparations are being made for the development of Cook’s Lease, near Denniston, on which it is understood a seam of coal 30 feet in thickness has been discovered by boring operations. The property is owned by the Westport Coal Company, and the coal is reported to be of high class quality. Storekeeper Fined. C. Foster, storekeeper, Te Aroha West, was charged yesterday with having sold groceries at rates higher than those fixed by the Price Tribunal —one pound of rice for 6d instead of sjd, and essence of coffee at 2s 4d, instead of 2s Id. He was fined £lO and costs. Goat Cart on Show. An interesting exhibit in the show window of Messrs T. Wagg & Co., Ltd., Queen Street, Masterton, is an old goat cart. The cart, which is about four feet high, is like a miniature rickshaw and has quaint old wooden mudguards and long shafts. The cart was built in New Zealand. Sale of Produce. A sale of harvest produce was held at the Kuripuni Methodist Church, .Masterton, last night. There was a good attendance. The devotions were led by Mr F. H. Parker and the choir, under Mr Mannell, rendered four anthems during the evening. The sale of produce was held by Mr F. G. Rutter, assisted by Messrs H. Speight and J. D. Blundell. The sale realised £ll. Mesdames Carr and Blundell were in charge of the cake stall. Forgery Charge. In the Magistrates’ Court, Dunedin, yesterday, Claude Alexander Buchanan, formerly a clerk at the Kensington drill hall, was charged with having forged a receipt signature on an acquittance roll and having obtained £4 10s by appending fictitious signatures to acquittance rolls. After evidence had been heard accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. Bail was allowed on his own recognisance of* £ 100 and one surety of a like amount, Hostel for Women. The first hostel block, with accommodation for 360 girls, has just been completed at Woburn, with the exception of minor adjustments. Built as a group of Government unit houses which, after they have served their wartime purpose will be stripped to the walls and refitted inside, this accommodation is for girls who, mostly strange to city life, are being drafted from provincial areas by the manpower office to fill urgent labour requirements in Hutt Valley essential industries. The first girls moved in last week, and already about 150 are in residence,