LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Railway Crossing Fatality. A man killed on the Mangere railway crossing on Wednesday evening has been identified as William Henry Winstone, aged 86, a widower who lived in Ferguson Avenue, Sandringham, Auckland. Wartime Price Index. It is notified in last night’s Gazette that the wartime price index as at March 15 was 1011. This figure represents an increase of 1.1 per cent in the general level of prices of commodities, etc., included in the wartime price index since December 15, 1942, when the base was 1000.

Military Defaulters. The Government Service (Defaulters) Emergency Regulations published last night give appointing authorities in the Government services the right to dismiss employees who have been convicted as military defaulters, and persons dismissed shall have no right of appeal.

Infantile Paralysis. With the notification of three more positive cases there are now 11 cases of infantile paralysis in the Dunedin Hospital. The Minister of Health stated on Wednesday that according to present circumstances it would be possible to reopen the Otago schools after the holidays. A definite decision would be made in a few days.

Price of Honey.

An amendment to the Honey (194243) Emergency Regulations published last night provides that the price to be paid by the Marketing Department for honey to which 100 grading points has been allotted shall be 7d a pound, and that honey graded below 100 points shall be paid for at the proportion of 7d that the grading bears to 100. Ungraded honey is to be paid for on the same basis, the department determining its value.

Appeal Dismissed. An appeal by P. McKillop against a decision of the Lower Hutt district manpower officer directing Exide Batteries, Ltd., to deduct 10s 4d from his wages for absenteeism has been dismissed by the Manpower Appeal Committee. The manpower officer said the man had lost two days in the previous seven months and had been warned on each occasion. Otherwise, his file showed no serious absenteeism. His information was that McKillop was told he could not have the day off, but nevertheless took it. Diamond Jubilee. This year marks the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the establishment of the New Zealand Educational Institute, the annual conference of which is to be held in Christchurch next Tuesday morning. The opening, which the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, will attend, will take place- in the Training College Hall. The Minister of Education, Mr Mason, the Director of the Education Department, Dr Beeby, the mayor of Christchurch, and Mr J. Wilkinson, Rangiora, will also be present. Mr Wilkinson is the sole survivor of the founders of the institute. The president, Mr D. Forsyth, Dunedin, will preside. It is fitting that the conference should take place in Christchurch, the birthplace of the organisation. On January 3, 1883, 18 representatives of the various teachers’ organisations met there and started the N.Z.E.I.

Sunday Pictures. Pictures will be shown in Masterton every Sunday night. The first showing will be at the Regent Theatre on Sunday next, to be followed by a programme at the State Theatre on the following Sunday night. This means that pictures will be shown at only ope theatre each Sunday night. Service men only will be admitted, but they have the right to admit two civilian friends. No seats will be reserved, and the usual prices of admission will be charged. Pictures on Sunday are being shown at the request of the local civic authorities.

Ammunition for Duck Shooting.

Referring to a report in the “TimesAge” that the Farmers’ Union had objected to the release of ammunition for duck shooting when farmers could not get it to shoot rabbits. Mr S. D. Geary said at last night’s meeting of the North Wairarapa branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society that the shooters were entitled to the 25 rounds which some of the lucky members received. “At 9s a box no farmer would use shot guns to shoot rabbits,’-’ said Mr F. B. Pickering (chairman). “They can get any amount of pea rifle ammunition,” said Mr F. C. Brockett. Minister Supported.

Support of the Wairoa Gun Club’s action in backing up the Minister of Internal Affairs in making all duck shooters take out a licence before they could purchase ammunition was given at last night’s meeting of the North Wairarapa branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation' Society. Mr S. D. Geary said that the ducks were the birthright of the people of New Zealand and whether people owned the land or not all had an equal right to shoot them. The chairman, Mr F. B. Pickering, said that the right of a landowner to shoot on his property was sound but it was too often abused. Cricketers’ Gathering. There was a large and representative gathering in the Savage Club Rooms, Masterton, last night, when the Wairarapa Cricket Association held its annual presentation of trophies. Mr E. Sortain Smith presided and presented trophies as follow:—Senior championship cup: Red Star Club (won for the fourth year in succession); Bidwill Cup, Old Boys Club; F. Hoar Memorial Cup. I. Welch: D. K. Logan Memorial Cup, F. Hoar and D. McMichael. A toast list was honoured and several speakers referred to the splendid spirit of sportsmanship which had marked this year’s competition. Reference was also made to the need of encouraging the young players to keep the game flourishing. Two Sides of Story.

The alleged depredations of the shag were referred to at last night’s meeting of the North Wairarapa branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. Mr F. B. Pickering, chairman, said the shag was fishing the rivers all the time. Mr H. W. Dale (secretary) said that the stomach contents of shags had averaged two to three trout. Mr F. C. Brockett said that' he was a voice in the wilderness when he said that he considered that the damage done by the shag was overrated. Starting from scratch New Zealand rivers had been stocked until they provided the best fishing in the world. He could not see how the shag could undo that. Admittedly they ate fish but not so many as the fishermen. The trouble was that their rivers were overfished. Mr Pickering said that deforestation and the shifting nature of the river beds were contributory causes.