LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tunnel Road Project. A conference of public bodies to consider urging on the Government the construction of a tunnel road from Christchurch to Lyttelton will shortly be held. Approval for the calling of the conference was given by the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, which had before it a report from its tunnel road committee on the Lyttelton Borough Council’s suggestion that the project be included among rehabilitation works. The railway tunnel is a mile and a half long. Maori Sentenced. A Maori farmer, Koni Thompson, who was found guilty of discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate, was sentenced yesterday in the Supreme Court, Auckland, to one month's imprisonment. The judge said the jury had acquitted the prisoner on the graver charge of attempting murder, but the use of firearms in a quarrel, was always a grave offence. Givingfull effect to the jury’s rider that the prisoner had acted under extreme provocation and to his good character, the least sentence he could impose was a short term in prison. Air Training Corps. The weekly routine orders for No. 21 Squadron, Air Training Corps, Masterton, state inter alia: Parades: A and B flights, Monday, May 17, and Thursday, May 20, at 6.50 p.m. at Wairarapa College, Masterton. Syllabus: Monday, A flight, mathematics and navigation; B flight, mathematics & science. Thursday: A & B flights, drill, signals & P.T. Cadet W. O. Stevens has been enrolled. The following cadets have been discharged: F.Sgt. A. L. Tauwhare, Cadets D. M. Parsons, J. R. G. Madden—to R.N.Z.A.F. Cadets D. L. Ward and L. O. Jones are promoted to the rank of corporal. Charges Against Crawford. John Sidney Crawford, seaman, aged 26, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting dead two United States marines, is not expected to be tried on the other charges on which he was indicted. In the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, the Crown Prosecutor, Mr W. H. Cunningham, obtained an adjournment of the case till May 24, saying he expected that he would then apply for a stay of proceedings. The charges remaining against Crawford are those of attempting to murder Hazel Josephine Salmon, attempting to murder Constable William Illes and firing at the constable with intent to do him grievous bodily harm (a count alternative to the count of attempted murder in respect of the constable). Wagon Derailed. Through railway traffic on the main line between Aramoho and Marton was delayed for slightly more than three hours yesterday morning when a 35-ton double-bogie wagon loaded with frozen meat was derailed on the Okoia bank, a steep gradient a _ few miles south of Aramoho. The mishap occurred shortly after 7 a.m. to a mixed train which left Wanganui at 6.20 a.m, for Palmerston North. As a result a north-bound mixed train which connected at Marton Junction with the Limited express from Auckland was held at Fordell, passengers, luggage and mails being transhipped by road. They reached Wanganui at 9.10 a.m., about half an hour late. To avoid undue delay to travellers on the mixed train to Palmerston North a special ran south from Fordell after the passengers had been transhipped. No delay occurred to express trains. The derailed wagon was jacked back on to the track. t

National Savings. National Savings receipts at the Masterton Post Office yesterday amounted to £66, making the total to date for the week £459. Interhouse Dance. The Wairarapa Interhouse Association held a dance in the Masonic Hall, Masterton last night when there was a good attendance. The music was supplied by Mrs Ashton’s orchestra and the duties of M.C. were carried out by Messrs L. Askew and J. Bruce. A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Miss Bonbronski and Mr Densen. Supper was served by the Interhouse girls. Inquest in Masterton. An inquest was held in Masterton yesterday afternoon before the District Coroner, Mr L. J. Taylor, into the death of Harold John Griffin of Te Ore Ore. After evidence of identification had been' given by Mr K. A. Stewart, a neighbouring farmer, the inquest was adjourned sine die. The body of Mr Griffin was found at 9.45 a.m. yesterday with a gun shot wound in the forqhead. Fall from Bicycle. John Trevor Milne, aged 13 years, of 27 The Terrace, Lansdowne, was admitted to the Masterton Hospital at 2.45 p.m. yesterday with injuries which he received when he fell off his bicycle. The boy received abrasions to his face and forehead and a cut lip. He was lying on the road in an unconscious condition for a time before he was found. His condition _ this morning was reported to be satisfactory. Theft of Gold. Leo Edward Morland, Australian metallurgist, aged 42, was found guilty in the Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday on a charge that on or about October 29, 1940, at Arahura, near Hokitika, being the servant of the Arahura Gold Dredging, Ltd., he stole 36500 z of gold valued at £31,496, the property of the company. The jury retired at 11.47 a.m. and returned at 3.21 p.m. Mr Justice Northcroft remanded prisoner for sentence. The jury added the following rider: “The jury views with concern that state of affairs which existed at the Arahura dredge and which facilitated accused’s yielding to strong temptation, and considers more protective supervision was warranted.” Water Shortage. Though the Auckland City Council's reserves of water were reduced by a further 2,100,000 gallons in the 24 hours ended yesterday morning, leaving only 13,200,000 gallons in the Nihotapu dam and the service reservoirs, it was decided that rationing from stand-pipes could be deferred at least till today, when the position will be further considered. Taps were fitted to street stand-pipes all over Auckland city yesterday, and pipes in other parts of the supply area were also got ready. If they are brought into use householders will be able to draw .water themselves, but members of the E.P.S. will be detailed to keep an eye on the supply points in order to see the water is not wasted or drawn in excessive quantities. It is evident that unless heavy rain falls, the little water still stored in the Nihotapu dam will be exhausted before the weekend is over.