LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Clean Sheet. No cases of bankruptcy were recorded in Master ton last month. No bankruptcies have been filed so far this year. Notifiable Diseases. Only one notifiable infectious disease was recorded in Masterton last month. The case was one of diphtheria. Solemn High Mass. Solemn High Mass in requiem for service men of the United States who have given their lives for their country was offered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, on Sunday. The celebrant was Chaplain B. V. Schomer, U.S.N.R., and he was assisted by three other naval chaplains and two American service men. Infantile Paralysis Cases. The effects of paralysis contracted during the recent epidemic are less severe than in previous ones, according to Di- J. Leslie Will, stated a report to the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The report added that no positive cases had been admitted since April 16. Seventeen child patients were at present being treated. Of these, 10 or 12 would require protracted treatment. Home Guard Clothes. Approval has been given by the Army for the issue of working clothes to members of pioneer units in the Home Guard. The clothing to be issued will be the old service dress uniform or battledress z which is not up to the standard of that approved for individual issue. Because of the shortage of denim cloth, denims will not be issued except where suitable service dress or battledress is not available.

Hotel Destroyed by Fire.

The Commercial Hotel at Westport, owned by Mrs A. McManus and leased by Mr William Arthur Bamford, has been totalled destroyed by fire. Mr Bamford had only been in the hotel three weeks. There were six occupants at the time of the fire, including the licensee and his sister. Insurances were: Building, £1000; furnishing, £350, and stock £450, with, it is understood, further insurance which has not yet been ascertained. Electric Power Shortage.

The president of the Power Boards Supply Authorities’ Association, Mr J. A. Nash, stated at Palmerston North yesterday that a recent conference of the association held at Palmerston North considered the present shortage of electric power and how and when future requirements would be provided for, and it was agreed that a committee consisting of Messrs W. A. Waters (Palmerston North), Hutton (Wellington), Wylie (Napier) and G. Brown (Wairarapa) prepare a report. He hoped similar committees would be set up in Hamilton and Christchurch. These committees would prepare a joint report to the executive for presentation to the annual conference of the association at Napier in August.

Vital Statistics. The following are the vital statistics recorded at the Masterton Courthouse last month, the figures for May, 1942, being given in parentheses: — Births 21 (18), deaths 14 (11), marriages 10 (6). Drivers’ Licences. The Masterton Borough Council issued '34 drivers’ licences last month, bringing the total number issued to date for the licensing year to 2150. The Masterton County Council issued 5 permits, making 1114 licences issued to date. Overseas Parcels Dance. The Maori Interhouse girls’ team will hold a dance in the Masonic Hall, Masterton, tomorrow, night. The proceeds will be used to send parcels to Maori soldiers from Masterton in the Eighth Army. There will be a full Maori orchestra, and supper will be served. Building Permits.

The Masterton Borough Council issued five building permits for £1635 last month. In May, 1942, no permits were issued on account of building restrictions. The Masterton County Council issued eight-permits last month, for a value of £1,230. Football Boots Wanted.

The response made so far by Masterton and district residents to an appeal for football boots for the use of a military unit has been most disappointing. A further appeal is made, in the hope that the boots desired will be forthcoming, as it is not possible to purchase them at present. Boots may be left with the Town Clerk, Mi’ G. T. O’Hara Smith. Gospel Hall Address.

Mr H. C. Hewlett will give an address in the Ruhamah Gospel Hall tonight at 7.30 o’clock, and will give further addresses on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The subject tonight will be “The Transfiguration of Christ,” and on Wednesday, “A Parting Without a Tear.” On Thursday night Mr Hewlett will take “The Honour of Our Priesthood” as his subject. Mr Hewlett is a fluerit speaker, and created a most favourable impression at Sunday night’s service.

Initiative in Pacific.

“We have the initiative, and we shall push from here, and we shall push from New Guinea, and we shall push the sons-of-guns back home if we can,” said Rear-Admiral Theodore Stark Wilkinson, deputy-commander to Admiral Halsey in the South Pacific, when dealing with plans in the area at an interview in Wellington last night. “The relations between the South Pacific and SouthWest Pacific Commands are being closely co-ordinated. They are cordial and co-operative. They are so closely linked that they must be.” The successful United States action in the Aleutians would, in his opinion, distract the Japanese in these areas, and might cause a withdrawal of some forces to strengthen their defences in that direction. “It will not distract our offensive down here, I assure you,” he added.