LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

State Mine Idle. The Liverpool State mine was idle on Saturday because an insufficient number of miners attended. Infant’s Death.

An infant who had inhaled a peanut shell into a lung died in an ambulance while being transferred from the Whangarei Hospital to Auckland for specialist treatment.

Explosion of Gas. Exploding gas provided a spectacular touch to a fire at Christchurch on Saturday which gutted the interior of the Mayfair Theatre, operated by Amalgamated Theatres. Flames shot out into the street, and a fireman and a passerby were blown off their feet. The fire started behind the stage, near the furnace used to heat the building. By the time the brigade arrived the outbreak had taken a solid hold and despite the efforts of the firemen it gained the upper hand. The explosion occurred just as firemen were running leads into the building. So fierce was the heat of the blast that the crowd recoiled in alarm. With the pressure of gas relieved, however, the fire became confined to the stage and auditorium. It was brought under control after an hour’s fight. General Election Candidates.

If all the persons who have so far announced their intention of contesting the general election on September 25 go to the poll, the number, 292, will probably constitute a record. In 1935, when there were three main parties, there were 265 candidates, and in 1938, with two main parties, there were 176. It is likely that the total for’ 1943 will be greatci’ by the time nominations close. Candidates for the coming elections have been announced as follows: Labour 74, National 76, Democratic Labour 49, Independent Group (People’s Movement) 26, Independents 36, Real Democracy Movement 17, Fighting Forces League 4, Independent National 3, Peace 2, Independent Labour 2, Savage Labour 1, Industrial, Commercial and Agricultural Political Association 1, Conservative 1. Morality and Social Conduct.

“Prostitution has become established under specially dangerous conditions. Drinking is excessive, with gross exploitation of service men. Exploitation of the housing shortage has become intolerable. There is immediate need for positive action by the civic authorities in the provision of more facilities for wholesome recreation.” These statements are made in a report to be submitted to a public meeting in Wellington tomorrow afternoon by the Wellington Citizens’ Committee on questions of morality and social conduct. The committee states that it has given full weight to the fact that between 6000 and 8000, and sometimes over 10,000 New Zealand and United States service men, service women, seamen of the fighting and mercantile navies, defence construction workers, and others with no home or permanent interests in the city have flooded into Wellington nightly. While taking as tolerant a view as is compatible with broadminded citizenship, it states that ■Wellington had undergone a dangerous deterioration of decent social conduct.

Chimney Fire. The Masterton Fire Brigade received a call at 4.54 p.m. yesterday to a chimney fire at 14 Herbert Street. Accident at Aircraft Factory. When he was struck by an aeroplane propeller at an aircraft factory on Saturday morning, W. L. Jackson, Lyall Bay, had his right hand severed and received severe lacerated wounds to his chest and face. Mr Jackson is a New Zealand soldier who returned from the Middle East recently on furlough. I Body Discovered in Sea. The body of Mr Gordon Roberts, building contractor, aged 42, was discovered in the sea off Moa Point, Lyall Bay, on Friday by a fisherman. Mr Roberts had been missing since 4 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, when j he was seen shovelling shingle into a 1 lorry near the beach. Seeing the lorry still there on Friday the fisherman investigated. Spring Blossoms. The profusion of white blossoms which cover’ the plum trees planted by the Masterton Beautifying Society in Miriam and Archer streets make a sight well worth seeing. The residents in the locality appreciate the trees, as in addition to providing blossom in the spring the foliage affords shade in the summer and the trees bear excellent fruit. In the autumn, the changing colour of the leaves brightens up the street. The trees which were planted many years ago are now well established. St. John Ambulance Dance. There was a large and happy gathering at the Masonic Hall, Masterton, on Saturday night when the Cadet Division of the St. John Ambulance held a most successful dance. The music was supplied by Mr J. Barnes’s orchestra and the duties of M.C. weer carried out by Mr K. Dean. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss N. Cooper and Mr W. Lambess and a Lucky Spot dance was won by Miss Hounslow and partner. An extra was played by Mr Stewart. An excellent supper was served by the committee. Egg Prices Down. The egg release for the Wellington district this week will be 40 per cent of normal consumption, twice the release of last week, according to information from the Internal Marketing Division on Saturday. Higher production has made this possible and it is expected that as the season advances the ration may be made still .more liberal. A decrease in the wholesale price of eggs is effective from today, by arrangement between the Wellington Egg Marketing Committee and the Internal Marketing Division, working in conjunction with the Price Tribunal. The new prices, with the previous prices shown in parentheses, are as follows:— Heavy, Is IOJd (2s lid); standard, Is B|d (Is 11 |d); medium, Is 7£d (Is 9£d); pullet, Is 3>d (Is 6Ad); large duck, Is BJd (Is Hid); small duck, Is 7-|d (Is 9j-d). Authorised receiving depots will pay Is 6d a dozen for ungraded eggs.