LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Donation to R.S.A. Building Fund. Subject to validating legislation being passed the Auckland Savings Bank has announced its desire to donate £lOOO to tlje Auckland R.S.A. new building fund. New Ration Books.

New ration books covering a further 12-months period are to be issued as from October 11.' Current coupons do not expire till November 1, and a statement will be made before then concerning the availability of the new issue. Manufacturing Industries.

“Manufacturing industries in New Zealand are increasing by three a week and when further developed will provide employment for servicemen and women, and 20,000 boys and girls leaving school every year,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, addressing workers in an Auckland factory yesterday. Sunday Concerts.

Sunday night concerts in a big city theatre for the entertainment of the Allied troops in Auckland should assist in overcoming complaints of lack of amenities for men and women on weekend leave, states a Press Association telegram. The Army is Organising the concerts. Members of the New Zealand and Allied forces will be admitted free of charge.

Cheque for V.C. Winner, Residents of Pahiatua and district resolved some time ago to show some tangible appreciation of the award of the Victoria Cross to Lieutenant Keith Elliott for conspicuous gallantry at El Alamein. Collectors canvassed the district and on Wednesday a very substantial cheque was forwarded to Mr Elliott at his farm at Mangamaire with a letter conveying the appreciation of the people of the district and expressing best wishes for his future career.

Price of Prunes Fixed. The Price Tribunal announced yesterday that prunes were now being dealt with as a commodity stabilised at the price level ruling on December 15, 1942. Arrangements had been completed for the release through wholesale and retail channels of parcels of Californian prunes at prices which would represent a reduction of approximately lid per lb. The new prices have been made the subject of a price order issued yesterday, and retail prices range from Is 3d’a lb to lid a lb, according to the size of mesh, while wholesale prices range from 95s a cwt to 68s 2d a cwt, according to the size of mesh.

Vegetable Prices. With lettuce selling as low as 2s 6d a case and spring cabbage at Is 6d a case; it seemed that the spring glut of green vegetables was setting in at the Wellington markets yesterday. Those prices, however, were not for the best lines offering, for the lettuce ranged up to 6s 6d a case during the morning for fresher and “heartier” lines. Cauliflowers also were plentiful, and there again quality made the price, the range being from 6s to 16s a case. Good swedes were to be had for as low as 3s a sack, and carrots for 5s a sack. On the other hand fresh spinach was in lively demand at from 5s to 8s a case, according to the degree of freshness. Another line in demand was spring onions, which sold freely at 5s la bunch. Leeks were offering at a low figure.

Satisfactory Financial Position. "The financial status of the Wairarapa Bowling Centre is most satisfactory,” states the president of the Wairarapa Bowling Centre. Mr G. Hayne, in his annual report, “and this is largely due to the success of the New Year tournament. I feel sure in saying that the way this tournament was run was a credit to the centre, and in this connection our secretary, Mr Harold Smith, deserves our praise.” Roofing Iron Prices. At recent auction sales second-hand 'roofing iron had realised prices much in excess of its true value, stated the Price Tribunal in a statement issued yesterday. Accordingly, it had become necessary to control the position by means of a price order. This order fixed the maximum prices which may hereafter be charged in any circumstances as follows: —For sft. lengths, 4s; for 6ft. lengths, 4s 9d; for • 7ft. lengths, 5s 9d; for Bft. lengths, 6s 6d; for 9ft. lengths, 7s 6d; for 10ft. lengths, 8s 6d. Rural Reticulation. "There is daylight ahead,” observed the chairman of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board, Mr A. C. Pearce, referring yesterday to the proposed extension of rural reticulation. Mr Pearce said that at the Power Boards’ conference at Napier recently it was indicated that the Government and the city boards were prepared to assist, in the cost of rural reticulation. Mr F. C. Daniell said the country had to carry an increased population and rural reticulation would mean closer settlement. Social and Dance. There was a large attendance at the Epiphany Hall, Kuripuni, last night when a social and dance was held. A bright and varied programme was presented by the pupils of Miss Beulah Hirst and a dance followed for which the music was supplied by Miss Jean Jackson. Miss I. Sargisson, Pahiatua, played an extra. Mr F. Hallam was M.C. and supper was served by the Ladies’ Guild members. The programme was: “Rose-a-day,” soloist, Joan McLaren; recitation, Margaret McWhirter; "Three Little Sisters,” Elizabeth Keisenberg; “Lady Dainty," Janet Berney; operatic dance, Joan McLaren; tap duo, Beulah Hirst and Bruce McHattie; “Oh You Beautiful Doll,” Elizabeth Keisenberg and Joan McLaren; “Sleepy Lagoon,” peasant dance, Pat Bouzaid; junior tap, Carterton trio; recitation, Hilary McWhirter; sketches, Hilary and Margaret McWhirter; vocal solo, Miss Hirst; Miss Margaret McClymont played the accompaniments. The Civil Service. The remarks of Mrs M. M. Dreaver concerning civil servants were referred to by the Minister of Works, the Hon R. Semple, in an address at Northcote. “It was never Mrs Dreaver’s intention to indict the civil servants,” said Mr Semple. “There are some people in all walks of life who do not know how to play the game. It is that kind in the civil service Mrs Dreaver was hitting at. As Minister of Railways I had scores of complaints from people about some civil servants who did not play the game with the travelling public. Those servants were only a handful in the service. The same applied to the State Advances Department, where a few individuals in the service insulted people who wanted to make homes for themselves. It was those people and not the rank and file Mrs Dreaver was referring to. “The public servant had no civil rights when we took over,” added the Minister. “Today he can stand for Parliament, or stand on his head, if he likes, so long as he does his duty to the public.”