LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 September 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Large Sunspot.

A large sunspot which disappeared round the sun’s western limb about September 13, but was not reported, reappeared round the eastern limb yesterday morning. It will be favourably placed for observation during the weekend. Non-Ladder Stockings. A representative of a hosiery firm stated during the hearing of an armed forces appeal case in Christchurch that it was possible to make women’s stockings that would not ladder, but that they would be twice as coarse as those produced at present. Women, he said, demanded that their stockings should be as fine as possible. First to Reach Quota. In connection with Southland’s claim that it was probably the first to complete the patriotic quota for the year, ; the Nelson Provincial Council points out that Nelson completed its quota on June 16. Acknowledging the final payment the National Patriotic Fund Board had referred to the fact that Nelson was the first provincial district to complete its levy. Attempted Murder Charge. On discharge from hospital at Auckland yesterday morning, Norman Leslie Huia Kelly, storeman, 45, was brought before Mr Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court today, charged with attempting to murder Katherine Agnes Kelly on September 7. Remanding Kelly till October 4, the magistrate said he would recommend that facilities be given to allow the accused to be examined by a psychiatrist. New Block of Buildings. Another large Government departmental block is being constructed at the rear of Parliamentary Buildings, on the corner of what was Museum Street (before that thoroughfare was closed) and Sydney Street, immediately to the north of the “Bowen Street Lake” (the site of N.Z. Broadcasting House). This building will have a frontage to the west (Museum Street) of 125 ft., and one of 85ft. to Sydney Street. The structure will practically cover the entire block to a height of two stories. Unusual Situation. A situation with only one previous parallel in New Zealand s constitutional history has been created by the defeat in Napier of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Barnard, who has held that office since the Labour Party was first returned with a majority in 1935. The solitary precedent was provided in 1922, when Sir Frederic Lang was beaten in Manukau —later Renamed Onehunga—by the Labour candidate, Mr W. J. Jordan. New Zealand’s Parliaments have had 11 Speakers, and Sir Frederic Lang and Mr Barnard are the only two who have lost their office through personal defeat at the polls. First of Kind in Dominion.

Believed to be the first of its kind so far established in New Zealand, a hostel for the use of service women on leave in Auckland was blessed by Bishop Liston, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, and officially declared open by the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum, at a ceremony on Saturday. The hostel has been sponsored by the Catholic Services Club, and been built with funds provided by -the club. It has accommodation for 32 service women who will be under the charge of military orderlies during their stay. The canteen and lounge will be made use of also by members of the Catholic Youth Movement, which has an office on the second floor of the building.

Boy Drowned. Raymond Keenan, nine, was found drowned in a sheep din on a farm near Milton on Sunday. He had been playing with other children who went to another place, and when his brothers returned home without him a search resulted in the discovery of his body. Serpentine & Superphosphate. A discussion on the merits of serpentine filler took place at a meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, following a complaint by Mr R. E. Chamberlain that he' had not been getting apparent results from the serpentinesuperphosphate mixture. It was- decider to have a sample analysed. Shortage of Gum Boots. It was stated at a meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday that there was an acute shortage of gum boots for dairy farmers, yet the freezing works and the Public Works Department were able to obtain good supplies. It was decided to take the matter up through the Dominion Headquarters of the Farmers’ Union. Telephone for Blacksmith. The. secretary of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union (Mr R. H. Williams) reported yesterday that he was unsuccessful in obtaining a telephone for the Union’s blacksmith. It was stated that the blacksmith was doing essential work and considerable inconvenience was being experienced both by farmers and the blacksmith owing to no telephone being available. It was decided to take up the matter with the member for Masterton, Mr G. H. Mackley. Stabilisation of Ewe Prices. At a meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday afternoon, Mr L. T. Daniell raised smiles when he referred to the former Minister of Agriculture, Mr Barclay. “Seriously,” said Mr Daniell, “the one good thing Mr Barclay did do was to stabilise the price of ewes.” Mr A. McDonald: “It was the Meat Board.” Mr Daniell indicated that others had had a part in the matter and suggested that Mr Barclay be congratulated. The meeting took no action. Women and Essential Work The possibility of a further group of women being called on to register with the National Service Department for work of national importance has recently been exercising the minds of many employers and many women who mignt be affected. No call-up of women has been made since the registration of the 18-19 age group in February, and it has been made clear on several occasions that the position with regard to the supply of female labour has deteriorated since then. Recently it was stated in Wellington that 8000 vacancies in essential industry had to be filled. Veterinary Service. Reporting on the Wairarapa Veterinary Service, Mr R. E. Chamberlain, representative of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union on the management committee said that splendid progress was being made. Over 15,000 cows were in the scheme and Dr. Van Gomez was operating it from Carterton. Mr Chamberlain said that the Wairarapa Federation of Dairy Factories had given wonderful assistance in getting the service started. Credit was also due to the Farmers’ Union for its initial work. It was anticipated that the scheme would be extended. Mr E T. Bliss (chairman) also spoke on the work of the service. The Union decided to join as a corporate body.