LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Elderly Man Missing. Mr Edward Nicholas, a single man, aged 65, has been missing since October 2. He lived in a whare on the side of the estuary at Tairua, on the east coast of Coromandel Peninsula. Search parties have found his hat in the water, but no other sign. The only known relative of the missing man is a sister, Mrs Tai, Auckland. First Woman Juror. The first woman to bo called for jury duty in New Zealand is Miss Elaine Kingsford, of Takapuna. She says that she is looking forward to the experience of sitting on a jury when the Supreme Court session opens next week, but she may be denied the opportunity on account of a shortage of staff in the Takapuna Borough Council offices where she is employed. The matter will have to be discussed with the sheriff or submitted to the Judge. Bledisloe Medal. Mr Walter Yardley, of Keppoch Estate, Moa Flat, Southland, has been awarded the Bledisloe Medal for 1943. The medal was presented by Lord' Bledisloe to Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, to be awarded annually by the board of governors to a past student whose record in the service of agriculture in New Zealand has shown him to be occupying a place worthy of honourable mention in the agricultural world of the Dominion. Mr Yardley was a student at the college from 1910 to 1912. Sunspots and Rain.

Pointing out that- the exceptionally wet weather of the last few months has coincided with a period of comparatively little sunspot activity, a period that is apparently the low point in the sunspot cycle, Mr G. V. Hudson, Karori, remarks that this does not bear out the theory that a light rainfall is associated with absence of sunspots. It seems more probable, he says, that the rule is that extremes in solar phenomena (maxima and minima sunspot phases) may be connected with extremes in world weather. Refusal to Work Overtime. Chamberhands employed in the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s cool stores on King’s Wharf are refusing to work overtime between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. till their request for a higher hourly rate of pay is satisfactorily settled. About 150 men who work under the freezing workers’ award are involved. Because the cool stores have not been working in the evenings, small coastal vessels have had to discharge cheese and butter into the wharf sheds, where it has remained till morning. Though no large overseas vessels are awaiting dairy cargoes, the stalemate may, if it continues next week, be serious. With the cost of living bonuses the men earn about 3s an hour. Any increase in the ordinary hourly rate would be reflected in the overtime rate, which is time and a half between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Beys Supplied With Liquor. “It would be absurd to suggest that defendant had taken any reasonable steps to see that the provisions of the Licensing Act and Licensing Regulations were complied with, and the fact that two barmen saw fit to supply boys under 21 is a serious reflection on the conduct of the hotel,” said Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. when Leslie Charles Atyeo, licensee of the Empire Hotel, pleaded guilty in the Dunedin Magistrate's Court yesterday to charges of having supplied liquor to persons under 21 years. The barmen, Joseph Henry Isherwood and James Pollock, each pleaded guilty to charges of having supplied liquor to persons under 21, and Pollock to a further charge of having supplied liquor after hours. Atyeo was fined £3O cn the first charge and £2 on the second. Pollock was fined £l5 for having supplied liquor after hours, and £2 on the other charge. Isherwood was fined £5.

Fall From Window. Mrs Helen Reid, aged 75 years, was admitted to the Masterton Hospital yesterday afternoon with a broken leg which she received, it is stated, when she fell while trying to get out of a window. Sports Club Dance.

There was a large and happy gathering at the Masonic Hall, Masterton, last night when Hansell's Sports Club held a dance. The music was supplied by Mrs V. J. Ashton and supper was served by a committee.

Akitio Bull Sale. The annual sale of Mr Frank Armstrong’s “Akitio" Aberdeen Angus bulls was held on Thursday. Eighty-one bulls were sold, and averaged 55gns., which is down on last year. Top price was 150gns., with better-grown bulls selling from 60 to 80gns. Labour Caucus.

A caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour Party is to be held the week after next. Its main business is expected to be the making of a recommendation for the filling of the Cabinet vacancy caused by the defeat at the general election of the Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, Mr Barclay, and the choice of a new Speaker.

Poster Competition. The winners of the poster competition held recently by the Junior Red Cross at its birthday celebrations were: Jill Messenger, Whatman School, 1; Keith Shackleton, West School, 2; highly commended, J. Renner and E. Wright, West School. A special prize was awarded by the centre to T. Ihaka, Central School.

Fishing at Castlepoint. Following on representations made by Mr J. Robertson to the Minister ol Marine, Mr O’Brien; in August, Mr Robertson has been advised of some relaxation of the restrictions to fisning from the reef at Castlepoint. While it was not proposed to alter the prohibited area, the restrictions would be relaxed to allow people to enter and fish from the area known as High Top. Territorial Service. A statement correcting the report of his address to the conference of manufacturers at Napier this week was issued last night by Mr H. L. Bockett, Controller of Manpower. ‘‘l would point out that those liable for territorial training comprise all single men. and married men (without children) from 18 to 40 years of age, inclusive, and all married men (with children) from 18 to 30 years inclusive,” said Mr Bockett. ‘‘The published reports of my remarks referred to married men without children as being liable only up to 30 years of age, whereas they are liable up to 40 years of age. No mention was made of married mon with children, and these are liable up to 30 years of age.”

Air Training Corps. The weekly routine orders for No. 21 Squadron, Air Training Corps, Masterton, state inter alia: Parades, A and B flights, Monday, October 18, and Thursday, October 21, at 6.50 p.m. at Wairarapa College, Masterton. C flight, Tuesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 21, at 6.50 p.m. at King’s Theatre, Carterton. Syllabus: Monday, A flight, mathematics, science and navigation; B flight, mathematics and science; Tuesday, C flight, mathematics, science and navigation. Thursday, A flight, drill and arms training; B flight, drill and arms training; C flight, drill, P.T., signals and A.C.R. . Masterton Cadets arc requested to note that the parade on Monday night will be held at Wairarapa College.