LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 October 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Technical School Building. The old Technical School building in Dixon Street, Masterton, which was damaged in the earthquakes of last year, is at present encased in scaffolding preparatory to reconstruction work. It is understood that the building will be converted into a single story one, with attic storage space. Retail Sale of Butter. “Grocers estimate that the rationing of butter will reduce retail sales by about 50 per cent,” said Mr R. N. Barker, secretary of the New Zealand Master Grocers' Federation at Auckland yesterday. “Sales of other commodities used for cooking, such as flour, baking powder and essences will also be affected.” The large caterers predict that there will be few Christmas cakes and no puddings for sale in the coming festive season. A shortage of alternative fats exists owing to the few killings of cattle at the present time. Found Not Guilty. Arthur William Ryan, aged 37, was found not guilty in the Christchurch Supreme Court yesterday on a charge of having attempted to murder his wife, Kathleen Ann Ryan. Evidence was given on the same lines as in the Magistrate’s Court on October 11. In summing up, Mr Justice Northcrcft said there had been discord between Ryan and his wife, but on the evidence it'did not appear that the husband had been responsible. Ryan, he pointed out, had been willing to maintain his wife’s illegitimate child, and the wife seemed to have frustrated that intention deliberately. It also appeared that he had been dealt with somewhat harshly. Military Officer Sentenced. Found guilty at Christchurch of having negligently driven an army motor car, Captain Leslie Albert Blackmore is to lose a year’s seniority, be severely reprimanded, and be put under stop- : pages of pay till he has made good the ■ sum of £4O toward the damage done to the car. Captain Blackmore was tried by a general court-martial on two charges, on one of which he was aci quitted. The other was alleged conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he negligently drove an army car, causing damage amounting to £159. The Court’s finding was that he was guilty on this charge, with tire exception that the damage to the vehicle might be subject to discounts on the sum of £45 16s sd, the cost of replacing parts.

Sports Postponed. On account of the unsettled weather the Wairarapa College annual sports, which were to have been held today were postponed. Airman’s Death. When an R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft from a North Island station crashed on Wednesday night during night-flying training, its sole occupant, Flight Sergeant John Neil Sinclair, lost his life. His mother, Mrs M. E. Sinclair, lives at Edendale, Southland. Interhouse Meeting. A meeting convened by the Wairarapa Interhouse Association was attended by representatives of various business houses last night, when it was decided to form a girls’ committee to work in conjunction with the executive. A further meeting will be.held next Wednesday night in the Y.M.C.A. rooms at 7.30 o’clock when it is hoped that all interhouse girls will attend. Successful Competitor. Mr H. A. Stimpson, of Masterton, was a successful competitor at a recent show at Blenheim when his dog, Stamford Stalwart, won the Grand Puppy Stakes, was second in the best of all breeds section, second in the limit and won five first awards in the open section. The dog was also third in the Grand Challenge Stakes and was second in the section for the best visiting dog. Labour Caqcus. The caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party, which was continued yesterday, concluded early last evening. The Deputy-Leader, Mr Nash, who presided, stated lat6r that a complete and thorough examination had been made of the Government’s election policy, and that steps to give effect to it were examined. Reports were to be prepared on all subjects for consideration of a further caucus meeting to be held at an early date. Phosphate Supplies. An announcement that negotiations that had been proceeding between the Government and organisations overseas during recent months for increased supplies of phosphate rock were approaching results that should considerably improve the present position at a fairly early date was made last night by the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr Nash. When those supplies did come to hand it appeared that the subsidy now being paid would reach £2,000,000. Mr Nash added that during the present year the subsidy from War Expenses Account would be approximately £1,000,00p.