LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Coal Mine Idle . The prolonged spell of dry weather experineced in the Grey district, through its effect on the -water supply which feeds the compressor, caused the Dobson State mine to be idle on Tuesday. An alternative water’ scheme is being arranged, and it is hoped that the mine will be able to resume operations within the next day or two. The Wallsend State mine was also idle on Tuesday, due to an unusually long stop-work meeting in the morning. The slowness of the emergency winding gear by which the men may be brought out of the mine was discussed, and suggestions were made that the facilities for use in an emergency should be improved.

Religious Teaching in School,

The Wanganui resolution strongly urging the Government to include in the proposed Education Amendment Act a clause making the teaching of the principles of Christianity an integral part of the school syllabus was supported by the Auckland Education Board yesterday. Mr C. S. Morris, who was the only dissentient on the vote, said that once the Bible was introduced into the schools conflict of opinion would arise. He believed in the education system, which was free, secular, and compulsory, and did not desire the introduction of religious arguments. °

Observatory Closed. The Beverly Begg astronomical observatory, Dunedin, which has suffered severely at the- hands of vandals in recent years, has received another visitation, this time from a person or persons who apparently tried to burn down the building. Officials on Tuesday found the door partially burnt, the surrounding woodwork and floor destroyed, and the whole entrance a blackened ruin. Fortunately, the fire did not reach the telescopes and other equipment. This act, however, means that the observatory will have to close for the duration of the war, and till the full staff returns from war service the. telescopes and other equipment will be removed to safer custody.

Civilian Clothing. The manufacture of civilian clothing in three groups of essentiality with the object of providing maximum possible production is planned under a new scheme announced by the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, yesterday. The plan also establishes a National Garment Control Council, with control committees in the four main centres, and provides for the allocation of manpower for clothing manufacture. “After provision has been made for military orders the civilian items will be produced in their order of essentiality,” Mr Sullivan continued. “Group A items, consisting of those essential garments considered to be the most urgently needed, will have priority over Group B, which will contain items the supply position of which is critical ,though less urgently needed than Group A, while Group C will still comprise essential items but those where' the supply position is not critical. “These lists will be reviewed quarterly after consulting the appropriate trade 1 interests.”

A Fire Hazard. The Superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade ,Mr N. Bruce, said today that uncut grass on vacant sections adjacent to buildings would soon be a fire hazard in the dry period. Ml’ Bruce asks that all property owners and others concerned should cut standing grass before it dried out. There was a shortage of labour and the work could be more easily carried out while the grass was green.

To Work in Tobacco Factory. Eleven West Coast girls have been directed by the District Manpower Officer to undertake work in a tobacco factory in Wellington. They have been instructed to report in Wellington on January 4. Hostel accommodation will be provided at Oriental Bay, where the renovation of a building will be completed by that date.

Wairarapa Egg Floor. The recent decision announced by the Hon. B. Roberts to amalgamate the two egg floors in the Wairarapa, stated Mr R. W. Kebbell, chairman of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council yesterday, did not affect the operation of the Masterton floor. This floor, he said, would continue to function, except that it would be under the management of Mr Good, who also was manager of the Carterton floor. Records and transport arrangements would be controlled in Carterton.

Overseas Trade Figures'. The main feature of the overseas trade figures for October, released yesterday by the New Zealand Customs Department, is the showing of a small favourable trade balance for the month, the first for many months. Exports totalled £7,201,000, the highest October figure for a considerable period, while imports, which include lend-lease supplies and defence materials, were slightly lower than in recent months. Since lend-lease supplies began to arrive in New Zealand in large quantities in December, 1942, the overseas trade figures have shown a growing unfavourable balance month by month, which for the 10 months of the current year has reached a total of £22,088,000, compared with a favourable balance for the corresponding period of last year of £27,071,000.

Waterside Workers' Hours. For some time past members of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union have considered that their hours of work have been too long, especially in view of their high average age. Recently they decided to take action themselves to shorten hours, and starting on December 1 they have ceased work nightly at 9 o’clock and have also refused to work during meal hours. This action taken by the men is against the authority of the Waterfront Control Commission, and during the past week the parties have conferred, the commission endeavouring to persuade the men to abide by its authority, but so far without result. It is still considered possible, however, that the men may decide to continue work till 10 o’clock nightly, the regular hour before the inauguration of 24-hour work on the waterfront. Work has also ceased at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays this month, but in this case with the approval of the Waterfront Control Commission. >