LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21177, 29 July 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Under Control The influenza epidemic experienced at the Hopu Hopu military camp for the past three weeks shows signs of being on the wane, and the discharge of soldiers is now far in excess of admittances. During the week-end only ten were admitted, but it is expected that one or two cases will continue to come in for a day or two. Lucrative Sideline Shooting pests which destroyed young trout and native and game birds was recommended as a lucrative sideline for farm workers and others by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, on Saturday. The Minister pointed out that last year bonuses of 2s each were paid for 895 black shags, 156 stoats and 23 ferrets and polecats, and 6d each for 875 hawks. Hamilton Playwright’s Success In the Centennial competition for a one-act stage play the judge considered that none of the plays entered justified the award of the first prize of £7O. The best two plays were bracketed of equal merit, and it had been decided to award each of them a second prize of £3O. The successful entrants were: Mrs Marguerite Thomas, of Hamilton, with “It is—to Live,” and Mr lan Ronald McLean with “Stop Press.” Arrested After “Joy Ride” After converting a motor-car and joy-riding for about four hours, a Hamilton youth of the age of 15, was apprehended by a constable in Hamilton East on Saturday night. The boy had stolen the car from Wellington Street and driven around the suburbs of Hamilton and the surrounding districts before abandoning the vehicle with the petrol supply almost exhausted. The car was not damaged. Week-End Accidents When the van he was driving collided with a train on a crossing near Huntly, Robert Thompson, aged 19. of Rotowaro, received head injuries. The accident occurred on Saturday, and Mr Thompson was admitted to the Waikato Hospital. His condition is not serious. Mr J. M. McArthur, an engine-driver, received injuries to his head when he was knocked off his bicycle at Frankton on Saturday. He is in a satisfactory condition. Old Linen Required In time of war new uses are found for countless objects of waste lying around the home. The outbreak of influenza at the Hopu Hopu camp which has sent numbers of men to hospital has produced a shortage of handkerchiefs for the soldiers, with the result that old pieces of linen are urgently required, if they are clean. Linen may be left at the Women’s Patriotic Committee rooms in Garden Place, where it will be prepared as handkerchiefs for use by the soldiers with influenza. Aotearoa Flies High Flying at heights up to 14,000 feet to avoid the storm over the Tasman, the flying-boat Aotearoa made the crossing from Sydney to Auckland on Saturday in about 8£ hours. The flight was delayed from Thursday. She brought 11 passengers, six of whom were women, about 2851 b. of mail and, about 1801 b. of freight. She was commended by Captain Oscar Garden. Among the passengers was Mrs R. T. Reid, whose husband, Mr R. T. Reid, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, died on Friday. She was met by relatives and members of the board. Gloves For Airmen Women throughout the Dominion are asked to undertake the knitting of 2800 pairs of gloves which the Air Force Relations Headquarters has been asked to supply within one month. The gloves will be worn underneath leather flying gauntlets by pilots and observers and are wanted for men proceeding on active service. They are to be knitted to a special pattern that will be supplied with the necessary three-ply wool on request to the Air Force Relations Headquarters, Wellington. It is stated that careful and neat work is essential to the men’s efficiency, and it is also requested that any wool left over should be returned with the gloves. Trawler Ashore Taken into Island Bay, Wellington, on Friday in tow after engine trouble, the Kilbirnie Fish Supply’s motor-trawler Marino, of 20 tons, was left at anchor, but the anchors failed to hold in the full force of a southerly gale during the night and she went ashore. There she remained for three hours, while launches worked untiringly to get her off. Fishermen were called upon to display good seamanship, as they had the tide against them, as well as the weather, but eventually they got the Marino safely anchored again. The trawler, which apparently was not damaged, was built three years ago at Picton, and usually operates from Wellington harbour.