LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Heavy Rain There was heavy rain in Hamilton during last night, but it was evidently localised, the fall being heavier in different parts of the borough, particularly at Whitiora. The Hamilton reading for the past 24 hours was .20. This morning was fine and clear, though the temparature was still cool. New Justices of the Peace The following Hamilton residents were sworn in before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., this morning as justices of the peace: Messrs Frederick Best, William Bourne, Matthew Robert Findlay, Patrick Batholomew Gavin, Harold Galbraith Somervell. Superstitious Hamiltonians Evidence of superstition among some Hamilton residents was shown yesterday when repairs to a building in Victoria Street necessitated two high ladders being placed in such a position that pedestrians were forced to walk under one of them. Numbers of shoppers were noticed making their way to the opposite footpath, rather than pass beneath the ladder. Motor Trade Employees A petition to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, urging the granting of a more liberal petrol allowance for motorists, was approved by employees of the motor trade in Invercargill and 220 signatures were secured. The petition stated that drastic restrictions on the use of petrol were jeopardising the employment of those engaged in the trade. Unlicensed Radios Charged before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today with operating unlicensed radios, Harold Keith Grey, George Hayworth and L. G. Oliver were each fined 10s and costs. On a similar charge John Rivett was convicted and ordered to pay costs. For driving a car without a license, Brian Caverhill McKenzie was fined 10s and costs. Discovery In Cave The discovery of a duplicating plant, a quantity of cyclo-styled pamphlets and Communistic literature was made by three boys in a deep cave on a farm about three miles from Papatoetoe. When the owner of the farm was informed of the discovery he communicated with the police, who visited the cave and seized the plant and other material. The contents of the circulars indicated that the plant had been used fairly recently. Workers’ Offer Refused The application by a firm at Penrose, Auckland, to work a 44-hour week at ordinary rates of pay while engaged on important munition work has been refused, according to advice received by the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association from the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. The application followed an unsolicited offer by the staff to work beyond a 40-hour week for four hours on Saturday at ordinary rates of pay. Reservists’ Special Course A special course of training for officers and non-commissioned officers of the Hamilton Company of the National Military Reserve will commence next Monday night and continue every evening until ten hours have been put in. This was announced at the parade in the Drill Hall last night of the reservists before they marched off, led by the Hamilton Citizens’ Band, for the Alexandra Hall, where the company’s first anniversary celebrations were held. Theft of Cycle Charged before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today, with the theft of a bicycle from G. N. Galbraith at Hamilon August 22, Edward McGrath, aged 32, slaughterman, of Horotiu, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on within six months. He was also ordered to pay costs and to take out a prohibition order. It was stated that McGrath had broken his leg shortly after taking the cycle, and the magistrate commented that he had already suffered as a result of the theft.

Street Appeals Permission to conduct a street collection in Hamilton on September 27 for orphanages was sought from the Hamilton Borough Council last night when a letter was received from the Auckland Orphanages Advisory Council. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, stated that the Salvation Army had its own home in Hamilton and, at the present more than at any other time, such local organisations needed support. It was decided to advise the writers that the Salvation Army had certain days, but that no doubt the results of appeals could be pooled. The Hamilton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was granted permission to hold its annual street appeal on October 22. School as Hospital A request that the new Hamilton West School, which is being used as an emergency hospital ward, be restored to the Auckland Education Board at the earliest possible date was made by Mr F. A. Snell, of Hamilton, at a meeting of the board yesterday. A letter was received from the Waikato Hospital Board concerning the installation of sewerage and bath fittings for use in case of emergency. It was explained that while the influenza epidemic among the soldiers had now subsided and there were now no patients quartered in the school, the authorities were retaining the use of the building in case there was a recurrence of the trouble. There was no suitable alternative, as the school was close enough to the hospital for meals to be brought there.