LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 29241, 11 October 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Level of River The Waikato river has risen considerably as a result of the recent heavy rain and is about two feet higher than its usual level. The water, which is usually fairly clear, has been changed into a muddy state.

Britain’s Secret Weapon—Humour Major J. E. Barrows was the speaker at the weekly luncheon of the Hastings Rotary Club, speaking on “ The British Army’s secret weapon—humour.” The speaker related numerous incidents which showed the humour of the Britisher.

Drainage Problem A copy of a petition addressed to Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P., by several settlers in the Te Hoe district was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Taupiri Drainage and River Board. Mr R. W. Reid presided. The petition urged the Government to extend the Upper Mangawharo Stream to prevent the serious flooding which occurred there. Shareholders’ Thanks Appreciative reference to the work of the staff of the Farmers’ Cooperative Auctioneering Company, Limited, was made by Mr E. M. Edkins, chairman of directors, at the annual meeting to-day. He referred to the added difficulties of the staff this year. On his motion a vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.

Improvements to Drain Advice was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Taupiri Drainage and River Board that the Public Works Department would grant a subsidy of £l2O, on a £3 for £1 basis, for improvements to the “S” drain in the district, provided another vote were reduced. The Lands and Survey Department is to grant £B9, being half the cost of improvements to the northern outfall at Te Hoe.

Mayor In Ballot Among men of Feilding called up in the recent ballot for service with the territorials was the Mayor, Mr T. L. Seddon. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce has decided to appeal against Mr Seddon entering camp for three months’ training on the ground that his services to the town as Mayor, and also in many other capacities, including that of chairman of the Manawatu District Manpower Committee, are of national importance.

Breach Of Award A penalty of £2 was imposed on Mate Borich, restaurant proprietor, of Hamilton (Mr H. J. McMullin), when the inspector of awards, Mr F. W. Ashby, proceeded against him in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today, before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., on a charge of failing to exhibit a time-table setting forth the hours of work for his employees. Mr Ashby stated that the maximum penalty for the offence was £IOO, and he sought one-tenth of that amount.

Patients in Hospital The growing extent of the service of the Waikato Hospital and an indication of the need for the increased accommodation which is now being planned are revealed in the figures of hospital activities for September. The daily average of occupied beds at the institution was 426 and 220 operations were performed. At the beginning of the month there were 368 patients in hospital and 644 were admitted during the month. The returns show that 513 were discharged and 475 remained in hospital at the end of the month. In addition there were 11 confinements in the Camp-bell-Johnstone ward.