NEWMARKET LOSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24832, 2 March 1944, Page 4

NEWMARKET LOSS

DEATH OF MAYOR MR. DONALDSON'S SERVICES The death occurred yesterday, in his 72nd year, of Mr. Samuel Donaldson, Mayor of Newmarket since 1921. Mr. Donaldson had been in failing health for some years, and latterly most of the duties of his office had been carried out by the deputy-mayor. Mr. R. K. Newport. ' Mr. Donaldson was born in County Monaghan, Northern Ireland, and was brought to New Zealand by his parents in 1874, in the ship Queen of Nations. Most of his life was spent in Newmarket, where he had a retail boot and shoe business.

Mr. S. Donaldson

Elected to the Borough Council in 1911, he sat continuously as a councillor until 1921, when he won the Mayoralty. Except at two elections, he held office unopposed. He was a regular attendant at the annual conferences of the Municipal Association until 1940. In 1942 presentations were made to him and to Mrs. Donaldson in recognition of his 21 years' service as Mayor. During that period the borough had made remarkable progress as an industrial area and shopping centre, and extensive municipal works had been carried out, including the sealing of all streets, paving of footpaths, construction of a modern swimming pool and development of the Sarawia Park sports ground. In addition to "his work in the borough, Mr. Donaldson - took an interest in child patients at the Auckland Hospital, for whom he and the Mayoress provided a Christmas tree every year. He is survived by Mrs. Donaldson, a son and a daughter.

MEAT RATIONING THE FIRST COUPONS The first meat coupons to be used in New Zealand when rationing starts next Monday will be number 19. These will cover a week's supply, but may be used at any timq during the succeeding two weeks. Number 20 coupons will be used from March 13, and number 21 from March 20 and the order will continue in that manner. SUSPENSION IN CANADA I THE LACK OF SHIPPING (Reed. 11.50 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 1 The Government has announced the temporary suspension of meat rationing and meatless Tuesdays in Canada. It is pointed out that rationing was introduced to build up surplus meat for export to Britain. Large surpluses recently accumulated in Canada because of a bottleneck in transportation and shipping. When meat supplies can be moved more freely into export channels rationing will be resumed.

MORE MARRIAGES LARGE AUCKLAND INCREASE There was a considerable increase in marriages in Auckland during February, the total of 30i> being an increase of 117 on the number in the corresponding month last year. With 197* marriages in January, the total for the year is now 499, compared with 342 at the same time last year. .Marriages performed by the registrar totalled 61 for the month and 99 for the year. At the end of February, 1943, they totalled 63.

There were 375 births last month, compared with 271 in February, 1943. The total for the year is 771,' against 547 last year. Deaths registered dropped by three, 173 during the month bringing the total for the year to 356, compared with 371 at the end of February, 1943.

WHANGAREI REGISTRATIONS INCREASE IN BIRTHS (0.C.) WHANGAREI. Wednesday Births in Whangarei last month totalled 38, compared with 22 in February last year. There were eight deaths, compared with 21 in the same month last year. Marriages increased from 7 to 11. FEWER DEATHS! IN HAMILTON INCREASE IN MARRIAGES (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday There was a decrease in deaths and an increase in marriages registered in Hamilton last month, compared with the figures for February, 1943. Births were nearly the same. The details are as follows, the figures for February, 1943, being given in parentheses."— Births, 70 (71); deaths, 30 (42); marriages, 35 (20). 20 INCHES OF RAIN GREYMOUTH'S WET MONTH (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Wednesday February was a record wet month in Greymoutu for at least a decade, the period for which records are retained. The total was 19.67 in., rain falling on 22 days,, the heaviest daily fall being 5.67 in. on February 2. The neatrest: approach to the present record was a fall of 17i92in. on 18 davs in March, 1938. HEAVY WHANGAREI PALL PASTURE GROWTH BENEFITS (0.C.) WHANGAREI. Wednesday Although not a record, the rainfall in Whangarei last month was exceptional, totalling 9.3iu. in 13 days. The heaviest falls recorded were on February 12 and February 20, when 2.72 in. and *2.l3in. respectively wore registered. In February last year, the fall was 1.78 in., but the least registered during the past ten years was in 1939, when only ,73in. fell. The heaviest fall during the period was in February, 1936, with a total of 13.74 in. Pasture growth has been remarkable for this time of the year, and gardens have benefited greatly, but orchards have suffered, stone fruit crops in most cases being practically a total loss. CONDITIONS AT HOTEL DECISION BY COMMITTEE (0.C.) HAMILTON. Wednesday Unfavourable reports were received by the Raglan Licensing Committee today from the Health Department and the police in connection with the sanitary arrangements at the Hot Springs Hotel, Waingaro. The chairman, Mr. S. L. Paterson. S.M., said the reports revealed a shocking state of affairs. The committee passed a resolution requesting the Health Department and the police to take immediate and vigor- ' ous action against the parties concerned.