LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4491, 17 October 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

(No light has so far been thrown on the mystery surrounding the disappearance three weeks ago of Private Douglas Neil Henry, aged 22, of Te Akau. A thorough search of the district and comprehensive inquiries have failed to reveal any information which will assist to establish his whereabouts. Private Henry was on leave from Trentham camp, was 6ft. 6in. in height, and when last seen was in battle dress.

No trace has been found of Richard Humphreys, who escaped from the Waikeria Borstal Institute on September 20. Although Humphreys had previously escaped from the institute, he was a trusted inmate and was engaged in mowing the lawn at an officer’s house without close supervision when he left. No trace has been found of a motor-car which disappeared from the Kawhia district soon after Humphrey’s escape.

“ From out of the mouths of babes and sucklings . . .” Weil, it wasn’t a babe or a suckling this time, but a pupil of the Te Kuiti Convent School (reports the King Country Chronicle). With three others, this young lad, while traversing the railway overhead bridge, was talking about world affairs, and one of his companions piped up with the troubled query: “ What I Couldn’t we do anything if the Japs came ? ” Then up spoke the realist. “Do anything » Why, in this country we can’t even catch one man I ”

When nominated for a second term as President of the A. and P. Association last evening, Mr H. C. Rainey said that he would like to see one of the Vice-Presidents step up into the position. A former President, Mr J. S. Pattison, replied that a man showing the spirit of Mr Rainey should not be “let off” with one term. Mr Rainey then recalled a former remark of Mr Pattison’s that a second year President always had the bad luck to strike a wet day, at which another, member quoted Mr Pattison as also having said, that during the first year a President had to learn and in the second year, he made a good job of it.

“ There is an impression in some quarters that subsidisation would follow automatically the substantiation of additional costs in respect of pricestabilised commodities,” states the Price Tribunal in a letter dealing with the stabilisation of 'electricity prices to the electric power boards and supply authorities’ association of New Zealand, a copy of which has been received by the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board. “ The Tribunal desires to correct this misunderstanding and to emphasise again that subsidisation will be considered only as a last resort, and that every avenue will be explored for meeting any increases in costs by other means.”

At the monthly meeting of the Kihikihi Patriotic Committee on Monday last, it was reported that collections from March Ist, 1940, to date, totalled £241 5s 9d. Mrs T. G. Shilton proposed that the secretary (Miss M. Eyre) write a letter of sympathy to Sister Mathews, of Australia, who was on board the Rar.gitane when it was sunk and sustained severe injuries to the face and hands. She is at present in a Sydney hospital. Parcels for local boys are to be made up by 21st October. It was resolved on the motion of Mesdames P. Helwig and R. P. Robinson that parcels also be sent to former members of the Tokanui Hospital staff at present overseas.

Returns for the combined orphanages appeal in Te Awamutu and district have been completed and show that the sum of £172 has been do nated. The Mayoress of Te Awamutu Mrs L. G. Armstrong acted as convener of a committee which had the support of representatives of all churches, the Women’s War Auxiliary and the following country represen tatives:—Puahue, Mrs W. Taylor; Hairini, Mrs S. Bryant; Te Rahu, Mrs T. N. Olson; Ngutunui, Mrs W. Scott; Te Kawa, Mrs W. G. Neil; Orakau. Mrs M. Bryant; Paterangi, Mrs S. C B. Macky; Pirongia, Miss Shirley Bell; Parawera, Mrs S. Houston; and Pukeatua, Mrs Glaizer. In addition to a street collection, there was a house-to-house canvas, to which there was a ready response.

Last Wednesday evening, a debate was * held between the Kakepuku Young Farmers’ Club and the Farmers’ Union on the subject: “That women should be employed for farm work.” Kakepuku took the affirmative and its speakers were Messrs F. Turner (leader), A. Smart and P. Ray. Messrs W. Hodgson (leader), A. Wyllie and C. J. Flay argued the negative for the Farmers’ Union. Mr W. G. S. Smith, who was the adjudicator, explained how debators should address their audiences, after which he anounced the affirmative as the winner. In regard to the inter-district debating competition, the Kakapuku Club has chosen a team to meet the Otorohanga Club, the finalist of which will contest the winner of the Auckland District Committee area. Prior to the close of the evening, a very dainty supper was served by the Club members. Thanks on behalf of the Club were returned by Mr B. McVerry.