LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A telegram, tabled at yesterday’s meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association, from the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes apologising for being unable to attend the recent Masterton Show, eaused Mr. G. H. Perry to remark: “Well, why didn’t he send a Minister of the Crown along?” As the result of a complaint by a member, the Masterton A. and P. Association, decided at yesterday’s meeting to write to the Wairarapa Auctioneers’ Association drawing its attention to the fact that complaints had been received of the treatment of rams at the recent Masterton fair. ' Mr. and Mrs. J. Nixon and their two little children had a narrow escape when their dwelling was destroyed by fire yesterday morning, states a Press Association message from Gisborne. The flames had a complete hold when the fire was discovered, and exit was possible only through a window. Nothing was saved.

Recently a proposal was made from the office of the. Minister of Internal Affairs that in the interests of economy and efficiency a scheme should be adopted whereby fire boards, with the exception of those in the main centres, should come under the direction of a central fire board. Yesterday the majority of delegates at the Municipal Conference expressed themselves as strongly opposed to the proposal and a remit dealing with the matter was voted out.—(P.A.) A challenge match was played for the Bell Shield on Tuesday afternoon between the holders, Carsten, Dunderdale, W. Rew and H. C. Robinson (s), of the Masterton Club, and Fenton, Watson, Dixon and Hodgkinson (s) of the Park -Club. The result was a win for the holders, 25/18. In a match played for the Mutrie Cup on the Masterton Club’s green yesterday afternoon, the holders, Stewart and Reid (s) were defeated by Southey and Lett (s), 19/17. A remit favouring an amendment to the marriage law to prohibit, as far as possible, the union of the unfit, also favouring the presentation of medical certificates, was moved by Mr. J. T. Griffin (Taranaki) at the Justices’ Federation at Auckland yesterday. After an animated discussion the conference carried the following amendment moved by Mr. J. W. Dove (Otago): “That the time is ripe for the Government to take definite action in the direction of the sterilisation of the mentally and medically unfit. ’ ’ The voting was 12 to 4.—(P.A.)