LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Age, 29 May 1936, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The annual meeting of the Masterton Branch of the League of Nations Union is to be held on Saturday, June 6. The speaker for the occasion will be Dr. Guy Scholefield, Parliamentary Librarian. “Where There's a Will—a comedy in three acts, will be presented in St. Matthew's Parish Hall on Wednesday and Thursday next by the Masterton Repertory Players. A good entertainment is promised and patrons would be well advised to book their seats at the Arts and Crafts.

In a protracted civil claim heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., Cecil Seymour, of Mauriceville, proceeded against George Louis Halberg, Mauriceville, for alleged libel. At the conclusion of the hearing, which occupied the greater part of the day, judgment was given for plaintiff for the sum of £lOO.

At the annual meeting of the Featherston County Council on Wednesday Mr. Q. Donald was re-elected chairman unopposed. Mr. Donald was also reappointed the council's representative on the Main Highways Board District Council and on the Counties' Association. Councillor R. Smith was re-elected treasurer. It was decided to meet on the second Friday in every month.

Since 1931 the Wairarapa Power Board has made reductions in charges for power totalling £16,341. Speaking at the annual meeting of the board yesterday, Mr. C. R. Holmes said it should be made clear that last year the board had made a reduction of close on £3090 in its power charges. He pointed out that many people did not seem to be aware of the reductions made by the board. The Secretary-Manager, Mr. G. Brown, 1 added that the reductions since 1931 totalled £16,341. After a protracted discussion the Wellington District Interprovincial Conference of the Farmers' Union at Feilding yesterday carried the following resolution:—“That this conference strongly objects to any alterations being made in the regulations governing the importation of livestock from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent." The conference rejected two amendments, one seeking total prohibition of the importation of stock' and the other advocating importations under revised regulations which would ensure safety.—(P.A.)

There was some speculation by members of the Wairarapa Power Board at yesterday's meeting as to the effect of the new Labour legislation being introduced by the Government. The chairman, Mr. A. Campbell Pearce, said he thought the Government would undoubtedly give special consideration to the necessities of power boards and other bodies. “They will have to meet us in some way," he added. The Secretary- Manager, Mr. G. Brown, said he had made no provision for additional cost in the estimates, as it was impossible to, anticipate the actual cost.

A question asked at the meeting of the Wairarapa Power Board yesterday brought forth some interesting observations on the so-called vapour lights that are being installed in some places. It was explained by the Secretary- Manager, Mr. G. Brown, that the practice in England was to instal sodium lights on main highways and mercury lights in towns. Mr. W. Howard Booth pointed out that there had been many complaints about the mercury lights installed in Wellington, as “the ladies don't seem to have a natural completion under it." This caused other members to observe something about the effect of the lighting on lipstick, but as they appeared to be treading on somewhat dangerous ground their comment stopped .Short. At the weekly luncheon of the Masterton Rotary Club yesterday, the president, Mr. F. E. Wells, occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members and five visitors were present, including a Christchurch Rotarian. It was announced that the following officers had been re-elected unopposed for the ensuing year:—President, the Rev. E. J. Rich; vice-presi-dent, Mr. C. R. Mabson; hon. secretary, Mr. A. E. Bate; hon. Mr. G. W. Sellar. The election of directors resulted in the return of Messrs J. J. Hunter and H. A. R. Dunderdale. The speaker of the day was Mr. H. B. Massey, who gave an interesting account of his recent visit to Fiji, where he captained a team of New Zealand colts on a cricket tour. Mr. Massey was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. G. W. Sellar. As he was unable to complete his address in the time at disposal, he will continue it at a later date.