LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 2 September 1936, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

No bankruptcies were recorded in the Wairarapa -during August. The number registered so far this year is ten. Following are the vital statistics re gistered in Masterton for August, the figures for the corresponding month last year being given in parentheses: -Births, 18 (29); deaths, 8 (14); marriages, 3 (8). Sixty-three drivers’ licenses were issued by the Masterton Borough Council during August, bringing the total for this licensing year to 1724. The Masterton County Council issued 30 licenses, making a total of 1087. An eight-year-old Auckland girl, Betty Joan daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Aiderton, of 3 Marston Street, Parnell, swallowed a shilling and was admitted late on Saturday night to the Auckland Hospital. The coin was successfully removed. An announcement that he had received the resignation of Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. for Manukau, who has assumed the office of High Commissioner for New Zealand, was made in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Speaker (the Hon. W. E. Barnard).

In the Y.M.C.A. billiards and snooker competition last night Catholic Club defaulted to Carriers. To-morrow night Oddfellows will play Post Office and on Tues'day next Y.M.C.A. A will meet Daniells.

Five lambs at one birth—equalling • New Zealand record —have been born to a ewe owned by Mr. T. B. Garrick, of Totara Valley, .South Canterbury. In the same flock are two other ewes, each of which has had three lambs at one birth.

Twelve building permits were issued by the Masterton Borough Council for August to the value of £4114 19s 3d, only half of the value of the 14 permits issued for the corresponding month last year, £8285 2s 6d. The Masterton County Council issued permits valued at £825. Last year two permits were issued, of a value of £250.

Inquiries made throughout the North Island have failed to locate the relatives of Stanley Anderson, who was found dead on the roadside at Bartlett’s railway camp on Saturday morning, a Gisborne Press Association message states. The police now believe that the deceased is identical withStephen Scott, a returned soldier, who served with the Samoan Relief Force, and they are endeavouring to locate Scott’s relatives.

The first sod in the construction of the Timaru Municipal Airport was turned yesterday by the Mayor (Mr. P. C. Vinnell). The airport, which is to be constructed in accordance with the A class specifications of the British Air Ministry, is estimated to cost more than £25,000 and will provide work for upwards of 70 men fbr 12 months. The Site is at the south end of the town, right on the borough boundary.— (P.A.)

The Wairarapa Coursing Club recently purchased twelve hares from the Christchurch Club. These hares were twelve of the best used during the Waterloo Cup meeting, and have been placed in the Wairarapa Club’s enclosure for use in the next meeting, which will take place on September 12. The committee have decided to run a 16dog open stake for the Physick Cup on this date, and indications are that the event will be over nominated.

Protesting against the prices recently fixed for bread, the Auckland Small Traders’ Association has sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage): “We desire to know why the Minister, in fixing bread prices which give profit, better pay, and conditions to all concerned in the bread industry, leaves Auckland retailers worse off than before the Government came into power, and benefits one section of the community at the expense of another.”—(P.A.)

Under the Labour Department’s placement scheme, 5455 men were established in employment from May 15 (when the scheme was launched) to August 29. The contribution lo this total of the Masterton Placement Office was 161—84 men being placed in permanent positions, 5 in casual positions and 72 in temporary positions. The total number of men placed throughout the Dominion last week was 679, which establishes a new record.

A visit to Matakana Island (Bay of Plenty) was paid last week by Messrs T. Anaru, registrar of the Waiariki Native Land Board, H. Tai Mitchell, chairman of the Arawa Trust Board, W. Scott, native development scheme supervisor, and H. Hamilton, of the Maori School of Arts and Crafts. They inspected an area of about 1009 acres of native land which the owners have requested should be taken in as a native development scheme. The land was regarded as being very suitable for development, and it is understood a favourable report will be made upon the application. An area of land on Motiti Island is at present being developed by the Department of Native Affairs.

Yesterday afternoon members of the Australian Rugby team visited Middle Run, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Booth. Golf and putting competitions were enjoyed, as was afternoon tea, a very pleasant time being spent. In addition to members of the team, those present included Messrs J. Roach, a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union, who is travelling with the team; A. Adams and W. Pearson, New Zealand selectors; Q. Donald, deputy- chairman of the Management Committee of the Wairarapa Union; and E. McKenzie, secretary of the Wairarapa Union and chairman of the New Zealand Selection Committee. Mr. W. Cerutti, acting manager of the Australian team, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Booth for the outing. Mr. Donald expressed thanks on behalf of the Wairarapa Union. Wage regulation on farms was discussed at a meeting of primary producers in East Tamaki (Auckland) which was attended by Mr. C. R. Petrie, member for Hauraki. It was suggested by one farmer present that wages should be based rather on the experience than the age of the worker. Many a youth of 17 was of more value to a farmer, he said, than a man in his twenties. The same speaker said farmers also asked that the age limit be reduced to permit farmers to employ boys of 14. There were many lads in institutions who had to leave at that age, and farming offered a good opening for them. “I definitely would not support lowering the age,” replied Mr. Petrie. 4 4 There is something radically wrong in the Dominion if it cannot avoid that.” He said he preferred to see boys kept at school and given the full benefits of a complete education. 4 ’The more complete a lad’s education the better are his prospects of becoming a more competent and efficient farmer,” he added. A resolution urging the Government to provide for payment on experience instead of age was carried unanimously. Youth for sheep farm wanted. H. L. Esau, elsewhere invites inspec- < tion of the window display of Narcissi j from Alan Gibson’s collection. I