LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Masterton Tennis Club. The annual meeting of the Masterton Lawn Tennis Club will be held in the board room, Leecroft Chambers, tomorrow night at 7.30 o’clock. New members, intending members and friends are specially invited to attend. Queen Carnival. The latest position of the candidates in the Catholic Centennial Queen Carnival contest is as follows: —South (Miss Kitty Cairns) 18,703; West (Miss P. Kilminster) 18,591; East (Miss A. Mannell) 18,519; North (Miss M. Eastwood) 13,171. Meat For Britain.

Negotiations between the British Government and the New Zealand Government for the purchase of the exportable surplus of meat from the Dominion are still proceeding. This announcement was made yesterday by the Minister of Marketing, Mr Nash, who said that finality on all of the details had not yet been reached.

Import Licences. While it is not possible, owing to the war, to determine immediately the basis of allocations of import licences for the first half of 1940. the question is under continuous examination, and every effort is being made to fix the allocations at the earliest possible date. A statement to this effect was made yesterday by the Minister of Customs, Mr Nash. Scottish Hospitality.

Warm appreciation is expressed in a 'letter received from the Manawat.u Pipe Band by the secretary of the St Andrews Society expressing thanks for the splendid hospitality extended to them by the Masterton Scots. The letter adds that the programme was one of the finest Scottish efforts ever experienced by the Band members.

Early Settlers’ Association. At a meeting of the Wellington Early Settlers’ Association, held at the Clyde Quay Oddfellows’ Hall, Wellington, on Monday, the following Wairarapa residents were present:—Mrs K. Kempton, Grey town; Miss L. J. Udy, Greytown; Mr W. B. Allen, West Taratahi; Miss Viles, Featherston; Miss K. Ray, Clareville; Mrs L. R. Thompson, Greytown; and Mr Mark Maxton, Greytown. Professor Wilson, president, and Mr Maxton, vice-president, gave short addresses, as did also : Mr Andrews; Mayor of Lower Hutt.

Bequest to Art Gallery. Under the terms of the will of the late Mrs J. P. Firth, a valuable collection of paintings was bequeathed to the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. The paintings were viewed by the council of the academy at its last meeting, when it was decided to accept the bequest with grateful thanks. The pictures will be handed over to the trustees of the National Art Gallery for exhibition with the national collection. The following is a list of the pictures: -—“The Lilac Sunbonnet,” by P. Nerli; “Devonshire,” by Albert Hanson; “Mount Cook,” by John Gully; “Gorge Scene,” by Van der Velden; “On the Arthur River,” by W. M. Hodgkins; and “Mitre Peak,” by W. M. Hodgkins. Services Recognised.

Among the bouquets presented, at the conclusion of the performance of “Lucky Dip” last week were two from the cast to the producer, Mrs E. J. Rich, and to her assistant, Miss K. Cruickshank, in recognition of their unstinted services in the course of production. A very apt tribute was a bunch of carrots handed to Mr Jack Lawson (“Oliver”) labelled “To Oliver from Cook.” It will be recalled that, in the course of the play, Oliver suggests obtaining carrots from cook to encourage his steed in proposed donkey races in Piccadilly. “Lucky Dip is to be repeated on. Saturday evening next in connection with Recreation Week, to which it will provide a lighthearted opening. Savings on Public Works.

Suggestions by Opposition members that economies ought to be made in the sums voted for public works this year were referred to by the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, replying to the debate on the introduction of the War Expenses Bill in the House of Representatives last night. The Minister invited members to advise the Minister of Public Works, Mr Semple, what works in. their own electorates should not be proceeded with “The best way members of the Opposition can help in connection with public works is to advise which of the works contemplated in their own electorates can best be postponed,” Mr Nash said. “If I wanted expenditure curtailed I would go to the Minister and tell him there were works in my electorate that could be curtailed If members send in recommendations, I am sure the Minister will be glad to get them.” Cricket in Masterton.

The annual report of the Wairarapa Cricket Association states: During the season your committee arranged for Mr J. R. Sheffield (Essex County, and coach to Wellington Association) to attend for coaching, and- we append an extract from Mr Sheffield’s report: “The selected players in both sections showed commendable keenness and under good conditions there is no reason why the standard of cricket in the town should not improve. The main faults seem to be in drawing away from leg balls, and in not getting right to the pitch of the ball in forward play, and in getting behind the ball in defensive back play.” Mr Sheffield also travelled to Masterton later on to meet members of the Park Committee with a view to improving the practice wickets and the ultimate result was that the Borough Council will in future water and roll practice wickets but players are not to wear boots with protruding sole nails on the practice wickets.