LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frosts in Masterton. A frost of 2.8 degrees was registered in Mastertou yesterday morning, and one of 4.3 degrees this morning. False Fire Alarm. The Masterton Fire Brigade was called out at about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The alarm proved to be a false one. Flowering Cherry Trees. In many of the town gardens in Masterton flowering cherry trees are making a brave showing at present. In Victoria Street the avenue of trees presents a striking sight. Motor Cyclist Injured. Mr James Haeata, of Masterton, was admitted to the Masterton Hospital on Saturday afternoon as the result of injuries received when he fell off his motor cycle opposite Faulknor’s service station, Lansdowne. His condition is reported today to be satisfactory. Anglican Synod. The annual session of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington will open, tomorrow afternoon at St. Paul’s schoolroom, Wellington. In the absence of the bishop, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, who is recuperating after an operation, the Vicar-General, Archdeacon W. Bullock, formerly ol Masterton, will preside. Boy Electrocuted.

Raymond Harold Scott, aged 8J years, son of a railway employee at Takapau, was killed by an electric shock at Takapau yesterday afternoon. The boy climbed a water tank adjoining his father’s house, and caught hold of the electric service wire. His father climbed the tank and brought the boy to the ground. Artificial respiration was tried for two hours, but without success. Odd Feilows’ Dance. There was a good attendance at the dance held in the Masonic Hall, Masterton, on Saturday night, by the Masterton Odd Fellows’ Lodge. The music was supplied by Mr Frank Pool’s Blue River Dance Band, extras being played by Mr Arnold Barnes. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr W. Palmer. Supper was served by a committee of lodge members. The dance was one of the most enjoyable ever held by the lodge. Otaki Health Camp. Extensive alterations and additions to the children’s health camp at Otaki are to be made in the immediate future. At a meeting of the King George V. Memorial Fund Board held in Wellington a grant was approved not exceeding £14,000, additional to the grant of £5OOO authorised in July, to meet the cost. This work will entail the complete replanning and refitting of the toilet blocks for girls and boys, the erection of a new school block, din-ing-hall. kitchen and laundry blocks, including the installation of a new hotwater system, the building of certain roads, paths, and the provision of the necessary drainage in connection with the new buildings; also the installation of a cooker, with ample storage for crushed coke supplies. Lesson of the Ballot. The need for physical fitness in a world of warring nations was emphasized by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.. when he opened the Christchurch girls’ sports on Lancaster Park. “I think the people of New Zealand got a shock when they saw that 50 per cent of our young men called up for home service could not pass the medical test. It is a matter which will need attention in future,” he said. New Zealand had a lot to learn in developing the physique of its young men and women and organisations such as the Christchurch Girls’ Sports Association were to be congratulated on the enthusiasm with which | they were encouraging physical fitness. Great Britain to a certain extent had neglected the fitness of her young men in contrast to what had been done on the Continent, and was only now learning those lessons.

Boy Scout Movement. Reason for optimism for the future of scouting in New Zealand was stated by the Dominion Chief Commissioner, Mr Hector Christie .addressing the annual conference in Wellington of the Boy Scouts Association. This optimism, he said, was not from wishful thinking, but was a considered opinion. It was based on a series of encouraging facts. With no Sydney or Centennial jamboree as a lure, and in spite of the absence of some hundreds of scouters on active service, the scout census was up by 663 boys. The commissioner of training, after travelling throughout New Zealand, had assured him that the standard of scouting was much improved and was continuing to improve. The older people of the community were taking a greater interest in scout activities than ever before. The whole organisation was working harmoniously, even more so than previously. These were reasons for. optimism.