LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 June 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A motor truck, owned by Mr V. Olliver, suddenly burst into flames on tire Mt. Bruce road on Tuesday night and was destroyed. A load of wood which was being conveyed to Masterton was saved.

A start has been made with the protective works at the Otaki River, and, among other things, it is proposed to erect a stop-bank at a cost of £I6OO. This will be financed jointly by the Railway Department, which is contributing £750, and the Main Highways Board, which will contribute £350. The remainder of the estimated cost of the stop-bank ha,s been found by the residents of Otaki.

For some time negotiations have been in progress between the British Allied Investment Company and the directors of Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., for the acquisition of a controlling interest in this -old-established Wellington firm. It is understood that the Investment Co. has made a definite offer for both the ordinary and preference shares, which are 20/- each fully paid. The firm of Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., one of the oldest drapery concerns in the Dominion, was established nearly 70 years ago, and began business in a small shop opposite to Barrett’s Hotel in.ISGG. The founders were Mr John Kirkcaldie and Mr Robert Stains.

,In a .sermon delivered at Thames the Archbishop of Hew Zealand said that in the next session of Parliament there would be presented a new Bill to place Christian teaching in the schools, and the strong moral support of all Christihn men and women was required. A plebiscite which had been taken showed that over SO per cent, of parents have signified their wish to have religious teaching in the schools. The obstacles to the passing of similar Bills have been the opposition of the Roman Catholic Bishops and also of many of the teachers, but the'former has now been withdrawn and the speaker hoped that the teachers would put the welfare of the children and of the whole community before their own particular wishes. One thing he was quite sure of was that if the Bill were passed the teachers would be loyal to it. The Bill allowed religious instruction in school hours, and any teacher or parent could claim exemption. All children not attending the class would be receiving 'secular tuition at the same time.

Regarding the recent appointment of Miss M. Hunn as a specialist teacher of physical culture in Masterton schools, Mr W. Hickson, headmaster of the Masterton West School, in a report to the committee last evening stated:— “A deputation, of which I was a member, waited on the Trust Lands Trust to solicit a grant for the employment of a 'specialist teacher in drill. This deputation, represented primary, secondary and technical schools in the Small Farm Area. The .system of physical exercises l being taught in the Masterton schools is not peculiar to this town, but is the new system promulgated by the Education Department for the- whole of the Dominion. The engagement of the specialist teacher was approved by the Senior Inspector of Schools in the Wellington district and by the Wellington Education Board. The specialist teacher works in harmony and with the full approval of the drill instructors of the Wellington Education Board. The utilisation -of the services of a drill specialist makes it possible in. Masterton to introduce the new system more effectively and in the -shortest possible time. Masterton owes a deep debt of gratitude to- the members of the Trust Lands Trust who have in this matter evinced their keen interest in the physical development of the child, as they have in the past shown their practical interest in the mental equipment of the child by the allocation of the grant to cover the necessary pecuniary liability.” Wood’s Great Peppermint 'Cure, First aid for Coughs, Colds* Influenza.*

‘ “New Zealand butter was always 3d a pound dearer than Danish in Scotland. Besides, we could buy two ounces of Danish if we wanted to, whereas we could buy New Zealand butter only .in half pound lots, stated an immigrant in Taihape.

To date, 2SSS personrs have signed the petition which is -being circulated in favour of the creation of a separate board to control the Masterton Technical School and of acceptance of the offer by tlie Trust Lands Trust of a site for a new building together with a substantial financial contribution to its cost, •

A verdict of suicide was returned at an inquest regarding the death of Roy Richmond Kissling, aged 23, who was. found lying under the Grafton Bridge, Auckland, on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased had been missing from home since Tuesday. He was captain of the King’s College Old Boys’ cricket eleven, which won the Auckland senior B competition the last two seasons.

Hidden behind a coal box inside the back door, a plug of gelignite and two detonators were found when police searched the apartment house of John Henry Morgan, labourer, aged 48. On a charge of having these explosives in his possession without lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose, Morgan, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by Mr E. Page, S.M., in the Wellington ' S.M. Court yesterday. Sub-Inspector Ward said that the accused denied any knowledge that the explosives were in the house, which was searched under warrant. The police records described him as a man who occasionally worked on the wharves. “'We have been informed, whether rightly or wrongly, that he is the man who supplied explosives to a criminal who was before the court last week,” the sub-speetor added. At the Masterton Technical .School yesterday afternoon, after a practice of the new form of exercises under the direction of Miss Hunn, Mr W. H. Jackson visited the school and presented the' following certificates in Pitman’s Shorthand gained by the evening and day class pupils: —110 words per minute, Rita Gardner, Molly Simpsou, Agnes Golder; 80 words per minute, Elma Davidson, Phyllis Madsen, Terence Hodder; 70 words per minute, Grace Hopkins; 60 words per minute, Tangi Elers, Susie Evans, Edna Hubbard. Theory Certificate: Moira Elkins, Susie Evans, Grace Hopkins, Edna Hubbard, Phyllis Madsen, Terence Hodder. Elementary Certificate: Hazel Bell, Kathleen Cairns, Jean Hardie, Joan Harrington, Linda McAlipce, Mavis McLeod, Eileen Matson, Mary Q. Newton, Frances Perfect, ■ Nancy Pinkerton, Joan Scrivener, Hazeldene Spademan, Barbara Wills. Another examination in speed shorthand and for elementary and theory certificates is to be held shortly, at which a fair number of pupils purpose attending. This year a number of pupils have been taking tuition in Gregg’s Shorthand and aj few of. the pupils are already taking speed practice with a view to examinations at the end of the year. In the course of a sermon at Thames on the Bible in schools, the Archbishop of New Zealand said his subject applied to the' primary education system of New Zealand. We profess to be a democratic country, and profess to be a Christian country, lie said, and yet our educational system is calculated to bias the minds of children against the very thought of God. Surely the object and purpose of live education is the drawing out and development of the whole child—body* mind and spirit. Education should be a training for life and worthy citizenship. Ethical and moral, teaching is all very .well in its way, but how long is it going to withstand the temptations' of the world unless it has a definite religious basis and foundation. There was no God necessary in a purely ethical system, and it is hardly as valuable as Buddhism. Are we ashamed of our religion, ashamed to honour God and His Christ, and contented to allow our children to be deprived of the knowledge of the Father? For over fifty years l we have been depriving our children of their rightful heritage in the schools of the Dominion, as if God was not of sufficient importance to be admitted into the State school syllabus. Yesterday afternoon at her residence, Lincoln Road, Mrs E. 0. Blamires, president of the Masterton Central branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, entertained the collectors and sympathisers of the Central and Upper Plain branches. There was an excellent attendance and after afternoon tea had been served matters in connection with the forthcoming annual effort w r ere discussed. During the afternoon Mrs Blamires gave a short talk on the work of the Bible Society especially in, our own land. In touching on the various activities of the society in the Dominion, Mrs Blamires stated that it had been instrumental in having' the Bible placed in practically all the leading accommodation houses in New Zealand. A pleasing feature in this connection was the receipt by the society of numerous letters of appreciation from the travelling public. The support accorded to the society was truly wonderful. The remarkable response throughout the difficult period of last year was a sure indication of the public recognition of the valuable work of the society. Mrs Blamires also spoke of the splendid work of the collectors and said she was pleased to announce that they had all come forward with the offer of their services again this year.

"Prevention is better than cure.” Protect yourself from coughs and colds tliis •winter by putting a few drops of "NAZOL” on your handkerchief daily. Disinfects the circle of infection. 120 full doses for 2/6. 60 doses for 1/6. *

The Unemployment Commissioner advised the Masterton County Council yesterday in reference to the proposed Devil’s Elbow deviation that the Unemployment Board could not give any definite guarantee that new work under Scheme No. 5 might be completed under that scheme, as through shortage of funds the board was compelled to suspend the operation of the scheme. It would appear, the commissioner stated, that the work in cpiestion could not be carried out with any assistance from the board meantime.

The chairman, Mr J, V. Gordon, pre-. sided at the monthly meeting of the Masterton West School Committee, held last night. Others present were: Messrs J. L. Hughes, J. A. Russell, F. J. Wright, J. J. McLeary and the headmaster (Mr W. Hickson). A vote of thanks was passed to Mr J. L. Hughes for the gift of a stag’s head to the school and to Mr R. G. Russell for the donation of some flax plants. The headmaster reported the roll number to be: Main school, 377, average attendance since the holidays', 355; side school, 116, 105; combined roll, 473, combined average, 463. “The courts will insist on tl\c fullest information being given by these applicants for relief work. The greatest honesty and straight-forwardness is essential these days. Everything possible is being done for unfortunate people, but if they take unfair advantage of it, the whole system is in danger of breaking down.” Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., at Christchurch, said this yesterday, when three men were charged with obtaining money by false pretences, in that they made fraudulent declarations when applying for relief work under the Unemployment Board’s scheme.

The Y.M.C.A. Cup billiards' and snooker competition was continued last night, when Post Office defeated Oddfellows on points. Each side won five games. The following are the results, Post Office players mentioned first in each case: —Billiards: F. Dwyer lost to T. Dcvenport; W. Finnerty beat F. Keen; T. Wickens beat 11. Liddell; W. Miller lost to C. I’erry; W. Sutherland beat L. Pearson. Snooker: T. Dwyer beat T. Devonport, W. Finnerty lost to F. Keen; T. Wickens lost to H, Liddell; W. Miller beat C, Perry; W. Sutherland lost to L. Pearson. Next week, W.F.O.A. will play Y.M.C.A While the ten per cent, cut is to be applied to returned soldiers’ economic pensions, it will probably allay a good deal of misapprehension when it is stated on the authority of the Commissioner of Pensions that the maximum reduction cannot exceed 3/- a week, as it only applies to the soldiers’ economic pension, and does not touch the economic pension of his wife and children. The disability pension of £2 a week is not affected by the cut, but in discussion with Returned Soldiers’ Association officials it was indicated that any suggestion to touch that ])ension in future would provoke the strongest opposition.

The rifle shooting match recently held between teams representing the Wairarapa and Wanganui provincial districts of the Farmers’ Union for the C.A.C. Shield, was won by the Wairarapa A team, .with a total score of .175. Wanganui was next with 555, and the Wairarapa B team third with 552. The scores at the respective ranges were: — 000 yards, Wairarapa A, 179; Wanganui, 181 j Wairarapa B, 181. 500 yards, Wairarapa A, 201; Wanganui, 189; Wairarapa B, 190. 600 yards, Wairarapa A, 195; Wanganui, ISS; Wairarapa B, 17S. The five highest aggregates were: J. C. Feast and Sinclair Ate Kay (Wairarapa), 99; E. Wrigley (Wairarapa), 98; J. Patterson (Wanganui) and O, .J. Six (Wairarapa), 97. The sporting action of the Wa'irarapa in voluntarily making the C.A.C. Shield at stake in the match was much appreciated by the Wanganui team. The annual meeting of the Masterton Methodist Choir was held in the Bible Class Boom last evening. There were over 20 members present, including the leader, Air S. H. Balph and the organist, Aliss A. Al. .Jones, L.A.B. The liev. E. O. Blamires presided. The annual report, read by the secretary, Aliss A. Jackson, showed that there had been considerable growth and.activity during the past twelve months. The number of members' increased by nine and very helpful music was given on ordinary occasions in the church and on several special occasions. It was decided to start preparations shortly for the Christmas oratorio. Several new members were elected to * the choir. Refreshments were served by the ladies, to whom a special vote of thanks was passed. Three months after the earthquake the Department of Education decided to repair the Hastings High School, which was damaged on February 3,. and the work of repairing the building will begin about the end of this month, or nearly five months after it was damaged. In the meantime thousands of pounds worth of school buildings are lying idle, unoccupied and in disrepair. Worse than that, the children are housed in tin sheds, open bicycle sheds, and not very weatherproof marquees. It is only in fine weather, however, that open-air classes can be held. Wednesday’s and yesterday’s cold wind and rain was responsible for much great personal discomfort both to stall and pupils, who may have to suffer for some we,eks to come. On Wednesday the marquees were flooded, and of the 250 pupils who came to school in spite of the cold and heavy rain 60 younger girls had to be sent home and 140 boys had to be sent to the drill hall.

Send Everest Soap Coupons and get one of the wonderful free gifts. Cash and other prizes. Ask your grocer fox descriptive pamphlet. This month’s Happy Snapshot Competition, "Mother’s Best Wash-day Friend." 1

A resident of Cornwall Street had a line full of clothes stolen on Tuesday night. The police are investigating the matter.

The two pound loaf of bread is being sold at old in some shops in Wellington. The price of the staff of life in Sydney is now 3d a loaf. The Masterton County Council was advised yesterday that the Main Highways Board had decided to allow preparation work on the Opaki section of the Wellington-Napier Highway to proceed on a £3 for £1 basis. No guarantee could be given that sealing would be allowed to proceed until the board had considered its estimates.

A social afternoon, organised by the Y.M.C.A. Ladies’ Auxiliary; was held at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms yesterday. Though the • attendance was not as good as usual, no doubt owing to the inclement weather, all who availed themselves of the opportunity, spent a thoroughly enjoyable time. The following contributed much appreciated items: —Mrs J. Shearer, Miss G. Judd, D. Taylor; recitation, Miss J. Drew. The accompaniments were played by Mrs J. Butler and Miss G. Williams. A 'competition was won by Mrs Butler. A cake stall was well supplied with excellent goods, which found a ready sale brisk business being done. The Auxiliary members dispensed afternoon tea. At the conclusion of a very happy function the president (Mrs A. C. Cameron) on behalf of the Auxiliary expressed thanks to all who had assisted with the programme and to all present for their attendance and support. To all honorary members and friends who so kindly gave donations of money and cakes, the Auxiliary offers very grateful thanks. It is intended to hold a cake and recipe afternoon next month, the date of which will be notified later.