LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 April 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Sydney cable states that remarkably cold weather spread over the State during the week-end. Snow, sleet and frosts occurred in many places. Sydney recorded the lowest temperatures in April for several years past.

On account of bad weather on Saturday, the official opening of the Carterton Golf Club did not take place. It has be'on decided to dispense with an official opening and to carry on with the season’s play.

Mr W. S. Flaws, divisional secretary of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, writes: —“Please convey, through your journal, our appreciation to_ “Sideliner” for the generous donation to the Men’s Division of St. John Ambulance.”

A number of improvements to the Cape Kidnappers gannet sanctuary have been planned by the Sanctuary Board and will be carried out as finances permit. The following list of proposed works has been drawn up: (1) Hand-rail along steep portion of track leading down the narrow neck, to the main resting area. (2) Plantation area to be fenced off from stock and prepared for planting in suitable trees. (3) Repairs where necessary to walking track. (4) Provisions of the supply of drinking-water near the cape.

r * Increases in the Painters’ and Decorators’ Wages Award have been announced, to be retrospective, to Ist April. The increase in wages is to 2/per hour as against 1/11. There is a slight difference in overtime payments also. Time and a quarter is to be paid for the first 3 hours (previously 4 hours) and thereafter time and a half. The scope of these new awards is Do-minion-wide with the exception of Marlborough and is to be in force for one year, expiring on 31st March, 1936. Suburban work, county work and holidays are the same. It will bo noticed that wages under this new award are retrospective to Ist April.'

As secretary of the newly formed Eastern Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society wrote to the meeting of the general committee of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society on Saturday stating that the Royal Show this yenr would he conducted by his society. He asked that the Wairarapa Society increase its subscription to the Royal Society from one per cent, to two per cent, of members’ subscriptions. Considerable opposition was shown to any increase and it was decided that the subscription remain at one per cent. Mr M. McLeod was re-elected delegate to the Royal Society. At the annual meeting of the Eketahuna branch of the Plunkct Society the election of officers for the ensuing year was as follows:—President, Mrs E. C. Albrechtsen; vice-presidents, Mesdames Lowes, Matheson and Richardson; secretary, Mrs A. S. Carter; treasurer, Mr T>. G. Moffatt; executive committee, Mesdames Macky, Walton, Watson and Spring; advisory committee, Messrs Simpson, Richardson, Herbert and Dr. Simmers; town committee, Messrs Gaskin, Jarvis, Simmers, Moffatt, Walker, W, Anderson and Miss Anderson; country committees: Newman, Mrs Britain; Rongokako, Mrs Cooper; Putara, Mesdames Christensen and R. Breech; Eongomai, Mesdames Matheson, Lowes and 11. Cooper; Alfredton, Mesdames George and Percy; Nireaha, Mesdames J. Daysh, K. Daysli, C._ Bowycr, Jnr., and A. Golder; Tiraumea, Mesdames L. Houlbrooke, S. Raleigh and C. Raleigh; Tone, Mrs J. Evans. The monthly meeting of the Mauricevillo County Council was held on Saturday last, Or. R. Judd (chairman) presiding, there being also present:.— Crs. W. A. Miller, W. Bennett, F. W. Parry, A. Forsberg and J. 11. MacDonald. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £1728 2s 9d, and accounts were passed amounting to £403 11s fid. It was decided that plans of the Mangamahoe Station Bridge and Hood’s Bridge be completed by the Public Works Department. The Mastorton County Council requested that' the Council should take over the maintenance grading of about 40 chains of Main Highway No. 15, adjacent to the Ruamahanga Suspension Bridge, and this was agreed to until this highway was taken over by the Main Highways Board for sealing purposes, as already arranged. The Prime Minister forwarded recommendations for celebrating the Silycr Jubilee of the King, and it was decided that the Council co-operate so far as possible in such celebrations, and that a holiday be granted to the staff on 6th May. The Automobile Association enquired whether any road signs were out of repair or new ones required in the county, and the clerk was directed to reply. The overseer reported progress of all work during the past month, and contemplated work was discussed and arranged for,

“Poppy Day” will be held in Masterton on Wednesday next, 17th April,

Owing to the unsuitable weather the Masterton Municipal Band had to postpone its Sunday evening concert in the Park, which was to have taken place last ovening. To-night a start will be made in practising the music for Anzac Day.

An enjoyable evening was spent in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday, when a five hundred tournament was held by the St. John Ambulance, Nursing Division. Mrs Ilawkcworth won both the travelling and the ladies’ first prize and Mr McKenzie the men’s first prize. Another 500 evening will be held in a fortnight’s time. Ycsterdav morning the body of Hugh Mac Lean, 33, son of Mr P. 11. MacLean, of Waimumu, was found at the foot of a cliff near Arrowtown, states an Invercargill Press Association telegram. It is understood that he had been lying there since Friday night. He was employed in mining work at Deep Creek. The body was taken to Frankton.

The Dominion Secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Wellington, wrote to the meeting of the general committee of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society on Saturday regarding undesirable sideshows being allowed on P. and A. grounds. After some discussion the secretary was instructed to reply that the society was in favour of all sideshows being licensed by the police and would assist in every way possible. The Wellington Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces will hold its annual re-union next Saturday night to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the regiment’s landing on Gallipoli. At the social function next Saturday night the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, and the Ilon.W. Perry, M.L.C., members of the regiment, will be among the speakers. The re-union will conclude with a church parade to All Saints’ Church on Sunday morning, where the King’s colours and the regimental memorials arc deposited.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, reporting on the North Island district lamb competition, gave the London judge’s comments on the winning Wairarapa pens as follows:—Pen 40, McKenzie Estate, 1. This pen was judged to be the best pen of three lambs in the whole of North Island exhibit. Three perfect lambs for shape, make and excellent of quality surely impossible to beat. Pen 49, R. R. Tilson, 2: Three magnificent lambs. Somewhat heavier than pen 40 but carrying an abundance of meat. A most- attractive type of lamb for the London trade. Pen 54, Jack Jury, 43: Three exceedingly good lambs. Ideal from every point of view. First-class butchers’ meat.

At the meeting of the Mauricevillc County Council on Saturday the chairman reported the result of the recent conference between representatives of the Masterton Borough Council, Masterton County Council and the Mauriceville County Council .in Tegard to arranging contributions towards the reconstruction of the Ruamahanga Bridge, and the following resolution was passed: “That after the contribution payable by the Masterton Borough Council towards the cost of construction 6f this bridge is fixed this council is prepared) to agree to contribute to the balance of such cost on a capital valuation basis.” Interviewed upon his arrival at Auckland, the Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates; said that the result of the mission in which he was taking part would determine the future of New Zealand’s meat industry. “The meat problem,” said Mr Coates, “is one which must be regarded as the major problem facing the country at the present time. It immediately concerns thoso ongaged in the industry itself, and! from the point of view of our national welfare the British Government’s proposals would have a farreaching effect. The Ottawa Agreement of 1932 provided a basis for improved prices, and it was agreed also that at the end of each year the arrangement could be subject to review and to adjustment by the parties concerned. New Zealand’s economic fabric is particularly vulnerable to changes overseas, especially by reason of our small population and isolation from markets. Meat represents one-fourth of our exports — definitely a much higher proportion than in any other of the Dominions.”

In a little more than a. year, if the provisions of the Electoral Act are carried* out, there will bo a revision of the electoral boundaries in New Zealand the effects of which are likely to be startling. By statute it is compulsory that this revision should be made after the census. The next census will bo taken probably in April, 1936, and it is expected that it will disclose such an excess of population in the North Island over that of the South and such a change generally in the incidence of population in the Dominion that there will bo radical changes. There will have to be not only an alteration in favour of the North Island in the numerical representation of the two islands in the House of Parliament, but extensive alterations to the boundaries of electorates everywhere. It is considered that shrinkage of population in some of the South Island electorates, or at least the failure of the population to increase proportionately with that of the average North Island electorate, will necessitate the loss of at least two southern electorates through amalgamation. In presenting the thirtieth annual report and balance sheet of the No. 1 Group and the ninth annual report and balance sheet of the No. 2 Group of the Wairarapa Terminating Building Society, the directors state:—“We have pleasure in stating in the No. 1 Group all shareholders havo obtained loans. £IBOO was appropriated during the year, bringing the total amount advanced to shareholders, including premiums to £64,865 ss. A proposal regarding the profits of the group is now submitted by circular to shareholders. In the No. 2 Group, a very successful year was experienced, £4500 being appropriated, £2400 by ballot and £2IOO by sale. The profit, and loss account in this group now totals £7345 11s. During the year a visit was made to Featherston, when a ballot of £6OO was disposed of in No. 2 Group. This year, a sifnilar visit will be made to Martinborough. Shareholders continue to loyally support their society, thus assisting the management. With the rapidly increasing repayment income, shareholders can confidently anticipate more frequent appropriations in the future.” The report is signed on behalf of the directors by Mr L. IT. Smart, chairman.

Mrs James Lecomte, of 39 Lincoln Road, Christchurch, was found lying at the side of the road at Taitapu at 1.20 o’clock yesterday morning beside an overturned motor car. She was taken to hospital suffering with severe head and back injuries. Her condition yesterday afternoon was serious.

It was resolved by the Mauriceville County Council at its meeting on Saturday that two remits be forwarded to the Counties’ Association for consideration at the annual conference as follows:—“(1) That all money collected from motor taxation be spent on the roads with a view to easing the rates on rural lands,” and (2) “that the Main Highways Board take over the main arterial roads.”