LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21758, 18 June 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Presbyterian Moderator The congregation of Knox Church, Masterton, has agreed to the Rt. Rev. John Davie, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, accepting a call to St. Andrew’s, Gisborne. He will leave in August. George Cross for Gallantry The first award of a George Cross : to a resident of Malta has gone to acting-Lieutenant-Commander William Ewart Hiscock, for great gallantry anc 4 undaunted devotion to duty. Level Crossing Signal The cost of the warning bells and flashing light signals installed in February last at the Seddon Road level crossing by the Railways Department was £269 2s 4d, according to advice received by the Hamilton Borough Council at its meeting last night. The council’s share of the cost was £134 11s 2d, of which all but £64 9s 8d had been paid in February, 1941. Black Frost Nine successive frosts have been experienced in Hamilton. This morning 10.1 degrees was read at Ruakura and six in Hamilton. Conditions were not as cold as yesterday in the early morning, mainly because of the change in the direction of the wind from south to north-west. There was a slight fog and the sky was overcast. The barometer is rising and read 30.55in. at 9 a.m., and further cold weather is expected. R.S.A. Membership An alteration of the membership rules of the New Zealand Returned Services Association to allow admission to soldiers who have served only in New Zealand was discussed at the annual conference of the association in Wellington last night. It was decided that in view of changing conditions and the possibility of New Zealand becoming an actual theatre of war the matter should be brought before the next conference. Noxious Weeds Control A ratepayer in Killarney Road wrote to the Hamilton Borough Council last night calling attention to what he termed the danger and menace caused by the rank growth of noxious weeds on a section adjoining his own. He said the property was owned by absentees, and asked the council to take the necessary steps to have the menace lessened. The complaint was referred to the borough inspector of noxious weeds. Fire Board Levy An increase of £IOOO over last year was provided for in the estimates of the Hamilton Fire Board, according to a statement presented to the Hamilton Borough Council last night. The total estimate for the current year was £7900, of which the borough council is to contribute £3900 in quarterly instalments. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, explained that the extra cost budgeted for was on account of the emergency precautions entailing employment of extra men. Repertory Theatre’s Big Membership The membership register of the Wellington Repertory Theatre Society shows that the limit of membership —9so—has been maintained. The report states that the society has invested £SOO in National Savings Bonds and £SOO in the Liberty Loan. It is fair inference that war conditions heighten rather than diminish the desire for the legitimate theatre. The committee intends to maintain the society’s activities so long as it is possible to choose suitable plays and = to find men to play in them. National Savings Quota‘s Last week 71 towns flew their National Savings flags as having attained their National Savings quotas. The number of successful towns is smaller than usual but this, the organisers consider, can be accounted for as the aftermath of the recent Liberty Loan appeal. Special drives are being conducted, by all committees, and it is confidently anticipated that their work will soon re:e suit in the attainment of a new high t- level. All money raised through Le National Savings is spent for war ie purposes. tr Miniature X-ray Unit A conference of Taranaki hospital ie boards is to be called by the Hawera l y board to consider the purchase of a [ r miniature mobile X-ray unit at a CS cost of £ll9O. This unit weighs only 1501 b, and may be operated a from an ordinary household electric- >_ power plug. “The miniature method l " of making chest surveys is in its infancy, and improvements will un- „ doubtedly be made,” wrote Dr. E. P. ’ Allen, radiologist at New Plymouth. n “If the unit is purchased it will be the first in New Zealand and to that ie extent experimental, but I feel that l ~ its manifest advantages more than compensate for this factor.” ' Girls on War Work . At a sitting of the Auckland Manj power (Industrial) Committee held at the Courthouse this morning Mr L. 51 McKinnon, the district manpower jr officer, said that approximately 250 ie Hamilton girls had been drafted -- from civil occupation to an essential • e industry. Replying to a question by Mr W. J. Truscott, a member of the committee, Mr McKinnon, said it S would certainly give greater scope if the age limit for the calling up of girls for essential industries were raised. Mr Truscott said that if the £ services of women up to 25 to 30 years of age could be called upon 9 there would not be the necessity of ?" calling up girls in the 20-21 years 1° class who were in many cases hold'n ing key positions in their existing employment, ie Trenches at Horotiu ig “ They haven’it done anything and 70 don’t intend doing anything unless id they are paid for it and paid award ze rates,” said Mr F. L. Onion, in anld swering a question at a meeting of id the Waipa County Council as to whether provision was being made at the Horotiu Freezing Works for air raid shelters and trenches. The men themselves had co-operated in taking up the matter with the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, r said Mr Onion, but after all coniy cerned had carefully studied his re>n piy ? no one had the slightest idea r 'what he meant The telegram to id the Minister had clearly asked what u. should be done, whether the men were to do it. and if so, were they ct to be paid for it. “ But the MinisL ter was absolutely noncommittal,” ll concluded the speaker, re A fashionable neckline is essenr° tial to add that distinctive touch to your ensemble and here is where a n' j cosy Scarf plays an important part, s- | at the same time providing the neces>n ! sary warmth and protection to offset the wintry conditions. Hooker and Kingston’s have a wonderful selection ’I of Scarves for present wear. You ie will be surprised at the marvellous j. ■ variety of choice. Scarves to suit al . every individual taste from brilliant s- effects to the more subdued tonings. t- Colour combinations to tone with any 4 ; outfit. 'They are procurable in fine d. j quality woo! sheers or in firmer iy } weaves. Cali in and see the range for J yourself-