LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21910, 14 December 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Furniture or Encouragement? # “I was laughed at when I advocated free furniture in 1938, but if it helps a man to establish his own home that it what the returning soldier wants,” said Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P., at the Raglan CountyCouncil meeting. “It is encouragement they want rather than free furniture,” said Mr W. J. Lusty. Average Rainfall Exceeded The rainfall to date for 1942 exceeds the yearly average by 0.03in. As the result of Saturday’s showers the total for the year stands at 48.87in., compared with the annual average of 48.84in. With 17 days still to go before the end of the year it is possible that the 50-inch mark may be reached. Guardsmen’s Christmas Box People passing by Steele Park yesterday morning witnessed an unusual sight. Lines of uniformed men were moving steadily up to trestle tables, on which were many small piles of silver coins and neatlytied packets of banknotes. It was the Hamilton battalion of the Home Guard being paid for services rendered in the recent “Battle of the Kaimais.” Most Sober in World American soldiers are the most sober in the world, according to Mr Wadsworth, of the United States House of Representatives, writing in Colliers Magazine. He added that surveys disclosed that 57 per cent of American soldiers were total abstainers. Even on Saturday nights 34 per cent drink only beer and the remainder occasionally take -hard liquor. Sunday School Anniversary Large congregations attended the Sunday School Anniversary services at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, London Street, yesterday, when a children’s choir, under the baton of Mr H. G. Cook, rendered special musical items. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. H. G. Gilbert, of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the afternoon service by Mr J. Treloar, while in the evening the preacher was the minister of the church, the Rev. C. H. Olds, B.A. Maori Concert A Maori concert held in the Frankton Town Hall last night proved so successful that the net proceeds were £l4, and this sum was handed to Mr A. E. Gibbons, of the Red Cross Society, as a contribution from the Maori residents of Hamilton and district. The programme opened with a hymn by the Maori Choir, led by Ako Pihama, and included hakas, poi dances, vocal and instrumental items, all of which were well receved. Among the performers were Mr Te Weri and Miss M. Laurenson and her pupils. Plastic Surgery The Te Awamutu Red Cross SubCentre has forwarded through the Waikato Centre a donation of £SO to the military plastic surgery clinic, Burwood. The clinic, which is under the charge of Major J. Brownlee, is attached to the Christchurch Hospital and is in the process of development. The advance made in this branch of medical science in the last decade is amazing and it is pleasing to note that New Zealand is not lagging behind. In fact Sir Harold Gillies, a New Zealander, has been in the forefront ox plastic surgery development for many years. Arsenical Sprays The question of county officials assisting farmers with the use of arsenical sprays provoked some discussion at the monthly meeting of the Raglan County Council. It was pointed out that all livestock had to be kept away from a sprayed area for 14 days and the farmer receiving assistance would have to give a written indemnity against possible losses of stock. The matter of shortage of staff was also mentioned. “I don’t think we should do it; it is a matter which is best left to the individual farmer,” said the chairman, Mr H. W. Wilson. The council decided to take no action in the matter.