LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22204, 25 November 1943, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rain Still Expected Hopes entertained this morning of cooling showers to relieve the oppressive temperature and refresh parched gardens were not fulfilled, as overcast conditions gave way to warm sun shim. Only a negligible quantity of rain has fallen during the past fortnight, and a succession of hot days has resulted in dry gardens. However, householders who have spent the major part of their evenings hose in hand, may take comfort from the meteorological report, which forecasts a period of rain developing. “Autumn and Other Things” “It is very warm here at present; autumn will soon start, and other things besides,” writes a prisoner of war in Germany to his parents in Hamilton.

Prize in Sweepstakes In the latest Tattersall’s sweepstake the “New Footballers,” South Dunedin, have drawn a prize oj £IOOO.

Thrown From Horse When he was thrown from a horse, Mr J. A. Stead, farmer, of Cambridge, fractured his right leg. He was removed to the Waikato Hospital. Pineapples at £6 Each A crowd gathered outside a fruit shop in London when two fresh pineapples from the Azores were placed in a window at a sale price of £6 each. No Driving License For having no driving license when operating a motor-car on August 17, William H. Thompson, of Frankton, was fined IDs and costs in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today. Airman Receives Commission Advice has been received by Mr and Mrs D. R. Welch, Taupiri, that their son, Flight-Sergeant Brian Desmond Welch, has been promoted pilot-officer. He was married on November 13 to Miss Valerie Davison,'only child of Mr and Mrs Davison, Edgeware, London. Remand Granted

A remand for one week was granted by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today when Senior-Sergeant A. G. McHugh prosecuted Albert Wilton Peters, aged 59, labourer, on a charge of being idle and disorderly in that he had no visible means of support. Recent Summer Show

Reports from stewards concerning the activities at the summer show early this month were received at a meeting of the executive of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral .Association. A presentation of a walking stick and a smoker’s outfit was made by the president, Mr F. S. Veale, to Mr F. R. Seddon. Reference was made to the marked success that had attended Mr Seddon’s efforts in the interests of the association.

Low Flying “Sheer Folly” At a passing-out ceremony at the Wigram air station a warning against low flying was given to airmen who had qualified for their “wings.” Group Captain R. A. Spencer, R.A.F.V.R., the inspecting officer, said that it was “unnecessary, stupid and a direct sabotage of the war effort.” Because of it New Zealand had lost some highly-trained and valuable personnel and valuable aircraft. “It is just sheer folly,” he added.

Australian Visitor’s View A visit to a Hamilton grocer’s shop provoked an Australian woman visiting the town to express the opinion that compared with conditions in her country New Zealanders had little cause for complaint concerning the available supplies of various commodities. She was impressed by the irony of the fact that she could be served with Australian rice when at home she had not seen any for twelve months. Refilling Slit Trenches

A bulldozer scoop has been operating in various parts of the borough during the past few days, refilling slit trenches that were dug two years ago. For many months the localities have been very unsightly, with long fescue grass covering the trenches, and in one or two cases forming a potential source of danger to passersby. The machine was busy this morning on the vacant section in Barton Street beside the Y.M.C.A. building, where overgrown trenches were within a few yards of the fire exit -door of the Y.M.C.A. Adult Assistance Needed The vital need for adult assistance for the scout movement was indicated by Dominion scout leaders when they addressed a public meeting in Hamilton last night. More leaders for scouts were urgently needed but the greatest care was taken to ensure that the person appointed to such a post had all the necessary qualifications, particularly from the point of view of character. This aspect was stressed by Mr S. N. Ziman, district commissioner, who added that all leaders had to have letters of authority before being entrusted with their important task.

Fatal Accident Terrible head injuries from which death resulted were suffered by a Blenheim youth aged 17 last Sunday when he was struck with terrific force on the top of the head by a heavy steel ring forming part of the locking system of a big lorry tyre he had been inflating. This ring is normally kept in place by air pressure which, in the case of tyres of this type, is about 80 lb. to the square inch. The youth was bending over the tyre when something caused the ring to slip free. Instantly it was flung outward with terrific force and speed, and with a detonation that attracted attention over a wide area. Borough Electoral Roll The Hamilton Borough Council’s clerical staff is busily engaged preparing the burgesses’ roll for the expected municipal elections in May next year. Between 600 and 700 electors who qualified for the last election and who did not vote have had notifications posted to their last known addresses, but in the great majority of cases the notices have been returned to the sender with the remark “not known” or “gone, no address.” These names are struck off the roll,. Hundreds of new names have yet to be added, but there is no present indication, as to the number of names that will figure on the new roll. Bus Stolen

About two years ago a Hamilton bus was illegally taken one night from in front of the driver’s home in Ulster Street and later found near Huntly, the assumption being that a serviceman had used it to enable him to get back to camp. Something of the same sort appears to have occurred in Wellington, for at about 2 a.m. last Saturday a 21-seater bus was removed from Bond Street and found later at Trentham. The thief cn this occasion was suspected to be a man who in company with a young woman had inquired about obtaining a seat in the bus. The police and military patrols were informed and a search located the missing vehicle near Trentham.