TIMARU ITEMS.

Price of Lambs. The farmihg community in . South Canterbury are by no means despondent on account of the slump, as prices of fat lamb 3 and wool have improved bo materially, compared with the values ruling twelve months ago, that an entirely different tone pervades the town as well as the country. At the Point stock sale on Monday last fat lambs brought 8d to Bjd per pound, and the concluding wool sale on Wednesday last saw prices higher than at any other wool sale of the season. From Timaru-to Christchurch.

This week Timaru, and indeed the I people of South Canterbury in general, ' felt with good'reason, that they had suffered a severe loss, when Mr James Maling, of Pyne, Gould, Guinness, removed to Christchurch to take up a very responsible position for his firm there. Mr Maling had become exceedingly popular in Timaru, and he was not allowed to depart withput. an expression of goodwill. The present took the form of a very choice casket of cut- | lery, and some handsome silverware. His Worship the Mayor (Mr F. J. Rolleston) presided, and there was a representative attendance of business people. The gathering was one of the largest and most enthusiastic of its kind held in Timaru for many years. His Worship said he had taken part , in a good many gatherings of that nature, but he had never been at one in which he felt such keen regret, for he was saying good-bye to. one whom | he had known for half a lifetime, and one whom with good reason, he had learned to like in an unusual degree. They knew Mr Maling as a man and a .public-spirited citizen, and they all knew that Timaru would be the poorer owing to his , departure. Mr Rolleston gave a brief record of their guest's business career to show how through . business ability and straight dealing, he had won his way from small things to the great post of responsibility which he was now about to take up in Christchurch. And he said that Timaru felt a grudge against the firm of Pyne, Gould, Guinness for taking Mr Maling from them. (Hoar, hear.)" Uc referred to Mr Maling's splendid work as Mayor of Timaru during the dark days of the war, and said that his was a record of which any man might well bo proud. Possessed of a sympathetic nature, no one knew how much good Mr Maling had really dorte, not only throughout th« war period, but also during the influenza epidemic.' Mr Rolleston also referred in glowing terms to Ms Maling's patriotic work oh of the town, the-country, and the Empire, and went on to speak of his good offices in connexion with St. Saviour's Orphanage. ' Archdeacon Jacob had/written reminding them that Mr Maling had been chairman of the Orphanage Committee from its inception, and they felt his departure very keenly. It was "no mean citizen" to whom they were saying'farewell that afternoon. Mr Rolleston paid a graceful compliment also to Mrs Maling as a lady of quiet, un- ' obtrusive, and genuine qualities, ajacl ] said that, in making the presentation,

they wished to associate her witih it, for she had greatly helped her husband in his good works, and tney had learned to admire and honour her. In conclusion Mr Rolleston said the inscription on the case of cutlery whidh he was about to present expressed, in brief, the feelings of the citizens: 'Presented to _Mr and Mrs James Moling, by the citizens of Tim am, as a token of regard and esteem, And in recognition of many public services." (Applause.) Mr J. P. Newman, Mr G. S. Crav, Mr "W. D. Campbell, and Mr T. 1). Young endorsed and supplemented the Mayor's remarks, all speaking "in the hi<rliest possible terms of the departing citizen. Mr Cray made special reference to Mr Maling's fine war work, and Mr Campbell to the social qualities through which he toad won the hearts of all who had the privilege, of knowing him. While the speeches were being made a certificate was handed up t-o the M-.i yor for the guest of tihe gathering. Tli is was from St. John Ambulance, of which Association, the certificate showed. Mr Maling was entitled to claim life membership for services rendered. (Applause.) Mr M. T. Reese (secretary to the U.S.A.) also t»aid ft tribute to Mr Maling on behalf of the returned sol-' diers, than whom, he said, they had no better friend. (Applause.) Mr W. Gibb (ofl'ajrmnn of the South School Committee) conveyed the thanks of the school children of Timaru to Mr Maling for the great interort he had taken in tliem, and especially for the magnificent gift he had made to them when he ihad < had erected in Timaru Park the playing apparatus which they all so much appreciated. (A'iplause.) Mr Maling made a characteristic;lily modest reply. The Half-Holiday.

Tho South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote recently to the Department of Labour enquiring whether, for the purpose of the weekly half-holi-day, Timaru was classed a "holiday resort.'" This letter had been sent by reason of the fact that 'at the previous meeting of the Chamber the president had said he understood that the Act gave certain power to business people ■at holiday resorts—power to alter the day of the weekly half-holi-day if they so desired. In reply, the Secretary to the Department of Labour wrote: "In my opinion Timaru is a holiday resort, and the occupier, of any shop in 'which the business carried on is essential" to the convenience of weekend visitors may make application to the* Inspector of Factories, Timaru, to obseive some other day than Saturday as the statutory "closing day." There is a desire in T'maru.to revert to the Thursday half-holiday.

Power Board. Matters in connexion with electric power are still exercising the minds of the people of South Canterbijry. All parts o¥ the district have now agreed to join the proposed Power Board, with the exception of Mackenzie County. It is not certain yet that Mackenzie will stand out, but at a meeting of the Mackenzie County Council this week that body decided to recommend its ratepayers not to sign the petition for a Power Board, giving as a reason that Mackenzie County would be rated for the necessary- loan without receiving any corresponding advantage. The motion had three dissentients in a .Council of seven.