SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 4

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU. Social and Personal. Captain, Mrs and Miss Pallison expect to leave Timaru on Saturday on a trip to England. Mr and Mrs E. J. Le Oen and Miss Le Creu will leave next week for Sydney with Mrs Graham, of Christchurch. Mrs C. X. Orbell, The Levels, is staying at the Hydro. Mr and Mrs Maurice Harper, Lake Heron, are staying at the Hydro. Mr and Mrs P. C. Clapperton, Duncdin, who were staying at the Grosvenor Hotel, have gone on to Christchurch. Miss Betty Xorthcote, and Mr T. Northcote, North Canterbury, will bo the guests of Mrs A. Hope, Tumanako, for the races. Lecture on Palestine and Egypt. On Tuesday evening Mr Alan 11, Bruton jave a lecture in Timaru on "Mv Tours in Palestine and Upper Egypt." Tlio lecturer described Egyptian burial customs, mummification, and the life of the disembodied spirit after death in the Kingdom of Osiris. Excellent lantern slides showed how tho mummies of ancient Egypt were entombed in the eighteenth dynasty at the period of Tutankhamen. Several illustrations relating to Tutankhamen were shown, chiefly detailing work in the Valley of the Kings. Tho lecturer referred to the total absence of unemployment among Egyptians at Thebes owing to tho numbers of natives required for excavation work for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. Mr Bruton then dealt with Jaffa, Jerusalem, Betham, the Dead Sea, tho Jordan, Jericho, anciont and modern Bethlehem, and Hebron. A highly interesting and educative lecture was concluded with see ties of native life. i Timaru Juvenile Court. Four boys were charged at the Timaru Juvenile Court vesterdav, bofore Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, 5.M.," with stealing goods to the value of £1 2s I'd, the property of Daniel Ashton, on March 17th. One was also charged with damaging a lock, valued at 2s 6d. Another boy was charged with throwing a missile likely to be dangerous to the public. Senior-Sergeant Fahey conducted the eases for tho police. The Magistrate delivered a lecture to the boys, stressing the result of wrong-doing. Ho placed one boy under probation for 18 months, two for 12 months, ono for 0 months, and for throwing a missile, tho information was dismissed.

Another hoy, on two theft charges, was ordered to como up for sentence when called upon. Police Court. August Patrick Gawne, other than a licensee, was charged with supplying liquor to a youth iinder 21 at the Doneaster Hotel, "Washdyke, of which Timothy Connolly was licensee. Mr Campbell appeared for defendant, who was fined £2 and costs. Connolly (licensee) was fined a similar amount. Michael Henry O'Lcary, charged with drunkenness, was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. A first offender for drunkenness was fined 20s, in default 14 days.. A Valueless Cheque. An interesting legal point arose in a case at the Thnaru Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr J. G. L. Hewittj S.M. "E. D. Bust sent an employee to the shop of W. G-. Kussell to change a£s note. The change included a cheque for £1 10s, which had been dishonoured at the bank. Bust proceeded against Russell for the amount, Mr L. M. Inglis appearing for the plaintiff, and Mr L. E. Finch for the defendant. Mr Finch said that plaintiff had taken the cheque as part of the change. Counsel contended that it was merely a ease of a sale of a bill of exchange. The fact of the bill being valueless was a matter affecting plaintiff only. Mr Inglis said that plaintiff had gone to the defendant for change of a £5 note. He had given £5 worth of value, but did not receive the same value in exchange. The Magistrate said that plaintiff could have refused the cheque, or asked for an endorsement. The bank notes received were, after all, only promissory notes of the bank, and the bank's promise was no more than a promise of the drawer of a cheque, "although probably the «bank is more stable, I should think," added the Magistrate. Mr Inglis said that plaintiff warranted the cheque verbally. Mr Finch denied that ho said that the cheque had been handed over without remark. The Magistrate agreed that it was awkward for the man who had taken the change. The result was that plaintiff was non-suited. Railway Matters. Mr E. W. McVilly, General Manager of Eaihvays, accompanied by Messrs H. Buxton, F. W. McLean, E. E. Gillon. and T. D. Burnett, M.P., inspected the Fairlie line yesterday. Deputations were received at various points, and grievances aired fully. A big deputation met tho party at Pleasant Point. Mr G. Saunders, representing the Town Board, pointed out the need for a shelter on the station platform. Mr .T. Cleland, on behalf of the Farmers' Union, asked for more loading facilities. Mr Burnett said that the Department should fence off its property from the main road. Replying to the requests, Mr McVilly said that "the Department regarded verandah as more or less a luxury. There were other more urgent works waiting to be carried on. The Department had to deal with thousands of small requests, and had only a certain amount of money for this purpose. The Department would do its best under the circumstances, if the Town Board.would submit a concrete proposal. He' would have hiis engineer's report on the matter, and ho would then -decide. He would agree to one extra loading bank being built. He would also look into Mr Burnett's ( request in regard to the fencing of the | line.

Mr Burnett said tliat people would use the railways as long as it paid them to do so. If it was cheaper to use motor lorries, then the lines would go rusty. Mr McVily said that people should recognise that they owned the railways.' The officers were only trustees for the puWic. The Department was performing many services for local bodies. When the roads wero torn up by motor lorries, and a greater expense thus put upon local bodies, they had to increase the rates. If the Railway Department lost money, it had to be made up, so in tho end the public did not really gain anything. Mr McVilly was accorded hearty votes of thanks for his visits at other places, where ha gave sympathetic

hearings, and satisfactory answers to various requests. Port of Timara. Shipping movements at the Port of Timaru will be found in the shipping columns. WAIMATE. The executive of the Waimate Acclimatisation Society he;d a special meeting to consider the advisability of applying for an extension of the present lishing season for the taking of quinnat salmon front the Waitaki, also to deal with other business. The president (Mr N. Mines) was in the chair. After sumo discussion, it was resolved that the secretary write -to the Minister of Internal Affairs, urging him to extend the season for the taking of quinnat salmon in the Waitaki tuitil May 31-st. The meeting also decided to recommend to the Department of Internal Affairs to Gazette a shooting season for opossum in the Society's district from July Ist to July 31st. at the usual license fee.

Mr T L. Hart, the chairman of the "Waimato County Council, has expressed his intention of not seeking re-elec-tion to that body this year, as, although he is still a ratepayer, lie has removed from tlse district'. Messrs George Dash and C. E. Manchester, will not bo candidates at the forthcoming election of a Hospital Committee this year. Mr E. H. "White has been nominated for a seat qii the Committee.

Mr E. W. Mollison, at present teller at the Bank of New Zealand in Methven, where he lias been stationed for the last five and a half years, is being transferred, on promotion, to the "Waimate branch.

At a special meeting of the Waimate School Committee, there were present: Mesdamea Hurst and Pitts, Messrs W. G. Paul (chairman), W. P. George, J. I. Hayman, R. B'. Hurst, P. Meyers and W. Tooley. Two applications were received from the Education Board for thqp position of infant mistress, but at the last moment, one was withdrawn. After considering the remaining application, tiio Committee decided to refer tho .matter back to the Board. The headmaster's report showed that the average attendance in the primary department was -t2O, and in the secondary department 88. The attendance now warranted an additional assistant being appointed, and he was taking steps in tho matter. It was decided to hold the official opening. of the new heating system on Thursday nest, at 2.-30 p.m. Mi- A. T. Woodhead has disposed of his property at Willow bridge, and Iras taken up his residence in Christehureh.

At the last meeting of the Waimate A. and P. Association Committeo there were present: —Messrs W. Hayman (chairman), O. 8. McLachlan, J. H. Milno, E. B. Harrison, W. Gcddes, G. O- Faulkner, T. Hamilton, Bj Andr/eW, and ,7', T. Hay. ■ Mr Play man reported on tho recent conference. In reply to a letter from the Otago A. and P. Association, asking whether the Waimate Association favoured holding conferences during Show time, it was decided to inform the Southern society that tile Committee favoured such conferences, and Messrs Hayman and McLachlan were appointed delegates. The annual meeting was arranged for June The secretary (Mr Albort J. Hoskins) reported that the result of tho recent Ram Fair had been fairly good. The entries, like the previous year, had not been very numerous. In 1922 there were 179 entries and this year 174. Prices, however, wore 'better this year, particularly for Border Leicesters, which were tho only section for which there was much demand. Entry fees totalled £4 7s, and the sale of catalogues &s. The expenditure was £3 9s Gd, leaving a profit of £1 Gs 6d. The Committee, who had organised a canvass of the whole district for new members prior to embarking upon a big scheme of improvements to tho facilities at the show ground, stated that the progress made had* been very satisfactory. The suggestion was made by Messrs Milne and Hamilton that a sheep drive be arranged to raise funds ior the Association. They stated that during their canvass of their district, thev had been told several times that a sheep drive similar to one held in North- Canterbury recently, should be held. The chairman remarked that the suggestion was a very good one, but he thought it would bo advisable to complete the canvass before undertaking such a scheme. *

The annual meeting of the Waimate Rugby Sub-union was hold on Monday night,■ there being present: Messrs N. L. Thomas (president), W. A. Leo, 0. Craighead, G. Manchester, T. Bradley, J. Goldstone, R. Clear, D. Newall, S. Austen, J. E. Frascr, R. Eddy, J. Forsyth, E. Hays, and H. Weir (.secretary). 'The annual report presented stated that there had been, a most successful season.- Great interest had been taken in both senior and junior competitions, and tho standard of the football showed a great improvement. towards the close of tho season. Thei finances of the Union showed a fair credit, notwithstanding that the largo sum of £36 12s was paid to injured players during the season. The balancesheet, which disclosed a credit of £42, was considered very satisfactory, and tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr Thomas, before vacating tho chair pi ior to the election of officers for the ensuing season, asked that a new president might be appointed, as he thought the office should go round. This did not meet with the views of thei meeting, and. on the motion of Messrs Craighead and Manchester, Mr Thomas was unanimously re-elected president. The other offices -were filled as follows: Vice-presidents, Messrs W. A. Leo, H. iSmith, and J. Goldstone; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. Weir; management committee, tho president, vice-presi-dents, and secretary. A sub-committee was set up to go into the matter of arranging a scheme for the insurance of players. It was resolved that the competitions should commence in the first week in May, and that two rounds be; played. A great deal of discussion followed on "Club versus district football,'' tho matter being brought up by tho Glenavy Club' delegates (Messrs J. E. Fraser and S. Austin). The delegates from tho Huimai Club (Willowbridge) supported the. Glenavy deleOn the motion of Messrs 0. Craighead and R. Clear, it was resolved that the competitions be conducted on the same lines as the previous y.-ar.

No enthusiasm was shown in the municipal elections in Waimate, all offices being filled without a contest. For the Mayoralty, only one candidate was nominated, Cr. W. E. Evans buing returned unopposed. Mr W. F. Ohwertoii was rclui'ird unopposed as the borough's rep;.e=euthtivc on the Timaru High School Board. For the nine seats on the Waimate Borough Council only eight candidates wore nominated, and therefore an extraordinary vacancy will be declared. Tho candidates nominated were Messrs R. C. Clear, D. A. Fulton. Andrew McLauehlan, W. G. Paul, F. Nash, S. d'Auvergne Grut, C. L. H. Gunn, and J. A. Lnsli. The first fiv-u were members of the last Council, Mr F. Nash being the Mayor. Messrs R, H. White and G. Dash were retwncd unopposed as the borough representatives on the Waimate Hospital Committee.

Altogether, thirteen nominations were received for the nine seats on-the Waimaw School Committee, namely, Mcsdames Pitts' and Hurst, and Messrs W. C. Paul, P. Meyers, R, B. Hurst, C. L. H. Gvmn, J. I, Hayman, F. Denmson, W. F. George, W. F. Morrison, W. I'ooley, J.' Joliffe, and the Rev. J. 1). Wilson.

At a meeting of the committee of the Waimato Hunt therei were present: iles?r3 E. C. Studholme (president), A. Modlieott, J. Goldstone, E. B. Fraser, P. Frost, R. Frost, Reg. Harrison, Rupert Harrison, M. Moehau, and T-

Twomey. A letter, held over from a previous meeting, regarding the date oi the steeplechase meeting, was road, and it was decided to make application for Thursday, July 24th, for tho meeting next year. Messrs E. C. Studholnie, J.;M. Rattray, and T. Twomey were appointed a sub-eommitteo to dr ft a programme, for the next steeplechase mooting as soon as a reply wits received as to whether trotting events might bo included. It was arranged to hold tho point-to-point meeting on the Thursday following the Timaru Hunt's, meeting. The resignation of Mr E. J. Cost'jfio, consequent upon his removal from tho district, was received with regret. TEMUKA. The General Manager for Now Zealand Railways (Mr R. W. McVilly) visited South Canterbury and looked into various railway matters requiring attention. At Temuka, Mr McVilly was met by the Mayor (Mr T. (jiiriniori) and a number of oitizens. The first request, made- by Mr Gunniou and Cr. Evans, was in relation to the Denmark street crossing. Tiiey asked that if tins crossing were closed a new one should bo vickd to connect Denmark and 1 Commerce streets, a little south of the CF.C.A. store, where the view of the line would not be obscured, as it was at tho existing crossing. Mr McVilly and his chief engineer said quite definitely that they were opposed to the suggested new crossing. Fatal accidents had occurred at the Denmark street crossing for which tho Department had been blamed, but the Department had no responsibility for thorn, and they had all been caused by the negligence of drivers of road vehicles. They offered to erect an overhead bridge at the High street crossing if tho Borough Council would provide the approaches and form, a now road alongside the railway line from High street to the North Belt. The Mayor said that was a ridiculous proposal, and would not be entertained by the people of Temuka." fifr McVilly said it would bo a road for the use and convenience of tho general public, and his Department's offer to erect an overhead bridjb was tho best practical arrangement that could be made to deal with a, very difficult problem. After a good deal of discussion, Mr Burnett suggested that the Department might help with the roadway, and Mr McVilly said tho Department would make tho road if the Borough Council paidi for it. Mr Burnett asked whether tho Department would erect a. foot-bridgel at tho south end of the railway station, as well as an overhead bridge at High street, if the Council agreed to tho scheme. Mr McVilly,. unhesitatindy: "Yes." Mr A. R. Guild, on behalf oS the Temuka Storage Company, asked for a. definite lease of the railway land on which the largo iron store stands in the southern end of the railway yard, but Mr McVilly said it was impossible to give this: the most that could bodone was to' grant a lease from month to month, terminable at nine months' notice. A request was also made- for 39ft of railway land just below High street for the purpose of forming a stock yard from Friiser street to High street. It was explained that the County Council would give 20ft of its land, and that the Gas Company would give a right-of-way over its property. Mr McVilly said tk/it this rcque-t would be complied with. In reply to another request, Mr McVilly promised a second 1 loading bank south of the goods shed, but he point d out that it would shirten the access to the siding, and said that they would be well advised to do without it. A request by Mr W. Palmer wag made for better facilities for unloading stock in the station yard, and Mi MeViTly promised oonsidcratior of the matter." A final request was mitdo by the inspector for the Society for the Prevention rft Cruelty to Animals. This was for a drinkingtrough m the loading yards, and Mr McVilly said it would be granted. GERALDINE. On Tuesday, the Mayor, Mr E. Hardcastle, Councillor G. Sherratt, and Mr G. Creemer. local manager of the Can terbury Farmers' Co-operative Association, proceeded to Oran, an a deputation to wait on Mr. McVilly, the General Manager of Railways. • They asked that a ton and a half crane might be provided to lift heavy packages, und it was said that even a case of corrugated iron had to b» oi often fceforu it could be taken from the trucks; »ur Mc v illy said tney had oeen unable to obtain a crane during tue war, and were still unable to ootain one, but Urari was cue first station, on the list to no supplied. A request was made that a warning bell siiuuld bo placed at tho railway crossing on the Gcrald-uie-'Uran road, it being stated an approaching train from the soutli could not bo seei. a short, distagye" from the line, and that the signal was also obscured by trees. The deputation was told that warning bells were dangerous, as people relied on them, and that ifi by any means they failed the risk' or accident nuuld b*. greater. Mr Mo ViJly advised that the local body should be asked to take steps to get the trees cut down. The matter of the tele-> phone service between Geraldmb and Oran was referred to, and it tvns.stated that anyone ringing up before 9 a.m.at "present nad to pay Is to open the order office. This would be avoided if Oran was mcornorated in the Geraldine circuit. Mr McVilly said he would consult the telephone authorities. Better means of loading grain, etc., at the railway station were urged, and the General Manager promised to have a' loading bank lengtnened. At noon yesterday Mr J. Kennedy was the only candidate nominated for the office of Mayor, and was declared duly elected.

Eight candidates we re nominated for the six seats on the Borough Council as follows:—Mr A Bell, Mr G. ,Creenier, Mr Davison, Mr Loach, Mr E. 11. Logan, Dr Paterson. Mr G Sheji-at.f and Mr A. South,