SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 13

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

I TIMARU. Social and Personal. Miss Kissling (Auckland), who was the guest of Mrs G. V. Gerard (Branscoinbe street), left for the north yesterday. Mrs L. X. Kempthoruc (St. Andrew's* is spending- a week in Christchurch. The Rev. R. Blakemore and Mrs Blakeniorc left Timaru on Tuesday for their future home in the North Island. Miss Marion Hay (C'adogan) returned from Christchurch on Tuesday. Mrs W. Reynolds and Miss Stewart, who were in Timaru, left yesterday fcr Duncdin. Mrs Harrison (North Canterbury") is staying with Mrs R. T. Turnbull (Beverley road). Mr and Mrs V>'. I). Campbell and family have gone into their new home in Wai-iti road, formerly the residence of Dr. and Mrs I<\ Bowe. On Tuesday afternoon Miss K. Egan, who has for the past six and a half vears been associated with the firm of 1). C. Turnbull and Co., and who has now tendered her resignation owing to her approaching marriage, was the recipient of a handsome presentation from the staff. The Weather. Glorious autumn weather has prevailed in Timaru during the past few days, and it is a welcome change after tho previous unsettled conditions. llain, however, is still badly needed for the winter feed in the country districts, Infectious Diseases. The return of notifiable infectious diseases for tho South Canterbury Health district for March shows a doclino of one' case over the figures for the preceding month. The heaviest return was again in infantile paralysis cases, tho number being 21, as against 22 in February. The remaining cases were:—Scarlet fever 5, diphtheria 3, cntorie fever 1, tuberculosis 4, erysipelas 2, and pneumonia 3.

Vital Statistics. The return of vital statistics for March compared with the corresponding month of last year shows a big increase in deaths and marriages, while .the birth rate is exactly the same as in March of last year, 38. Thero were only 14 deaths in March of last year, while in the month just pauaed the number was 20, This incroasc is due in large measure to the toll taken by the infantile paralysis epidemic. Marriages this year totalled 16, as against nine last year. Customs Eetums. The financial year of tho Customs Department at Timaru ended yesterday, and tho return of business shows an increase over that transacted for the previous year. Not only has an all-round increase been shown, but a record for tho port for a day's takings was established. Tho total receipts of tho Department for tho year woro £138,098 6*s lOd, compared with £134,121 12s 3d for tho corresponding period of 1923-24. The net Customs for the year reached £121,583 2s 9d, as against £11T,963 18s 7d in the previous year, and the beer figures wore £12,180 6s 3d and £11,644 9s lid respectively. Although the year's figures show a splendid increase, those for the quarter just ended do not come up to tho March quarter of 1924, there being a deficiency of close on £BOOO. The net Customs for tho quarter just ended were £32,189 17s lid, and tho beer duty £2909 8s 7d, while for the same quarter of last year the net Customs were £39,781 0s 4d, and the beer /£ 3299 19s 3d, The net total revenue 'for the quarter was £26,439 10s Id, as compared with £44,380 3s Cd last year. Coming to the return for tho month, a comparison with March of last year discloses that "tho increase in the net Customs received amounted to £15,265 7s lOd, as against £10,870 Is 3d, and the respective beer figures wore £1123 4s 3d and £llOs 3s Id. On February 19th, 1924, the Department transacted business to the valuo of £5449 19s 3d, which constituted a record for the port, but on tho 17th of last month the return went up to £6770 9s Bd, which now stands as the record for any one day's business.

Y.M.C.A. Physical Director. A very large gathering at the Y.M.C.A. on Saturday night bado farewell to Mr Keith Moffatt, who isloaving Wauganui for Timaru, where he has been appointed physical director of the Y.M.C.A. (says Mouday's "Wanganui Chronicle"). After supper, Mr John McMillan, president of tho Y.M.C.A., on behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff, presented Mr Moffatt with (in case, and in doing so expressed regret at' losing so valued a worker, and wished tho departing guest success in his future career. Mr A. J. McEldownoy, general secretary, supported Mr McMillan in his remarks, while Mr W. Minnell, on bclialf of the combined gymnasium classes, presented a gold-mounted fountain pen, and eulogised Mr Moffatt's work. Rousing cheers demonstrated tho guest's popularity, and beforo the evening closed he had been the recipient of many expressions of goodwill. TEMUKA. The funeral of tho lato Mr L. L. cjisou tooK place at mo icmuKa. Cemetery on Xuesuay, and tiic large atlenuanco was "• su'iKing testimony to tne sympatny iclt in vuo uistrici, ior tne Oereuveit relatives. Iho members ot the K.S.A. unuor Major 1). White, and tlie brethren 01 tne Aloxandrovna I O.U-K .Louge, preceded tne liearse, which was followed by a large number of motor-ci/i's and otiier vehicles. Ihe beare: s were Mr Laurcnson sen and Mr S. Laurenson (father and brot&er ot deceased), and Messrs J. Ul ' n ®> €O- - It. Struthers and C. Won. The services at the house and the graveside were conducted by the Rev. H. 11. ~v l I MA The following were among thosT Who sent wreaths :-Temuka It.S.A.. employees of the C.i-CA. lemuka branch, Mr and Mrs 1 Martin Mr and Mrs Geo. Gould, the Gould family (Mt. Nessing). Mr and Mis G, A. Pater son, Mr and Mrs J. K. \oung, jlr W Kollahan, Mi and Mrs J. Vklier' G J. a™' E - Gould and Mr ancl Mrs M. Swap, Mr and Mrs G. Padburnd, Mr and Mrs Cartwnght fpieSt Point). Mrs Radford and fumilv Mr and Mrs P. Sanders and family' Mr and Mrs A. C. Watson and 111 v Mr and Mrs ,F. Batenan, Mr and Mrs Skinner, Mr and Mrs A. T. Bishop, Mr and Mrs E, B. Cooper, jun., Mr and Mrs R- Robertson and family, Mrs Heap and family, Mr and Mrs F. M McKeoun. Mrs J. Smith and family. Rlwda. Mildred, iiVgnes, father and mother. _____ WAIMATE. The issue of motor-drivers' licenses is „ o incv on apace in the Waimate district' From "Wednesday last 930 were issued in the County and 190 in the ( Rani Fair held under the ausI --icps of the "Waimate A. and P. Association, which took place on the WaiI )te Showgrounds yesterday, there was an extra large attendance of farmers

and buyers, each pen selling under the hammer to spirited bidding at prices well in exces s of any fair yefc held. The top price for Border Leicester flock ranis was 20gns for a 2-shear ram, bred by E. Stokes, Morvcn, and sold to A. Copland, St. Andrews.