TIMARU.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19170, 29 November 1927, Page 4

TIMARU.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL, j Mr C W. Cameron (Timaru) is visit- > ing the north. Mr J. P. Thomson (Napier) is visiting Timaru. Mr C. E. Orr Walker, S.M., is visiting the north. Magistrate's Court. Robert Cameron, a seaman, and Arthur Patrick Hathaway appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs E. F. Hollands and J. F. Arnold, J.P.'s, charged with fighting in Cain's terrace. Hathaway was convicted and discharged, and Cameron was convicted and fined 10s, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Building Permits. During the past fortnight the Borough Council has issued ten building permits of a total value of £4389. The buildings include four new dwellings, four house additions, .and two motor garages. General News. The output at the Borough Council's quarry for the past fortnight totalled 645 cubic yards. At the annual meeting of th« W.E.A. the election of a president was held over. The election of other officers resulted as follows: Vice-presidents, Mrs E. J. Miranis, Messrs E. W. Jones, and G. T. Toller; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Griffiths; librarian, Mr S. A. Odell. Mr Herbert Hall, architect, of Timaru, writing from London, to Mr R. L. Wigley, of the Mt. Cook Motor Co., states that the mail steamers from Australia to London had cinemas depicting practically every place except New Zealand. At a meeting of the Caledonian Society the following officials were appointed for the forthcoming sports: Referee, Mr S. E. Burns; starter, Mr J. O'Leary; assistant starter, Mr P. M. O'Connor; stewards, Messrs P. O'Connor and J. Kennedy, (cycling and running), Mrs A. J. Boys, Messrs D. Sini clair, D. Donaldson, and A. J. Munro (music and dancing), Mr W. Young (quoits), Messrs J. Hole, 1. J. Bradley, and E. Hall (press); clerk of course and marksmen, Messrs P. Campbell, A. McCullough, W. D. Hume, R. H. Morgan, |W. H. Moore, S. G. Campbell, and S. F. Hansen; judges, Messrs C. Hall, W. H. Hall, J. Moyes, and A. Fisher cycling), E. A. Rodgers, W. J. Cowles, A. Dunn, C. E. Hasscll, and W. A. Courtis (running), A. Wilson, H Hay, W. Hamlyn, A. Mackay, P. Cosgrove, R. Munro, and J. Roddick (general sports), R. Mnnro, G. Munro, and J. Roddick (wrestling); timekeepers, Messrs J. Little, F. Thomson, and C. E. Hind; protest committee, Messrs S. R. Burns, P. Campbell, A. Wilson, W. Hall, W. A. Courtis, and J. A. Munro; handicappcr, Mr G. V. Tozer (cycling and running), J. Fraser (piping and dancing). Electric Power Supply. Reporting at a meeting of the Borough Council last night the manager of the Electricity Department reported that the Government power supply during the past fortnight had been satisfactory, voltage being steady and well regulated. Extensions had been made to the Highfield substation and meter equipment had been installed. The street lighting transformers at the Selwyn street substation had been removed and larger transformers with time switch cabinet installed. Petrol Tax. The tax of 4d per gallon on petrol received the support of the Borough Council last night. The Council had before it a resolution from the Wanganui City Council expressing the opinion that the tax was excessive, and asking that it be reduced by one-half, and that no exemptions be granted. The Wanganui Council asked that the resolution be supported. A recommendation from the Works Committee that the Council disapprove of tho resolution was adopted. It was decided that representations be made through the local members of Parliament and also direct to the Department advocating that the allocation of the tax be according to the petrol consumption in each Island. It was also decided to make representations advocating a greater proportion of the tax being apportioned to the cities and the larger towns. Borough Council. The Borough Council met last night, the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) presiding. It was decided to forward a remit to th 3 executive of the Municipal Association to the effect that Borough Councils be empowered, as in the case of Power Boards, to sell electrical energy on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, subject to the provisions of its license. Tho Town Clerk was instructed to sue for all rates in arrears. . ' ' A recommendation from the Works Committee to the effect that the Engineer prepare plans and estimates for a shelter wall on Caroline Bay was adopted. Mr Amery's Visit. At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) said there would be no reception at the railway station to Mr Amery and party. They would be driven direct to the Council Chambers where a platform would be erected. Mr Amery would speak for ten to twelve minutes and would then be driven to the Boys' High School, where he would address the secondary school children. In the event of bad weather the reception would take place in the Theatre Royal. Mr Amery was scheduled to arrive at 11.20 a.m. and would leave at 12.25 p.m. Escaped Prisoner. Leslie Alwyn Olson McKenzie, who escaped from the Timaru gaol on Sunday afternoon, was seen yesterday tramping towards Washdyke. It is thought that the escapee first made ff iu the direction of Fairview, a house in that locality having been broken into on Sunday evening. When seen near Washdyke yesterday afternoon he was keeping away from the road, and was wearing a panama hat. He had no hat at the time of his escape. The police believe that he has doubled back towards Timaru, and a close watch is being kept. Old Council Chambers. "You set out to do things and you do nothing," said Mr P. C. Vinnell, speaking to Cr. A. L. Gee's resolution to the effect that tho Council take the necessary steps to sell the old Council Chambers, which. was beforo the Borough Council last night. He criticised the newly-elected councillors' attitude in wishing hurriedly to dispose of I the building. More experienced councillors had seen fit to retain the building, awaiting a more favourable opportunitv before selling. He concluded by touching on tho sentimental value of the building in the eyes of old inhabitants. "Sentimental nonsense" were the words used by Cr. H. A. Innes-Jones in referring to the sentimental aspect. He characterised the old building as

a tumble-down shed, and said the present was the right time to sell the property. Cr. P. B. Foote, who seconded the resolution, took exception to Cr. Vinnell's remarks concerning the hasty move of the recently elected councillors. The MaySr (Mr *G. J. Wallace) said he opposed the selling of any of the Council's property. An amendment, moved by Crs. M. Thompson and T. W. Sattcrthwaite, to the effect that the Finance Committee take steps to place the building on a revenue-earning basis, was carried by seven votes to fiv^