SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22135, 3 July 1937, Page 4

SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

DIRTY TRUCKS

WATERSIDERS* COMPLAINT

POSITION INVESTIGATED AT TIMARU

To bring about an improvement in the condition of railway trucks in which produce is carried, a conference |W as held between representatives of the Waterside Workers' Union, and representatives of the South CanterI bury Grain and Produce Merchants' I Association. . I It was stated that representations had 1 been made from time to time by the [waterside workers to the chants' Association, the iarmers Umon and the Railway Department for obtaining clean trucks, or, as an alternative, to have the swept out before wheat, potatoes, and other produce was loaded at country stations. It was explained that it was not always possible for the Railway Department to send clean trucks to country sidings to pick up consignments of produce, but brooms were provided by the department at sidings for the use of farmers and carriers. Only a small proportion of farmers trucked their own produce,.-the general practice being to engage carriers. Instances were given where bags had become so coated by lime, manure, and coal dust as to constitute a danger to the men unloading the trucks. It was stated that the watersiders had done ■their best to co-operate with the shipping companies and agents and had several times handled goods at considerable personnel risk and physical discomfort and it was not fair that they should be expected to continue handling such lines when by the application of a broom at flag stations much inconvenience, loss of time, and unnecessary expense could be avoided. Reference was also made to the excessive weight of potatoes in sacks, the watersiders having some time ago decided in conference that the weight should not exceed 1801 b. If farmers would use a 46-in sack and turn it down at the top, sewing it straight across, thus providing two good lugs, it was said, no trouble over weight would be experienced. The complaints were thoroughly discussed, and it is hoped that as a result there will soon be an improvement.

TIMARU TROTTING CLUB

RETIRING MEMBERS RE-ELECTED

Messrs John Hole. W. Connelly, T. H. Langford, T. M. Munro, and G. T. Wardell, retiring members of the Timarii Trotting Club's committee, have been re-elected, no other candidate having been nominated for a seat.

FROST ON TWENTY-FIVE DAYS AT WAIMATE

WEATHER RECORDS FOR JUNE

June was a month of frosts at Waimate —where freezing temperatures were experienced on 25 days of the 30. The heaviest frost was on June 28, when 15.5 degrees were recorded by the Government Meteorologist (Mr J. Allen). The mean temperature for the month was 43.54 degrees. The total rainfall for the month was 79 points, the heaviest rainfall being recorded on June 24, of 32 points. Ninety-nme point three hours of sunshine were recorded for the month, the daily average being 3.31 hours.

DEPARTING RESIDENTS HONOURED

PERSONAL ITEMS FROM WAIMATE

Before their departure for Wellington to take up appointments in the Civil Service, Messrs R. Keen and K. Phillip were honoured at a social in St Paul's Hall, Waimate. The Rev. H. L. Richards presided. Music -or dancing was played by Miss M. Hollamby and Mr Selwyn White, and a song was sung by Miss A Hooper A presentation to Mr A. Mowatt, who has been relieving teacher at the Waimate Primary School, was made by the pupils of his class recently, before his departure on transfer to Christchurch. The headmaster (Mr J. L. Menzies) expressed regret at Mr Mowatt's departure, and presented him with a wallet, for the pupils. The members of the teaching staff entertained Mr Mowatt in the evening, when another presentation was made. A gift evening, in honour of the approaching marriage of Miss Dorothy Murphy, was held by the residents of Arno and Waihao Downs recently. Tributes to the guest of honour were paid by Messrs G. W. Clelland and A. Gorman. Mr J. Greenlaw thanked those present for their kindness to Miss Murphy and himself. Miss M. Clelland and Mr F. Trott sang during the evening Mr A. Falloon was master of ceremonies.

HORSES CONSIGNED FROM ST. ANDREWS

DEMAND IN NORTH ISLAND

A consignment of 21 horses—l 9 mares and two geldings—left St. Andrews this week for shipment to the North Island. An agent stated that recently there had been a keen demand for quiet, good-tempered horses in the north. The buyers from the North Island had contemplated taking delivery of between 30 and 40 horses, but because of their limited time to inspect the horses offering in the .district only 21 had been bought rit orcsGnt The horses, which are from various farms, are being forwarded to the Wairarapa district. Light Rainfall in June A comparatively light rainfall of 119 inches during June this year, as against 2.06 inches last year, was registered by Mr D. G. Lyall, at St. Andrews. The rainfall for the six months, 13.65 inches, also shows a decrease when compared with last year's figures, 16.47 inches.

DRAINAGE OF WASHDYKE LAGOON

As about 75 per cent, of the area of the Washdyke Lagoon, which it is proposed to drain, is Crown land, the drainage proposal has been referred to the Lands and Survey Department for a report. This information has been received by Mr Clyde Carr M.P. from the Hon. P. C. Webb on behalf of the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). As soon as a report is available Mr Webb intended to take the matter to Cabinet, in an endeavour to obtain a decision. * • '

SOCIAL CENTRE AT ORTON

POSSIBLE CONVERSION OF SCHOOL

COMMITTEE SET UP

To discuss a suggestion from the Canterbury Education Board, residents of the Orton district met to consider the taking over of the school building now out of use under the consolidation scheme, and converting it as a social centre of the district. Resulting from the discussion the following* officers were elected:-r-Chair-man, Mr W. Buchan; secretary and treasurer, Mr Rex Shaw; committee, Messrs J. Snell, C. Kelland, and G. Symons. At a subsequent meeting of the committee it was decided to thank the outgoing school committee for their work, and to place on record appreciation of the services of Messrs A. E. Dobson and James Airay. chairman and secretary of the school committee, over a great number of years. The offer of Mr G. B. Shaw to install a petrol light free of cost was accepted.

TEMUKA PLACEMENT OFFICE

SIX MEN FOUND WORK

THIS WEEK

Six placements were made by the Temuka Placement Officer, Mr J. Paton-Ward, this week, which was one less than last week. Particulars are: Casual one, temporary three, and permanent two. Most of the placements made were for farm work. Mr Bovd said that he was particularly ple'ased with one of the permanent placements, as it had found work for a man and enabled him to live with his family. The position was a responsible one and required expert knowledge.

"FRIENDLY FRIDAYS" CARD TOURNAMENT

The tenth round of the "Friendly Friday's" card tournament was played in the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday evening, Citizens improving their lead in the competition by beating the Druids by 63 ppints to 48. Only one point separated Oddfellows and Hibernians. The position of the teams at the close of play was:—Citizens 587, Druids 566. Hibernians 543. Oddfellows 524 The highest individual aggregates are:—Cribbage: J. Buckley 97, W. J. Tozer 96. S. Reid 95, T. Farrell 92. Euchre: F. Smith 70, S. Higinbottom 69, J. Reid 68.

ORTON PERSONAL NOTES

Mrs Munro (Pareora) is spending a short holiday with her niece, Mrs J. Hewson (Orton). Mrs James Airay, who has been spending a holiday in Christchurch, has returned home.

MILFORD HARE DRIVE

SIXTY GUNS TAKE PART

Arranged by the MlHwd Hall Committee, about 60 guns Participated in a hare drive in the Milford district yesterday. A bag of 150 hares was Stotaedf Starting at 9 o'clock n he morning the shoot continued until the afternoon', meals being provided by the women of the district. At the conclusion of the fixture Mr J Woodhead, chairman of the committee, expressed his warm appreciation of the shooters' assistance, and also of the property owners concerned.

TEMUKA PERSONAL NOTES

Mrs W B. Sutcliffe, who is leaving for Te Kuiti shortly, was presented with a book by members of the Temuka Play Reading Circle at the fortnightly meeting °V% C r Beck Thursday evening. Mrs T. G. BecK made trie presentation, and expressed regret on behalf of the circle at the departure of Mrs Sutcliffe. Mrs I Barker (Fendatton) is the guest of Mrs Cyril Barker, Waitohi._ Misses Blanche Woodhead ana Gwen Lyall. who have been spending a holiday in Southland, returned to Temuka yesterday. Miss I. Barron 'Dunedin) is visiting Temuka. and is the guest of Miss W. Ives. Birkett street.

Miss Moira Hopkinson (Main South road) left Temuka yesterday to take up a position at the Pigeon Valley School. Wakefield. Mrs R. Prattley (Milford) left for Mount Cook yesterday.

ST. PETER'S WOMEN'S GUILD

The annual report and balance-sheet of St. Peter's Women's Guild showed a successful year had been experienced. Sewing done by the members had been sent to St. Saviour's Orphanage in Timaru. ■ Officers elected were:—President, Mrs L. A. Barnes; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. Talbot and F. A. Joynt; joint secretaries and treasurers. Mesdames A. G. Maister and F. A. Taylor.