NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 179, 1 August 1938, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Not This Year. “Tliero are lazy relief workers, but there are lazy farmers, too,” said Mr. J. G. Barclay, M.P., at New Plymouth. “And lazy politicians?” queried a member of the audience. “There are lazy businessmen, too, ” continued Mr. Barclay, “but no lazy politicians in election year. ,f Road Service Patrols. Road service patrols for motorcyclists are to be inaugurated in Canterbury this month. Beginning on August 6 or 7, at least two motor-cyclists, members of the Canterbury Auto-Cycle Club, will cover the roads of Canterbury each week-end, ready to adjust engine faults, supply spare parts or even give first-aid to any of the club's 300 members they may happen to find in difficulties. The patrol is the first of its kind to be introduced in New Zealand and, as far as is known, in Australia. Minor Fire Outbreak. A minor outbreak of fire occurred on Saturday evening in the building used by carriers in the Square. It apparently started near the small stove used for heating purposes, burnt through, the floor and penetrated between the partition up to the roof, having quite a good hold when the brigade arrived. The 1 * first-aid ’ ’ equipment' on two machines proved sufficient to suppress the flames, although leads of hose were run out for use if necessary. The damage was of a minor nature only. Outsize in Bullocks. If a suitable truck can be obtained for its transport, one of the largest bullocks in the Dominion, now being fattened on the Property of Mr. J. Mitchell, Kenwyn, Studholmo, South Canterbury, will be exhibited at the and pastoral show at Christchurch. The bullock, which is owned by Messrs. Jones and Sons, of Waimate, has a dressed weight of about 17001 b. It was bred by Mr. A. E. Dyer, of Waikakihi, and its sire was a Shorthorn bull owned by Mr. E. B. Harrison, of Waihao Downs. Waipara Monster. A search in the lower Waipara gorge, North Canterbury, for tho gigantic fossil skeleton reported a few weeks ago*was made recently by a party led by Mr. E. Lowe, of Christchurch. Although this particular monster, which is becoming legendary, was not found, the party came upon other fossil remains. Notable among these was an outcrop of bones comprising a largo skeleton partly embedded in the sandstone. One fossilised vertebra —probably of an extinct whale—brought back to Christchurch measured eight inches across. Aeroplanes Unpacked. The unpacking at Prince’s wharf of tho two Airspeed Oxford aeroplanes brought to Auckland by the Port Alma was interrupted by tho arrival of the trans-Tasman liner Awatea to berth. The two large cases containing the machines had been lowered on to barges which were towed to Central wharf for the completion of the work. It was stated by Mr. W. P. Locke, aeronautical engineer to Airspeed (1931), Limited, who arrived by the Rangitata on Wednesday to supervise the assembling of the machines at Hobsonville, that they should be ready to be flown within 10 days. Sydney Speed Limits. A speed limit of 30 miles an hour in Sydney urban areas recently imposed by the New South Wales Ministry of Transport had in no way reduced tho number of accidents, but had brought about congestion, said Mr. W. A. O’Callaghan, of Hawera, former president of the North Island Motor Union, who has returned from a visit to Australia. Motorists had oxpressed considerable resentment at tho by-law, and it was of note that a magistrate had dismissed as trivial a case brought by the Transport Ministry against a taxidriver for travelling at 35 miles an hour in a restricted area. Horse Jumps Motor-car.

Although the front of his car was battered almost out of recognition and the windscreen was shattered, personal injury was escaped by Mr. A. Denham, Opunake, Taranaki, and his small daughter, who accompanied him, when the motor-car which he was driving collided with a horse. Tho accident occurred on the Eltham road, near the Kawcora road intersection, shortly after dark. Mr. Denham had passed between a number of draught horses which were on the roadside when suddenly one of them hurdled the front of the car, causing a considerable amount of damage. The horse, which disappeared, was probably severely injured.