Holiday Arrangements

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 10

Holiday Arrangements

There will be no publication of the Otago Daily Times on Monday next, December 26.

Earth Tremor at South End A distinct earth tremor was felt at the south end of the city at a quarter past 5 yesterday evening. The tremor was not of long duration, but was sufficiently severe to set electric globes swaying. Truck Catches Fire

A truck owned by Mr R. Wilson, of Otakou, caught fire in David street, Caversham, yesterday afternoon, the cause of the outbreak being a shortcircuit in the wiring system. The South Dunedin Brigade was called out at 1-34. The truck suffered no structural damage.

Best Equipped in New Zealand When completed, the railway bus terminal in Cumberland street will be the largest and best-equipped in New Zealand. This statement was made yesterday by Mr G. H. Mackley, general manager of railways, who also said that, having regard to the difficulty experienced due to the shortage of steel, he was pleased to note that the construction work was progressing satisfactorily. " I think that the terminal will not only be a matter of very great convenience to those who find it necessary to use road services," he said, "but it will also be a great credit and convenience to the department itself. It is hoped that the work will be completed within the next four months."

R.S.A. Membership The latest report on the R.SA. membership campaign states that the official membership figures now stand: Christchurch 2925, Dunedin 2436.

Butter-fat Cheque The five butter manufacturing companies operating chiefly in the area between the Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers paid out approximately £96,000 on Tuesday for butter-fat supplied during the month of November. This amount is about on a par with what the dairy farmers received as a Christmas cheque last year, for, while production is slightly 'lower, the pay-out is a little higher.

Ball of Fire in Sky During a storm at Westport early on Tuesday morning a ball of fire was seen to be dropping from the sky to the ground near St. John's Church, in Queen street. It broke in midair, throwing a shower of bright lights over a wide area. The explosion was followed by a violent clap of thunder. There was a somewhat similar occurrence at Nikau recently.

Reward from Australia A notice offering a reward of £SOO for information leading to the discovery of Marjorie Roie Norval, a Brisbane stenographer, or her body, has been placed on the board outside the Christchurch Central Police Station This is the second notice from Australia, the other offering £IOOO for information in the famous "Pyjama Girl" murder case at Albury in 1934. Miss Norval was last seen alive at the Central Railway Station, Brisbane, on November 11. She disappeared after drawing money from her bank account.

The Lottery Question * "The present Government and past Governments have been cowards in not tackling gaming legislation in this country," said Mr W. R. Simpson at a meeting of the Buller Hospital Board. He was speaking on a remit to the Hospital Boards' Conference on legislation permitting sweepstakes or lotteries in aid of hospitals in New Zealand, the same' as was adopted in other countries. Mr Simpson said that he had brought the matter up previously, and intended to do so again. He considered the position in New Zealand now was ridiculous, with thousands of people who fancied a gamble being made to look like hypocrites. ." Gambling is more rife today in the Dominion than it has ever been, and none of the country's administrators is game enough to tackle the question of its control or modification," he said. " The people are being kept from gambling on racing and other things which, if taxed, would keep all the hospitals in the country going."

Bottle Crosses the Tasman Having floated across, the Tasman Sea, a sealed bottle thrown overboard from the Matson liner Monterey on May 24 last was picked up recently by a child playing on the Muriwai Beach. The bottle is one of those thrown overboard regularly by masters of the Matson vessels to assist the Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy with its marine survey work. This particular bottle was thrown overboard by Captain E. R. Johanson at a point somewhere off Twofold Bay, on the New South Wales coast near the Victorian border, when the ship was on its way from Melbourne to Sydney.

Triumph Over Disability A remarkable record of triumph over adversity lies behind the participation in the Sydney jamboree of one of the members of the Boy Scout party which left Auckland by the Awatea on Tuesday. The boy, Rex Hardgreaves, of New Plymouth, aged 14, had both legs severed just below the knee in an accident about, 10 years ago, yet he is travelling as a normal member of the party, and receiving in no way different from' the other boys. Using two wooden legs with a layer of rubber on the base, he marched from the Town Hall down. Queen street with the rest of the sub-con-tingent after the .civic farewell. His visit to Australia has been made possible by the New Plymouth Rotary Club and,Crippled Children's Society. The boy rides a bicycle to school every day. He joined the Scouts about a year ago, and, displaying a spirit worthy of the finest ideals of the movement, has taken an active part in all Scout activities. He is now a patrol leader of the Westown Troop at New Plymouth. He runs, swims, and even takes part in scratch games of Rugby football among the Scouts.

Tobacco Growing in New Zealand

In the 1937-38 season the number of growers licensed was 442, and.the area for which licences were issued was 2564 acres (states the annual report of the Tobacco Board). Final production figures for the season are not yet available, but it is anticipated that the yield will be in the vicinity of 2,250,0001 b. For the purposes of comparison, the area on which tobacco' was licensed to be grown in the 193637 season was 2770 acres, and the number of growers was 508. Growers were not licensed in 1935-36. Production in 1936-37 totalled 1,587,1051 b. and in 1935-36. 1,243.3971 b.

Burnside Stock Sale Values were firmer at the Burnside stock sale yesterday, which was the Christmas double market. There were 308 head of fat cattle forward, good cows and heifers being in short supply and commanding a firm sale. Extra prime heavy bullocks made to £22 17s 6d; prime, £l6 2s 6d to £lB 12s 6d; medium, £l2 7s 6d to £l4 12s 6d; light, down to £9 2s 6d; extra primp cows and heifers, to £l3 17s 6d; prime, £lO 12s 6d to £ll 7s 6d; medium, £7 12s 6d to £9 2s 6d: and light, down to £4 7s 6d. Some four-year steers in the store pens made to £ll 2s. There were 1641 fat sheep forward, and at the start there was a general firming, though poorer quality was easier later. Extra prime heavy wethers made to 29s 6d; prime, 25s to 27s 6d; medium. 21s 9d to 235; light, from 18s; extra prime ewes, to 245; prime, 19s to 21s; medium, 14s 6d to 17s 3d; and light, down to 9s. The very large total of 2997 fat lambs was forward, and while butchers found prices higher than recently export buyers operated at full schedule througthout. Extra prime heavy lambs made to 27s 6d: prime, 24s to 25s 9d; medium, 21s to 22s 3d; and light, down to 16s 9d. Pig? had a keen sale, prices generally being fully 10s per head up on late rates.

Municipal Organ Recital Mr C. Roy Spackman, organist for Knox Church, will give an after-church recital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening. Visitors to the city will no doubt welcome an opportunity of hearing the Town Hall organ, and Mr Spackman has chosen an interesting programme of items reminiscent of the Christmas season. The items are ar follows: Gothic March (Salome), Sunset Melody (Vincent), A Scotch Carol (arranged Guilmant), Evensong (Easthope Martin), Offertoire on Two Christmas Carols (Guilmant), Serenade (Victor Herbert). Andante in F (special request, Wely), The Holy Boy (Ireland). Offertoire for Christmas Season (Barrett). The organist will be assisted by the Otago Girls' High School Carol party (conductor, Miss Molly Spackman), who will sing "In the Bleak Mid-winter" (Hoist), "Hark How Sweetly the Bells" (George Fox), "Child in the Manger" (Old French). "Holy Night" (arranged Hugh Roberton), and Miss Lean McLay who will contribute "He Was Despised." "Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind Be Opened " " He Shall Feed His Flock" ("Messiah," Handel). There will bs no charge for admission.

Accidents to Pedestrian! During the next few day* both motorists and pedestrians will require to exercise caution in the streets because of the increased volume of all kinds of traffic. The Automobile Association of Otago has issued a statement asking that pedestrians should not expose themselves to unnecessary risks, and that they should remember the Government regulations whfch are framed for their own protection. One of these states: "Pedestrians in crossing a roadway elsewhere than in an authorised pedestrian crossing shall, whenever possible, cross at right angles to the kerb or side of the roadway. When there is an authorised pedestrian crossing which is reasonably available to any pedestrian who is crossing a roadway, then if the pedestrian does not use such crossing he shall yield the right of way to motor vehicles on the roadway." Casual Hotel Meals

As a result 0 f the decision of licensed hotel proprietors in Auckland to cover recently increased staff wages by a -. higher daily tariff the prices for casual meals at most of those hotels which cater for this trade have also been advanced. A decision in other cases is expected in the next few days. "The increase for lunch and dinner has, been fixed at 6d a head and for bed and breakfast at Is, although one hotel is adhering to the former dinner price while increasing the other meal charges.

Heavy Rail Bookings Intending travellers on Saturday's expresses may find some difficulty in securing seats if they delay much longer, for the rail reserves appear to be considerably heavier than for the corresponding time of last year. The three trains leaving Dunedin for the north on Saturday morning are already » fully booked, and accommodation an the afternoon express north is being reserved rapidly. The noon and afternoon express for Invercargjll o'n Saturday are fully booked, and the relief express shbuld also have a full quota of passengers. The morning train to Gore, which connects with the train to Lumsden, is also completely filled. The usual Central Otago train has all accommodation reserved, but there is still seating to be had on the relief, train. The bookings on the expresses from Christchurch and Invercargill to Dunedin are also heavy.

The management of the Otago Daily Times acknowledges and desires to reciprocate Christmas greetings from the following:—Mr and Mrs A. A. Paape, the Timaru Herald Company, Ltd., the New Zealand Wax Vesta Company, Ltd., South Otago Newspapers, Ltd., the chief detective and staff (Dunedin), Miss Laura E. Vial and Mr Thomas Conly, of the Vocational Guidance Association, the chief postmaster and his staff. The receipt of calendars from the following is also acknowledged with thanks:—Messrs Vickery and Inkersell, Ltd. (Wellington), the A.M.P. Society, the Bruce C6al rCompany, Ltd., and Messrs Crust and Crust. ' ':' , ''" We have received 10s from L. H. for the Mayor's Flood Distress Relief Fund.

The Balfour sports on December 31 offer good prizes.for all classes of competitors. With the addition of two extra events in the dancing section for competitors under eight years of age, the Drogramme (dancing section) is acknowledged one of the best on the Southland circuit. Entries for the main professional events will be closed on Monday at 8 p.m. '£j u We have received 10s from "W.J. M." for the Mayor's Flood Distress Relief Fund.

For an your requirements In Fishing Tackle. Electrical Appliances. Electrical Repairs Contracts, and Jobbing call at Barth Electric. Ltd 36 George street Dunedin Fishinj? Catalogues «till available.—Advt ,

A. E. J. Blakeley and W E. flagley, dentists. Bank of Australasia corner of Bond and Rattray streets. Tele-Dhonel2-359:^Advt'-' ... , ...