GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 2 June 1923, Page 9

GENERAL NEWS

“Fifty years ago Denmark was the poorest country in the world; to-day it is the richest country in the world, per head of population,” said the Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, at bis meeting in Timaru yesterday.

It was stated by Mr Hayman at the meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board yesterday, that in the near future very little coal would come to Timaru by hoat; it would come by rail from the West Coast as soon as the tunnel was open.

For the hpliday in Timaru on Monday there are .two strong local attractions—a golf championship meeting on. the HighfieJd links, and the seven-a-side football tournament, the finals of which will be played on the Caledonian grounds.

Anyone who attempts to secure dutiable goods from boats in port at Timaru, without paying the Government toll thereon, is taking a considerable risk, for'the Customs officials are very vigilant. This week the Hon. James Craigie, M.L.C., when coming away from a big liner in port, was required to turn out bis pockets. Needless to say a blank was drawn.

A correspondent of the Auckland “Star” tells a very extraordinary story in the following way:—“l should very much like to know if you ever heard of money found in fruit? I to be eating a pear the other e'fifing, when my teeth struck something bird, and on examining the pear I found an | American one-dirne piece in the ( cr.tre ’ of the core of the pear. The pear was aparently in perfect order, and the little coin had not damaged tlie fault in any way. I have still got the onedime piece, but can oifer no c.\p ana- j tion as to how it found its way into the pear.”.

A wife who stated that she had opened certain of her husband’s correspondence while he was separated from her was told very plainly by Mr Bundle, S.M., at Dunedin, that she had exceeded her rights (states the “Star”). A letter had come a week before from the Pensions Department, and the husband knew nothing of it. “You had no right to open letters not addressed to you,” said His Worship. “I was told I could open his pension papers, and I always have,” replied the woman. “It doesn’t matter uho told you. You have not the right to do so. Just understand that in future,” His Worship warned her.

There is now a properly-organised end well-conducted Chinese Citizens’ Band in Wellington, whose efforts to produce music as it is understood in China are a source of continual delight to the residents of the Chinese quarter. The Chinese have their own peculiar scale and notation, and they have melodies — or what are melodies to them—chat are known throughout their Empire. Cue of their, operas, played afternoon and evening, lasts roughly about tl.ioe weeks, and to absorb it fully entails a fair amount of patience on the part of the auditor. The members of the new hand are at present assiduously practising on strange-looking striig.-d instruments, gong, and tom-toms'.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board Mr J. Bitcliener, M.P., voiced a strong protest against the proposal to increase the Harbour rate. Country people could not, and would not stand it, and so long as he was a member of the Board he would strenuously oppose any increase m the rate until the Board had exhausted every other means of raising revenue. Ho believed in improving the harbour and keeping it up to date, hut the Board must raise thei revenue necessary for this, from the working of the port. Mr Hayman added that there was no hope of increasing the rate —there were too many country members on the Board for that.

Mr Wm. Evans has had forwarded to him, by thei secretary, a copy of the forty-ninth annual report and balance sheet of the Hokitika Gas Company, Ltd., by reason of the fact that lie was one of the foundation members of the Company, which is now celebrating its golden jubilee. The first directors of tlie Company were —Messrs W. Evans, M. Cassius, J. Craig, J. Mulligan, F. Dermott, T. Horton and C. § Allen. Of all the names mentioned, Mr Evans alone survives. At the time of the foundation of tlia Company he was a merchant in Wharf Street, Hokitika. The last annual report of the Company says that the directors desire to pay a tribute to all who assisted its management in the past, and had maintained the works so efficiently. The founders of the Company laid their plans well, and installed a plant which has proved most serviceable for the requirements of the community.

A pleasant function took place at the Timaru "West School yesterday morning when the chairman of the Education Board (Mr G. W. Armitage), who was unable to be present at the opening of the new school, at the invitation of the committee, paid an official visit to. the school. The-visit was of a threefold nature —to inspect the building, meet members of the staff, and to address the children in connection with Empire Day. The children were lined up in front of the school and the flag was saluted. The chairman of the committee (Mr J. E. Chiles) _ then briefly addressed the children and introduced Mr Armitage, 'who addressed the children and explained the significance of Empire Day. He also complimented them on their fine school, and thanked them for their attention while he spoke to them. An inspection of the building followed, and Mr Armitage expressed every satisfaction at the - up-to-date school and promised to look into a few minor details brought under his notice.