GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 20 June 1924, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Arcadia private hotel at Gisborne, containing 55 rooms, was destroyed by fire last night. A few lambs have already appeared in the. Wairarapa. Those reported so far are the offspring of English sheep which were imported a lew months ago. "Wanganui's representative wall the All Black team will be the official mascot. a, full grown kiwi, which was caught up-river and which was Mutable' prepared and mounted.

\ Press message from Invercargill states that the St. Helens’ Government maternity home has been closed on atcount of olheial notification of a ease of puerperal sepsis. The J. C. Williamson Pantomime Company passed through Timaru yes terdav by special train irom Dunedin, on their return to Christchurch. Ihe train consisted of four passenger carriages and three trucks and a goods van for scenery.

A Press Association message from Christchurch says that several split bank notes have been circulated there recently, mostly in the evening, when it- is hard to detect the fraud. At Napier yesterday, judgment for defendant was given in the claim for £*2ooo brought against the Acetone Welding Co. by the widow of a carter, killed by an explosion of an acetylene evlinder.

At a meeting arranged by the Council of Christian Congregations at Dunedin yesterday, a petition, bearing the names ol 211 professional and business men, against any increase of gambling facilities, was presented to Mr T. K. Sidey, ALP., for presentation to Parliament. A taxi going through the main Hirau-Cambridge road had an exciting experience in the Hinuera \ alley, where the car sank so deep in the mud that the benzine tank was ripped off. The car travelled for 3£ miles on the spirit left in the vacuum tank, before the driver noticed liis loss. At the Police Court at Auckland yesterday, Thomas Ward Bromley, late assistant-secretary of the Auckland branch of the .Federated seamen's Union, was sentenced to twelve months’ gaol ior the theft of £BO of the Union’s tunds. Air J. W. Poynton, S.AL, said stealing money from leliow unionists aggravated his ottenco and refused to grant probation.

New potatoes are rare at this time of the year, Out a Wamiate resident, Air J. Jones, lias succeeded in obtaining some from ins garden. On Tuesday a '‘Herald” representative was snown half a dozen now potatoes almost tiiu size of an egg. These had been planted in January, and, no doubt, due to the mild winter exeprienced up to now, have horrid fruit. All* Jones stated that a number of roots had been left in the ground for experiment.

The proposal that an “educational week” should be hold in Wellington towards the end ol the present year, in order to increase public interest in education, was placed before the Wellington .education Board by the director ot the Wellington Technical College (Air J. H. Howell), who suggested -that a conference of educational bodies might be held to consider the matter. Alter a discussion the Board agreed to call a conference.

The need for care iu properly locking motor cars when they are to be left standing, was exemplified in Tirnaru yesterday afternoon. Air Porter (Education Board acintect) had business which took him to Gibson Street, and leaving his car at the top of the hill there, it zig-zagged backwards down the hill, tiirougu the brake slipping. Fortunately, the car did not capsize, but ran into the bank at the foot of the hill, and very little damage was done to it.

At Blenheim yesterday, Herbert Arthur Aiuckie appeared before Air T. F. Aiaunsell, K.AI., on a charge ol vagrancy, it was stated that Alackie, who is 28 years of age, had matriculated when 14. He was addicted to. drugs, and was found under the influence ol drugs in a whare at Riveriands. Recently the premises of two Blenheim chemists were entered at night, but tiie iiJis were untouched. The police inferred that Aiackce liad entered the premises in search of drugs The police withdrew the chaige of vagrancy on condition that Alackie entered a Nelson mental hospital as a voluntary boadrer. —(Press Association.)

At Invercargill yesterday, a returned soldier pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a pensions oincer, regarding the money ho possess ed, when applying for tne economic pension, it was explained that a considerable part of the money, was due to liis mother for board. The Pensions officer said the defendant’s explanation was quite credited, and he did not press for a heavy penalty. The Aiagistrate (Air Cruickshank), said it was only through the utmost vigilance that the Department saved the country e iarge expenditure owing to false declarations and imposed a fine of £5 — (Press Association).

Control of junior high schools was discussed at the Council of Education at Wellington yesterday, and on the motion of Mr d. H. Howell (Wellington), the following motion was carried: “That in the smaller centres, junior high schools should be associated with secondary and technical schools, and should be under the control of thor Boards.” It was also decided that junior schools attached to district higu schools should remain under the control of Education Boards. A committee was sot up to report to the next meeting of the Council on the question of reducing the number of boards m various districts. (Press Assciation). The new rector and chaplain of St. Savioui’s Boys’ Orphanage, the Rev. L. A. Knight, M.A., will arrive in Timaru next Tuesday;, and His Grace, tiio Archbishop of New (Zealand, will uisti lute him in his work in the chapel at the Home oil Wednesday next. On account of the very largo number ot boys now in this home, viz., 83, the authorities regret that they are unable to issue a general invitation to the public .to attend, as the chapel will not hold inoro than 150, so only the boys and members of the staff and local committee with their wives and clergy will Oe able to attend. Mr H. Si. Bannehr, the organising secretary oi St. Saviour's Homes who lias been acting rector of the Timaru Home for the last three months, will return to Christchurch at the end of the week. A meeting of the Timaru branch of the Slieepowners’ Union was held in lnnaru yesterday. Present —Air Geo. Murray (chairman), Messrs Jf. H. Smith, A. S. Elworthy, E. R. Guinness, H. Elworthy, W. H. Orbell, W. Bond, L. Alathias, C. L. Orbell and W. H. Nicholson. The appointment of Air E A. Scott as secretary to the Timaru branch was confirmed. The question of the Government revision of earmarks was discussed, and Air Nicholson pointed out that whereas the brand at the present time serves as evidence of ownership, it was hoped under the new provision that the earnfark would be accepted as evidence. It was suggested that the date at which returns of sheep be made be altered from 30tii April to 30th June. In future tally books and copies ol’ the awards alieeting .slieepowners, will be available ioi members, at the secretary s office, the meeting terminated with a i ote ot thanks to Air Nicholson lor attending the meeting.

On Wednesday night the inmates ot the Old People's Home were entertained by a party from the A'oung People's Burnell of the Christian 'Temperance Union, and their friends. Musical items i>v s!Uses Al. Smith (piano), Ho<nic. 'llast.ie, Birth Byers, ALalcolmstiic O Connell and Seaton, Messrs R. Bvci s and Al. Applegarth ; recitations by .Missc-s Olsen. Rissel and Alston; monologue by Air Applegarth; humorous dialogue “Mistaken Identity,” by members of the Branch; minstrel melodic.-, and jests by darkies round the camp lire, made up a varied programme that delighted the audience. Before the end of the entertainment the president of the Branch asked Airs Alulvi--1011, tho matron, to aeeept front the members, a floral offering., as a small token of their appreciation of her kindness in always having everything in readiness for their visits. After supper, a very pleasant evening closed with the .singing ol “Auld Bang Syne” and the National Anthem, and with requests to “come again soon.” Led by Mr Alulvihill, the audience gave hearty t cheers for the visitor^.