GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 25 June 1924, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The debate arranged between the Timaru and Christchurch Accountant Students’ Societies has been abandoned. A Press message from Sydney states that S. Gentle, shooting at Mudgee, established a world’s record by registering 46 consecutive bull’s-eyes at 600 yards.

A first offender for drunkenness, who appeared before Mr G. Hastie, J.P. at the Timaru Police Court yesterday morning, was convicted and discharged on tlie understanding that he left Timaru before nightfall. A somewhat rare phenomenon was seen by a Whitiora resident, namely, a lunar rainbow. Shortly after the moon rose, a rc inbow of a greenish-yel-low colour was observed against a light rain cloud in the direction of Te Rapa. It lasted about five minutes, then gradually faded away.

“The reason why a pit has been excluded from the recommendation governing garages,” said Mr A. J. Paterson at a conlerenee on building regulations, “is that .heavy gases accumulate there. A man climbs into the pit, becomes unconscious, and, if there is no one to pull him out, goes to the morgue.”

The Brisbane Minister in charge oi soldiers’ settlement has prepared a statement showing that tho various States settled a total of 63,268 returned soldiers at a cost of £SB,OSS the average individual outlay ranging from £745 in Queensland, to £2699 in South Australia. In New South Males the cost was £2441, and in Victoria £1829.

St. Saviour’s Orphanage will be greatly benefited by the proceeds from a concert given by the Dizzle Dazzle Concert Company of Temuka, which j- : neyed to Geraldine on Monday e\ ,-nin‘g, and rendered a fine programme to a good house in the Drill Hall. The items were excellently rendered, the audience being most appreciative, and demanding several recalls.

The “athletic heart” is often a myth, according to the latest views promulgated at tho annual Canadian Medical, Association gathering. Sir John Parkinson, tho London'heart specialist, declared that there was no evidence to show that heavy smoking injured the heart permanently. The main causes of heart disease were rheumatic fever and syphillis. Dr. Parkinson insisted that many cases of so-called heart disease were really nervous symptoms.

The charge of 10s 6d imposed by tho banks for signing letters of indemnity in connection with importations from overseas was adversely commented upon by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The Wanganui Chamber wrote, suggesting that banks did not incur any additional liability, because they would not sign unless they had the necessary security. “It is just a little squeeze that banks ought to be ashamed of charging,” averred one member.

‘ The degree of unemployment among farm hands and others at the present season was demonstrated by the response to an advertisement appearing in the Auckland “Herald.” Applicants were asked to meet the employer at 6 p.m., and long before that time a considerable number had collected. By 6 p.m. there were some 40 or 50 men in the vestibule. One of them stated that work in both town and country was slacker in winter; which accounted for the number seeking 1 the two jobs offered.

J3y a recent ruling of Mr Justicei Sim, Sunday schools are held to be subject to rating purposes under the Municipal Corporations Act, contrary to the view previously held that they were immune. A deputation of representatives ot Churches, which conduct Sunffay schools will wait on the Prime Minister this week to urge that the Act be altered so as to relieve Sunday schools of the necessity to pay rates. The matter was brought under the notice ol the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir brands Bell) by the P.P.A., last November, and Sir Francis then indicated his intention of preparing legislation to remove the anomaly.

Several Napier firms have been plea santlv surprised during tlie past feu clavs bv the reception of a suppleiuen tary dividend in an estate which went bankrupt 25 years ago. Io all prae tical purposes tho bankruptcy had seemed dead and buried, but the estate received substantial increments through the death of an interested party, and accordingly the creditors have been oaid a further dividend, amounting a I together to £750. One firm alone received a cheque for £319, although the debt had been written off' as totally “had,” away back in 1908.

A. Press message from Christchurch states that a motion by Mr M- J. Gresson, for a non-suit or tor a new trial, had been filed in the ‘ Danthonia case.” but Mr Gresson announced yesterday it was not intend ed to proceed with the motion. Judgment will be entered for plaintiffs tor the amount of tlie jury’s v ®ynict. A. M. McFarlane, who claimed £409) dam ages, was awarded £SOO, < in( -llj. , MeCandless, who claimed £l9 J 19s, was awarded £526 Hie Glenda nt, Norman Rutherford. Mondm Hills, will pay costs, which will be \ei\ heavy.