GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 January 1926, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

It is reported that a well-known Taranaki Jersey cattle-breeder has received an oiler for the whole of his herd, involving a sum reaching into live figures.

During December 16-1 patients received treatment at the Timaru Hospital. Of the 100 discharged, six were cured, 22 were relieved, and nine died.

The South Canterbury Hospital Board has been advised by the Department of Health that there are vacancies for patients at Pukeora Sanatorium and at Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer.

There has been somo discussion recently as to the biggest crops of maize that are grown in Poverty Bay, it being generally conceded that anything in tho vicinity of 100 bushels is an excolelnt crop. Authentic records supplied to tho Farmers’ Union by one grower show that this season lie took 842 bushels from 8 acres of land, the average therefore being 105 bushels to the aero. The land on which the maize ivns grown is close handy to town and is land that has been cropped on many occasions.

The Taneatua railway station, was officially opened yesterday by Mr F. F. Ilockly, M.P., in the presence of a largo crowd of visitors and residents. A special train brought 200 people from Tauranga and wayside stations. —(Press Assn.)

“I have hero a copy of Hansard,” said Mr L. J. Wild, director of Feilding Agricultural College, addressing the Minister of Lands. “I sometimes read it.” “I am sorry for you,” said the Minister. “I find it useful—in teaching the students to write shorthand,” explained Mr Wild.

A waterspout was seen at sea by the steamer Hikurangi, while en route from Wliangarei to Auckland. It was a particularly high waterspout and was passing Rodney, 45 miles from Auckland, travelling in a south easterly direction. The waterspout was sighted just after 11 o’clock, at the time of a torrential downpour in the city.

A Wanganui employer has informed his staff of stenographers that the use o lip-stick, rouge and powderpuffs in office hours is strictly forbidden. He contends that the lady typistes waste too much time nowadays looking into mirrors when they should be at work. The American typist© has a. bad habit, but it doean’t interfere with her work —she chews gum.

“A transformation!” was the opinion expressed by a pioneer practical farmer, who travels over a wide area, concerning recent rains. Country throughout the Rangitikei, arid extending to Waverley, which not long since was very parched l , had shown a .wonderful wealth of green, and turnip and rape crops had. been particularly benefited.

It is not often that Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., becomes facetious, but a remark of his at the conference between members of the Main Board and the Waimate County Council on Tuesday had all present laughing heartily. Mr F. W. Furkert (chairman of the Board) was expressing his appreciation of what had been don© for them, when the member for Waitaki interjected with: “Did you appreciate your ride over the Pareora bridge?”

Political prophets are still exercising their wits in attempts to forecast the next batch of appointments to the Cabinet or the re-arrangement of portfolios. One observer pi-edicts that the Hon. A. D. McLeod will take charge of Public Works when the Prime Minister retires from this office, and that the Lands Department will he placed under Mr David Jones, M.P. for Ellesmere. When Sir James Parr assumes the High Commissionership it is considered likely that the Hon. F. J. Rolleston will succeed to the portfolio of Education.

A Press telegram from Dunedin says that the School Committees Association waited on Sir James Parr, with a request that the Master Printers’ Association should take in hand the preparation of the printing and distribution of school books at a cheaper rate. Sir James Parr said he would welcome any practicable proposal to cheapen the cost to parents, and asked the deputation to submit suggestions in writing.

During the course of his evidence at the inquest on Peter Daley Brown, recently drowned at Island Bay, Wellington, Constable Baker said the spot at which the accident happened was one of the most dangerous along the coast. On the day of the fatality it was a very risky thing to take an open dinghy into the sea, us there was not only a considerable sea running, but a stiff breeze was blowing.

Seaside visitors at the Waingongoro beach late one afternoon last week were startled by a huge slip in the cliffs near Sclinapper Bay, says a Hawera paper. Tons of earth and rocks came down on to the beach with a thunderous roar that "was plainly heard above the noise of the surf half a mile away, while clouds of dust produced by the fall rolled but over the sea and hung above the water until dispersed by the breeze. Two children were playing along the beach in the vicinity, but luckily no one was in the danger zone at the time.

Speaking at the New Zealand Club in Wellington, General Richardson mentioned some of the results of the visit of Samoan chiefs last year. They had been greatly impressed with the methods of supplying water, in which Samoa is deficient, and also with electric lighting and town beautifying. A new dam bad been built, whicu would supply villages for 14 miles with water, and one village had been remodelled and electric light installed. The Samoans to-day were developing in a happy and contented way, one of the chief reasons being that the system of domestic homo rule allows them to control their own affairs. The good woik of the medical department was shown bv the increase in population, ''hich formerly was stationary. (Press Assn.)

A new venture undertaken by the Government Publicity Office is the publication of a new monthly illustrated paper, to be known as the New Zealand News and Views.” The first issue contains several features concerned with the political situation in New Zealand from the historical point of view. The paper is designed for distribution overseas, when the attractions and advantages enjoyed by New Zealand will be made known. The issue presents much valuable information about the Dominion and contains a number of splendidly printed blocks. In a foreword it is stated] that when fully developed the paper will reflect the lito and colour of the country, its work, its prosperity and its prospects. It is hoped to increase the paper this year from lo pages to 32 pages with a well-organised free distribution of 10,000 copies.

The long-sustained spell of dry weather necessitates frequent use of tho garden hose. If your l ose requires renewing or adding to, call at the Piocressive Hardware Store aiul ask 101 “North British 3 ’ —the' world 6 best brand of hose. In spite of the tremendous rise in the price of rubber, England, Mcßae, Ltd., are stall offering this hose at the old price -a quantity purchase made before the rise, enabling them to pass on a big advantage to their clients. Ask also to be shown the “Rain King” Lawn Sprinkler. ...