GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 October 1926, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

An Oamaru Press message says: The decision of Columbia Church to discontinue the animal sale of work and substitute direct giving, resulted in a special offering of £415 on Sunday.

A Press message from Napier says that the ratepayers of Waipukurau yesterday carried by nine votes a proposal to raise £19,000 for a high pressure water supply and the extension of mains. A proposal to borrow a similar amount for loads and footpaths was rejected by seven votes.

Before Mr E. R. Mosely S.M., at .the Tiniaru Magistrate’s Court yesb'rday, Eric John Avchey, charged with exceeding the speed limit of 15'ruffes an hour, was fined a.2 and costs. Boland Watt who pleaded guilty to a charge of overcrowding a motor-lorry used for the conveyance of passengers was fined £4 and costs.

At a conference of the Mothc dist Women’s Missionary Union which, is being held, at Palmerston North, announced that the headquarters of the' Dominion Executive will lie in Palmerston North for tho three years. Officers Were elected as follows: —-President, Mrs H. E. Pacey; smvtary MiA E. W. Hodder; treasurer, Mrs P. M. Pacey.

A Greymouth Press Association messngo says tliat a poll was taken yesterday in the Grey Power Board district on a proposal to borrow £50,000, additional to £BB,OOO already expended on the Board’s scheme, in order to complete the steam plant on Dobson’s, and to extend reticulation facilities. The loan, was carried by a large majority,’the voting being: For 745, against 158. Only 45 per cent, of the electors voted.

A telegram from Taumaranui says that the report of the Commission appointed to hear evidence regarding a petition presented praying for the union of the counties of Taumaranui, Ohura and Kaikieke, is now available for publication. The report r< commends that there should be no amalgamation of these counties at the present time. The Commission decided to . recommend that the R.oiro 1.-ioek of tho Ohura county, and the Kiribati riding of Kaitieke county, be included in Taumarunui county.

A Press telegram from Palmerston North says that a meeting of me executive of the Wellington and West. Coast Dairy Companies Association resolved to protest against + .iio provision regarding the carriage of butter and cheese, appearing in Gazette No. 27, which fixes lower railage charges on long distances, which arrangement is deemed to have been made in the interest of one dairy company, and which is a disadvantage to ail dairy companies in tho Wellington province. It was also resolved that a fun her meeting of the Executive be held to take stops to combat the arrangements, Members of Parliament for tho districts covered by the Associations to attend such meeting and discuss tvhat future action should be taken.

A Press message from Christchurch says that Mr E. W. Eurkert, Engineer-in-Chicf of the Public Works Department, has advised the Waimaknriri River Trust of liis approval of the Trust’s river protection scheme. Mr Eurkert has cabled from England that ho has examined river works in America and Italy, and considers the scheme adopted bv the Trust satisfactory and generally in accordance with the best practice. This scheme, which involves an expenditure of £20,000, was rejected by tho ratepayers at the last poll the issue failing to receive the lull ’ three-fifths majority then nccessary. Since tho amending legislation of last session, a bare majority only is now required.

Tho picturesque sailing ships are fast disappearing from the seas. Nearly 2 000,000 tons of sailing._xesscls have been "scrapped since 1914. In a decade, perhaps, sailing vessels will he but a memory of tho past -*o far as the world’s commerce is concerned. Sailing vessels now represent only 3 per cent, of tho world’s tonnage, and of this the United States owns 1,058,000 ions. Franco is-next on the list with 106 000 tons, and then follow Great Britain 136,000 tons, Canada 107,000 tons, and Italv 90,000 tons. If barques are subtracted from these totals, however, the significance of tho part tho sailing vessel plays in the world’s seacarrying trade groat'y diminishes. The figure for what may be termed “real” sailing vessels is set down at 1,300,000 tons, of which the United Stales controls nearly 500.000 tons. Britain today owns only 30,000 tons.

The first two consignments.this seaeon of the pear midge parasito have arrived and will be hold in readiness for propagation in the Hendeison 01ehards as .soon as die midge makes 1 s appearance (states the New Zealand Herald). The Dominion Entomologist, Mr D Miller, who is visiting Auckland states that further consignments are to be cent out from Europe for the New Zealand Department of Agi multure, .and it is hoped that sufficient paras tes •will be available this year to estabhsn. them on a large scale in the nudgeaffected orchards.

The memory of tlio Police Force is singularly retentive, as many a criminal lias good reason to know, and its system of pigeop holing and docketing information often results 111 the apprehension of a “wanted man even after a lapse of years. This was the case with Sydney James Herbert, labourer, aged 40, who appeared befoie Mr H. Y. Widdowsou, SAL, in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, eight years after a warrant was issued for liis arrest. Herbert was charged with failure to maintain his wife. “A warrant for this man s arrest has been in existence for about eight years,” said Senior Sqrgeant'li. Martin. “He was arrested a few days ago at Greytown, in the North Island.

The annual anniversary concert iind dance under the auspices of the Timani Highland Pipe Band in the Unitarian, Had last evening attracted a largo attendance despite the unfavourable weather conditions prevailing. The programme, which was pleasingly varied, ■was of a high order, those present being rewarded with an excellent entertainment. Items were contributed by tlie following: —Pipe Band (selections), Mr C. Lyon (songs), Misses L. Kichardson, V. Skilling, M. Kyle, E. Collett, (highland reel), Miss Hooper, (songs), Mr It. Todd, (comic songs), Miss K. Young (songs), Miss Nancy Spavin (dances) Mr It. Jenkins (comic songs), Miss May Donaldson (Irish Jig), Messrs Dickson, A. Bryce, S. Brooks and It. Nieiiol (quartette),. Miss M. Davidson (songs), Master John Todd (songs), Mrs do Joux (songs), Mr IE Lewis (violin solos’), Miss Mavis Burgoyne (dances). Miss K. Sherlock provided the accompaniments. After the concert the remainder. of a very pleasant evening was occupied in. danc.ng.

.Ho'was, standing at the Post Office corner last evening waiting tor a friend, when a young lady rushed up, caught him by the coat, and hysterically remarked, “Oh, the brute! He is after me!” In a moment, as he looked down at that sweet, frightened young thing, his muscles began to ’ expand, and he found himself suddenly assuming Herculean strength. Where was the brute who would dare to lay a linger on one so charming who had suddenly appealed for his protection. “Where is ho?” he asked. The young lady pointed to the Post Office corner, where a playful bulldog, who is daily seen in Ridgway Street, was wagging his stumpy tail in a manner which indicated that he wished to be at peace with all parties. Those jp.-»ho vicinity thoroughly enjoyed thq, joke, and the “bully,” totally oblivious of the mild sensation ho had created, gave a few indifferent sniffs, turned', and retreated in the direction of his home. (“Wanganui Herald.’’)

A review of the cost of living by the Government Statistician indicates a rise of prices for September, over the previous month. The retail price index (Dominion weighted average) for the three food groups as at August 15 was 1000 (on base average prices in four chief centres during tlie years 1909-13 ,equate 1000), an increase of 3 points since the previous month ancl of 49.5 per cent, over that for July, '1914. A sharp rise was recorded in the groceries group, the index number having increased by 25 points since the previous month. Increases in prices of flour and bread are responsible. for this movement. Seasonal reductions in the prices of eggs and, in some towns, of butter also have caused “a drop of 35 points in the index number for the dairy products group. Meat prices have remained practically stationary, the index number for August showing an increase of 2 points. The index number for the groceries group is 4 points higher than that for the same month last year; the numbers for the other two groups being 18 and 69. points respectively lower than the corresponding.figures for 1925. The differences are inconsiderable except in the case of the meat group, in which prices have steadily fallen from month to month during the current year with the single exception of between July and August, when a very slight increase was recorded.

For sound value, the “National ball bearing lawn mower, 141nch., with high wheels and five blades, at the easy price of 80/-, is a wonderful proposition. 'For smaller lawns, the “Regina” at fro—i 45/- Is most suitable, and is a dependable and easy-working machine. England, Mcßae, Ltd., can supply the lawn mower to suit your lawn, at a price to suit your pocket. They specialise in garden tools and garden hose, and will be pleased to serve you. Call at the Progressive Hardware Store for your gardening requirements.