GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 31 December 1926, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A cable message from Sydney announces that the rain lias cleared.

Keith Doyle, of Oamam, a. boy whose non-appearance in ’Wanganui for the Presbyterian Bible Class conference, for which be left early in the week, caused some anxiety, has been found to be staying with friends in Wellington. — (Press Assn.)

The police intend, if necessary, to take stern methods to put down the cracker nuisance in the streets tonight. There will be a big display of fireworks on Caroline Bay, and all who wish to let off fireworks are advised to go to the Bay for that purpose.

A Press Association message from Wellington says that fresh regulations are being gazetted shortly relating to the proper packing of fruit and vegetables, and to the control of two grapevino diseases a fungus known as downy mildew, and an insect* bcming the title phylloxta rastatrix.

A Christchurch message says that )-Aiiida,y (acliool teachers from ait parts of the Dominion arc in residence at the Bishop Julius Hostel and the Cathedral Grammar School, attending the summer school. About 60 attended the opening function, and it is oxpecterl that 100 will be present during the next few days. The school will continue tiU January 6.

A familiar landmark will be missed by travellers by rail and road through Makiltihi. Two tall chimneys—one about 130 feet in height and the other, measuring between 60 and 70 feet —at the disused brickworks, were razed a day or two ago, and the kiln also has been demolished.

Yesterday brought back memories of Timaru’s usual Christmas weather, the afternoon being beautifully fine with a bright sun shining. A large crowd of holiday visitors flocked to the Bay, where the bathing and tennis facilities were exploited to the utmost. The Bay presented a very animated scene, the Caroline Bay Association’s Carnival being a great attraction.

Transport firms which cater for country freights are meeting, with, a, great deal of competition, from farmers themselves, statos a Wellington exchange. A few years ago the lorry which went out lor the wool took tlio years storos to many farms, but now many farmers have bought their own trucks, and endeavour to pay the instalments by carriage of goods for neighbours, tile extent of whose transport does not justify the purchase of a lorry.

Some idea of the milking capacity of ewes may ho gauged from the case related by Dr C. J. Reakes the other day in the course of a conversation with a Southland “News” representative. At Ranfurly, where the department is carrying on an investigation into the causes of lamb mortality, a Romney cross paddock ewe that has just lost her lamb was locked up in a pen overnight so that a sample of her milk could ho collected for analysis. When the ewe was milked by hand next morning she yielded over a quart of milk for the one milking. It we had dairy cows that could yield correspondingly on a weight for weight basis wo would hoar of some phenomenal yields.

The accommodation bureau conducted under the auspices of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has proved a great boon to visitors during this holiday season, some 250 people having been satisfactorily placed through this means. It is surprising the number of people that arrive in Timaru without having made any arrangements for accommodation, and had it not been for the bureau, many of these Would have been disappointed. The inquiry is still keen from such people, who request that their place of residence must be handy to the Bay.

Some 250 boys in camp at the Timaru Boys’ High School, under the auspices of the New Zealand Anglican Bible Classes, spent a very enjoyable time yesterday afternoon, when they were motored out to Holme Station to picnic amidst Mr A. S. Elworthy’s beautiful grounds. Everything possible was done to make the gathering a very pleasant one. Two football matches were played during the afternoon, senior and junior, between teams representing the North and South Islands. The junior match was won by North by 7 to nil, and the senior match by the South by 9 to nil.

Some observations on agricultural activities in Australia, with particular reference to New South Wales, were made by Mr T. H. Patterson (head of the Fields Division of the Department ot Agriculture, Auckland), who has just returned from a seven weeks’ business and pleasure trip to Australia. “An excellent wheat season has been experienced in the south-west and western districts, and the probable increase in yield compared with lust year will be S),000,000 bushels, or an exportable surplus of 25,000,000 bushels,” stated Mr Patterson. “In the greater portions of tho wheat belt the crop Us good, but in occasional parts in the north tho wheat is a littie pinched, due to alternating cold snaps and hot weather. Otherwise the crop is very satisfactory.” Contrary to predictions in certain quarters, the running of sheep an connection with the wheat belts was proving a success, and tho number of sheep "’as increasing each year. Along with this ran early lambs, and, .in this connection, farmers were making good progress, using merino as the foundation of the sheep and crossing with British breeds. Mr Patterson said New Zealand had nothing to learn from New South Wales in tlio matter of pastures. He was rather disappointed with tho pasture lands in New South Wale's.’ Farmers, however, were now realising the value of tievoting attention to the biggest croppers in flic country—-the pasture lands. Speaking of the effect of the drought, Mr Patterson said the recent rains had had a wonderful effect on growth, and he thought the areas affected would recover rapidly.

To give you even belter service in the New Year than in the past—to keep our values always attractive — to maintain our reputation as stockists of quality hardware—these are our New Year resolutions. England, Mcßae, Ltd., take this opportunity of wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year, and of thanking you for the interest and support accorded the Progressive Hardware Store during its seven years of pleasurable business in Timaru. ...