GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 March 1927, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

An Auckland message says that the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company will pay out 13d per lb. for butter fat in February.

The pupils of the Tiraaru West School and the boys from St. Saviour’s Orphanage went by special train from Timaru to Pleasant Point on Saturday, and bail a doLightful day’s outing in the Point Domain.

Mr G. Hastie, J.P., presided over a sitting of the Timaru Police Court on Saturday morning, when a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined 10s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment.

The following letter has been received from Her ltoyal Highness, the Duchess of York, in reply to a telegram from the Sacred Heart Convent, regretting her indisposition:—“Her ltoyal Highness thanks the children of the Sacred Heart, for their kind telegram, and is very sorry not to have seen them. (Signed) Cavan, Chief of Staff.”

The Geraldine District Band, under Conductor S. McDonald, received a good reception in Timaru yesterday, when they gave programmes in Timaru Park in the afternoon and on Caroline Bay in the evening. At the Park, in the afternoon, the attendance was very large, while, despite the cold weather, a large number thronged Caroline Bay in the evoning. At each concert, the programme met with approval.

Two picnic parties from North Canterbury came to Timaru on Saturday, and the weather being all that could be desired, they spent a very enjoyable time The excursionists numbered between 1200 and 1300, over 1000 coming from the Islington Freezing Works, and three hundred fronj the Lvndhurst School (Ashburton district). Caroline Bay, the wharves and the Park were all visited, the visitors finding & special attraction in U.M.o. Diomede, which was in port.

Ii.M.S. Diomede was again thrown open ior public inspection uotween the flours of 1.30 and 4.30 on Saturday, fwu a large number of people availed themselves of the opportunity of being accompanied around the ship by the obliging officers and men. In the evening the vessel’s searchlights gave a very fine display, three high-powered lights illuminating) tlio sky, the Day and «urrounding country for miles around. The Diomede left yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock, for Stewart Island, where she will participate in the farewell to H.M.S. Renown.

A message from Wellington says that a new. award in the Northern, Wellington, Canterbury, . Otago and Southland industrial . districts, fixing a 44-hour week With a minimum wage ol 2s 3d per hour roi journeymen cabinet workers, casket makers, upholsterers, chair and frame makers’ machinists, wood carvers, turners and polishers, and certain other workers, was filed on Saturday. Picture frame workers and wire mattress makers will receive a minimum of 2s lid timber stackers Is 10Jd and female workers £1 2s to £2 17s 6d per week.

There have been several burglaries in Timaru recently. In one case a lady had all her jewellery stolen, and in another, a good many valuables were stolen. In the latter case, the owner of the- house was away on holiday, and the thieves took a vehicle into the yard to cart away the booty, and they made a meal for themselves in the house. Neighbours who saw them in' the yard with the vehicle, making no attempt to hide what they were cloifij*, assumed that they were there by right, with tile knowledge of the owner of the property. From a third house iin the same vicinity, a gold watch. was stolen. ;

Due to an exceptionally fierce gale ip. the vicinity of Cook Strait, telegraphic communication with the North Island was severely hampered last evening. Lata cable messages wero received in Christchurch bv telephone from Wellington, and wero ?hen relayed to Timaru by telegraph, arriving here at a late hour.

A programme of music was discoursed by the Band of H.M.S. Diomede at the Caroline Bay .Rotunda from 7 till 9 o’clock on Saturday evenin'', when.an exceptionally large attendance was treated to a number of first-class musical selections. Judging by the public’s approval, this Band is considered to be one of the finest ship’s bands that has ever played before a local gathering.

A Press Association message says that a conference of the delegates attending the New Zealand championship regatta at Pieton carried by acclamation a motion to support the New pic Council’s jkoject of raising £booo to send a team of oarsmen to the next Olympic games at Amsterdam in 1928The Olympic Council expressed the view that New Zealand’s prospects of success were much stronger in rowing than in any other branch of sport. If a crew of ten men were sent they con’d compete in the eights, fours, pairs, double and single sculls.

The sitting Mayor of Oamaru (Mr J. M’Dairmid) who has occupied the chair for a period of eight years, lias definitely decided not to otter himself for reelection. Two of the Councillors (Messrs P. Crawsliaw and \Y. H. Frith) have intimated their .intention of contesting the Mayoralty, and the contest is likely to be very keen. So iar as can bo ascertained, the whole of the present members of the Oamaru Borough Council intend offering themselves for re-election. Other probable candidates are Messrs \V. Wright, 1. Jacobs, A. H. Vile, and C. J. Marshall. The retiring Mayor (Mr M’Diarnud) may also be a candidate for the council.

In the grounds surrounding Chalmers Church, on Saturday aiternoon, in delightful weather, tho young people of the oliurch held a delightful garden party. There was a large attendance and good business was done at_ the various stalls. Those in charge ot the stalls were:—Fancy, Week-night Bible Class; cakes, Senior Young Womens Bible Class; sweets, Junior Young Women’s Bible Class; produce, Young Men’s Bible Class; putting, croquet, quoits, skittles, Young Men’s Bible Classes; dip, Primary Department and Senior Sunday School; afternoon tea, Sunday school teachers. A striking and very pretty feature of the afternoon was seen in the competitions which were held. These were judged by the Mayoress (Mrs G. J. V all ace) the awards being as follows :—t oster competition —Dorothy Gibb (Bruce s Bisouits) 1, Helen Williams _. Fancy dress —Shirley Melvf.lle (Bon Bon) 1, Margaret McCone (Crinoline Lady) l. Decorated pram—Daphne Barclay 1, Rena Foote 2. A bright programme of instrumental music was supplied throughout the afternoon by De Latour’s Band.

Good tradesmen appreciate good tools. At the Progressive Hardware Store new tools of quality are continually a’-’iving. The latest shipments include carpenter’s wrecking bars, star drills, plugging chisels, Record vyces and cramps, mortice chisels, palette knives, plasterers small tools, stocks and dies on cards, and auger bits in sets. Of special interest are a fine lot of drawing instruments, and sets of tools suitable for the amateur carpenter or the young beginner. England, Mcßae, Ltd., offer splendid value in mechanics tools always, and are at your service.