GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18433, 27 November 1929, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The new Pareora bridge is now open for tr&filc.

Salvation Army officers from Temuka, Geraldine and Waimate, who were present at the welcome to the new Commissioner* ori Monday night, have all returned to their homes.

Before Mr E. F. Hollands, J.P., at the Timaru Police Court yesterday morning, a first offender on a charge of drunkenness was convicted and discharged.

Miss Id. Famiiton (Oamaru) climbed Mount Aspiring, New Zealand’s second highest peak, on Saturday—the first lady to accomplish the feat. Mount Aspiring is considered more difficult than Mount Cook.

Desmond Pidgeon, the three-year-old boy who was injured when a car, driven by his father, got out of control at Okain’s Bay, Banks Peninsula, on Friday, is reported to show a slightly improved condition. He was still on the seriously ill list yesterday.

It has been definitely decided that the old road from Westport to Karamea, which was very badly damaged by the earthquake on June 17, is to be re-opened in preference to the proposed new coastal road. Work on the old road will be started almost immediately.

A message from Invercargill states that the Southland Rugby Union’s art union was drawn last night. The first three prizes were won as follows: First, £3OO, Miss C. Williams, 231 Manchester Street, Christchurch; second, £IOO, J. Freeman, Meatata, Auckland; third, £SO, Hiki Te Rangi, of Pakotai.

At mid-day yesterday a motor-cycle, when being started in Stafford Street South, suddenly took fire. The Fire Brigade was summoned, and the fire was quickly under control, but not before a good deal of damage had been done. The loud clangour of the alarm bell suggested a more serious outbreak.

The private radio station 3ZC (Christchurch), which had been silent for a couple of weeks While its location was being changed, came on the air again yesterday. The conditions were not so good as those prevailing last week, but it appeared that the station had about doubled its volume and gained considerably in clarity. Entries in the cottage garden competition, conducted by the Timaru Horticultural Society, were judged yesterday, tne results being as follows: —A. competition (Geo. Bowker Cup)—Mrs J. Watt, 62 points, 1; C. A. Schmidt, 59 points, 2; T. P. Crowe, 51 points, 3. B. competition (A. S. Jones’s Cup)—S. Houston, 79 points, 1; J. Stewart, 73 points, 2; Miss Islip, 69 points, 3. The judges were Messrs G. E. Knowles, D. N. Harper and Geo. J. Sealey. The cups and prizes will be presented on the first night of the show next week.

In a report to Monday night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council, the librarian (Miss M. E- Culverwell) stated k-.at a number of books were missing. The chairman of the Library Committee (Councillor G. Benstead), referring to the report, said that it was quite possible that subscribers had inadvertently omitted to return the books, and if the matter was brought under their notice the books would be returned. Councillor W. H. Hunt: "How are you going to get on about the fine?” Councillor Benstead: "We could overlook that if the books were recovered. They could be sent back through the post anonymously.”

The vicar of St. Paul’s ProCathedral, Wellington, Canon Percival James, has arranged to hold special early morning services every Sunday, during the summer months at 9.30, and hopes to see in the congregation many who have formed the habit of spending much of their Sunday in open-air recreation. The hour has been chosen so that they may come to church first. Holiday attire will not be considered out of place, and golf clubs, tennis racquets and such impedimenta may be safely left at the church entrance with the verger. "Of the ladies’ attire,” says the vicar, "I may not venture to speak.” The services will begin early next month.

Some people have a queer sense of humour, as was evidenced by a hoax which was attempted in Timaru during the week-end. While walking along the waterfront on Sunday, a little girl happened to pick up a cigarette tin, on the front of which was scratched, in big letters, the word “Help.” On the back of the tin was the following: "Frank Shepherd, Oua Atoll, Pacific Ocean. Help! We are in dire straits. F. S. 23 Nov. 1929.” Had the message been dated 1928, instead of 1929, the message might have caused a few inquiries to be made, but the person responsible for this alleged humorous act did not bargain on the tin coming ashore on the day following it having been thrown into the water.

A find was made by Mr L. Nicholas on his property at Temuka recently, when he unearthed, about five feet under the surface, a stone adze of a rare shape, which must have been buried for many years. The adze is very well made, and is of unpolished grey stone. The length is ten inches, and it is three and a quarter inches in breadth, and one and three-quarter inches in thickness. The cutting edge is hollow ground, in this point differing from the usual straight-ground edge of the true Maori adze. Mr Nicholas presented his find to Mr H. S. McCully, who has made a study of this subject for some years, and who has a valuable collection of flints and stone implements collected from all over the South Island. Mr McCully said that the adze was of considerable scientific value, as it might-help to prove that another race of human beings inhabited New Zealand before the advent of the Maoris.

We state with confidence that there are very few homes to-day in which stainless knives do not feature. Until quite lately there was a mistaken idea tnat these knives were easily blunted, which, of course, is entirely wrong, as they have a very keen edge and can be resharpened as often as desired. And stainless knives have done away with the old polishing board and powder—all that is necessary with them is a wipe with a dry cloth after washing up. And they are no dearer than ordinary steel—ll/9 and 13/9 a half dozen for an exceptionally high grade line at England, Mcßae's