GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18498, 20 February 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Members of the Wellington Caledonian Pipe Band, under Pipe-Major Archie McMillan, passed through Timaru yesterday on their way to Dunedin.

The Auckland swimmer Webster did not leave Wellington yesterday to undertake the Cook Strait swim, nor is he likely to do so for some days, as the conditions are not suitable.

Before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, judgment by default was given in the following undefended civil cases:—Timaru Gas Company v. E. Robinson, claim, £lO/19/2, costs £2/17/-; Vulcan Foundry and Engineering Company v. H. Rodgers, claim, £l2/10/-, costs £2/4/-; Commissioner of Taxes v. Robert May iunr., claim £l7/9/8, costs £l/14/-.

It is reported that Mr E. Boyle landed the first salmon of the season from the Waitaki river on Sunday. It was a fine fish, weighing 121 b.

The annual conference of the South Island Federation of School Committees’ Associations is to be he’d in Timaru on March 12. It is understood that the conference will be confined to the one day.

An International lorry, the property of Mr Jamieson, Timaru, and engaged in the Timaru-Dunedin service, was totally destroyed by fire in the vicinity of Mr D. Kennedy’s residence on the main south road near Morven, early yesterday morning.

There is on view in a Timaru fish merchant’s shop, a conger eel weighing 401 b. and measuring six feet in length. The fish was caught off Oamaru by a local fisherman, and even in death it presents a ferocious aspect.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the wholesale price of butter for Wellington local trade will be reduced by a penny per pound from to-day. Standard brands, first quality, will be sold at 1/7 retail.

When speaking at Raglan the Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, said that in the last five years the average production per cow per annum for all dairy cows in New Zealand, whether in milk or not, had increased from 1741 b to 2111 b.

In connection with the railway accident at Raetihi last Saturday, it is understood that the Department will make good the loss incurred by the owners of the sheep that were killed. Instructions were given by the Department for the burial of the sheep at 1/6 a head.

Because of the damage to telegraph lines caused by falling trees during the height of the south-westerly gale yesterday afternoon, and of the resulting delay in communication, the services of three operators were required at the Timaru Post Office until almost two o’clock this morning. Both north* and south lines were affected by trees.

That Timaru had received more than the usual quota of visitors this year was the opinion expressed by a leading hotel proprietor yesterday. He stated that since the Christinas rush his house had been practically full, and .that state of affairs should prevail till after Easter. “The bookings have been much larger than last year,” he concluded.

The list of cases set down for hearing at the Timaru Magitlrates Court to-day is not a heavy one. The cases to be heard by the Magistrate include: By-laws four, maintenance two, exemption from military camp seven, and al alleged breach of the Second-hand Dealers’ Act. The Magistrate will also give his decision in the opium case which was heard at the Court on February 6.

Constable D. O. Brown (45), of Rakaia, who was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital with a wound in the temple apparently inflicted by a pistol found'beside him, at Rakaia yesterday morning, died in hospital. An inquest was opened before Mr Robert Clark, District Coroner, at Ashburton, and after evidence of identification had been given by Constable W. V. Ward, the inquest \*as adjourned sine die.

On completion of harvesting in South Canterbury, arrangements are to be made by the Farmers’ Union, Chamber of Commerce, and Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to set up a committee to consider the formation of boys’ and girls’ Agricultural Clubs, for the purpose of fostering youthful interest in agricultural pursuits. The clubs, which are ’ subsidised by the Government, have met with considerable success in Canada.

In the latter part of last year, members of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce discussed the advisability of making a visit to the hydro-electric works at Kurow, but owing to the closeness of the holiday season, the suggestion was held in abeyance. At last night’s meeting oi the Council of the Chamber, the secretary (Mr J. Leggott) again introduced the subject, and after a brief discussion, it was decided to endeavour to arrange a visit for Thuifiay March 6.

Some time ago a representative ei Messrs Cadbury and Fry, Ltd., chocolate manufacturers, visited Timaru for the purpose of making an inspection of the town with a view to the possible establishment of branch works here. Nothing further was heara of the matter but at last night’s meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the secretary (Mr J. Leggott) informed members of the Council that the company had decided to open up in Wellington.

Judgment debtor stressed his inability to pay and Mr C. R. OrrWalker, S.M., made no order at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when McGruer Davies and Co., proceeded against Donald R. Cooksley on a judgment summons for £22/1/-. In a similar case in which Porter and Dawson Ltd., proceeded against R. Waugh, the Magistrate ordered defendant to pay the sum of £2/1/9 at the rate of 2/6 per week.

Conversing with a South Canterbury farmer yesterday, a “Herald” reporter was informed that the super land-tax imposed on farmers by the present Government was causing a good deal of hardship. In some cases the tax could not be met out of revenue, and more than one South Canterbury farmer was forced to borrow to meet the Government’s claim. “The only hope farmers have of avoiding the imposition is by presenting a very strong case to the Commission at present in session,” he concluded.

Rather unnecessary risks are at times taken by business men. A case in point was brought under the notice of a “Herald” reporter yesterday, who, in conversation with a local business man, was informed that there had come through the post the day before a cheque for a large amount, the envelope containing the cheque being unsealed, and bearing a half-penny stamp only. The cheque was a “bearer” one, and had it gone astray, some difficulty would have been experienced in tracing the person who cashed it.

Following a morning of brilliant sunshine, the weather in the early part of yesterday afternoon suddenly changed for the worse. A cold southerly wind sprang up, and the sky soon became overcast. At times the wind reached gale force, clouds of dust being raised in the streets, much to the discomfort of pedestrians. Fortunately the wind died down with the approach of evening, and light rain then set in, but the fall was only of short duration. The full force of the gale was fell on the plains, however, ahd two cases were reported of trees being uprooted. In both instances damage to telephone lines resulted. The first break occurred on the Fairlie line about 3.45 in the vicinity of Sutherlands, communication being restored about 6.30. The main Timaru- Christchurch line was also interrupted about a mile north of Winchester, this break occurred aobut 4 o’clock. A repair gang was despatched from Timaru, and communication was restored at 6.30. The damage in case was not extensive.

The port of Timaru will present a very busy appearance to-day and to* morrow, when five overseas boats are expected to discharge and load cargo. These are the s.s. Port Denison, s.s. Canadian Challenger, s.s. Coptic, s.s. Anglo-Canadian, and s.s. Golden Cloud. Other expected arrivals from overseas ports are the s.s. Westmoreland next Monday, and the s.s. Port Brisbane on the day following.

A movement is on foot to form a West of England Society in Timaru, and with that object in view, members of the Christchurch Society are to visit here on Sunday, March 2. They are to be accompanied by West of England folk from Ashburton and Temuka. and hope to get in touch with Timaru citizens hailing from the counties of Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire. The Christchurch Society has a membership of 238 adults and 78 juveniles. About one hundred members will make the trip, arriving at Caroline Bay by excursion train.

From time to time, efforts have been made by the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to have Timaru classed as a main port for shipments from the West Coats ports of America. The matter was brougnt under the notice of Messrs D. C. Turnbull and Co., who forwarded a copy of a letter received from the head office of the Oceanic and Oriental Navigation Company. To last night’s meeting of the Chamber the company stated that the question of rates to various ports in New Zealand were governed by the Pacific Coast Australasian Traffic Bureau. The question had been c.iscussed at a conference, and they were not in favour of applying main port rates to Timaru. A member: “Poor old Timaru.” It was decided that the letter be received.

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