GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18536, 5 April 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

The sharpest earthquake shock for some years was experienced at 1.40 o’clock yesterday at Gisborne.

Among the passengers by the Maunganui, which sailed from Sydney last evening are the New South Wales golfers, who will compete for the Kirk-Windeyer Cup. ,

The contractors have not yet commenced the dismantling of the old Pareora Bridge, but weather permitting, propose to start the work in a few days.

Yesterday morning, at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court, Messrs D. McLennan and J. P. Newman, J.P’s revised and signed the jury list, for South Canterbury; for the year 193031. The list at present contains 1573 names.

Yesterday morning, as soon .as a, light haze cleared away, gave some of the hottest hours experienced in Timaru so late in autumn for . some time. At Timaru Park, the temperature at noon reached 78 degrees. The afternoon was not so hot, but the sun continued to shed pleasing warmth through clouds that gathered.

Several fine specimens of scarlet runner beans, some of the longest measuring 13i inches, were forwarded to the “Herald” office yesterday by Mr H. J. Pierce, of Hilton. Mr Pierce states that the beans, which covered the vines this season, were sown in the early spring, and came away quickly. No manure of. any description was given them, and they resisted all the early frosts which were experienced in the district.

The extraordinary spell of fine and windless weather in Wellington has now lasted five weeks, and anxiety is felt for suburban water supply. Though the city itself is not threatened, it will be drawing upon its reserves if the spell continues past another 10 days, and strict economy will be necessary. In, the hills behind Wellington, however, the position is acute and householders not on pipe-lines have been forced to purchase water because of the failure of their tank supply.

The Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., has received the following telegram from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. E. A. Ransom): —“I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 20th inst., and thank you for the figures supplied regarding the unemployment position in Timaru. I have carefully noted these figures and in response to your request shall be pleased to look further into' the matter. I shall advise you of any decision at a later date. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works.” ~,,

During this week there has been an acute shortage of oranges in Timaru, and a further shipment is not expected until the middle of next week. For the past few days fruiterers have been assisting each other as much as possible, but last night oranges were unprocurable, except at a very high price: It is understood that a supply of the larger class of orange was held by a wholesale house, but at the price asked, which worked out at 45d, fruiterers did not operate, considering that it was no use to ask the public to pay 5d or 6d for a single orange.

Last week, fishing rivers In South Canterbury were showing visible signs of the dry spell being experienced, and this week the rivers are reported to be still drier, and unfavourable for fishing. In a good many cases also, weeds are making an unwelcome appearance, thus detracting a good deal from the sport. The lessened volume of water may be attributed to the absence of rain in the back country, and to the fact that it is yet too early for the rivers to be fed by snow. It is stated that there are good numbers of fish in the various rivers.

The success of this year’s programme outlined by the Timaru Y.M.C.A. seems assured, as the Carnival, promoted with the object of augmenting the general fund has met with the desired results. Last night was the third session of the Carnival, and the attendance was the largest yet, the late night in Timaru probably accounting for such a response. The amusements and the games of skill provided in the institution’s buildings in King George’s Place were of such a nature as to make their appeal very strong, and there were not many who did not contribute, in some manner, to the various stalls. The carnival will be concluded to-night.

A meeting of the South Canterbury Cancer Campaign Executive was held yesterday afternoon, in the office of the Hospital Board, to discuss preliminary plans in connection with the forthcoming campaign to collect funds for the purchase of radium and cancer research. It was unanimously decided that public meetings be called in all towns in the district, for the purpose of explaining the objects of the campaign, and to appoint local working committees to organise the collection of funds. Invitations were to be extend ed to prominent citizens and doctors to address the meetings. The first public meeting was fixed for Geraldine after Easter. It was unanimously decided that all local bodies should co-operate, and the enthusiasm shown at the meeting augured well for the success of the campaign.

"I was tremendously impressed by the enormous expanse of your glaciers and by the huge areas of perpetual snow,” said Mr Casey, of the New South Wales Tourist Bureau, when interviewed on his way back from Mount Cook. “Kosciusko is quite without snow for eight months of the year.” According to Mr Casey, however, Australians are nothing if not resourceful. They make the most of their winter snows. To do so they build their hostel at an altitude of 5,000 feet, and as if this is not high enough a new chalet has been put up six thousand feet above the sea. When the snow is heavy visitors to the chalet must pile into tractor drawn sledges or else make their way on skis. The chalet, apparently, is a rather luxurious Ball Hut. There is accommodation for forty people in two big dormitories. A common livingroom and the kitchen occupy the lower floor, and the dormitories and bathrooms the upper. The whole is heated by a central heating system. About the Mount Cook huts, Mr Casey was enthusiastic. He thought the region offered a wonderful opportunity to the experienced ski-er, and the huts were a guarantee of good snow. They made every part of the district accessible. “As for summer,” continued Mr Casey, “the out-door sports and the climbing make Mount Cook unique." Mr Casey has left to tour the North Island before returning to Sydney.

An important piece of news appears in this morning’s “ Herald.” This concerns some drastic reductions in hardware prices at England, Mcßae’s. Towards the end of stocktaking it has been found necessary to adjust stocks and the public are invited to participate by buying certain lines of everyday usefulness at prices as low as half ordinary retail figures. It will pay you to study their advertisement carefully, and to call early at England, McRae’s this morning to get your share of the bargains