GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18540, 10 April 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

A cable message from London announces that summer time in England begins on April 13.

Engineroom trouble caused the Makura which arrived at Auckland yesterday to be hove to for an hour last Saturday night, when less than 12 hours from Sydney.

Amongst the remits for discussion at the annual conference of the Law Society to be held in Auckland, is one recommendation that the statements of witnesses taken by police when, ut" vestigating accident cases, should be available to the parties concerned in any subsequent inquiries or proceedings.

To notice a cow trotting along gamely at the rear of a motor lorry travelling at a speed of about 14 miles per hour was the experience of the Inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ft.r G. Gliddon), who reported the matter to yesterday’s meeting of the Committee. Mr Gliddon stated that the animal was visibly distressed, and arrangements were made to have it taken home in less speedy fashion.

In view of the fact that the schools must close from Good Friday, April 18, to Tuesday, April 22, inclusive, and then again on Anzac Day, April 25, many of them will close down for the intervening days as well. The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Canterbury Education Board, on Monday, and it is considered probable that the Board will decide to recommend all schools to adopt this course.

There was still no trace of Mr Leonard Pegler, who disappeared from his home at 8, Brett’s Road, St. Albans, Christchurch, last Friday. Fears are now entertained for his safety, owing to his prolonged absence. Mr Peglei holds 'a position on the staff of E. Reece, Ltd. He is sft. 7in. in height, and weighs 12 stone. He is thick set and clean shaven, and his clothing when he left home consisted of a suit of purplish blue shade, a fawn hat and brown boots.

A cable message from Sydney reports that the British tramp steamer Inkula after limping into port yesterday, collided while berthing, with the Ulimaroa, which was coaling. A couple of plates on the Ulimaroa were dented, but her sailing for New Zealand will not be affected. The Inkula ran short of coal during her voyage from Ocean Island. The crew was also short of food. The vessel just managed to reach port in a leaky condition, owing to buffeting by heavy weather.

The Inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mr G. Gliddon) in his report to yesterday’s meeting of the Society, said that one of the worst cases of cruelty to a horse ever investigated had occurred in the Levels district during the month. The animal was affected by a cancerous growth weighing about 61b, which was attacked by flies and gave off a putrid smell. The horse was shot immediately, and had not the owner been in failing health a prosecution would have followed.

A recent case of the poisoning of a dog by strychnine in the south end of the town, was brought under the notice of the S.P.C.A. at yesterday’s meeting. Mr F. Clissold said that poisoning seemed to be fairly general, as he knew of five cases in North Street alone. Mr A. E. Lewis was cf opinion that strychnine for poisoning animals could be obtained too easily, and there should be some tightening up of the regulations. Strychnine poisoning was a cruel death unless the poison was administered by an expert. The meeting agreed that the matter was one for the police.

Although the rain yesterday and the previous night will find a welcome in those parts of South Canterbury, and other districts, in which its presence was felt, there is still a desire for a good deal more moisture. At 9 o’clock yesterday morning, and very little rain has fallen since, the fall, as register* ed at Timaru Park, was 72 points, which is considerably below requirements. No great depth will have been reached, so that ploughing operations will not be able to be advanced. However, the rain will do good to winter feed, and for this the farming community will no doubt be grateful.

A Press telegram from Wellington states that gold in Australia is worth £5 5s per cent, more than the ruling rate. This is due to the adverse exchange rate.

In connection with the withdrawal of a survey party from the South Island main trunk railway, the Minister of Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom), has explained that the party would return to the main trunk work as soon as the weather became to severe for working in the Lewis Pass locality. The position of the surveyor which this party engaged was such that it V/i.uld not hinder the work of construction. Some 26 miles had been completely surveyed from Wharanui southward to a point about eight miles beyond the Clarence river, and including the Clarence bridge site, but at the south end the party was still employed on survey from Parnassus northward, ahe Minister added that he had authorised the placing of a further 50 men on Parnassus end of the construction of the line.

Whereas the electric torch was once looked upon as a luxury, it has now become a necessity and an indispensable item of equipment to every motor-car owner, householder and small boy. England, Mcßae’s have some excellent new lines in pocket torches at prices ranging from 3/9 all complete, and for presentation purposes they are showing a very fine gold-plated torch. You should also inspect the handy cycle lamps which they offer complete with battery and bulb at 7/6 each. England, Mcßae’s keep full stocks of guaranteed batteries and bulbs, and if necessary will be pleased to refit your old torch....