GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18542, 12 April 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Owing to a derailment of a train ill the vicinity of Te Kuiti on Thursday the Daylight Limited from Auckland to Wellington was delayed for some time, and did not reach Wellington till shortly after 12.30 yesterday morning.

The rain earlier in the week was much heavier in the back country than on the coast, and even in many places not far inland there was a heavier fall than in Timaru. The registration between 5 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. on Wednesday at Hillbro Settlement, near Ofcaio, was 1.42 inches.

The small steamer Alexander, which went aground on soft bottom at French Pass early on Tuesday morning, was refloated on yesterday morning’s tide, and arrived at Nelson at five o’clock. She sailed for Wellington in the evening to undergo Government inspection. (Press Association.)

The Poppy Day collections in Dunedin City yesterday totalled about £ISOO, but country returns and also some from surrounding districts have still to come In, and record takings are anticipated. The Otago and Southland list for the Obstetrical Chair Endowment Fund now exceeds £3OOO. (Press Association.)

The earliest attempt to develop mechanical road services in South Canterbury was made by the owner of a Waimate sawmill in 1871. The “ Herald ” of that year referred to the venture as follows:—“The road steamer with a couple of trucks left Waimate yesterday morning, and Mr Bruce expects to arrive in Timaru with the steamer to-day.”

Commencing from Sunday, the Railway Department have decided to run only one excursion train from Christchurch to Timaru, in view of the falling off in traffic, and owing to the lateness of the season. The train will leave Christchurch at 8.30 a.m., arriving at Timaru at 12.5 p.m., and it will leave Timaru at 4.50 p.m., arriving back at Christchurch at 8.29 p.m. The Timaru to Christchurch train will leave at 9 a.m., arriving in Christchurch at 12.26 p.m., and will leave again at 5.20 p.m., arriving at Timaru at 8.52 p.m.

In yesterday’s issue Mr E. J. Riches, of the International Labour Office, was reported as having said that New Zealand was one of the countries in which the Government prohibited the publication of unemployment statistics, and that the League of Nations was considerably hampered by lack of knowledge, due to this fact. These statements were made by a member of the audience.

Memories of the days when Timaru had a gaol on the West Town Belt (now Craigie Avenue) are revived by an excerpt from a paper of 1871: “For the past few days the hard labour gang have been engaged in the Hospital premises digging a plot for a garden.” The old prison was situated where the Aorangi Croquet Club now plays.

In view of the economic situation, the Government has decided, as a matter of policy, not to comply with, a number of requests for New Zealand representation at overseas conferences this year. The Imperial Conference of course, is excluded from the list, which, however, covers such gatherings as the International Congress on Mental Hygiene at Washington.—(Press Association.)

As instancing the sympathy with Mr J. H. Howitt in the great jnisfortune that has overtaken him, the Board of Directors of the C.F.C.A., though unable to make a grant from the Association, when approached in their private capacities recorded their high regard for Mr Howitt’s work during 13 years* of service to Timaru as its borough engineer, by making a private subscription of a substantial amount to the fund now in course of collection.

When a circular letter in regard to diseases in hoggets was received at yesterday’s meeting of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union, the chairman (Mr J. Bitchener, M.P.), stated that all manner of remedies had been tried, and it had been found that what suited in one locality did not have the same effect in another. Mr A. Ward suggested that sheep were similar to human beings, and that one type of medicine when generally applied, did not suit all classes of sheep. In his opinion different medicine should be given to sheep of varying ages.

A telegram from Napier states that Dr. E. Marsden, Director of Scientific and Industrial Research, passed through Napier yesterday, en route for Rotorua. He had with him Mr W. C. Haines, meteorologist of the Byrd Expedition; Dr. Kidson, Meteorological Department; and Mr L. I. Grange, Geological Survey Department. The party will meet other members of the Byrd party at Rotorua, where they will be joined by Mr R. J. Simmers, assistant meteorologist, who was with the Mawson Expedition. Dr. Kidson and Messrs Haines and Simmers will confer on the results of the Antarctic exploration as far as these many affect meteorological work in the Dominion.

At the fortnightly meeting of Star of Canterbury Lodge, 1.0.0. F., No. 10, held in the Foresters’ Lodge Room on Wednesday evening, P.G. Bro. A. Berry, actingN.C., presided over a good attendance. Three prospective members were ballotted for and approved, to be initiated next Lodge night, and one brother was received by transfer. Accounts totalling £l9 17s, were passed for payment. D.D.G.M. Bro. H. Moffit and suite installed the following officers for the ensuing term;—N.G. Bro. G. H. Park, V.G. Bro. R. Clark, guardian Bro. W. Cullimore, conductor Bro. A. D. Leslie, chaplain Bro. D. Cameron, financial secretary Bro. R. Jordan, rec. secretary Bro. A. C. Sullivan, treasurer Bro. A. Berry, R.S.N.G. Bro. A. Duggan, L.J.N.G. Bro. W. E. Jone 3, R.S.S, Bro. C. G. White, L.S.S. Bro. M. Cox, LG. Bro. F. Davidson.

The family hair-cutting. England, Mcßae’s make it a sound proposition by offering a pair of really excellent hair clippers, with extra combs and spring, at 4/3 the pair. The price was originally 7/6, but we are overstocked. These will soon be snapped up, so hurry along and secure yours. England, Mcßae’s are offering wonderful bargains in many lines just now. You are Invited to walk round and Judge for yourself