GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18583, 2 June 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

“The Bohemian Girl,” Balfe's famous opera, will be broadcast to-night by 2FC, Sydney.

Customs dues collected at the Port of Timaru during May amounted to £6304 12/-, compared with £7420/9/9 in May, 1929.

On Saturday morning there was a fairly severe frost in Timaru, but Mr D. N. Harper (curator of the Timaru Park) reported that only three degress were registered there.

A cable message from London announces that the Anglo-Persian Oil Comoany made a record profit of £5,206,761. and the year’s dividend is 20 per cent.

Speaking at the Timaru Harbour Board meeting on Friday in reference to the Timaru Municipal Band. Mr A. F. Campbell said that he had sympathy with the Band, not that he had little sympathy with them.

There were over 300 visitors from Christchurch by the excursion train to Timaru yesterday*. The weather was unpleasant, but the excursionists made the most of the time at their disposal. The train from Timaru to Christchurch carried only 159 passengers.

A Press message from Wellington states that the Customs figures for May were £262,952, against £236,296 in May of last year, an increase of £26,656. Beer duties totalled £3843, compared with £3634 last May, an increase of £209.

Customs returns in Dunedin for May were as follows, those for May last year being given in parentheses: —Customs duties £60,898/9/6 (£62,729/7/10); beer duty £17,550/13/6 (£16,537/9/2); tyre tax £BB3/7/(£1260/4/-); petrol tax £10,143/19/(£5102/9/4-).

The past month was very dry in Dunedin, the total rainfall being 1.38 inches, says a Press message. The fall, however, was much heavier than that recorded for May last year, and also the same month of the previous year. During the past month, about one hundred and thirty-one hours of sunshine were recorded. There were twenty-one days on which sunshine was recorded.

In reply to a message sent by the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), on the occasion of the Queen’s birthday, His Excellency has received a telegram stating that Her Majesty the Queen desires to express her grateful thanks for the kind message of congratulations from His Excellency, the Government and the people of New Zealand, which she was very pleased to receive.—Press Association message.

The Otago A. and P. Society’s 38th. annual winter show opened on Saturday, and will be continued till next Saturday, says a Dunedin Press message. Included in a very comprehensive exhibition is an outstanding display of factory butter and cheese, the quality of which was warmly commended by Government graders. The show was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), in the absence of the Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes), who was expected, but found that he could not make the trip to Dunedin.

A cryptic but important statement was made by the Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer) at a reunion of the Veterans’ Association on Saturday night last, to the effect that Christchurch is shortly to receive a gift, which will be greater in financial value than any yet made, says a Press message. The statement was not amplified in any way, and when approached, the Mayor said he would make a further announcement later. The best gift in the city’s history is £25,000 for the art gallery, made by Mr R. E. McDougali, proprietor of Aulsebrook and Co.

The returns of vital statistics in Timaru for May show an increase in the number of births, and a decrease in the number of deaths over the corresponding period last year. The figures are as follow, last year’s figures being shown in parentheses:—Births: males, 24 (18). females 27 (20); totals 51 (38). Deaths: males 7 (17), females 8 (5), totals 15 (22). During the month 12 marriage licenses were issued, and 1 marriage was solemnised by the Registrar (Mr E. C. J. Foot) in his office. The corresponding number of licenses issued in May, 1929, was 14, one being conducted in the Registrar’s office.

During last month, 63 applications were received by the Registrar of Electors (Mr E. C. J. Foot) from persons wishing to be registered as electors of the Timaru district. Twentythree changes of name by reason of women marrying were effected during the same period, and 99 electors notified a change of postal address within he district. Fifty-six were struck off the roll by reason of death, or their transferring to other electorates. The popularity of the Scottish Society’s week-end dance was again demonstrated on Saturday evening, the spacious hall being well filled. Mr Hector Macdonald, of Christchurch, played several extras, which were greatly appreciated. The spotlight, square and round dances were much in demand, the lighting effects in the “Rainbow Serenade” presenting a picturesuqe effect. The decorations, which were on a lavish scale, were tastefully arranged. The supper arrangements were perfect.

Golfers are always keenly interested in any new development in the game, or in the weapons with which the battle is waged. The steel-shafted club has created a stir in golfing circles, and the indications are that it has come to stay. England, Mcßae’s have just opened up their second shipment. These are from the St. Andrew Golf Company, and are beautifully finished clubs. The wooden clubs are of the centre balance type, and the irons are a splendid lot. Call and try these new clubs for yourself