GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18598, 20 June 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A message from Wellington at midnight stated that Sir Joseph Ward’s condition has not improved.

The Timaru Fire Brigade has received a donation of £2/2/- towards its social funds, from the Vulcan Foundry Co., as a mark of appreciation of the firemen’s work at a recent outbreak at the foundry.

The Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association carried a motion strongly suporting the Defence system, and protesting against any undue reduction in the Defence vote. Some members objected that the subject trenched on politics, but were over-ruled.

A human skeleton was dug up by gardeners working in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens-yesterday. The skeleton was in excellent preservation, and probably was that of a Maori. The condition of the bones indicated that it had been buried for a hundred years.— (Press Assn.)

“I think our delegates would be well advised if they put a stop to much of the ‘gas’ which is let loose at these conference's,” stated Mr . D. Balmer at the meeting of the Manawatu Dairy Farmers’ Union, when discussing the approaching Dominion Conference. “It is not a school. You sit there and become wearied with hearing the same thing over and over again." It was stated i+. forward with the view of restricting the flow of speeches. Reporting on behalf of the Finance Committee to last night's executive meeting of the South Canterbury Automobile Association, Mr F. S. Shrimpton stated that the committee were of opinion that the acquiring of club rooms should be left in abeyance in the meantime. If the patrol system was a success, they might naturally look for an increased memoership, and then, automatically, increased benefits and privileges would be extended to members. Legal argument was heard before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in the case E. G. Eliot (Mr L. M. Inglis), radio dealer, Timaru, v. Elizabeth Latimer (Mr W. D. Campbell), of Fairlie, widow. The claim was for £46, which plaintiff stated was the balance of purchase money owing on a radio set sold by him to the defendant for £56, on account of which £lO had been paid on March 8 last. After hearing argument the Magistrate reserved his decision.

A meeting of creditors called in connection with the bankrupt estate of William and Ellen Jennings, formerly fruiterers and confectioners in the Ritz, Stafford Stret, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. The bankrupt’s schedule showed that their indebtedness to unsecured creditors was £241 16s lOd, and to secured creditors £63 ss. The book debts were expected to produce £9l 17s 3d. Furniture was valued at £ls, making the total of assets £lO6 17s 3d, and leaving a deficiency of liabilities over assets of £134 19s 7d.

In warning a jury at Hamilton of the danger of convicting on the uncorroborated evdence of one witness, Mr W. Noble, counsel for an accused man, quoted the nineteenth chapter of Deuteronomy, which states: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity; at the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established.” Mr Noble said that, relying on so sure an authority as Moses as a guide, he thought the jury could relieve their consciences by returning a verdict of not guilty. Mr Justice Herdman remarked that Moses was not an authority in that Court.

It is the aim of many Hawke’s Bay dairy farmers to build up their land until it is rich enough to carry a cow to the acre. A Napier resident says he heard the other day of a dairy farmer near Tokomaru, Manawatu, who has gone even better. He has a farm of 6U acres, and is carrying 70 milking cows and 26 sheep with the assistance of 10 acre? of root crop. This past season his butterfat returns total 17,5001 b., or 2841 b. per acre. Fuichermore. £2OO was taken for calves, pigs, etc. During the last few years the owner has wintered 60 cows on the property without any outside grazing. The farm is subdivided into eight-acre paddocks, and the cows are changed every second day from paddock to paddock.

Brief mention was made at Wednesday night's meeting of the Council of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to the Harbour Improvement rate, by Mr W. I. Tait, who said that he thought the rate should be removed. His recollection was that it was a war-time measure. A “Herald” representative yesterday ascertained that the rate was introduced in 1921, the chairman at the time being Mr F. J. Rolleoton. A resolution was passed by the Board on March 4. 1921, to the effect that a Harbour Improvement rate of 6d per ton be placed on all cargo landed at or shipped from Timaru, exclusive of ballast and coal for vessels’ bunkers. It was also ascertained that Government goods were exempt from the rate. The step was taken by the Board in 1921, “in order to meet increased cost of materials, labours, etc.”

Conversing with a “Herald” reporter yesterday regarding the 'suggestion made at this week’s meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce that the time had arrived when the Timaru Harbour Board should remove the Harbour Improvement rate, a prominent business man, who is well versed in harbour affairs, said that in his opinion, if the rate was removed, the Board would probably increase the port charges. He pointed out that 6d per ton did not mean very much to merchants, but it meant a great deal to the Board. For instance, the money received from this source enabled the Board to effect improvements to the port, such as the building up and strengthening of the Extension. A great deal of work had been done there already, the money having come out of income. If the Board did not have a source of revenue of this kind, it would probably have to go for a loan. “The amount is so small that it is not worth bothering about,” he said.

Here are two lines which will interest every housewife. The first is a handy little double roast dish with cover, at 2/-, at England, Mcßae’s. This is a useful dish particularly for roasting chops. The second is a large size double roast dish, efficient and convenient for general roasting purposes. This is offered at 7/6. These items are worth inspection. Call early at England, Mcßae’s