GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18617, 12 July 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Amended railway timetables and mail arrangements will come into force on Monday.

Meat prices remain practically unchanged, and are as follows: Rump steak 1/1, undercut 1/2, topside lOd, ribs 9d, sirloin 10id, forequarters of mutton 6d, loin chops lOd and 9d, and legs 9d.

At the fortnightly social held in Peel Forest Hall in aid of the library funds, the ladies’ prize was won by Miss Stinson, and the men’s by Mr Jenkins. Mrs Jenkins and Mr Tate won the consolation prizes.

The fortnightly social at Orari Bridge was again well attended on Wednesday evening. The prizes were won by Mrs J. Johnston and Mr W'. Morris. Music for the dance was supplied by Mrs Whiting and Mr W. Ford earned out the duties of M.C.

Curling has commenced at St. Bathans, in Central Otago, the ioe being reported to be in excellent condition. On one morning during the week the surface of the Taieri River was frozen over.

A meeting of the Timaru Borough Council on July 12, 1870, was summarily dismissed by the “Herald” next morning. The report occupied eight lines, the business being described as “not of great importance.”

As is usual at this time of the year cauliflowers are by no means plentiful, and prices are correspondingly firm. Cabbages are in fair supply, and are retailing at reasonable rates. Celery and spinach are almost unprocurable, but all root crops are plentiful.

There has been a slight drop in the .prices of eggs and butter this week. Eggs are now obtainable at 1/10 per dozen, compared with 2/- a week ago. Best factory butter is retailing at 1/4 and separator at 1/3, representing a slight decrease on prices a week ago.

The piles of the Opihi bridge are now in midstream, reported the “Herald” on July 13th, 1870. “Soon after entering the river, the contractors found that after driving the piles about nine feet, a very hard substance was entered, through which it was very difficult to drive.

The monthly meeting of the Gleniti School Committee was held on Monday night. Present—Messrs J. McArthur (chairman), A. Armit, J. Keenan, C. Morse and G. Ramsay (hon. sec). The headmaster (Mi* Winnington) reported that the attendance showed a slight decrease, owing to prevalence of colds. The roll at present , was 74. Accounts for £7/9/3 were passed for payment.

At a meeting in Geraldine on Thursday, Mr R. McGillivray,'Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, referred to the rapid spread of loose smut, which last year was found on .5 per cent, of the Tuscan wheat crops. The percentage did not seem high, but when taken all over New Zealand as a whole it meant a loss of thousands of pounds to the farmer and the country. The certification of seed wheat would do much to eliminate smut.

Two very fine specimens of swede turnips were on view In the National Mortgage office yesterday, these being grown by Mr J. C. Bisdee, Clandeboye. The swedes, which are of the “Masterpiece” variety, tipped the scales at 461 b and 401 b.

By special arrangement with Station 3LO, Melbourne, members of the New Zealand farmers’ party at present touring Australia on a tour arranged by the New Zealand Railway Department, will broadcast messages from the observation car on a train at 8 o’clock Melbourne time (9.30 New Zealand time) to-morrow night. This broadcast should prove of interest to farmers and wireless enthusiasts. This is the first instance of wireless broadcasting from a railway train being available for New Zealand listeners.

The marmalade season is now at its height. A Timaru fruit merchant expressed the opinion yesterday that Poorman oranges were not as plentiful this season as in previous years, and that the supply was likely to become short. Australian and Island oranges are fairly plentiful and prices are reasonable. Lemons, which were fairly scarce a week ago, are now in good supply. Wet weather in New South Wales has caused a scarcity of Australian mandarins and bananas are hard to procure. A shipment from Samoa which has been held up on account of the recent breakdown of the Maui Pomare, should arrive in Timaru next week. Local apples and pears are in fairly good supply.

That cross-fertilisation might have something to do with the mixing of Italian and perennial ryegrasses in South Canterbury, was a suggestion put forward by Mr Simpson at a farmers’ meeting at Geraldine. Replying, Mr McGillivray, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, said that this was a very interesting point, and experiments to ascertain if this were the case were now being made at Ashburton. It was a possible explanation. In Canterbury during exceptionally hot weather the flowers of grasses and cereals were open for a longer period than usual, and conditions were ideal for cross-fertilisation. Although cross-fertilisation in wheat was regarded as an exceptional thing in other countries, it was to be seen on all sides in Canterbury.

The rubber hot water bag is a necessity in most households, and of all brands the “Unique” holds pride of place for dependability, comfort and lasting wear. England, Mcßae’s sell the “Unique” at 5/6, 6/6 and 7/9, and guarantee every bag. For the kiddies, England, Mcßae’s show the new “Animal” series of hot water bags at 4/6 each. Also the “Swan” aluminium bottles at 2/11 (our special sale price). Call and see these winter comforts. ...