CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18619, 15 July 1930, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. Mt. Somers Line. Although the Mt. Somers-Spring-burn branch line, which was one of those to be closed under the scheme of retrenchments by the Railway Department, was put in operation to-day, the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A. Veitch) informed a reporter that negotiations were proceeding regarding a guaranteed service on that route. The Minister said that the negotiations were being carried out in the hope that some arrangement of guarantee against loss on the line or similar agreement might be arrived at. The residents hoped to obtain a guaranteed reduced service in substitution for that closing down. This was the position with many similar lines all over New Zealand, including the Eyreton line in Canterbury. He would be only too glad to give a modified service if some guarantee against loss could be arrived at. Meat Prices. Beef and mutton prices have, so far, recorded no change, and quotations remain at the same reasonable level as ,they have for some months now. For the housewife, mutton is at present a more economical proposition than beef. Quotations are: — Mutton—Flaps 2d, forequarters 3d, shoulders 4£d, legs 6d, chops 3d. Lamb—Large forequarters 7£d, medium Bid, large sides 9id, large hindquarters lOd. Beef —Skirt steak 6d, beefsteak 6d, sirloin Bid, ribs 6sd, gravy beef sd, flanks 4d, brisket sd.