GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18651, 21 August 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The warmer weather of the last few days has caused a rapid thinning in the snow on the ranges behind Geraldine. Flags on public buildings in Timaru were flown at half-mast yesterday, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Sir George Hunter. The Hon. W. B. Taverner states that the main highway through the Buller Gorge, which was completely blocked by the big earthquake, will be again open for through traffic early in November. Some of the slips will be a danger for some time, however, particularly during periods of heavy rain, even though everything is being done to ensure public safety.

A wireless news item picked up last night from 2FC Sydney stated that a girl, who was holding a fountain pen in her mouth, was so thrilled on hearing of Bradman’s big score in the Test match that she swallowed the pen. She was rushed to hospital, where two doctors were successful in taking it from her right lung.

A hare drive was held at Orari Gorge on Tuesday. The proceeds from the sale of the shot hares was for the purpose of increasing the local school fund. Forty-five hares were accounted for by twelve guns. Many hares got away owing to insufficient guns to cover in the round-ups. Lunch was provided by the School Committee.

The University Council has decided to adopt the recommendation of the Professorial Board that in future the graduation ceremony be held in private—that is, that admission be by invitation. The Board has set up a committee to make recommendations whereby the dignity of the University may be ensured at the ceremony.

The Government has furnished a return, on the motion of Mr Clyde Carr, showing that £17,418 was paid for the Brinklands Settlement, Fairlie. The prices asked for sections at the last ballot were:—No. 1, £5773; No. 2, £5844; No. 3, £6578; total, £18,195. It is proposed to submit them at the next ballot on the following basis;—No. 1 section, £5994; No. 2, £sßou; No. 3, £6770; total, £18,564.

In the House of Representatives Mr Jordan (Manukau) gave notice for a return dealing with the £IOO bonus members of Parliament awarded themselves last session He asked that there be tabled a return showing the names of members who did not accept the bonus, those who returned the amount to the Treasury, the dates on which the various amounts were received by the Treasury, and the form in which the repayments were made.

“Selling cheese is not as easy as making money at the races,” declared the chairman of the Tatua Dairy Company (Morrinsville), Mr W. Darrall, with a smile, when telling suppliers at the annual meeting that the directors had been “both fortunate and lucky” in making a series of good sales of cheese. “When a new director comes on the Board he is full of enthusiasm, but he soon finds that he is no better at picking up the right time to sell than the rest of them. It is not a matter of judgment; it is a matter of luck.”

A confirmation breakfast was celebrated at St. Mary’s Hall on Sunday morning for all those who were recently confirmed by His Grace Archbishop Julius. This function took place after the early Communion service, when a large number of young men and women and their friends were provided with breakfast, and the newly confirmed were welcomed into the full Communion of the Church by the Rev. H. W. Monaghan. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the churchwardens. The function was arranged by members of St. Mary’s Girls’ Club.

At a meeting of the Otago Electric Power Board, the engineer (Mr J. C. Collins) stated that tests which had been made in Canterbury in regard to the efficient running speed of milking machines had shown that in many cases the farmers ran their motors at a much greater speed than was required to maintain a vacuum. Mr Collins stated that the position might be much the same in Otago, where, possibly, farmers were running their machines at a much higher speed than was necessary, and as a result using more power than was required, while they were not getting the best results. The approximate pump speeds recommended were:—For a two-cow plant, 230 revolutions per minute; for a three-cow plant, 250; for a four-cow plant, 270; for a six-cow plant, 320.

Rabbit shooting from motor-cars with spotlights burning is a wellknown method of destroying the too frequent “bunny” in the country, and the idea was recently applied to deal with deer which had grown wise to the ways of stalkers in the Waikaia Valley, Southland. The nocturnal habits of these animals have deprived settlers of an appreciable quantity of winter feed set aside for stock, says the “Mataura Ensign.” Selecting a dark night, a party of several rifles equipped with powerful spotlights, adjourned to an area sown in turnips, to which the deer had given close attention in the hours of darkness. Waiting till the night was well advanced, and at an arranged hour, the spotlights were turned on, and a number of deer were seen quietly feeding among the turnips. Few, if any, of the deer escaped across open country to the bush.

The fortnightly meeting of the Juvenile Court Southern Cross 3123 A.O.F. was held on Monday evening, Bro. W. E. Purdom, C.R., presiding over a large attendance. The C.R. welcomed the C.R. of the adult Court, Bro. J. Rennie, who was accompanied by his officers, and members of the Senior Court. Bro. Rennie, U.R., presided for the remainder of the meeting. The Court decided to hold its meetings on Tuesday evenings in future. The following were nominated for office for the ensuing term: — President, Bro. F. W. Parfoot; treasurer, Bro. W. G. Angus; C.R., Bro. L. G. Ellis; S.C.R., Bro. L. G. Jones; S.W., Bro. K. Burtenshaw; P.C.R., J. W. Bro. A. Adkins, P.C.R.; 5.8., Bro. J. Evans; J. 8., Bro. W. Holmes. Two candidates were proposed for membership, and approved. After the meeting the Senior Court entertained the juveniles at games and supper. This part of the programme was much appreciated by the boys, who heartily cheered the adult Court.

The quarterly meeting of the U.A.O. Druids was held on Tuesday night. The Arch Druid, Bro. T. Robinson, presided over a large attendance of members. The sick bards reported on the sick brethren, and sick pay amounting to £l9/16/8 was passed, including two maternity claims. A doctors’ and chemists’ account for £175/9/- was also passed. Clearances were granted to several brothers. It was decided to lend regalia and torches to Waimate Lodge for their annual torchlight procession and dance on Thursday evening. It was arranged that a social between the Buffalo and Druids Lodges be held. The senior trustee, P.D.P. Bro. R. W. Simpson, informed the Lodge that from next November he would be resigning from the office of trustee, and he offered several suggestions re appointing another trustee. A committee was appointed, consisting of P.D.P. Bro. - Ruston, P.S. Bro. Keay and Bro. Stead, to go into the matter with the other two trustees. It was decided to ask the Canterbury Grand Lodge and the Otago Grand Lodge to pay a visit at an early date, and it was left in the hands of P.D.P. Bro. Ruston, D.P.A. Bro. Kilgour, Bros. O’Hagan, Castle, Robinson, and V.A. Bro. McCone to make arrangements. Visitors for the evening were Bro. Kilgour and P.A. Bro. Ruston, o& the Mataura Lodge. The Royal Arch Chapter reported that everything was in hand for the ritual competition at Waimate. The Lodge closed'in the usual manner at 10.30.

Another successful social was held in the Howard Hall, Arundel, on Saturday evening. The prizes were won by Mrs Pratt and Mr A. Pratt, and the consolation by Mrs Thomas Charles and Mr Black. Music for the dance was supplied by Messrs T. Charles, R. Giles, A. Popplewell. and A. Lewis, and the duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr Foster.

Mr Frank Stowell, District Valuer, states that a start has been made with the revision of the Geraldine County. Two local valuers are employed, and it is expected to have the work completed by March 31st. It is hoped that farmers and others will give the valuers as much assistance as possible to enable them to have the work completed in time for rating purposes next year.

The British Broadcasting Co. declined to give a running description of play in the cricket Tests, contenting itself with a ten-minute summary at the conclusion of each day’s play. Apparently it revised its arrangements for the final Test, as a Timaru shortwave operator last night stated that he was getting excellent reception from the Oval, and that it was possible to hear the bat meeting the ball.

There will be a change in the arrangements for broadcasting cricket scores from Sydney to-night. 2FC is to give a full-length presentation of “My Old Dutch,” by Chevalier, and will not give the scores at 10.30, 11.0 and 11.30 (N.Z. time). This service will be given for to-night by 2BL. The scores will be given briefly by 2FC at intervals during the performance. The customary talk from 2FC will go on the air at 12.45, and 2BL will remain open until stumps.

On Sunday. August 21, 1870. the newly-erected St. Saviour’s Church, at Temuka, was opened for Divine worship, two services being conducted by the Rev. W. H. Cooper. There were about 115 persons present at each service (states the “Herald”), and the collection amounted to over £lO, which was to be given to the building fund. A choir has been formed by Mr Thompson, of the Arowhenua School, and although time for practice had been short, a very good selection of hymns was well rendered, supported by a harmonium kindly lent and played by Mr Howard, of Waihi.

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