GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18652, 22 August 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The primary and secondary schools in Timaru will close to-day for the second term holidays. The primary schools will resume on September 9th, and the secondary schools on September 16th.

At last night’s meeting of the Automobile Association, it was stated that the membership roll was 751, of which 55 were lady and two honorary members. Of this number approximately 430 were financial, leaving 320 outstanding subscriptions. It was decided to go into the matter of subscriptions at next meeting. Improvements have been effected at the corner of the Main South Road in the vicinity of the Chinese gardens by topping a line of macrocarpas which had previously obscured motorists’ vision. Mr W. T. Ritchie (acting chairman), stated at a meeting of the Automobile Association last night that the improvements left nothing for motorists to cavil at. The Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), has been assisting in the organisation of a voluntary scheme to provide a complete wireless installation of modern type throughout the Porirua Mental Hospital. It is expected that the installation will be ready about Christmas, without one penny of cost to the Government. The installation will cost not less than £4OOO. Similar efforts may follow in other centres.— (Press Association).

The butter war which has raged in Auckland for some time has ended. An increase of twopence a pound in the price of all grades of butter was announced by one of the largest suppliers to the Auckland market. The new rates are:—Finest, 1/6; first grade, 1/6; second grade, 1/5. The last change was made on July 17, when the prices were reduced a penny a pound to 1/4 for finest and first grade, and 1/3 for second grade. Fc oured by an improvement in the weather, lambing is progressing satisfactorily in the Manawatu district. Lambing commenced earlier than last year, and unless severe weather is encountered in the remaining portion of August it is believed that the averages will be good. The dry weather is good for the newborn lambs, while recent warm showers have proved beneficial to the ewes. The flocks are stated to be in good condition, and to have wintered well.

The South Canterbury Automobile Association’s road patrolman (Mr F. Owers), reported to last night’s meeting the necessity for a prominent sign on the southern approach of the Rangitata Bridge drawing motorists’ attention to the sharp turn to the left immediately after traversing the bridge when proceeding south. He stated that a large number of motorists after speeding off the bridge, did not observe the turn to the left, and proceeded past Arundel on the old road. Others, noticing the turn when almost on it, often had narrow escapes in trying to negotiate the sharp corner. The meeting decided to erect a large sign just past the end of the bridge.

It is proposed by the Public Works Department to order almost immediately from Britain sufficient rails for the construction of approximately 50 chains of the permanent way for the South Island Main Trunk railway north of Parnassus. When this order arrives and the hardwood sleepers from Australia come to hand, it will be possible to advance the railhead at once, as the formation will have been completed as far as the Leader River by that time. At present the only rails laid north of Parnassus are those making the temporary track serving the depot there. The permanent line pegging, which was done in the final survey, has reached a point three miles north of the Conway River.

It was not the fashion to temper the wind to the shorn lamb in the early days of the district. In August, 1870, the committee of the Timaru Presbyterian Church reported that the Temuka Committee applied, through the Christchurch Presbytery for a minister for Temuka and surrounding districts. The “Herald” report of the meeting contains the following official statement:—“Unfortunately a person wholly unsuitable was sent, who left after putting the congregation to considerable trouble and expense.” A speaker ,who moved the adoption of the report, said that "Temuka was just recovering from the effects of the Rev. M. R. whose exit was to be regarded as a greater benefit than his example and presence.”

A special bargain in toilet paper. England, Mcßae’s offer this week a high quality crepe toilet paper in large size rolls (usually 6d) at 5d per roll, or 6 rolls for 2/-. It will pay to lay in a supply of these great values. Genuine Niagara batteries at England Mcßae’s 2-cell 1/- 3-cell 1/6, and fiat batteries 1/- each. Have you tried “Hot-Kaps” for your early garden plants? Spraying oil and all garden tools are now on display at England,

The Wanganui Harbour Board which was informed at its monthly meeting of activities of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board to induce factories which had commenced to ship their produce through the Wanganui Harbour later than November 1, 1924, to, in future, forward it to Wellington. A strong protesting move is to be made and, already, the Harbour Board chairman, Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P.. has taken the matter up with the Minister of Agriculture and the Director-General of that Department. Mr W. S. Glenn, a member of the Harbour Board, characterised the Dairy Board’s action as “tending to rob dairy farmers, all over the district, of the/concessions in handling Wanganui offered/’ Mr P. Iligginbottom described the matter as a “deliberate boycott of Wanganui.” The quarterly summoned meeting oj the Loyal Timaru Lodge of Oddfellows was held last night when Bro. George Dobier, P.G., presided over 30 members. Votes of sympathy were passed with a member whose wife had died and with the relatives of Sister Carolina Palmer, the first lady in South Canterbury to join the Manchester Unity, and who recently died in Wellington under very sad circumstances. The secretary explained the steps taken under the exceptional conditions to obtain the various allowances. One candidate ,a lady, was duly approved. The sick report was exceedingly satisfactory, very few except chronic cases being on the benefit funds. Reports from the Juvenile Lodges were very favourable. Bros. J. Box and Ernest Lane were appointed official visitors to the next meeting of the Girls’ Lodge, and P.G. Bro. W. J. Tonkin and Br.o Hy. Coates to that of the Boys. The auditors presented the balance sheet and their report thereon for the last half year. These were considered satisfactory and adopted. The secretary explained several matters that in view of the approaching quinquennial valuation required attention. Arrangements were made to relieve the secretary, P.P.G.M. Bro. Alex Goodall, of compulsory attendance at night meetings, and P.P.G.M. Bro. T. E. Webb was appointed to take his place as superintendent of the two juvenile Logdes. Accounts amounting to £llß 11s 2d were passed for payment, including two maternity allowances and a funeral claim. Receipts for the evening amounted to £152 6s 2d.