GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18774, 13 January 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The second wool sale of the season in Timaru will be held on February 6, the allocation being 18,000 bales. For the third sale on April 13, there is no limit. A short sitting of the Timaru Police Court was held yesterday, when three statutory first offenders for drunkenness were each fined 5/-, in default 24 hours imprisonment, by Messrs D. McLennan and D. Jackson, J.P’s. Questioned at Hokitika on Wednesday night about his age, Mr Guy Menzies said he was “about 32.” On the other hand, Sydney messages say he is 21. When asked which age was correct, Mr Menzies said 21 was “the nearest guess.” Mr Menzies has evidently enjoyed the wide interest evinced in the question, and in reply to a further query last night he said he had “just turned 22 years.” A lady in Christchurch who has known Mr Menzies and his family for many years declares Mr Menzies must be at least 30.

Yesterday morning the Mayor (Mr W. Angland), and the chairman of the Timaru Harbour Board (Mr G. T. Dawson) paid official calls on the commanding officers of the Royal Naval Reserve cutter Deveron, and H.M.S. Wakakura, the Reserve training ship.

Early yesterday morning the Timaru Fire Brigade received a call to a residence at the corner of Church and LeCren Streets, where a fire had broken out in a cupboard in the kitchen. The outbreak was suppressed before the Brigade arrived, little damage be.ng done.

The recent spell of hot weather has brought the early crops on, and harvesting is likely to commence earlier than anticipated. A labour agent in Timaru informed a “Herald” representative yesterday that he had received his first inquiry for a harvester, the application coming fully a fortnight earlier than was expected.

Cut rates on service-car runs from Christchurch to Nelson, are regarded as the first engagement in a fare war by the four companies running out of Christchurch. The former fare from Christchurch_ to Nelson was £3 17s 6d; now it has been reduced to £2, a figure which is to be adopted by all the service-car concerns.

Miss L. Copplestons, of Auckland, swam across the Harbour from Wellington to Day’s Bay in 4hr 51min. For almost two-thirds of the way she had to battle against a strong north-west wind and a rough sea, but on landing appeared to be quite fresh. She covered the distance of about eight miles in 2hr 12min better time than Miss Mercedes Gleitze.

Now that the Strathallan Street conveniences have been completed, it has been found necessary to alter the location of the traffic dome. The raised dome at the intersection of Stafford and Church Streets has been removed altogether, and the manhole a few yards to the west of the original has been painted white, and will now serve the purpose of the dome.

Heavy seas were experienced along the coast yesterday, and the training ship Wakakura, which is at present engaged in a cruise with New Zealand Navel Volunteers, was unable to leave Timaru. The vessel put to sea yesterday morning, and after steaming for about five miles returned to harbour. It was stated that the trainees were practically all raw recruits, and it was out of consideration for them that the minesweeper put back. Under favourable conditions the Wakakura will sail this morning for Akaroa.

A gang of men, under the direction of Mr A. M’Laren, of the staff of the Rimu Dredge, successfully removed the Southern Cross Junior from the swamp to the Wanganui River bed, taking only one hour and a quarter for the job. The ’plane was placed on a wool waggon and subsequently loaded on to a lorry and brought to Hokitika on Sunday. The aeroplane was loaded on to the lorry when the Wigram mechanics arrived on the scene. Yesterday it was placed on a railway truck and despatched to Christchurch.

Following a further last week in wholesale meat pri es, Christchurch butchers have been enabled to make a reduction in price of a penny a pound for both mutton and lamb (says the “Star”). There has been no alteration in the price of beef. Quotations for meat are now:—Mutton: Flaps, from lid per lb; forequarters, from 2-ld to sd; shoulders, from 4d to 6d; legs, from 5d to sid; chops, from 3d to Bd. Beef: Skirt steak, from 5d per lb; beefsteak, from Gd; sirloin, from 9d; gravy beef, from 6d; ribs, from 7d; flanks, from 4d; brisket, from sd.

Fishermen who usually look to the harbour to supply them with sport have had a lean time of late. Red cod, which are usually in plentiful supply, have not been over-numerous, while those who have confined their attentions to trevalli, have spent hours on the wharves, or in boats without registering a single catch. Yesterday very few fishermen had any luck, most of them considering that the presence in the harbour of about six porpoises had driven most of the fish away. Several people interestedly watched one porpoise force some cod to the surface, and then proceed to feed on them.

The secretary of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Mr J. Leggott), has received the following letter from the Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. E. A. Ransom): —“I have to acnowledge reecipt of your letter of December 20, forwarding certain resolutions passed by a public meeting convened by the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. This purport of these resolutions has been noted for consideration, but I may say that the question of calling Parliament together is a matter to be determined by the Prime Minister on his return from abroad. As already publicly announced, however, the Government has decided to set up a committee to review expenditure, with a view to reducing the same. The other matters referred to are also receiving consideration.” A letter has also been received by Mr Leggott from the secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, acknowledging receipt of the resolutions, and pointing out that the Associated Chambers had been active in attempting to promote those measures, which the South Canterbury Chamber, in common with others, desired to see adopted by the Government. You can’t afford to pay 1/4 for a pound tin of jam next winter when it will only cost you 4d if you preserve and bottle now while there’s a surfeit of cheap wholescme fruit in garden and shop. Jam making and preserving is so easy and simple if you have the right helps—the kind now displayed at England, Mcßae’s. A few shillings will buy all you need including a preservingpan (aluminium ones were never so cheap); preserving jars and jam jars; scales for weighing sugar and fruit; wooden spoons for mixing; screw tops; and jam labels. Call this morning at England, Mcßae’s, or ring 215