GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18831, 20 March 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The Mayor of Wellington has received a cheque for £SOO for the earthquake relief from the trustees of George Adams, Limited Hobart, proprietors of Tattersalls sweeps. (Press Association.)

The Rev. Clyde Carr (Timaru) has given notice to ask the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) if it were the intention of the Government to reduce the salaries of probationer teachers and telegraph messengers in addition to the reduction already made.

Car and motor-cycle number plates for 1931 will have orange figures on a background of black. In place of the two dots to separate the groups of figures, there will be an orange triangle. This is designed to prevent last year’s plates being painted over and used afresh.

Mr T. D. Burnett has given notice to ask the Minister of Lands, “if he Intends to do anything towards relieving the extraordinary position that small grazing runholders of Canterbury and Otago now find themselves in, as owing to their rents in many instances being doubled two years ago, they now find that the proceeds from wool do not pay half the rent.’

An increase of 74 per cent, in the price of all makes of motor-car tyres and tubes on the market has announced. Retailers were notified that present stocks will be affected, as well as future consignments A distributor stated that the higher prices were probably a result of the new exchange rates, and had been decided upon by the manufacturers in England and the United States.

The following tenders have been received by the Geraldine County Council for the construction of approaches to the new bridge at Cooper s Creek on the main ChristchurchDunedin highway:—S. J. Ashby £66 14s lOd, (provisionally recommended to the Main Highway Board for acceptance) ; J. Sugrue £92 10s 6d, E. Richards £lO4 6s; G. F. Hooper £IOB 6s; P. O'Neill £109; H. M. Syb £126; Shillittos Ltd., £l4B 16s.

Killings of stock for export in New Zealand during the period October 1, 1930, to February 28, 1931. show an increase of 884,749, compared with the same period last season. In the North Island, killings of ewes increased by 45,813, of wethers by 33,015, and of lambs by 379.026. making a total increase for the North Island of 457,854. In the South Island, killings of ewes decreased by 57,074, and of wethers by 24,838, but there was an increase in lamb killings of 508,807. making a net increase for the South Island of 426,895, and an increase for the whole of the Dominion of 884,749.

The Tauranga County Council has received a reply from the Prime Minister, to a letter relative to the cost of petrol and motor fuels, in which the view was expressed that there was more than a profitable margin between the landed cost and the cost to the consumer. The council’s letter was sent after a conference between the Whakatane. Opotiki and Tauranga County Councils. The Prime Minister says: “The matter is one of considerable importance, and during the passing of the Customs Act Amending 4cl last year I promised the House that an investigation into petrol prices would be made during the recess. I arranged with the Minister of Industries and Commerce accordingly. “The Minister informs me that an investigation is now being carried out by officers of his department. The report to be subsequently submitted will receive by careful consideration.”

The old rivalry between the towns of Napier and Hastings is beginning to raise its head out of the dust of the wreckage of the earthquake (writes the Auckland “Herald’s” correspondent) and the leaders in each community are striving to have the work of re-estabilshing the towns put in hand so that the rival may not get an advantageous start on its neighbour. The horror and shock of the disaster are over, and a spirit of optimism is asserting itself. Hastings, suffering less actual havoc than Napier, and with perhaps two-thirds of its population in residence, is ready to start on the building of a bigger and better town, already spoken of as the future chief city of the East Coast. The layout of the town is more in keeping with modern town-planning ideas than is the case with Napier, and the initial proposal to widen Heretaunga stret, to give the town a wide commanding main thoroughfare, is the first step to future greatness.

It is 33 years since the Dominion had a pictorial set of stamps which was admitted to be as good as anything in the Empire. The pictures were also a fine advertisement for our striking scenery. There were thirteen different designs in the set, the majority being scenic, and they were printed in two colours. The kiwi and other birds peculiar to the Dominion were also used with good effect. These stamps were in use up to 1909. The present generation of letter-writers knows them only in collections, where they are much valued. One of the series had a world-wide reputation. It was a picture of Lake Wakatipu, but the name was spelt “Wakitipu.” Stamps with mistakes are much sought after by collectors, as the issue is usually withdrawn immediately the error is discovered, and so specimens become rare. It is said, however, that the Government of the day had a keen eye to business, and when it found there was such a rush for the issue a second batch was printed, and this rather robbed the stamp of much of its value to collectors. In the new issue the halfpenny must be in green, the penny in red, and the twopencehalfpenny in blue, these being the colours adopted by the Posual Union, but in the other values the designer may make his own suggestions.

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Timaru Lodge of Oddfellows was held on Wednesday night, when Bro. Peter Hanlin, N.G.. presided over 29 members. Sympathy with the relatives of the late Bro. George Paice was expressed, and the Merit Board was draped for the evening. A hearty welcome was extended to two lady members, both of whom are officers in the Loyal Masterton Lodge. Two letters of recommendation in favour of members from other districts were accepted. The clearance papers in favour of a member from the Auckland District were submitted, and arrangements made to finalise the proposition at next meeting. An invitation was received from Loyal Morven Lodge to be present at their next meeting, when that Lodge will initiate the last of a family of nine Oddfellows, and celebrate what is probably a record in Dominion Friendly Society membership. The sick report showed eight hew cases on the benefit funds for short periods and eight off. Reports from the two juvenile Lodges were very satisfactory. After careful consideration it was decided to donate £2O to the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Relief Fund. The donation is to be obtained from the surplus remaining in the §ick and Funeral Fund, after the last valuation, this course having been agreed to by the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Details were finalised in regard to the district meeting in Geraldine next week. Accounts amounting to £9O 15/were passed for payment. Receipts for the evening amounted to £99 Is sd.

At the New Zealand Rirto Association’s Championship meeting at Wellington, the Timaru Defence Rifle Club is represented by Messrs W. E. Jones, C. Blackwood, J. A. Blackwood, W. Malcolm, C. Johnson and F. Ohittock.

For the first time since the? power shortage last year, the level of Lake Coleridge has fallen during the past week; the reading yesterday* was 1667.15 ft., as compared with 1667.5 ft, a week ago. It is usual for the lake to begin to fall about this time- last year it did so about the end of February. The lake builds up during the summer, when the demand is light and falls again when the demand increases, with the shortening of the days. Last year, however, the lake was full, at the overflow level of 1672 ft., when it began to fall, but this year the highest point reached was between four and five feet below that.

The. fortnightly meeting of the U.A.O.D. was held on Tuesday evening, A.D., Bro. McCone presiding over a large attendance of members. Correspondence was recived from Sister Lodges, and also North Island Grand Lodge. The 5.8., reported on sick brethern. showing nine on the Sick Fund, and sick pay amounting to £sl 17s 4d, including accounts £2. The A.D. and V.A.D. were elected to represent the Lodge at the social evening of Lily of Temuka Lodge. A letter was received from Ivy of Linwood Lodge congratulating Bro. Chittock on attaining the honour of Grand President of Canterbury. The sub-committee to assist brothers in distress presented their report, which was adopted. The Juvenile Committee presented their report on the opening of a Juvenile Lodge at an early date with thirty members. The Grand Lodge representatives gave a comprehensive report on the work done at Grand Lodge Session. and were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. G.P., Bro. Chtttck paid the Lodge a visit as the Grand President of Canterbury, and received an enthusiastic welcome. P.A., Bro. Kilgour congratulated G.P. Bro. Chittock on attaining the honour of G.P., of Canterbury.

A timely display of seasonal goods—“Homeclox” alarms well to the fore—is now to be seen in England, Mcßae’s windows in Stafford Street. You are invited to note the excellent appearance of these alarm clocks, bearing in mind the fact that every one is sold w:th a hard and fast guarantee. Prices range from 9/- to 22/6. Other lines on view in the same window include “Thistle” covered hot water bags, torches and batteries in great variety, some choice designs in cigarette lighters and “Orion” razor blades (G'llette pattern) at 1/- per packet. For your seasonal requirements in hardware, call or England, Mcßae’s