GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Christchurch on Saturday morning.

The first coat of tar has been applied to the ' main highway from the northern boundary of the borough to the far side of the Smithfield hill.

Mr Thompson, the manager of the North Dunedin branch of the Bank of New Zealand, who had ammonia squirted in his face, is suffering considerable pain, although his condition is somewhat improved. There was a large attendance in the Bay Hall on Saturday night at the dance conducted by the Timaru Municipal Band. The arrangements for the function were ably handled, and all present were privileged to spend a most enjoyable evening. The construction of the new Ashburton traffic bridge has been completed, and the approaches have been built up ready for blinding and tarsealing. New lights also have to be installed, and it is not likely that the bridge will be officially opened for about a month. The heavy rain in the hills on ! Thursday night put salmon fishing out of the question for Easter. The Rangitata was not high, but the water it carried was very muddy. The Rakaia was in flood, the streams being higher than for many months, and the water was heavily charged with mud. The Bankside section of the TimaruChristchurch main road was for years regarded as the worst section of the journey, but it is now a smooth track in comparison with portions of the road in and adjacent to Ashbur- . ton borough, according to motorists ! who have passed through during the I holidays. I At the last monthly meeting of the ' Timaru Philatelic Society, three new members were unanimously elected, bringing the total membership for town and country up to 78. The three new members were Sir Heaton Rhodes, of “Otahuna,” Tai Tapu; Mr A. Terry, of Christchurch, and Mr M. Rennie, of Timaru. Holiday-makers were much in evidence at the Scottish Society’s dance on Saturday night, the function being a great success. The programme was one which appealed to ail tastes, and floor space was at a premium .throughout the evening. Credit is due to the ladies’ committee for the efficient manner in which the supper was handled. Beautiful weather favoured the excursionists from Christchurch yesterday, and the numbers from the north were swelled this week owing to the holiday season. On the first train there were 420 passengers, while the second carried 308. Yesterday was the last day of the two-train service for some time, but it is expected that one excursion will be run throughout the winter months. The train which left Timaru for Christchurch carried 229 passengers. Wheatgrowers in Southland have been greatly discouraged of recent years by the treatment accorded them by millers, who purchase the bulk ~>i their supplies from Canterbury and neglect the Southland grain unless their supplies prove too short. Growers and merchants are frequently advised by millers to hold their .wheat for several months until it is learned whether further supplies will be required for milling, and even if it is purchasd millers appear to be disinclined to pay a satisfactory price for the grain, although no complaint is offered concerning the quality. On this account much good milling wheat has been sold for local and northern consumption as fowl wheat. Before leaving for the south on Friday, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) announced that he expected that the session would last for another three weeks after the Easter adjournment. The Prime Minister intimated that the earthquake legislation would be dealt with on Wednesday, and would go through all its stages as soon as possible. It had been suggested, he said, that the Government’s new taxation proposals for balancing the Budget should merely be introduced this session so that the people could consider and digest them before the ordinary session. It was the Prime Minister’s hope, however, that the proposals should be put right through this session, so that all the Government's economy measures would be disposed of at once. The taxation legislation, according to Mr Forbes, will deal with both direct and indirect taxation. It is stated that the proposals are drastic, and will be particularly forceful on income-tax and Customs duties. The Prime Minister stated that a second Finance Bill would be brought down dealing with the direct recommendations of the special Cabinet Economy Committee, which has been sitting through the recess and during part of the present session. The Bill should be ready by next week and will be brought down as soon as it is completed. The clear-ing-up of the financial position of the country will be completed by the consideration of the Railways Amendment Bill, which will deal with the setting-up of a non-political board of management, and the Mortgagors Relief Bill. Residents of Timaru and the many visitors who were in town for the holidays had the privilege of listening to several programmes by the St. Kilda Band, one of the premier bands of the Dominion. On Saturday afternoon and evening the Band gave concerts on Caroline Bay, playing to large audiences on each occasion. The programmes, which were varied at each concert, were carefully selected, and included numbers which appealed to all tastes. Some of the lighter items proved exceptionally popular, and the band was obliged to give encores The performances of the band, under the conductorship of Mr J. Dixon were of a uniformly high standard, and all the concert were thoroughly enjoyed

It is interesting to know of the latest in sports goods and hardware, brought out specially for the winter season Engiand, Mcßae’s are opening up the new ‘Dunlop” golf balls, “Tekapo” golf balls at 1/6 each (16/6 by the dozen), new designs in golf bags including the Ritchie at 40/ -, a line of strong hedge clippers at 4/9 a pair, "Captive” golf balls at 5/- and “Andy” golf tees (with wool tassel) at 6d. Football clubs will be interested in England, Mcßae’s stock of Gilbert’s footballs, and footballers will find here a fine selection of knee and ankle bandages, pads and all other requirements. For winter sports goods and seasonal requirements in hardware, call on England, Mcßae’s. ....