GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18845, 7 April 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A motor car driven by Mr George Edward Smith, of Pareora, collided with a young cyclist named Percy James Watkins, of Luxmoore Road. Timaru, at the corner of King Street and Craigie Avenue at 5.45 last night. The cyclist was slightly injured, and was sent to hospital. A man who now lives in Wairoa has had the unique experience of going through the earthquakes in San Francisco, Japan and Hawke’s Bay. He says the last-named was the worst of the three, with the proviso that the heavy buildings in San Francisco and the flimsy structures in Tokio, together with the congested populations, made the visitations there more appalling. A deer-stalking trip in the Kaimanawa Ranges in search of the littleknown axis species is now being made by Mr J. G. Holmes, of Te Awamutu, and Mr T. D. Ormiston, of Papatoetoe. Some of these deer were liberated over 20 years ago and they are believed to have established themselves in the ranges, although Mr Holmes has twice searched for them in vain. Later, the stalkers, will visit the ranges between Hawke’s Bay and Ruapehu in search of the elusive blacktail species. A boy of fourteen in search of employment on a farm showed some originality at the Addington saleyards when he approached a well-known commercial man and asked his assistance. He was spoken for during sales, and a cheer rewarded his courage in standing on a fence while the hundreds of farmers present inspected him critic- , ally. His determination won him a position on a Canterbury farm for three weeks, while he was also given an address at which he will probably find permanent employment. Heart cases always gave the court some difficulty, said Mr Justice Frazer in the Arbitration Court at Wellington, when a compensation claim was being: heard, and that difficulty had not been eased by the decision of the Appeal Court in a recent case. It was no longer necessary to point to continuous strain. If a man died from the combined effect of heart disease and the work he was doing, then it was an accident, and compensation was payable. In the case before the Court the decision was that these circumstances did not apply, and judgment was given against the claimant. The activities of the little German owl, introduced some time ago by the Otago Acclimatisation Society, formed the subject of a letter received at the monthly meeting of the New Zealand. Bird Protection Society. The German owl is said to be playing havoc among the native small birds, such *s the fantail, in the southern districts, and the latest report is that the store of food in one nest comprised eleven headless pipits. It is the custom of this owl to put by considerable stores of food which are often not used, and the, Bird Protection Society has more than once suggested that the Government should put a price on its head. At yesterday’s meeting Captain E. V. Sanderson stated that economically the pipit is one of New Zealand’s most valuable birds, being almost entirely insecteating. The opinion was expressed at the meeting that farmers and orchardists would rue the day the little German owl was introduced into New Zealand. Illuminating figures showing that Dunedin experiences higher temperatures than Auckland as well as lower temperatures are supplied in the New Zealand Official Handbook. Over a period of 16 years, 1914 to 1929, the average highest temperature in Auckland was 79.4 degrees and the average lowest temperature 37.4 degrees. The figures for Wellington were 81.2 and 31.2 respectively; Christchurch 88.7 and 25.2, and Dunedin 84.7 and 29.3. The highest temperature in Dunedin was 90.0 degrees and the lowest 27.0; in Auckland the highest was 82.0, and the lowest 35.5. In Wellington 84.0 and 28.6 were the maximum and minimum respectively, and in Christchurch 94.3 and 22.6. Over the same period the average rainfall per year was: Auckland 50.86 inches, Wellington 41.15, Christchurch 24.70, Dunedin 37.83; and the number of days upon which rain fell averaged 193 a year in Auckland, 159 in Wellington, 134 in Christchurch, and 161 in Dunedin. It is interesting to know of the latest in sports goods and hardware, brought out specially for the winter season. England. 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