GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18875, 13 May 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The new Wellington broadcasting station, 2ZW, operating on a wavelength of 269 metres, is to open at 7.30 to-morrow evening.

The Timaru Optimists’ Club last night decided to join the newly-formed Central Relief Society as a noncorporate body.

During last, month seven new consumers were connected up by the South Canterbury Electric Power Board, bringing the total number of consumers to date to 3492.

Delegates of the Protestant Political Association met in Wellington yesterday to consider vital matters in connection with the Association, and in regard to the political situation, says a Press message. A public pronouncement will be made later.

The New Zealand junior boys freestyle swimming record, over 220 yards, was broken by Noel Crump, of the North Shore Swimming Club, at the Tepid Baths, in Auckland last night. Crump lowered the record by 6 1-5 seconds, his time being 2min. 37secs.

The value of the business transacted in the sales department of the South Canterbury Electric Power Board last month was £270 2s lOd, made up as follows: Timaru, £220 6s 0d; Temuka, £23 6s Id; Fairlie, £lO 4s 2d; Waimate, £l6 5s lOd.

The engineer-secretary to the South Canterbury Power Board yesterday reported to the Board that the position of loans at the present time was as follows, all the amounts being unexpended: Geraldine area, £10,200; Levels area, £6,590; Mackenzie area, £3,500; Waimate County. £8,080; Waimate Borough, £4,050; Waihaorunga, £19,300.

While fishing in Foveaux Strait near Ruapuke Island yesterday, Captain Roderique, of Bluff, caught a tuna, four feet six inches long, on a line, says a Press message from Invercargill. It is believed to be the first tuna caught on a line in New Zealand. One was previously found washed ashore at Oreti beach.

The Timaru Fire Brigade received a call to Saltwater Creek yesterday morning, to deal with a fire which had broken out on a motor lorry. The lorry which was the property of Mr Wilkes, of Waimate, was in the vicinity of the Terminus Hotel, when the contents of the machine were discovered to be on fire. These were hastily removed, and efforts were being made to extinguish them -when the Brigade arrived. The lorry was slightly damaged.

The Hon. J. B. Donald (Minister in Charge of the National Provident Fund) yesterday stated that the Department was receiving many inquiries from members of the fund as to whether they would be affected by the recent legislation reducing maternity bonuses from £6 to £4, and the income limit on such bonus from £3OO to £270, says a Press message from Wellington. The Minister stated that members who joined the fund prior to April 28, 1931, were not affected, the legislation applying to new members only.

In attempting to negotiate the corner of Harper and Hassall Streets lat about 6.45 last night a motorist | collided violently with a telegraph post. The crash of the impact created a good deal of attention, but the driver escaped unscathed, although badly shaken. The car. however, fared worse, | the front axle being badly buckled | and the radiator stove in. The vehicle j later was able to proceed under its own i power, emitting a shower of sparks I which appeared to be caused by the j fan rubbing on the damaged radiator.

The sudden recommissioning of the Union Company’s colliers Kaitoke and Kaikorai, which have been idle in Wellington for the past year, has aroused considerable interest on the waterfront, says a Press message. The vessels are now being got ready for sea, and will sail for Newcastle next week to load coal on account of the New Zealand Government. In addition to these vessels, the collier Kurow. which has been laid up in Auckland for many months, sailed for Newcastle on Monday to load coal. No reason has been given for the quick decision to despatch these colliers. The vessels mentioned have a carrying capacity of twelve thousand tons.

At a meeting of the Cawthron Trust Board, Mr H. R. Duncan, who automatically ceases to be a member following his retirement from the Harbour Board after eighteen years’ service as chairman, was present by invitation, says a Press message from Nelson. The chairman of the Trust Board (Mr W. J. Moffatt) moved that the Board place on record its high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by Mr Duncan as one of the original trustees from 1915 to 1924, and a member of the Trust Board from 1925 to 1931, including several years as chairman. He had always given close attention to all matters pertaining to scientific research, and it was with great regret that the Board lost the membership of Mr Duncan

A new range of alarm clocks, of artistic design, faithful construction and guaranteed efficiency— “Home-clox.” In comparison with other clocks of similar quality, “Home-clox” are cheap in price. The Apollo (plain dial) at 18/6, luminous at 22/6. The Minerva at 13/6 and 16/6, and the “Callboy” (plain dial) at 9/-. England. Mcßae's are the South Canterbury distributors of “Home-clox,” and there are subagents in every town. “Home-clox” will do great work in the coming winter mornings. Have a “Home-clox" and be on time •