GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19155, 11 April 1932, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

The Hinds-Rangitata section of the main highway which has been in bad order for some time is being surface metalled and regraded over a distance of seven miles. Some Timaru residents who were standing in front of a fruit shop weie surprised to see a centipede, about six inches long, scurrying across the footpath. It is supposed that the stranger came from the Islands in a case of bananas. The centipede was captured and is to be “bottled” in spirits.

Wet weather again welcomed excursionists who arrived yesterday from Christchurch. Approximately 400 people left the northern city for Timaru, while 222 travelled north by the train from Timaru.

The winner of £IOOO, the second prize in the New South WaleS State lottery (cabled on Saturday), is Mr K. C. Grant, an unmarried man, who went to Auckland five years ago from Wanganui, and has lately been on relief work. Another man in Auckland has a share in his ticket.

Harvest thanksgiving services were held in the churches of St. Mary’s parish yesterday, when substantial quantities of fruit, vegetables, jam and groceries were offered. This year the goods are to. be donated to the Central Relief Society, and it is expected the needy will benefit considerably.

The Hon. R. McCallum, M.L.C., has given notice of motion to Victoria (Wellington) University College Council: “That in view of the economic position and financial difficulties, it is undesirable at the present time that students should be encouraged to pursue the study of law for vocational purposes.”

The approach of the jubilee of the May wrecks of 1882, has revived the suggestion that the old lifeboat “Alexandra,” which figured prominently in the stirring events of May 14th of that year, should be rescued from the obscurity of a Harbour Board yard and placed on Caroline Bay, or, failing that, at the resting space which it is proposed to make near the wreck monument in Sophia Street.

A message from Christchurch states that the All Nations Fair, to raise funds for use in helping sufferers from unemployment during the winter months, concluded on Saturday. In four da>s, the fair realised £2326/12/11, and there are still funds expected from entertainments held by outside organisations in conjunction with the fair. A street appeal some weeks ago realised £1575, so that the total amount available should be about £4OOO.

In reply to a request by thb Mayor of Oamaru (Mr J. M. Forrester), who

said that Maori place names in this district were usually “butchered.” Mr Johannes C. Anderson said the correct pronunciation of Oamaru was “O—ah —ma—ru.” The “O” at the beginning of a Maori name usually indicated that the name of a person would follow. Oamaru was named after a man called Maru. The “a” between the “o” and “Maru” was merely a connecting link. Timaru should really be called “Te Maru.”

Eight members of the Zingari senior fifteen proved a match for Humai

(Waimate), at Fraser Park on Saturday afternoon, the game resulting in a draw, six all. Weather conditions

were unfavourable, a thick drizzle militating against clean handling. The game was ragged throughout, neither side displaying form. Kerr scored twice for Zingari, and the visitors’ total also was composed of two unconverted tries. The curtain-raiser between Zingari and Star juniors was won by the former side by 17 points to eight.

The rent reductions proposed in the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill do not cover weekly house tenancies. When the question was raised on Saturday morning with the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, he made the following statement: “I understand that the legislation applies to all classes of tenancy, but of course with regard to weekly tenancies it could hardly be effective without some further restrictive legislation, as obviously a landlord could terminate a tenancy by notice and raise the rent, whereas in the case of longer leases he is not in a position to do this.”

The first rehearsal of. Mr Barrie Marschel’s new comedy-drama, “The Kid from Timaru,” which it is proposed to produce in talkies, took place on Saturday evening, and revealed a distinctly clever plot and laughter-pro-ducing dialogue. Two noticeable features of the rehearsal were the excellent acting ability of the cast, and two original vocal numbers, “Where the Rangitata Flows” and “There’s Room for us all in the Moon.” The production should be a splendid advertisement for Timaru, when shown throughout the Dominion in talkingpicture form.

The Education Department advised the Auckland Education Board that there was no immediate prospect of a reduction in the price of school text books. The Department promised, however, to give careful consideration to a request of the Auckland Primary Schools’ Association that tenders oe called for the printing and publishing of school books, and that the Department supply the manuscript and own the copyright of books. The agreement to retain the new series of books for a period of five years, stated the Department, would not terminate until the end of 1933. As soon as the contract expired, further attention would be given to the question of reducing the price of text books.

An Electoral Court, comprising the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) and Mr Justice Reed, will sit in Marton on April 18, to hear the petition of Mr J. T. Hogan that the election of Mr Alex Stuart, as representative of the Rangitikei Electorate in Parliament, be declared void. As required by law, the petitioner has advertised his reasons for asking that the poll should be upset. Included in the publication are allegations that certain persons voted at the election whose names had been illegally placed or retained on the roll; that certain ballot papers cast in favour of the petitioner were erroneously rejected; that before, during, and after the election his opponent was guilty of the practice of bribery and treating; that some of the polling booths in the electorate were closed before 7 p.m. on the day of the election; that certain agents of his opponent, who were not duly appointed scrutineers, were unlawfully in and about certain polling booths on election day, and unlawfully interfered with certain voters; that certain other irregularities occurred on polling day.

Following light rain in the afternoon, a definite break in the weather occurred on Saturday night, when heavy rain set in. Up till 9 a.m. on Sunday, 32 points had fallen, and the.rain continued almost incessantly throughout yesterday, a further 50 points having been registered by 8 o’clock last night. Rain continued to fall steadily throughout the night, and at a late hour there appeared to be little prospect of a change. The rain is viewed with different eyes by farmers in the district. Some of those in the coastal lands state that it is welcome. The:'r country d ; d not receive a great deal in February Vhen the drought broke, and the subsoil was still comparatively dry. In the hill country, however, the downpour was not welcomed, as the need there is for fine weather to harden the abundant feed available. A' special offer to beginners at golf. You can be fitted up with a complete outfit at a surprisingly low price by England, Mcßae’s, who are making big reductions in many models of clubs. A complete outfit, consisting of four clubs and a good strong bag, need not cost you more than 60/-. Our expert advice is yours for the asking. Call in and consult us, and select your outfit from our up-to-date stock